pachydactylus labialis , commonly known as the calvinia thick-toed gecko , western cape gecko , or western cape thick-toed gecko , is a gecko species endemic to the western and northern cape in south africa , often found taking shelter under stones .

pachydactylus labialis

pachydactylus waterbergensis bauer & lamb 2003 pachydactylus weberi acuminatus — mertens 1955 : 49 ( part . ) pachydactylus weberi werneri — griffin 2003 : 33 ( part . ) pachydactylus waterbergensis — bauer et al . 2006 pachydactylus waterbergensis — mashinini & mahlangu 2013
pachydactylus capensis ( a . smith , 1846 ) – cape thick - toed gecko
pachydactylus gaiasensis steyn & j . mitchell , 1967 – brandberg thick - toed gecko
pachydactylus
. the reptile database . www . reptile - database . org .
pachydactylus is a genus of insectivorous geckos , endemic to africa , and commonly known as thick - toed geckos .
pachydactylus is a genus of arboreal insectivorous geckos , endemic to africa , and commonly known as thick - toed geckos .
neue / new pachydactylus - art / species p . boehmei online ( 4 : 43 pm , 11 / 25 / 2010 )
the geographic range of the genus pachydactylus is centred on southern africa , some reaching east africa , the northernmost limit of their distribution .
pachydactylus kochii v . fitzsimons , 1959 = colopus kochi ( v . fitzsimons , 1959 ) – koch ' s thick - toed gecko
pachydactylus bibronii ( a . smith , 1846 ) = chondrodactylus bibronii ( a . smith , 1846 ) – bibron ' s thick - toed gecko
the genus pachydactylus is characterised by dilated toe tips , usually with undivided scansors . body scales are small , granular and non - overlapping , with scattered , large keeled tubercles .
a lineage accumulation in the pachydactylus group . the plot depicts ltt curves for 1000 trees randomly sampled from the beast posterior distribution . b histogram of γ statistic estimates for the 1000 ltt curves depicted in ( a )
bauer , a . m . & lamb , t . 2003 . a new species of the pachydactylus weberi - group ( reptilia : squamata : gekkonidae ) from the waterberg plateau , namibia . cimbebasia 19 : 1 - 12
beolens b , watkins m , grayson m . 2011 . the eponym dictionary of reptiles . baltimore : johns hopkins university press . xiii + 296 pp . isbn 978 - 1 - 4214 - 0135 - 5 . ( pachydactylus barnardi , p . 17 ) .
beolens b , watkins m , grayson m . 2011 . the eponym dictionary of reptiles . baltimore : johns hopkins university press . xiii + 296 pp . isbn 978 - 1 - 4214 - 0135 - 5 . ( pachydactylus barnardi , p . 17 ) .
maximum snout–vent length for species in the genera pachydactylus , chondrodactylus , colopus , and elasmodactylus . values are based on literature sources along with observations of field - collected and museum - preserved specimens . the small - bodied species p . geitje and large - bodied p . namaquensis are illustrated
branch , william r . ; aaron m . bauer , todd r . jackman , and matthew heinicke 2011 . a new species of the pachydactylus weberi complex ( reptilia : squamata : gekkonidae ) from the namibrand reserve , southern namibia . breviora ( 524 ) : 1 - 15 . - get paper here
bauer am , lamb t , branch wr . 2006 .
a revision of the pachydactylus serval and p . weberi groups ( reptilia : gekkota : gekkonidae ) of southern africa , with the description of eight new species
. proc . california acad . sci . 57 ( 23 ) : 595 - 709 .
bauer , aaron m . lamb , trip . branch , william r . 2006 . a revision of the pachydactylus serval and p . weberi groups ( reptilia : gekkota : gekkonidae ) of southern africa , with the description of eight new species . proc . cal . acad . sci . 57 ( 12 - 24 ) : 595 - 709 . - get paper here
the results are consistent with a model in which lineages more likely to become geographically isolated diversify to a greater extent , although some patterns also resemble those expected of an adaptive radiation in which ecological divergence acts as a driver of speciation . therefore , the pachydactylus group may represent an intermediate between clades in which radiation is adaptive versus those in which it is non - adaptive .
we test whether body size or habitat preference is associated with the formation of geographic isolation in the pachydactylus group in a phylogenetic context . we have generated a comprehensive time - calibrated multi - locus phylogeny of the group , and obtained body size and habitat preference trait data for all ingroup species . geographic range size estimates are produced for all species , and the association between trait data and range size is quantified . we also estimate patterns of lineage accumulation through time and trait - associated estimates of diversification . our data show that both body size and habitat preference affect range size , and that variation in these traits is also correlated with variation in diversification rate , suggesting that allopatric divergence following isolation has played a key role in speciation in the pachydactylus group .
time - calibrated phylogeny of pachydactylus and related genera . the topology is the maximum clade credibility tree estimated in beast with non - gekkotan outgroups cropped for clarity . support values ( bayesian posterior probabilities / ml bootstrap ) are given at nodes ; asterisks indicate nodes with bayesian support values = 1 . 0 and ml bootstrap values > 95 . named species groups and genera are given to the right . geologic epochs and eras are indicated on the timescale ; post - miocene epochs ( pliocene , pleistocene , holocene ) are not labeled
both body size and habitat use are inferred to have shifted multiple times across the phylogeny of the pachydactylus group , with large size and generalist habitat use being ancestral for the group . geographic range size is correlated with both of these traits . small - bodied species have more restricted ranges than large - bodied species , and rock - dwelling species have more restricted ranges than either terrestrial or generalist species . rock - dwelling and small body size are also associated with higher rates of diversification , and subclades retaining ancestral conditions for these traits are less species rich than subclades in which shifts to small body size and rocky habitat use have occurred . the phylogeny also illustrates inadequacies of the current taxonomy of the group .
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thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
maritz , b . , de silva , r . , milligan , h . t . , wearn , o . r . , wren , s . , zamin , t . , sears , j . , wilson , p . , lewis , s . , lintott , p . & powney , g .
justification : widespread and common with no major threats ; hence this species is assessed as least concern .
endemic to south africa . it occurs in western portions of the western and northern cape provinces , from fonteinskop in the ceres karoo northwards to gelykwerf in the richtersveld national park ( bauer and branch 2003 [ 2001 ] ) .
the population is stable . an estimate of the number of existing subpopulations is not possible .
found in moderately mesic situations in a diversity of habitat types that provide suitable rocky or vegetative ground cover . prefers coastal habitats and river valleys with sandy substrates . occurs from sea level to at least 800 m ( branch 1998 , bauer and branch 2003 [ 2001 ] ) .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
republic of south africa ( cape province ) type locality : steinkopf , little namaqualand .
bates , m . f . ; branch , w . r . , bauer , a . m . ; burger , m . , marais , j . ; alexander , g . j . & de villliers , m . s . ( eds . ) 2014 . atlas and red list of the reptiles of south africa , lesotho , and swaziland . suricata 1 . south african national biodiversity institute , pretoria , 512 pp .
bauer , a . m . , and branch , w . r . 2003 . the herpetofauna of the richtersveld national park , northern cape province , republic of south africa . herpetological natural history 8 : 111 - 160 [ 2001 ]
fitzsimons , v . f . m . 1938 . transvaal museum expedition to south - west africa and little namaqualand , may to august 1937 - reptiles and amphibians . ann . transvaal mus . ( pretoria ) 19 ( 2 ) : 153 - 209 - get paper here
loveridge , a . 1947 . revision of the african lizards of the family gekkondiae . bull . mus . comp . zool . harvard 98 : 1 - 469 - get paper here
mashinini , p . l . and mahlangu , l . m . 2013 . an annotated catalogue of the types of gekkonid lizards ( reptilia : squamata : gekkonidae ) in the herpetology collection of the ditsong national museum of natural history , south africa . annals of the ditsong national museum of natural history 3 : 165 - 181
rösler , h . 2000 . kommentierte liste der rezent , subrezent und fossil bekannten geckotaxa ( reptilia : gekkonomorpha ) . gekkota 2 : 28 - 153
this database is maintained by peter uetz ( database content ) and jakob hallermann , zoological museum hamburg ( new species and updates ) .
western cape . [ photo price w . © , from sarca virtual museum ]
western cape . [ photo dorse c . & van rooyen s . © , from sarca virtual museum ]
confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .
to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
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fitzsimons , v . f . m . ( 1938 ) : transvaal museum expedition to south - west africa and little namaqualand , may to august 1937 . reptiles and amphibians . — ann . transvaal mus . , 19 ( 2 ) : 168 , fig . 7 — terra typica : steinkopf , little namaqualand , 23 august 1937
four specimens were collected : t . m . 18052 - 18055 , at steinkopf , little namaqualand , 23 august 1937 . type . t . m . 18055 .
colour . above , grey to greyish brown with dark markings arranged irregularly , in transverse series or in thin longitudinal stripes over back ; a dark band on side of head from second upper labial through eye and over temporal region above ear and then curving inwards round occiput , but not quite meeting its fellow behind ; a dark streak from nostril to just above eye ; labials largely infused with dark brown ; below , creamy white to greyish . tail more or less distinctly barred with dark brown to blackish ; reproduced tails spotted .
dimensions . type , t . m . 18055 , h . and b . 44 , tail ( partly reproduced ) 38 , length head 10 , 5 , breadth head 7 , 5 , forelimb 11 , hindlimb 15 mm .
field notes . taken under loose stones lying on the ground on the slopes of and along the bottom of a valley among the hills .
