The eggs of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that has wreaked havoc on crops in more than a dozen states, were recently found on a metal art installation destined for Sonoma County, one of California’s most revered wine regions.
The discovery of the notorious insect’s eggs is the first of its kind in California. California Assn. Statewide nonprofit Winegrape Gowers warns that invasive planthoppers native to Asia have the potential to impact California’s entire wine grape industry, potentially driving up prices if the infection reduces grape yields.
“The spotted lanternfly has been found in 18 states and has proven to be a serious threat to vineyards,” said growers group president Natalie Collins. “These invasive insects feed on the sap of the grapevines while also leaving a sticky honeydew residue on the grape bunches and leaves.”
Effects of stress on plants can include reduced yields and fewer bottles of wine available to consumers, and if the stress is severe and persistent enough, it can lead to complete death of the vines and higher wine prices. Collins said no adult monarch butterflies have been reported in the state.
According to the Wine Institute, California produces an average of 81% of all U.S. wine production each year.
The association warned that if there are additional undetected egg masses in other California shipments, “they may produce adult eggs.” [spotted lanternflies] A population peak is expected in the coming weeks in late summer or early fall.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture developed an action plan last year to try to eradicate the pests when they enter the state. State officials are asking the public to look outdoors for egg masses. If a bug is found, they recommend catching it and placing it in an inescapable container, taking a photo and reporting it to the CDFA Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899
The metal art installation where the eggs were found was shipped in late March from New York to California, where the insects have been a persistent problem. After 11 viable egg masses were found at the Truckee Border Protection Station, the 30-foot-tall artwork was returned to Nevada, where officials discovered 30 more egg masses. The artworks were vigorously cleaned with detergent before being shipped again to Truckee, according to the association.
When the installation arrived in Sonoma County on April 4, the owners agreed to allow officials to open hollow beams in the artwork for further inspection. Inside, they found three more egg masses and searched until they were sure no other eggs were present.
The spotted lanternfly was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and quickly spread to nearby states, where it became a nuisance. In New York, they have proven to be such a problem that officials encourage residents to kill them on sight. The pest has become so infamous that it was featured in a 2022 sketch on Saturday Night Live, with one audience member praising them for capturing “the incredible arrogance of the lanternfly.”
Although they feed on more than 100 different plants, they have a special love for grape vines and a tree known as the “Tree of Paradise.” Adults are capable of short-distance flight and are usually 1 inch long. When at rest, with its wings folded, the bug appears dark brown-gray with black spots. During flight, its outstretched wings are patterned with bright red, black and white.
This species is often described as a “hitchhiker” because its egg masses look similar to mud pies and can be easily transported on tractor trailers and semi-trucks. During the first three immature stages of the bugs’ life cycle, they appear black with white spots, later turning red and black with white spots.
