Evaluation of a North American dryinid for biocontrol of spotted lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper in eastern North America threatening viticulture and other agricultural industries. A classical biological control program has been initiated by USDA APHIS Forest Pest Methods lab, and the URI Biocontrol Lab is working in collaborating on host range testing of the proposed biocontrol agent Dryinus sinicus by collecting and rearing native hopper species for no-choice testing. While collecting nymphs from the field in Rhode Island, we have recovered multiple dryinid wasps from native planthopper species Acanalonia conica and A. bivittata. To evaluate the potential for this dryinid to help control SLF populations we will run no-choice experiments with wasps alternating between exposure to SLF nymphs of varying sizes and their usual host Acanalonia spp. nymphs of varying sizes. Instances of host feeding will be recorded and nymphs will be monitored for signs of parasitism. To investigate if host plant has an effect, SLF nymphs will be reared on either Ailanthus altissima or Vitis labrusca before being exposed to the parasitoids, while Acanalonia spp. will be reared solely on Vitis labrusca. Understanding the potential for native wasp species to provide control of SLF should be investigated further as part of the pre-release studies for classical biocontrol of SLF.