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disclaimer : itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available , and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties . however , it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes . while every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up - to - date information available , ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the united states is a party , wildlife statutes , regulations , and any applicable notices that have been published in the federal register . for further information on u . s . legal requirements with respect to protected taxa , please contact the u . s . fish and wildlife service .
discrete geographic regions , both continentally and on islands , often have biotas dominated by a relatively small number of species - rich lineages . the most obvious of these dominant groups are adaptive radiations in which a single ancestral species has given rise to descendants filling numerous niches , examples of which include galapagos finches ( 14 sp . , 58 % of breeding songbird species in the archipelago ) , lake victoria cichlids ( 169 sp . , 67 % of ray - finned fishes in the lake ) , and west indies
] . however , there are many other less - known examples of regionally prominent radiations . among lizards , one of the most striking are geckos of the genus
( 2 species ) . by species number , these geckos are the most successful radiation of lizards in southern africa . sixty four of 66 species occur in the southern african subcontinent , defined as that part of africa south of the zambezi and kunene rivers , and most are endemic to this region . these species occupy all major habitat types in southern africa , and many species in the group display morphological novelties such as loss of adhesive toe pads or the evolution of interdigital webbing [
numerous possible causative factors have been posited or shown to explain the relative success of species - rich organismal groups . in classic adaptive radiations , the rapid evolution of morphological disparity may be the key process in spurring lineage accumulation [
] . in other cases , the evolution of a novel trait may allow organisms possessing that trait to access underutilized resources , with utilization promoting ecological diversification and lineage accumulation . examples include the evolution of antifreeze proteins in antarctic icefishes and evolution of the pharyngeal jaw structures in parrotfishes [
and its relatives , none of these potential explanations are likely to fully account for the observed species diversity .
] , each of which is believed to be monophyletic , and each of which is morphologically conservative . the degree of morphological disparity between these groups is not of a magnitude expected in a classic adaptive radiation [
] . this is not to say that there is no morphological variation within the genus . some morphological novelties have evolved , including the previously mentioned foot characteristics as well as variation in scalation . however , such morphological novelties do not appear to be strong drivers of speciation in the group . for example , the most species - rich radiation of
many geckos do have visual display systems or other traits which could theoretically promote diversification via divergent sexual selection . examples include the semaphore geckos (
] . in these genera , males are boldly patterned and use signaling behaviors to defend territories or attract mates .
and its relatives are strictly nocturnal , however , and typically have a drab pattern . nor are any other prezygotic isolating mechanisms evident that could plausibly be hypothesized to be under sexual selection . finally , the relative age of
] , which also occurs mainly in southern africa but includes only nine species .
and its relatives , then traits promoting the formation of geographic isolation should affect both species’ range sizes and diversification rate . the heritability of range size has been a matter of debate , but increasing numbers of studies demonstrate its heritability [
and its relatives , two variable traits of interest that may promote geographic isolation are body size and habitat preference . there is substantial body size variation in
varies , with species showing preferences ranging from sand dunes to rocky cliffs to houses . in southern africa , the periodic advance and retreat of kalahari and namib sands over geological time is linked to climatic variation [
] ; this process has likely allowed intermittent connections to form between adjacent rocky habitats , but the prevailing pattern is that terrestrial habitats are relatively continuous while rocky habitats are more discontinuous . as a result , a preference for rocky habitats may be expected to be associated with geographic isolation and smaller range sizes . such substrate specialization has been suggested to facilitate speciation in the
species to serve as a near outgroup . an additional 18 gekkotan and 4 non - gekkotan taxa (
) were included as more distant outgroups , with outgroup species choice partially determined based on utility for molecular clock calibration . nearly all ingroup sequences are associated with vouchered museum specimens . sequences for four species (
) are exceptions , with sequences derived from genetic material obtained from captive - bred individuals ; in these cases the live specimens were viewed by the authors to confirm identification and associated genetic material has been deposited in the cryogenic collection at the museum of comparative zoology , harvard university .
) . all newly generated sequences were deposited in genbank ( accession numbers ky224166–ky224347 ) .
for new sequences generated in this study , dna was obtained from frozen or ethanol - preserved tissue samples using qiagen dneasy tissue kits under the manufacturer’s protocol . pcr ( polymerase chain reaction ) amplification of fragments was performed in 25 μl reactions , under standard reaction conditions [
] . pcr purification was performed using ampure magnetic beads , followed by cycle sequencing and purification using cleanseq magnetic beads . capillary electrophoresis was performed on an applied biosystems 3730xl sequencer . sequence assembly was performed using bioedit [
phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood ( ml ) and bayesian ( bi ) optimality criteria . for each analysis , model and partition choices were separately identified under the bayesian information criterion using partitionfinder [
] . in each case considered models of evolution were limited to those models that can be implemented by the programs used for phylogeny estimation . greedy search schemes were employed and thirteen potential data blocks were considered : twelve data blocks corresponding to the three codon positions for each of the four protein - coding genes and the trna data comprising the thirteenth data block .
] . one hundred independent searches were implemented on the original data set to identify the best tree , followed by 1 , 000 non - parametric bootstrap replicates to assess branch support . based on the partitionfinder results , the data were divided into eight partitions , each using one of two models : nd2 codon position 1 , nd2 codon position 2 , trnas , and ( pdc position 1 + 2 + rag1 position 1 + 2 ) used the gtr ( general time reversible ) + i + γ model , while nd2 position 3 , ( pdc position 3 + rag1 position 3 ) , ( kif24 position 1 + 2 ) and kif24 position 3 used the gtr + γ model .
] , using a yule tree prior and uncorrelated lognormal relaxed clock . based on the partitionfinder results , the data were divided into ten partitions employing six distinct models : nd2 position 1 , nd2 position 2 , and trnas used the gtr + i + γ model . nd2 position 3 used the gtr + γ model . rag1 position 1 + 2 used the trn ( tamura - nei ) + i + γ model . rag1 position 3 and kif24 position 1 + 2 used the hky ( hasegawa - kishino - yano ) + γ model . pdc position 3 and kif24 position 3 used the k80 ( kishino 1980 ) + γ model . pdc position 1 + 2 used the trnef + i + γ model . four replicate analyses were run for 50 million generations , sampled every 1000 generations . the first 5 million generations were discarded as burn - in . effective sample sizes were estimated in tracer 1 . 5 ( > 300 for all parameters in each run ) to confirm the chain length was adequate .
beast 1 . 8 . 2 was also used to estimate divergence times simultaneously with phylogenetic relationships . the root prior ( lepidosauria - archosauria divergence ) was given a normal distribution ( mean = 275 ma [ million years ago ] , sd = 15 ) encompassing the range of estimates for this divergence [
] . maximum body size was treated in two ways depending on analysis . when possible , svl ( snout - vent length ) was treated as a continuous character and the log - transformed maximum svl was used . however , when treatment of size as a continuous character was not computationally feasible we instead treated size as a binary character . in
) . those species with a maximum snout–vent length ( svl ) < 70 mm comprised the “small” category , and those with a maximum svl > 75 mm comprised the “large” category . habitat preference was divided into three categories . those species that primarily shelter in burrows or under surface debris ( logs , loose stones , aloe leaves , etc . ) , and forage actively on the ground , were classified as “terrestrial . ” species that primarily shelter in rock cracks and forage on cliff faces or boulders were classified as “rupicolous . ” finally , unspecialized species that both shelter and forage on a variety of surfaces ( rock faces , tree trunks , buildings , etc . ) were classified as “generalist climbers . ”
] . eoo was calculated as the area of the minimum convex polygon enclosing distribution records for each respective taxon . aoo was initially calculated as the sum of the total area of the quarter degree grid squares within which at least one record occurs . the final aoo was adjusted to an estimate of the actual suitable habitat within the occupied quarter degree squares based on the literature and the authors’ field knowledge of each species . for all endemic south african species and for most species with a portion of their distribution occurring in south africa , eoo and aoo values were previously estimated as part of the red list evaluation carried out in association with the atlas and red list of the reptiles of south africa , lesotho and swaziland [
] . calculated eoo usually provides the broadest possible interpretation of the space used by a species , whereas the aoo represents a quite conservative estimate . however , for taxa known from single localities or several localities that are very close to one another , aoo as calculated above may yield a greater area than eoo . we used eoo or aoo , which ever was the greater , as our estimates of species’ ranges . these values were log transformed when used in analyses .
