Agriculture · Vineyards · Hop Yards · Orchards
PROTECT YOUR CROP
Spotted Lanternfly Grower Resources
Spotted Lanternfly has decimated vineyards from Pennsylvania to Virginia. If you grow grapes, hops, apples, or stone fruit — this is your resource.
Section 1
Economic Impact by Crop
Not all crops are equally at risk. Grapevines are the primary victim, but every operation with woody perennials should understand the threat level.
Grapevines / Vineyards
- SLF feeds heavily on grapevines, draining photosynthate and causing cane dieback
- Honeydew secretion promotes sooty mold, blocking photosynthesis further
- Yield losses of 90%+ documented in Pennsylvania vineyards in heavily infested years
- PA wine industry alone estimates $18M+ in losses annually
- SLF specifically weakens vines entering winter dormancy, causing cold injury and vine death
Hop Yards
- Hops are a preferred host — SLF colonizes hop yards aggressively
- Honeydew and sooty mold coat cones, making them unmarketable
- Small craft brewing industry acreage is particularly vulnerable
- PA hop growers have reported 50–80% crop losses in unmanaged infestations
Apple Orchards & Stone Fruit
- SLF is not primarily a fruit pest but feeds on apple bark and young growth
- Honeydew accumulation creates disease pressure (fire blight, powdery mildew)
- More of an indirect threat than a direct economic loss
- Concern: Spraying for SLF may conflict with pollinator protection windows
Nursery & Christmas Trees
- SLF can be a serious pest of tree nurseries — egg masses on nursery stock spread the insect
- Federal and state permits required to move nursery stock in quarantine zones
- Tree of Heaven in nursery margins dramatically increases SLF pressure
Section 2
IPM for Growers
Integrated Pest Management requires action across all four seasons. The calendar below covers the full year for vineyard and hop yard managers.
- Scout and destroy egg masses on all woody plants at field margins
- Remove Tree of Heaven from field edges — priority #1 for vineyard managers
- Apply basal bark herbicide to ToH root sprouts
- Deploy circle traps on trees at vineyard perimeter
- Apply imidacloprid soil drench to ornamental trees (not on grapevines — label restrictions)
- Scout vineyard rows weekly for nymph clusters
- Adult SLF move onto grapevines by August — this is the highest-risk period
- Kaolin clay applications (Surround WP) may reduce feeding but are labor-intensive
- Pyrethroid sprays effective but require careful pollinator management (spray at dusk)
- Dinotefuran bark spray on ToH perimeter trees as a "draw and kill" strategy
- Daily scouting and squishing during peak August–September
Key Approved Active Ingredients for Vineyards
Always check the current label and your state regulations before any application.
Pyrethrin
OMRI listed — approved for organic operations
Kaolin Clay (Surround WP)
OMRI listed — physical barrier, organic
Pyrethroid products
Bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin — bee protection window required
University Extension recommendations
Contact your land-grant university for currently labeled products
Section 3
State Grower Resources
Each affected state has a cooperative extension program. These are the key contacts for grower-specific guidance, spray permits, and emergency response.
Pennsylvania
Penn State Extension — Most comprehensive grower resources in the country
New York
Cornell Cooperative Extension — Especially strong viticulture resources
Section 4
Report Infestations
If you find SLF in or near your operation, early reporting triggers targeted state intervention in agricultural areas. Your report matters — it can unlock spray assistance and prioritized outreach in quarantine zones.
In states with active quarantine, commercial growers may have additional reporting requirements under state law. Contact your state department of agriculture to confirm your obligations.
Section 5
Research & Resources
Peer-reviewed research and extension publications to inform your management decisions.
USDA APHIS — Spotted Lanternfly
Official federal program page: permits, quarantine maps, and regulatory updates.
Penn State Extension — SLF for Growers
The gold standard for grower-specific SLF management recommendations.
American Vineyard Foundation — SLF Research
Industry-funded research on economic impact and vineyard management strategies.
Cornell Viticulture & Enology Program
Cutting-edge SLF research in the context of Northeast viticulture.