WHAT EATSSLF?
Spotted lanternfly has exploded across the eastern US partly because it arrived without the natural enemies that keep it in check in its native range. Here's an honest look at what does and doesn't eat SLF — and what researchers are working on.
Bottom line: North American ecosystems have not yet developed natural controls for SLF. Predation occurs, but at nowhere near the level needed to slow population growth. Active human intervention remains necessary.
Why SLF Has Few Natural Enemies Here
Two overlapping reasons explain why North American wildlife mostly leaves SLF alone.
Alkaloid Sequestration from TOH
Chemical defenseSLF feeds heavily on Tree of Heaven (TOH), which contains toxic alkaloids — including ailanthone — that most insects and vertebrates avoid. SLF sequesters these compounds in its body tissue, making it unpalatable or toxic to many would-be predators. Animals that have not co-evolved with TOH-feeding insects have no tolerance for these compounds. This is the primary reason SLF adults are largely avoided by native birds and predatory insects.
Novel Prey Problem
Ecological naivetyBeyond the chemical defense, North American predators simply have no evolutionary history with SLF. Predator-prey relationships develop over thousands of generations. Native birds and insects may not recognize SLF as prey at all — they appear, move, and smell differently from familiar native insects. Some predators may learn over time, but ecological adaptation happens on timescales that don't help in the near term.
In its native range (China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan), SLF is kept in check by a suite of parasitoid wasps, predatory insects, and specialized pathogens that co-evolved with the species. None of these are present in North America. That co-evolved pest control system is what researchers are now trying to replicate through biocontrol programs.
Known Predators of SLF
These species have been documented eating SLF — but with varying frequency and population impact.
Grey Catbird
The grey catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is the most reliably documented avian predator of adult SLF. Field observations and published studies confirm catbirds actively feeding on adults in late summer. They appear to be less deterred by the alkaloid load than most other bird species. Attracting catbirds with dense shrub habitat and water features may provide some localized benefit.
Woodpeckers
Downy and hairy woodpeckers have been observed pecking at SLF egg masses on tree bark, particularly on smooth-barked trees like black walnut. Whether they consume the eggs in meaningful numbers or merely disturb the masses is not well established. Woodpecker activity is a good reason to leave dead trees standing on your property where safe.
Praying Mantis
Praying mantids are generalist predators that will capture and eat adult SLF. They are ambush predators and the encounter rate with SLF depends on overlap in habitat and timing. Mantids are not population-controlling predators for SLF — their numbers are too low and they will take many other prey items in preference. Releasing egg cases provides some benefit to your garden generally.
Wheel Bugs
Wheel bugs (Arilus cristatus), a large assassin bug native to eastern North America, have been photographed feeding on SLF adults. They stab prey with a piercing beak and inject digestive saliva. Like mantids, they are opportunistic and not present in numbers sufficient to control SLF populations, but they are a welcome presence in the garden. Do not handle — their bite is reportedly very painful.
Orb-Weaver Spiders
Large orb-weaving spiders (Argiope and Larinioides species) will capture SLF adults that fly into their webs. Observations of SLF caught in webs are common in late summer. Web-building spiders positioned near infested trees and vegetation may remove some adults from the local population — another reason not to clear garden spiders from your yard during SLF season.
Entomopathogenic Fungi
Certain fungi naturally infect and kill insects. These are sometimes called "entomopathogenic" (insect-killing) fungi. The most relevant to SLF management is Beauveria bassiana.
How Beauveria Bassiana Works
Beauveria bassiana is a naturally occurring soil fungus that infects insects on contact. Spores attach to the cuticle, germinate, penetrate through the exoskeleton, and colonize the insect internally — killing it within days. It occurs naturally in soil and has been found killing SLF in the field without any human intervention, though at low rates.
Commercial Products
Several commercial bioinsecticides based on Beauveria bassiana are registered for use against SLF (look for Mycotrol O, BotaniGard ES, and similar products). They are approved for organic use and safe for pollinators when dry. Effectiveness is best in humid conditions with direct contact coverage. They are slower-acting than synthetic insecticides but have no residue concerns near water features or gardens.
Limitations
Beauveria products degrade in UV light — efficacy drops significantly within 24–48 hours of sun exposure. They must be reapplied frequently and work best as a supplement to other methods rather than a standalone control. Hot, dry conditions significantly reduce effectiveness.
Fungal Control Quick Reference
Best Use Case
Organic gardens, near water features, areas where synthetic sprays are not appropriate
Application Timing
Evening or overcast days to reduce UV degradation. Humid conditions improve spore germination.
Target Life Stages
Effective against nymphs and adults. Less studied for egg masses.
Reapplication
Every 5–7 days during active season, or after rain. UV light degrades spore viability rapidly.
Pollinator Safety
Safe for bees when dry. Apply in the evening to minimize bee contact during application.
Where to Buy
Garden centers, online retailers. Look for Mycotrol O, BotaniGard ES, or Grandevo PTO.
What Won't Control SLF
Several animals are frequently cited online as SLF predators. Here's a realistic assessment.
Chickens
Minimal impactChickens will eat individual SLF — there are many videos of this online. But a backyard chicken flock cannot consume SLF at the rate a true infestation produces them. A yard with hundreds or thousands of SLF adults will not be meaningfully controlled by chickens. They may reduce pressure marginally in a very lightly infested area.