we performed a variety of comparative analyses to investigate the relationship among phylogeny , divergence times , trait data , and range sizes . all comparative analyses were completed in replicate on both the beast maximum clade - credibility tree and on 1000 post - burnin trees randomly sampled from the beast posterior distribution . these trees were pruned to remove outgroups ( for which we have incomplete taxon sampling and no trait data ) . the package phytools [
] , which allows for tests of correlation between a multistate vs . continuous trait in a phylogenetic context . because body size evolution and habitat choice may be coupled [
] , we also tested for auto - correlation between these two traits , for a total of three analyses : ( 1 ) svl vs . range size , ( 2 ) habitat vs . range size , and ( 3 ) svl vs . habitat . svl was treated as a multistate ( binary ) trait in test ( 1 ) , but was treated as a continuous trait in test ( 3 ) to facilitate analysis . in all three cases , we tested the hypothesis that the optimum continuous trait value ,
, differed depending on the identity of the multistate trait value , i . e . whether large - and small - bodied species differ in range size ( test 1 ) , whether species differing in habitat use differ in range size ( test 2 ) , or whether species differing in habitat use differ in body size ( test 3 ) . we performed these tests by estimating ancestral states of the multistate character on the phylogeny , and then fitting values of
( rate of change of trait ) for the continuous trait under two model regimes . the null brownian motion ( bm ) model regime estimated single values of
that did not depend on the state of the multistate character . this was tested against a more complex ornstein - uhlenbeck ( ou ) model in which there were multiple
parameters , one per multistate character state . we used δaicc ( corrected akaike information criterion ) values to identify which model provided a better fit for the data . all three tests were performed on 1000 trees randomly sampled from the post - burnin beast posterior distribution , and on each of these 1000 trees we performed 100 ancestral reconstructions of the multistate trait using stochastic character mapping [
] implemented in phytools , resulting in a total of 100 , 000 model fits per test , each with a unique combination of phylogeny and ancestral state estimate .
] model for habitat data implemented in diversitree . because hypothesis testing in a bisse or musse framework can have a high type i error rate [
] , we refrain from explicitly testing the statistical significance of character - associated variation in model parameter estimates . instead , we fit models in which each trait was given individual
parameters strictly to determine estimates of these model parameters . model fitting was performed in an markov chain monte carlo ( mcmc ) framework with runs lasting 1100 generations and the first 100 discarded as burn - in . these estimates were obtained for each of 1000 trees randomly sampled from the beast posterior distribution , resulting in each parameter estimate being obtained from 1 , 000 , 000 observations .
the phylogenies estimated in both the ml and bi analyses are very similar ( fig .
) , and most branches receive strong support . as expected , the grouping of
is monophyletic ( bi / ml support values 1 . 0 / 97 ) and these are in turn most closely related to
] , which included 26 fewer ingroup taxa and was estimated from ~ 1 , 600 fewer nucleotide sites , but there are some notable differences . most notably , both the genera
group ( support values 1 . 0 / 93 ) , a set of four species represented by a single taxon in [
species being its closest relatives ( support values 0 . 76 / 54 ) , although there is strong support for its association with
being more closely related , but with poor support ( 0 . 37 / 46 ) . within
] are recovered as monophyletic with strong support as are many of the species - level relationships within these groups . however , within the speciose
and northwestern groups , in which many new taxa have been added , species relationships are more highly modified . in the first of these , the basal division into reciprocally monophyletic
groups is not supported , and the former makes the latter paraphyletic . relationships among species groups in
remain unresolved , with most groups connected by exceptionally short internodes . there are two exceptions . the
occurred in the early cenozoic ( 66–43 ma ) . this is a similar pattern as observed in other gekkonids , in which relatively species - rich regional radiations undergo initial diversification in the early cenozoic ( e . g . [
species groups are indicative of a relatively high diversification rate in the mid - cenozoic ~ 30–35 ma . the lineage through time ( ltt ) plot shows that the rate of lineage accumulation remains steady or slowly increases to this point after which there is a noticeable decline ( fig .
) . the overall trend is of significantly decreasing lineage accumulation through time ( mean γ value = −5 . 8 , p < 1 x 10
group suggests that being large - bodied is ancestral for the group ( fig .
) . a shift to small body size occurred once early in the evolutionary history of the group , and there have been only two reversals . reconstruction of habitat preference is more equivocal , but the common ancestor of the group is most commonly reconstructed as a generalized climber ( in 80 % of reconstructions ) . what is clear is that more shifts in habitat preference have occurred than shifts in body size , with approximately 26 transitions indicated in total , most commonly between rock - dwelling and terrestrial habitat preferences . although both habitat and body size are estimated to have shifted multiple times , including reversals , correlation between the two traits is not particularly strong based on fits of bm and ou models — out of 100 , 000 model fits , the bm model incorporating only a single global svl optimum was favored according to the aic 31 % of the time ( fig .
ancestral states for body size and habitat preference , based on 100 stochastic character maps for each trait on the maximum clade credibility tree . range size values for each species are given to the right of each terminal branch
histogram of aicc values for model fits of brownian motion ( bm ) and ornstein - uhlenbeck ( ou ) models of trait diversification estimated in ouwie . a habitat preference vs . svl . b habitat preference vs . range size . c svl vs . range size
in contrast , both body size and habitat preference are strongly correlated with range size ( fig .
) . range size displays significant phylogenetic signal based on pagel’s λ ( λ = 0 . 46 , p = 0 . 13 ) , but the estimate of
) . trait - associated estimates of speciation and extinction rates are less variable ( fig .
) . small - bodied species are estimated to have slightly higher speciation ( mean λ [ small - bodied ] = 0 . 055 ; mean λ [ large - bodied ] = 0 . 040 ) and lower extinction rates , but there is extensive overlap . habitat - associated estimates of diversification rate also overlap , especially between terrestrial species and generalized climbers , although rock - dwelling species are estimated to have speciated at somewhat higher rates ( mean λ [ generalized climber ] = 0 . 032 ; mean λ [ terrestrial ] = 0 . 012 ; mean λ [ rock - dwelling ] = 0 . 065 ) .
trait - associated estimates of speciation and extinction generated using diversitree . intermediate colors indicate overlap . a habitat - associated speciation rate . b habitat - associated extinction rate . c body size - associated speciation rate . d body - size associated extinction rate
] . in many cases , these factors may be interlinked . in this study , we focus on two traits , body size and habitat requirements , that were expected to affect dispersal ability either directly because smaller organisms , including some lizards , may disperse shorter distances [
group the smaller - bodied species occupying more patchily distributed habitats are the species with the smallest geographic ranges . other studies that have measured dispersal ability directly have shown that reduced dispersal ability does not always lead to reduced range size [
and its relatives our data suggest that dispersal ability and range size are correlated . traits affecting dispersal ability are likely not the only factors affecting range size , however . minimally , it is likely that geographic barriers , including major river systems and mountain ranges , also play a significant role in restricting the ranges occupied by individual species . for example , the species
group is similar to patterns documented in many lineages that are often attributed to reduced ecological opportunity through time as niches are filled ( e . g . [
group , a general pattern of morphological conservatism within species groups , exemplified by the small number of shifts in body size ( fig .
