Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) Oregon
On December 6, 2023 a spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula egg mass was found on a rail car by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). An insect survey technician discovered the egg mass while conducting a visual survey at a rail yard located in The Dalles, Oregon. Upon collection the egg mass was sent to ODA entomologists for further evaluation. As per U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Health Inspection Plant Protection Quarantine (USDA – APHIS-PPQ) protocol, ODA sent the specimen to USDA-APHIS-PPQ for secondary evaluation. Both ODA and USDA confirmed the identification as a SLF egg mass.
The railcar was held for further inspection and no additional egg masses were found. The surrounding railyard was also surveyed, and no additional SLF life stages were observed. Tree of heaven, which is a preferred host plant of SLF, was observed in the surrounding area and its distribution was mapped. To date no populations of spotted lanternfly have been found in Oregon. No other egg, nymph, or adult SLF have been found in the area. The rail car had been in Oregon for less than a month and had originated in Maryland.
This detection highlights the risk of introducing SLF into Oregon, as rail cars, trucks, other cargo, and even personal vehicles move from infested states to the West, where SLF is not known to occur. SLF poses an ecological and economic threat since it attacks a wide range of plant species. Most notable agricultural industries that would be impacted are the grapevine and nursery industries, to name a few. SLF is known to exist in 17 states in the mid-western and eastern part of the United States. You may find more state specific information on SLF by visiting the USDA-APHIS-PPQ Spotted Lantern Fly website.
Oregon does not have an established population of spotted lanternfly at this time, but it is critical that Oregonians keep an eye out for this pest. The ODA asks that the public report any potential sightings to the Oregon Invasive Species online hotline or call 1-866-INVADER. Please include location details and clear photographs.