Ducks
Minimal impactDucks show similar behavior to chickens — they'll eat SLF they encounter but aren't efficient hunters of flying or fast-moving insects. Claims that ducks are an effective SLF control method are not supported by field evidence. They may be useful in a garden setting for secondary pest control generally, but not as a SLF-specific solution.
Lizards and Toads
Opportunistic onlyLizards and toads will opportunistically eat SLF nymphs at ground level, particularly the small early-instar nymphs in spring. Their contribution to population control is negligible — these animals eat many prey types and are not specialized for SLF. Supporting healthy lizard and toad populations is good for the garden ecosystem broadly.
Most Raptors
Wrong size preyHawks, falcons, and owls prey on vertebrates — mice, voles, small birds. SLF are far too small to be worth their hunting energy. The rare raptor eating an SLF is an accident, not predation. Anyone suggesting raptors as SLF control has misunderstood the predator-prey relationship.
Biocontrol Research: Parasitoid Wasps
The most promising long-term biocontrol research involves parasitoid wasps from SLF's native range in Asia.
Anastatus orientalis
Anastatus orientalis is an egg parasitoid wasp native to East Asia. Females lay their eggs inside SLF egg masses — the wasp larvae then develop inside the SLF eggs, consuming them, and emerge as adult wasps rather than SLF. This is the same mechanism used to control other invasive insects in North America, including the emerald ash borer.
Research Status
Host-specificity testing ongoing at USDA APHIS. Testing ensures the wasp will not attack native North American insects.
Timeline
No approved release as of 2026. The regulatory process for biocontrol agent release typically takes 5–10 years minimum.
Potential Impact
If approved and released, parasitoid wasps could provide long-term, self-sustaining population suppression — the holy grail of invasive pest management.
Other species under study: Researchers are also evaluating Anastatus mirabilis, Ooencyrtus kuvanae, and several other parasitoid species for SLF biocontrol. All are in early research stages. Follow USDA APHIS and Penn State Extension for the latest on biocontrol research status.
Attract Insect-Eating Birds
While birds are not population-controlling predators of SLF, creating habitat for insect-eating species — especially catbirds — supports the predators most likely to target SLF.
Dense Shrub Habitat
Grey catbirds nest and forage in dense thickets of native shrubs. Elderberry, viburnum, and native roses are ideal. Catbirds are most common in yards with layered shrub structure, not open lawns.
Moving Water Feature
A simple dripper or small recirculating water feature attracts far more insect-eating birds than a still birdbath. The sound of moving water draws catbirds, thrushes, warblers, and flycatchers — all SLF-adjacent predators.
Native Plantings
Native plants host the caterpillars and invertebrates that make a yard worth visiting for insect-eating birds. A yard with native oaks, cherries, and native shrubs supports food webs that ultimately support more bird species overall.
Skip the Broad-Spectrum Insecticides
Broadcast insecticide applications kill the prey insects that attract insect-eating birds to your yard. If you use perimeter treatments for SLF, avoid broadcast application on flowering plants and garden beds that host beneficial insects.
Leave Leaf Litter
Leaf litter hosts the invertebrates that ground-feeding birds forage on. Clearing every leaf from your yard eliminates a major food source for the birds most likely to explore your property for SLF prey. Leave some litter in garden beds.
Nest Boxes for Wrens and Flycatchers
Carolina wrens and great crested flycatchers are active insect hunters. Installing appropriately-sized nest boxes in the right habitat can attract resident pairs that will forage throughout your yard through the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any birds eat spotted lanternfly?
Yes, but few do so regularly. Grey catbirds have been documented feeding on SLF adults in multiple field studies. Some woodpeckers peck at egg masses on tree bark. However, North American birds did not evolve with SLF as prey, and most species avoid them — likely due to the bitter alkaloids SLF sequester from Tree of Heaven.
Will chickens or ducks control spotted lanternfly?
Chickens and ducks will eat individual SLF, but not in numbers that make a measurable dent in an infestation. SLF populations in a heavily infested yard can number in the thousands. Free-ranging poultry may reduce local pressure slightly but should not be considered a control strategy.
What is Beauveria bassiana and does it kill SLF?
Beauveria bassiana is a naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus that infects and kills insects including SLF. It is available as a commercial bioinsecticide and has shown effectiveness against SLF nymphs and adults in laboratory and field settings. It works best in humid conditions and requires direct contact with the insect.
Are there parasitoid wasps that attack spotted lanternfly?
Researchers are studying parasitoid wasps from Asia — particularly Anastatus orientalis — as potential biocontrol agents for SLF. Early studies show promise, but no parasitoid wasp has been approved for release in the US as of 2026. USDA APHIS is conducting host-specificity testing to determine whether release would be safe for native species.
Related Guides
Organic Control Methods
Non-synthetic approaches to SLF management — including neem oil, insecticidal soap, and diatomaceous earth.
Read more →Biocontrol Overview
A deeper look at the science of biological control and where SLF biocontrol research currently stands.
Read more →Native Plants Guide
Replace Tree of Heaven and support wildlife habitat with native plants that resist SLF feeding pressure.
Read more →Weekly Fight Briefing
Season alerts, new guides, and weekly action prompts — personalized to your zip code. Free.