] through time is in line with expectations if ecological opportunity has decreased through time . however , shifts in habitat use are more frequent , and the number of co - occurring
group species varies from 1 to 13 , suggesting that ecological niche space has not been exhausted . an alternative explanation that may also partly explain the observed rate slowdown is a geographic model as described above . in clades dominated by allopatric speciation , diversification rates may decline as vicariance events affect fewer species as species’ geographic ranges decline through time [
, which includes mostly large - bodied habitat generalists ( i . e . , species with large geographic ranges ) , compared to
as indicated above , a jump in lineage accumulation coincident with the appearance of habitat - specialist clades in the mid - cenozoic ~ 30–35 ma is contrary to the general pattern of declining diversification rate through time . it is possible that climatic or geomorphic processes active at this time were especially favorable for isolating lineages , resulting in increased speciation . major periods of tectonic uplift in eastern and southern africa did not commence until approximately the oligocene - miocene boundary ( 23 ma ) [
] , making large - scale geomorphological change incompatible with the observed rate increase . however , a major climatic regime shift did occur at the eocene - oligocene boundary : a global cooling associated with antarctic glaciation [
group geckos , potentially facilitating rapid radiation . a similar pattern occurs in forest - adapted chameleons , where rapid radiation is coincident with wide availability of suitable habitat , in the case of chameleons during the eocene [
] , which is why we refrain from ascribing statistical significance to these results . alternate methods of trait - dependant diversification ( e . g . [
] ) likewise are best suited to larger data sets . one possible way to increase data set size is to incorporate taxa from across the afro - malagasy clade of geckos , but the interrelationships of genera within this large radiation are still poorly resolved and relevant trait data are missing for many species . finally , range size estimates are based on known collection localities and a correct interpretation of species - level taxonomy in the group . collecting effort varies greatly by country , with , for example , less than 10 , 000 amphibian and reptile collection records in angola , 38 , 000 in namibia , and > 100 , 000 in south africa [
] . some species also vary phenotypically and have named subspecies that further study may reveal to warrant specific status ( e . g . ,
] ) . however , given that trait - associations with range size varied by orders of magnitude , we do not expect refinement of species’ range limits or taxonomy to strongly influence our results .
beyond interpretation of evolutionary patterns , the results of this study also have significant implications for taxonomy and conservation . the phylogenetic results indicate that
. performing a shimodaira - hasegawa ( sh ) test also shows that the likelihood of our best - scoring tree ( lnl −97035 . 168404 ) is not significantly higher than the likelihood of a tree in which
] . thus , we suggest that taxonomic decisions regarding these species be delayed until each species’ phylogenetic position is better established . we refer both
group inheriting traits promoting smaller ranges also inherit traits promoting greater rarity . however , our analyses show these same traits to be associated with higher rates of diversification . given the difficulty in estimating extinction rates from phylogenies [
group . notwithstanding this difficulty , these results stress the importance of defining a frame of reference when measuring evolutionary “success . ” in the case of the
group , more widespread , common species tend to belong to relatively species - poor subclades .
group points to a history of geographic isolation contributing significantly to the group’s species richness compared to other african geckos . even so , some aspects of diversification in the
group , including early evolution of divergent traits within the group , are consistent with patterns observed in classic adaptive radiations . in this sense , the process of diversification of
] ) on the other . it is likely that many other species - rich groups share this same intermediate pattern .
we thank the late donald g . broadley , mirko barts , jon boone , william r . branch , marius burger , and krystal tolley for providing access to some specimens used in the study . johan marais , bill branch , werner conradie , trip lamb , don broadley , randy babb , paul moler , ross sadlier , glenn shea , jens vindum , and many villanova university masters students participated in collecting .
this project was funded by the university of michigan ( mph ) , nsf deb - 0515909 ( amb , trj ) , deb - 0844523 ( amb , trj ) , deb - 1019443 ( amb ) , deb - 1556255 ( amb ) , deb - 1556585 ( mph ) , and ef - 1241885 ( subaward 13–0632 ) ( amb ) . funding bodies played no role in study design or implementation .
mph and amb designed the project . data were collected by mph , trj , and amb . data analysis was performed by mph . mph wrote the paper with input from trj and amb . all authors read and approved the final manuscript .
use of animals to obtain tissue samples for genetic analysis was reviewed and approved by the villanova university institutional animal care and use committee . field work in southern africa that generated the tissues used in this work was made possible by permits ( 1987–2014 ) to amb from the relevant wildlife authorities of south africa , namibia and zimbabwe .
this article is distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution 4 . 0 international license (
) , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided you give appropriate credit to the original author ( s ) and the source , provide a link to the creative commons license , and indicate if changes were made . the creative commons public domain dedication waiver (
) applies to the data made available in this article , unless otherwise stated .
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the spotted lanternfly or lycorma delicatula ( order hemiptera , family fulgoridae ) is a planthopper native to china , india , and vietnam .

although it has two pairs of wings , it jumps more than it flies .

its host plants are grapes , pines , stone fruits , and malus spp .

in its native habitat it is kept in check by natural predators or pathogens .

it was accidentally introduced in korea in 2006 and is since considered a pest .

in september 2014 , it was first spotted in the u.s. .

spotted lanternfly

spotted lanternfly nymphs collected on tree band . tree banding is both an effective detection method and control strategy for spotted lanternfly
for more information you can search spotted lanternfly pda for the pennsylvania department of agriculture , or spotted lanternfly psu for penn state university .
the quarantine of the dangerously invasive spotted lanternfly has again expanded into bucks county .
quarantine extended for invasive spotted lanternfly in s . e . pa . - philly
pennsylvania department of agriculture ( 2015 ) . spotted lanternfly . accessed june 2015 at
spotted lanternfly fourth ( final ) instar nymph ( immature ) . credit : itchydogimages
the spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that was first found in pennsylvania in 2014 .
lateral view of an adult spotted lanternfly . photo by lawrence barringer , pennsylvania department of agriculture
lateral view of an adult spotted lanternfly . photo by lawrence barringer , pennsylvania department of agriculture
the spotted lanternfly is a new invasive insect that was first found in pennsylvania in 2014 .
the spotted lanternfly does not bite people , which is something that people often ask about .
spotted lanternfly is regarded as a poisonous insect in chinese medicine and used for relief from swelling .
right now , the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly involves trying to keep them from reproducing .
find more information , including a one - minute video about the spotted lanternfly , visit urltoken .
spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect in pennsylvania that has the potential to threaten several important agricultural commodities .
if spotted lanternfly did become established in minnesota , it could impact grape , apple and nursery production .
parasitic wasp , anastatus orientalis is reported to parasitize up to 69 percent of spotted lanternfly eggs in china . this egg parasitoid is considered a potential biocontrol agent for release against the spotted lanternfly in south korea .
the pennsylvania department of agriculture issued a quarantine to restrict the movement of the spotted lanternfly on november 1 , 2014 . a small area of pennsylvania is regulated to prevent spotted lanternfly from spreading to new areas .
there are some native insects that could be confused with a spotted lanternfly , especially tiger moths and underwing moths which also can have red hind wings . however , moths are much better fliers compared to a spotted lanternfly . moths also do not jump while a spotted lanternfly ( and other planthoppers ) are good jumpers .
adult spotted lanternfly with wings spread showing colorful hind wing . photo by holly raguza , pennsylvania department of agriculture
. this will increase the likelihood of early detection and control of the spotted lanternfly if it arrives here .
for more information on damage , life cycles and descriptions , and where to look , see the spotted lanternfly pest alert . also , from the pennsylvania department of agriculture : guidelines for the control of spotted lanternfly .
the spotted lanternfly has no known effects on human health , according to horticulture experts at penn state extension .
spotted lanternfly egg mass on tree - of - heaven . photo by holly raguza , bugwood . org .
if you live outside of the current ( quarantine area ) in pennsylvania and find a spotted lanternfly , report it ! use this interactive plant pest quarantine search to see if you ' re in the spotted lanternfly quarantine area .
spotted lanternfly covered egg mass ( bottom ) , adult ( center ) , uncovered egg mass ( top ) .
the spotted lanternfly is a threat to many fruit crops and trees . learn to spot it and report it .
contact the minnesota department of agriculture via arrest the pest if you suspect an infestation of spotted lanternfly in minnesota .
more information about the biology of the spotted lanternfly , most current distribution , volunteer opportunities , quarantine regulations and compliance .
build - up of honeydew secretions at the base of a tree , a sign of a heavy spotted lanternfly infestation .
penn state college of agricultural sciences ( 2015 ) . host plants used by the spotted lanternfly . accessed july 2015 at
photo 1 : spotted lanternfly . note spots on most of the wing and the lacey pattern on the wing tips .
spotted lanternfly younger nymphs without red coloration . photo by lawrence barringer , pennsylvania department of agriculture , bugwood . org .
spotted lanternfly older nymph with red coloration . photo by lawrence barringer , pennsylvania department of agriculture , bugwood . org .
limit the spread of spotted lanternfly : you can take steps personally to limit the chance you may spread spotted lanternfly . you can use the “spotted lanternfly quarantine checklist” to make sure items on and around your home are pest free before moving them . you can also check your vehicle for hitch hiking lanternflies if you plan on leaving the quarantine area . taking steps to not park or leave items under tree lines will also reduce the risk of spotted lanternfly becoming an unwelcome hitch hiker .
spotted lanternfly egg masses can be hard to spot making it easy to unknowingly transport them on vehicles and other outdoor items .
an adult spotted lanternfly , with wings spread , showing its colorful hind wing . photo by holly raguza , pennsylvania department of agriculture
the spotted lanternfly is just the most recent invasive bug species from overseas to show up in pennsylvania by way of international commerce .
south korea is approximately similar in size to pennsylvania and we know that the spotted lanternfly has been here longer than three years .
the spotted lanternfly was first discovered in berks county in 2014 . the fight against them involves trying to keep them from reproducing .
adult spotted lanternfly on tree - of - heaven . photo by lawrence barringer , pennsylvania department of agriculture , bugwood . org .
download a spotted lanternfly kit » the kit contains useful information regarding identification , handling yard waste , a time of year management chart and what to do if you find spotted lanternflies on your property .
this map is from the pennsylvania department of agriculture and so far the spotted lanternfly has been found in the southeastern part of pennsylvania .
an adult spotted lanternfly is seen , its wings spread to show a colorful hind wing . the invasive pest has sparked a quarantine in pennsylvania .
darvin levengood walks the grounds of his berks county winery . the spotted lanternfly arrived in berks in 2014 and has spread to five other counties .
this is a picture of a stand of younger ailanthus trees , tree of heaven , that sustained heavy populations of spotted lanternfly for two years .
any living stage of the spotted lanternfly , lyc o r m a delica tu la . this includes egg masses , nymphs , and adults .
if spotted lanternfly is discovered in minnesota , actions may be taken to prevent its spread to new areas and to eradicate or control any infestations .
in the late summer and fall , the spotted lanternfly prefers feeding on ailanthus altissima , commonly known as the
tree of heaven .
they can be found feeding on other plants and trees , but if you have ailanthus altissima , you should start searching for spotted lanternfly on those trees .
the spotted lanternfly ( slf ) , lycorma delicatula , ( hemiptera : fulgoridae ) was unintentionally introduced into korea in 2006 where it is a pest .
a gypsy moth egg mass ( right ) next to an egg mass of the spotted lanternfly ( left ) on a willow , salix sp . trunk
the spotted lanternfly quarantine has expanded into nine additional municipalities in southeastern pennsylvania , including some in bucks county , the pennsylvania department of agriculture announced recently .
redding is talking about the spotted lanternfly , just the most recent invasive bug species from overseas to show up in pennsylvania by way of international commerce .
as a nymph , the spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of plants and trees . over 65 potential host species have been recorded , including :
barringer , l . 2014 . pest alert : spotted lanternfly , lycorma delicatula ( white ) ( hemiptera : fulgoridae ) . pennsylvania department of agriculture .
it is important for landowners in the affected area to avoid spreading the spotted lanternfly . one good practice is to avoid parking your vehicle under trees because spotted lanternflies that are living in trees will lay eggs on the cars underneath .
after being detected most recently in northampton and lehigh counties , the spotted lanternfly has now been discovered in berks , montgomery , bucks , and chester counties .
profile of spotted lanternfly adult at rest . note the wings are held tent - like over the back of the insect . credit : pennsylvania department of agriculture
the spotted lanternfly is not known to occur in minnesota . it was detected in pennsylvania in september 2014 which is the only known occurrence in north america .
residents in and around the quarantine areas are encouraged to inspect their properties for spotted lanternfly . additional townships may be added to the quarantine , but with the identification of each infestation , we come one step closer to controlling spotted lanternfly and the damage it might cause our economy and our environment , agriculture officials said .
previous experience with other invasive insect species — including the brown marmorated stink bug and gypsy moths — is helpful to state agriculture officials dealing with the spotted lanternfly .
where spotted lanternfly has been detected in pennsylvania , several control options are available . these methods are used in combination on a site - by - site basis .
since its detection in 2014 in pennsylvania , research on spotted lanternfly has been rapidly expanding . currently , researchers from government and academia are investigating topics such as :
i ' m going to talk about the invasive insect , the spotted lanternfly , how to identify it , and why we ' re so concerned about it .
we ' ve found spotted lanternfly on herbaceous plants including day lilies , basil , cucumbers , but primarily we think of them as a pest on woody plants .
efforts to put a crimp in the growing risk of the spotted lanternfly to pennsylvania ' s fruit and hardwood industry have gotten a boost from the federal government .
spotted lanternfly first instar nymph ( immature ) . note that the nymph is black with white spots . this coloration persists through the third instar . credit : itchydogimages
spotted lanternfly was first discovered in berks county , pennsylvania in september of 2014 . it has since spread to 13 counties in pennsylvania and is under a quarantine in that state . it was also found in both delaware and new york in late 2017 . as of january 2018 , spotted lanternfly has not been found in massachusetts .
spotted lanternfly is native to china and found in southeast asia . it was first reported in south korea in 2006 and rapidly spread to different parts of the country .
pennsylvania department of agriculture spotted lanternfly information , including a copy of the slf order of quarantine , a powerpoint on lycorma inspection tips , and the slf pest alert .
the pennsylvania department of agriculture has extended the area placed under quarantine for an invasion of spotted lanternfly to include nine additional municipalities in the southeastern part of the state .
when you see the spotted lanternfly in the media , you often see this image at the upper left with the wings displayed and you can see the red underwings .
spotted lanternfly was discovered in berks county in september of 2014 and we estimate that it arrived in pennsylvania during 2012 based on the condition of old weathered egg masses .
there really weren ' t very many spotted lanternfly in this orchard until september and then when the adults took to flight they flew into the orchard in large numbers .
if you find an insect that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly , please contact your local extension office or state plant regulatory official to have the specimen identified properly .
people are asking about the longterm health of trees that are fed upon my lanternfly .
according to dara’s information compilation , the spotted lanternfly is actually not a fly , but a planthopper referred to as “spot clothing wax cicada” or “chinese blistering cicada” in literature .
the spotted lanternfly is native to southern asia , including china , india , japan , and vietnam . recently , it has become a problematic invasive pest in south korea .
so this orchard , producer , could use an insecticide that was labeled for his fruit crops and the spotted lanternfly have not been particularly difficult to kill with traditional insecticides .
this tree was red from a distance of about 50 feet i could just see that the whole stem of this tree was red from the high numbers of spotted lanternfly .
the spotted lanternfly is native to china , india , japan , and vietnam and has been detected for the first time in the united states in eastern berks county , pennsylvania .
the spotted lanternfly is not known to do any structural damage , it won ' t get into the wall space of your home and try to over - winter as adults .
management neonicotinoids , pyrethrins , and organophosphates are among the chemical insecticides effective against spotted lanternfly . adults and 2 nd - 4 th instar nymphs appear to be attracted to spearmint oil which could be used in their control . using sticky traps at the base of the tree trunks also appears to be a good management strategy . parasitic wasp , anastatus orientalis is reported to parasitize up to 69 % of spotted lanternfly eggs in china . this egg parasitoid is considered a potential biocontrol agent for release against the spotted lanternfly in south korea .
anyone finding the spotted lanternfly on their property is encouraged to contact the pennsylvania department of agriculture at : badbug @ pa . gov , 1 - 866 - 253 - 7189 .
greig , g . 2014 . notices : order of quarantine ; spotted lanternfly . 44 pa . b . 6947 . pages 6947 . the pennsylvania bulletin , harrisburg , pa .
aphis administrator kevin shea points to the sticky bands being placed around the trunks of host trees , such as tree of heaven , to identify the range of spotted lanternfly nymphs .
the spotted lanternfly is not known to bite humans . you can kill spotted lanternflies mechanically , by swatting or crushing them . however , when you threaten them , they are able to quickly jump far away from you , so mechanical control is not easy to achieve .
“you can help stop its spread . keep a watchful eye out for signs of the spotted lanternfly : the nymphs in the spring , and right now the brown / grey mud like egg masses and bright black and white and red spotted adults , ” nichols said .
adults are weak flyers , but good hoppers . the head is black with piercing and sucking mouthparts . life cycle is typically one generation per year . spotted lanternfly overwinters as eggs .
most natural enemies of the spotted lanternfly are not effective enough for controlling them , according to dr . dara , nor are generalist predators . parasitic controls are few , although a few that are native to asia may work there . a parasitic wasp called anastatus orientalis may have potential because it is reported to parasitize up to 69 percent of spotted lanternfly eggs in china .
to control spotted lanternflies , applying a system of insecticide will help to kill off adults .
spotted lanternfly was first found in berks county , pennsylvania in 2014 and is a major threat to our agriculture industry . this video , updated in march 2018 , discusses how to identify this invasive pest and describes its lifecycle and behavior . you will also learn about current conditions and quarantine areas , the research being conducted , and where you can learn more about spotted lanternfly .
origin and distribution spotted lanternfly is native to china and is present in southeast asia . it was first reported in south korea in 2006 and rapidly spread to different parts of the country .
pesticides are currently the most effective way of killing the spotted lanternfly , but it’s important that you contact a professional or follow the instructions on the pdofag’s website to report the infestation appropriately .
“if the spotted lanternfly continues to spread it will attack more grapes , apples , pines , and stone fruits and could become a major pest to the united states , ” nichols said .
a spotted lanternfly , seen on a leaf . they feed on the leaf , then leave behind a waste product that leads to the development of what ' s called a sooty mold .
the spotted lanternfly , which attacks tree trunks and other woody parts of plants , is a weak flyer but a strong and quick jumper . credit : lawrence barringer , pa . department of agriculture
an adult spotted lanternfly is seen , its wings spread to show a colorful hind wing . the invasive pest has sparked a quarantine in pennsylvania . holly raguza / pennsylvania department of agriculture hide caption
as an adult , the spotted lanternfly mainly feeds on the ailanthus ( tree of heaven ) , although has also been observed on a few other species , including salix ( weeping willow ) .
a spotted lanternfly , seen on a leaf . they feed on the leaf , then leave behind a waste product that leads to the development of what ' s called a sooty mold . (
pinned spotted lanternfly adult with wings open . note the bright red coloration now visible on the hindwings . this cannot be seen when the insect is at rest . credit : pennsylvania department of agriculture
the spotted lanternfly attacks many important agricultural trees and plants , including the grapevine . if this invasive species were to establish in ontario , it would threaten the $ 3 . 3 billion wine industry .
the spotted lanternfly feeds on various host plants throughout its development . nymphs feed on a wide range of plant species , while adults prefer to feed and lay eggs on tree - of - heaven (
an ongoing de - limiting survey being conducted at the local and state level to rid areas of the spotted lanternfly has led to the quarantine of several municipalities — including in northampton and lehigh counties .
additionally , it is good if residents of surrounding areas are aware of the spotted lanternfly , know how to identify it in all its life stages and are watching out for it , swackhamer said .
in the late summer and fall , the spotted lanternfly prefers feeding on ailanthus altissima , commonly known as the “tree of heaven . ” they can be found feeding on other plants and trees , but if you have ailanthus altissima , you should start searching for spotted lanternfly on those trees . for information on how to identify ailanthus altissima and how to control it , see this fact sheet : urltoken .
the spotted lanternfly doesn ' t make any kind of a cocoon or pupi , goes directly from that fourth instar stage , the skin of that life stage will crack open and the adult crawls out .
the invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in southeastern counties in pennsylvania . we are trying to eradicate this potential pest . there is a quarantine order in place that prohibits movement of any living life stage of this insect to areas outside of the quarantine area . to find information about identifying the spotted lanternfly , current information about where it is known to exist , quarantine order , and compliance go to : urltoken
the spotted lanternfly ( lycorma delicatula ) is native to china and was first detected in pennsylvania in september 2014 . spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit , ornamental and woody trees , with tree - of - heaven being one of the preferred hosts . spotted lanternflies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses . if allowed to spread in the united states , this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape , orchard , and logging industries .
an exotic pest known as the spotted lanternfly , lycorma delicatula ( white ) was recently detected in berks county , pa . spotted lanternfly , which is actually not a fly , but a planthopper is also referred to as “spot clothing wax cicada” or “chinese blistering cicada” in the literature . it belongs to the family fulgoridae in the order hemiptera . fulgorids or members of the family fulgoridae are moderate to large planthoppers generally referred to as lanternflies because of the inflated front portion of the head that was thought to be luminous . spotted lanternfly is regarded as a poisonous insect in chinese medicine and used for relief from swelling .
the infestation in berks county most likely originated from one of several asian countries , including china , india , japan , south korea and vietnam , where the spotted lanternfly is endemic . despite its distinctive red and black - spotted wings , the lanternfly can only walk , jump or fly short distances . its long - distance spread is made possible by people who unknowingly move infested material or vehicles containing egg masses .
invasive bug prompts quarantine in pennsylvania townships : the two - way the spotted lanternfly has officially arrived in the u . s . , and leaders in pennsylvania are hoping it won ' t be staying long .
osama el - lissy , aphis’ deputy administrator for plant protection and quarantine , looks for spotted lanternfly nymphs emerging from host tree material in research barrels to show aphis administrator kevin shea and associate administrator mike gregoire .
surveys are currently underway to determine the complete spread of this pest in berks county and the surrounding counties . efforts are also underway to ensure the spotted lanternfly is not present in other parts of the commonwealth .
for the lanternfly , current research is focused on the insect’s anatomy in the hopes that a weakness in the pest can be found and manipulated . scientists are working with various pesticides , predators , and parasitoids , spichiger said , including a parasitic wasp that “might infest a spotted lanternfly and cause it not to reproduce . ”
neonicotinoids , pyrethrins , and organophosphates are among the chemical insecticides effective against spotted lanternfly . adults and 2 nd - 4 th instar nymphs appear to be attracted to spearmint oil which could be used in their control .
occurrence data : we have used the csv file of the distribution of spotted lanternfly from the literatures ( in china , korea and japan ) . this file contains the occurrence points of the species in the naive region
horticultural experts across pennsylvania say the spotted lanternfly is of particular concern here because they feast on grapevines , apple trees , stone fruit trees , and pine trees , all of which are big business in the keystone state .
for now , the spotted lanternfly remains confined to a small area of pennsylvania , but according to dr . dara , all appropriate interests should stand by , keep watch , and - - especially - - be ready .
because the pest is so new , experts are working on quarantining and eradicating new infestations in order to keep it under control . currently , the spotted lanternfly is detected in several counties , including our own lehigh county .
darvin levengood walks the grounds of his winery , keeping an eye out for the spotted lanternfly , but does not see any , in amityville , berks county , pa . , wednesday , aug . 9 , 2017 . the nets on the trees are to keep birds away from the grapes ; they would not prevent a lanternfly infestation .
u . s . department of agriculture – animal and plant health inspection service ( 2015 ) . spotted lanternfly eradication program in berks , lehigh , and montgomery counties , pennsylvania – environmental assessment may 2015 . accessed july 2015 at
the spotted lanternfly was first discovered in berks county in 2014 . it is an economic threat because it can destroy vineyards , fruit trees and forest products and associated businesses . sven spichiger , of the pennsylvania department of agriculture , said three vineyards in the quarantine area were negatively impacted this year . “right now the spotted lanternfly is laying eggs and they lay them anywhere and hides them , ” he said . each egg mass contains 30 to 50 eggs .
likewise , if you collect an adult or nymph , place the specimen in 70 percent rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer in a leak - proof container . never take a live specimen of the spotted lanternfly from the area under quarantine .
“social media is a powerful tool for helping visually identify this pest , ” explained redding . “we encourage citizens to watch and share our spotted lanternfly video . anyone can join us to help protect pennsylvania from this bad bug . ”
when disturbed , the lanternfly will hop or fly away , revealing bright red and white hindwings . ( figure 2 )
an average lanternfly life cycle lasts about a year , during which time they can lay between 30 and 50 eggs .
the spotted lanternfly is an inch - long black , red and white spotted insect native to southeast asia . it is an invasive species in korea , where it has attacked 25 plant species that also grow in pennsylvania . the pest had not been found in the united states prior to its initial detection in berks county in the fall of 2014 .
everyone is encouraged to report the spotted lanternfly if they find it outside the quarantine area , learn about the pest’s lifecycle , try to kill it in all stages and don’t move material that could be harboring any stage of the pest .
setliff encouraged everyone to report the spotted lanternfly if they find it outside the quarantine area , learn about the pest’s lifecycle , try to kill it in all stages and don’t move material that could be harboring any stage of the pest .
people seeing the spotted lanternfly for the first time are struck by its sometimes - flashy appearance . but don ' t let its colorful , butterfly - like veneer fool you , caution entomologists in penn state ' s college of agricultural sciences .
the spotted lanternfly threatens many species of orchard trees . in addition to threatening the industry , there are potential social impacts including impacts on summer activities such as apple picking , enjoying fresh produce from farmer’s markets , or wine tasting at local vineyards
native to northern china , the spotted lanternfly has spread to korea and japan , where it has caused considerable damage . last year authorities in berks county , pennsylvania quarantined five townships and issued an alert document to help people identify the pest .
the estimated number of spotted lanternfly killed by egg mass scraping based off of reported efforts . this number comes from the “reporting scraped egg masses instructions” page . this number will be periodically updated to reflect the efforts of pda and the community .
the invasive pest – spotted lanternfly , lycorma delicatula - has been found for the first time in the u . s . ( pennsylvania ) , and western - state growers should be aware of the insect and its host range which includes grapes and stone fruit . sugar content from lanternfly excretion can harbor mold growth which can result in stunted plant growth or even death .
the spotted lanternfly , which recently was discovered for the first time in the united states in berks county , poses a threat to many economically important species of trees and woody ornamentals in pennsylvania . credit : holly raguza , pa . department of agriculture
host plants and impact - the primary hosts of spotted lanternfly are tree of heaven and grapes . however , in korea , it has been recorded attacking 65 different species ; many of these same genera occur in minnesota including apple , grape , willow , oak , walnut , silver maple , common lilac , poplar , eastern white pine , and rose . tree of heaven is not widely present in minnesota , and it is possible that spotted lanternfly would not thrive in minnesota without this important host .
the first north american detection occurred in october 2014 in pennsylvania , u . s . a . as of march 2017 , quarantined areas exist within counties in pennsylvania ( see map ) . in november 2017 , the spotted lanternfly is confirmed in delaware .
we investigated the potential distribution of spotted lanternfly in the us using maxent model . our study found the potential risky places in the us are the midwest and mid - atlantic regions based on the climatic factors that are favourable for the species to thrive .
in pennsylvania , the spotted lanternfly overwinters in egg masses laid on smooth bark , stone , and other vertical surfaces . the first of four immature stages , or instars , began emerging from the egg masses in mid - may , with a few individuals that had molted to second instar nymphs by the end of may . the first instar nymph is black with white spots and wingless . as it grows , the spotted lanternfly develops red patches in addition to the white spots . nymphs spread from the initial site by crawling or jumping up any woody or non - woody plant it comes across to feed . in korea , the spotted lanternfly is known to gradually prefer tree - of - heaven / paradise tree ( ailanthus altissima ) as it nears the adult stage .
kelly murman , a graduate student in biology at east stroudsburg university , volunteers with a collaborative effort by the u . s . and state departments of agriculture to study plants that the spotted lanternfly feeds on , according to a story last month on urltoken .
the spotted lanternfly begins laying eggs in masses of 30 to 50 eggs , covered in a brown , mud - like substance , in late september or early october . egg masses may be found on adult host trees , especially tree of heaven ( ailanthus alitissima ) , moderately - sized stones and other smooth surfaced outdoor items , such as lawn furniture , stone and brick work , and outdoor recreational vehicles . the egg mass poses , perhaps , the greatest risk for accidental transport of the spotted lanternfly to new areas .
the spotted lanternfly is known to attack about 65 different plant hosts in korea , especially tree of heaven and grapes . it is also known to attack plants in the same genera as apple , willow , oak , lilac , rose , maple , poplar , and pine . spotted lanternflies ( like other planthoppers ) damages plants by using its needle - like mouthparts to feed on plant sap .
berks county is the front line in the war against spotted lanternfly ,
agriculture secretary george greig said in a news release .
we are taking every measure possible to learn more , educate the public and ourselves and eliminate this threat to agriculture .
in boyertown , steven frecon , the owner and orchard manager of frecons farm , was not in the quarantine area until this year . his farm grows apples , peaches , cherries , and berries . he saw his first spotted lanternfly this spring in nymph form .
adults and nymphs feed on sap that they suck from leaves and stems of host plants . this causes sap to excrete from wounds ( ' weeping ' wounds ) , which appear grey or black and can occur along the stems , branches or trunk of the tree . weeping wounds are also caused by debris ( frass ) and honeydew buildup from the spotted lanternfly . this can attract other insects to feed on the tree . the spotted lanternfly was first discovered in pennsylvania because of bees that had been attracted to the honeydew .
one of a group of insects sometimes referred to as planthoppers , the lanternfly is a weak flyer but a strong and quick jumper .
and in this picture you can see a yellow jacket that is collecting honeydew right out of the back end of the adult lanternfly .
locate ailianthus altissima trees on the site . for reasons not understood , spotted lanternfly seem to prefer some individual ailanthus altissima trees over others . try to identify the specific ailanthus trees that are most attractive to the insects , based on how many are feeding on them .
“this is our third season of combating the spotted lanternfly , and despite extensive work that has helped slow the spread of this potentially devastating invasive pest , the addition of these new municipalities illustrates just how challenging a task that is , ” said agriculture secretary russell redding .
“in south korea , where spotted lanternfly was introduced more than 10 years ago , they damaged vineyards and the quality of grapes and stone fruit , for example , peaches , ” said emelie swackhamer , a horticulture extension educator at the penn state extension in montgomery county .
the spotted lanternfly threatens vineyards and fruit orchards , which can result in significant social impacts if the insect becomes established . for example , popular summer activities could be impacted , such as apple picking , enjoying fresh produce from farmer’s markets , or wine tasting at local vineyards .
on september 22 , 2014 , the pennsylvania department of agriculture , in cooperation with the pennsylvania game commission , confirmed the presence the spotted lanternfly ( lycorma delicatula ) , in berks county , pennsylvania , the first detection of this non - native species in the united states .
the spotted lanternfly , or lycorma delicatula , is native to parts of china and eastern asia . it attacks trees by feeding on sap and harms them further by excreting large amounts of a fluid that coats leaves and stems and encourages the growth of mold , according to researchers .
“spotted lanternfly has proven to be a tremendously destructive pest that spreads rapidly and can be devastating to our valuable grapes , hardwoods and hops , ” said agriculture secretary russell redding in a statement . he urged anyone seeing the insects to report sightings to badbug @ pa . gov .
provide the file containing the presence locations . to do this , use the “browse” button in the “samples” section of the maxent screen and locate the spotted lanternfly location _ rarely _ occur [ slf _ spatial _ occ . csv ] generated from the data preparation – > step 3
freshly laid egg masses have a grey waxy mud - like coating , while hatched eggs appear as brownish seed - like deposits in four to seven columns about an inch long . trees attacked by the spotted lanternfly will show a grey or black trail of sap down the trunk .
1 . locate ailianthus altissima trees on the site . for reasons not understood , spotted lanternfly seem to prefer some individual ailanthus altissima trees over others . try to identify the specific ailanthus trees that are most attractive to the insects , based on how many are feeding on them .
the spotted lanternfly is a plant hopper native to china , india and vietnam . it has also been introduced in south korea and japan . in the u . s . , the spotted lanternfly has the potential to greatly impact the grape , tree fruit , plant nursery and timber industries . in pennsylvania , this pest poses a significant threat to the state’s more than $ 20 . 5 million grape , $ 134 million apple , and more than $ 24 million stone fruit industries , as well as the hardwood industry which accounts for $ 12 billion in sales .
although grape vine does not have toxic metabolites like other hosts , spotted lanternfly showed a strong preference in studies conducted in south korea . the sugar content of the host plant also appears to play a role in their choice with a preference for hosts containing high sucrose and fructose content .
saunders has submitted a proposal for research funding under the federal farm bill to conduct efficacy tests for spotted lanternfly chemical control . he noted that synthetic pyrethroid insecticides appear to show promise . hoover also is seeking farm bill funding to develop extension educational materials for growers , arborists and the public .
this is our third season of combatting the spotted lanternfly , and despite extensive work that has helped slow the spread of this potentially devastating invasive pest , the addition of these new municipalities illustrates just how challenging a task that is ,
agriculture secretary russell redding said in a statement .
spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults cause damage when they feed , sucking sap from stems and leaves . adults prefer to feed and lay eggs on the tree of heaven ( ailanthus altissima ) . if allowed to spread in the united states , this pest could seriously harm the country’s grape , orchard , and logging industries . we have reached out to researchers in korea to learn more about this destructive pest , and pda is conducting research on the ground to see if removing ailanthus host trees , which also happen to be invasive , and chipping the wood effectively kills spotted lanternfly nymphs .
to get rid of spotted lanternflies in their nymphal stages , banding these trees have proven quite effective . this can be done with adhesive tapes .
the brilliant colors–– red , black , and white — of the spotted lanternfly reveal one of the reasons why it is difficult to control by using natural enemies . its hues are warning colors that alert predators to the fact that the lanternfly is toxic due to poisons called cytotoxic alkaloids , which it metabolizes from some of its host plants . while the coloration of the forewings helps camouflage the lanternfly against a tree trunk , dr . dara says , the sudden flash of its vivid hindwings , when opened , startles predators and scares them away . some birds have been seen vomiting after ingesting the insect . although it is also toxic to humans , the lanternfly has been used in low quantities by practitioners of traditional chinese medicine to treat consumption and swelling .
spotted lanternfly is new to north america . though a good deal of information is available , there are still a number of unknowns . in 2015 , efforts by pda and the other cooperating partners , researchers , and volunteers will need to be evaluated . egg mass scraping and the tree banding programs will remove many insects from the population and reduce the size of the current population , but these activities will also help to better characterize how the pest is behaving in this new environment . evaluation of methodology will lead to a stronger program as pda and its partners continue to battle the spotted lanternfly .
a new invasive pest – spotted lanternfly , lycorma delicatula - has been found for the first time in the u . s . ( pennsylvania ) , and western - state growers should be aware of the insect and its host range which includes grapes and stone fruit in case the insect marches west .
damage adults and nymphs feed on phloem tissues of foliage and young stems with their piercing and sucking mouthparts and excrete large quantities of liquid . due to the sugar content of the liquid , plant parts covered with spotted lanternfly excretion harbor mold growth which could hinder plant growth or even result in death .
damage adults and nymphs feed on phloem tissues of foliage and young stems with their piercing and sucking mouthparts and excrete large quantities of liquid . due to the sugar content of the liquid , plant parts covered with spotted lanternfly excretion harbor mold growth , which could hinder plant growth or even cause death .
but rich blair , owner of blair vineyards in kutztown , says the spotted lanternflies he first discovered on his property two years ago have multiplied exponentially .
refer to the spotted lantern fact sheet and if found on your property , call the bad bug hotline at 1 - 866 - 253 - 7189 .
observations in south korea suggests that spotted lanternfly appears to have a wider host range early in life as young nymphs , and a narrow range as they grow older , especially before egg laying . choosing plants with toxic metabolites for egg laying is thought to be a mechanism of defense to protect from natural enemies .
as the spotted lanternfly was only recently introduced to north america , little is known about the extent of damage that it will cause . although it is too early to make accurate predictions on actual economic impacts , the wine and grape , tender fruit , apple , and forestry industries are at the greatest risk .
call seitz brothers of course ! we have been dealing with the spotted lanternfly for over a year now ! with a free estimate and inspection our trained technicians will be able to help you design a plan to kill these pests . call or text today to set up a free estimate 888 - 467 - 1008
harrisburg , pa - the pennsylvania department of agriculture has added 21 municipalities in berks , bucks , lehigh , montgomery and northampton counties to the areas quarantined due to the presence of the invasive insect spotted lanternfly . the quarantine was already in effect for parts of those five counties , as well as chester county .
the spotted lanternfly is a plant hopper native to china , india and vietnam , and has been introduced in south korea and japan . in korea , where it was first detected in 2004 , the spotted lanternfly is known utilize more than 70 species , 25 of which also occur in pennsylvania , including cultivated grapes , fruit trees , and hardwood species . this pest poses a significant threat to the state’s more than $ 20 . 5 million grape , nearly $ 134 million apple , and more than $ 24 million stone fruit industries , as well as the hardwood industry in pennsylvania which accounts for $ 12 billion in sales .
the article says “at least three different forms of pesticide are currently known to be useful against the adult lanternfly” . what are those three different forms of pesticides ?
the spotted lanternfly has officially arrived in the u . s . , and leaders in pennsylvania are hoping it won ' t be staying long . the invasive pest poses a threat to fruit orchards and grape vines , along with forests and the timber industry . it was detected in berks county , northwest of philadelphia .
in addition , through the efforts of the technical working group , several important questions are being investigated . these include testing the effects of chipping woody material on spotted lanternfly egg mass survivorship , the effects of various existing pesticides on immature life stages , and the attractiveness of certain plant volatiles for use in trapping programs .
montgomery county : douglass township , upper hanover township , new hanover township , west pottsgrove township , lower pottsgrove township , marlborough township , and upper frederick township , upper pottsgrove township , limerick township , upper providence township , lower frederick township , upper salford township , east greenville borough , pennsburg borough , red hill borough , royersford borough , pottstown borough , and telford borough . the quarantine may be expanded to new areas as further detections of the spotted lanternfly are detected and confirmed . intentional movement of the spotted lanternfly is expressly prohibited and is a serious offense . violations could result in criminal or civil penalties and / or fines .
native to northern china , the spotted lanternfly has spread to other parts of asia , notably korea and japan . it has caused considerable damage in those countries , which is why state authorities in berks county , pennsylvania quarantined five townships and issued an alert document to help people identify the pest . the pennsylvania department of agriculture removed more than 100 , 000 of the insects in 2015 alone , according to dr . dara’s paper . the adults are easy to catch because they seldom fly off when approached , preferring to hop away . based in california , dr . dara’s focus on the spotted lanternfly is partly motivated by its potential threat to vineyards .
and it ' s feeding , see it ' s ( mumbles ) right into the abdomen of this lanternfly it has killed and it ' s eating the content .
spotted lanternfly is native to northern china ( liu 1939 ) . it was first detected as an exotic species in south korea in 2004 , and has since rapidly spread to different parts of that country ( kim and kim 2005 ) . more recently , individuals have been detected in japan ( kim et al . 2013 ) .
last year , an invasive pest known as the spotted lanternfly was found in the united states for the first time ever in berks county , pennsylvania . tucked away in pennsylvania dutch country , berks county may seem an unlikely location to find a foreign pest , but with today’s global economy unwanted pests can show up almost anywhere .
adults can be seen as early as the middle of july and take on a much different appearance . adults at rest have a black head and grayish wings with black spots . the tips of the wings are a combination of black rectangular blocks with grey outlines . when startled or flying the spotted lanternfly will display hind wings that are red at the base and black at the tip with a white stripe dividing them . the red portion of the wing is also adorned with black spots . the abdomen is bright to pale yellow with bands of black on the top and bottom surfaces . while a poor flyer , the spotted lanternfly is a strong jumper .
i live near ground zero for lantern fly introduction and am seeing an explosion of preying mantis and have observed them eating lanternfly… . . just one more avenue of research… .
spotted lanternfly feeds on a variety of host plants including vines , fruit trees , ornamental trees , and woody trees . apples , birch , cherry , dogwood , grapes , korean evodia , lilac , maple , poplar , stone fruits , and tree - of - heaven are among more than 70 species of hosts attacked by the pest .
the scout motto is the best advice for pest managers who want to establish a first line of defense against problematic invasive insects even before they become established , according to dr . surendra dara , an ipm and crop advisor at the university of california . “be prepared , ” is what he and his co - authors suggest in a paper published in the journal of integrated pest management on possible tactics to manage the invasive spotted lanternfly ( lycorma delicatula ) , which was detected last year in pennsylvania . pest managers who ignore reports of a new invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly because it is not yet established in their locale do so at their own peril , he said .
the scout motto is the best advice for pest managers who want to establish a first line of defense against problematic invasive insects even before they become established , according to dr . surendra dara , an ipm and crop advisor at the university of california . “be prepared , ” is what he and his co - authors suggest in a paper published in the journal of integrated pest management on possible tactics to manage the invasive spotted lanternfly ( lycorma delicatula ) , which was detected last year in pennsylvania . pest managers who ignore reports of a new invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly because it is not yet established in their locale do so at their own peril , he said .
in korea , where the spotted lanternfly is an introduced pest , the insect has been found to attack at least 65 plant species , 25 of which are known to grow in pennsylvania . state agriculture officials say it has been observed in berks county both feeding and mating and has been found on willow , maple , aspen and tulip poplar .