![]() Reduced sap flow later in the season on Tree of Heaven may contribute to this preference. However late season adults tend to move away from Tree of Heaven to grape vines, silver maple, willow, etc. ![]() Many more eggs are laid and the egg laying begins sooner if spotted lanternfly can feed on Tree of Heaven.A strong preference for Tree of Heaven develops some time during the fourth instar through early- to mid-staged adults.Early instar nymphs have no significant preference for Tree of Heaven a broader host range than adults.However the feeding behavior varies depending on life stage. When spotted lanternfly occurs in a new area the adults are most likely to be found on a Tree of Heaven. Tree of Heaven is the preferred host of fourth instar and adult spotted lanternfly. Preferred Host - Tree of Heaven (TOH), Ailanthus altissima Turgor pressure or sap flow of the plant appears to play a key role in whether spotted lanternfly finds it a good host because spotted lanternflies do not have strong muscles associated with their pumping mechanism. Late-stage adults move from Tree of Heaven to other food sources in the fall, although the reasons for this are not clearly understood.Fourth instar nymphs and adults have stronger beaks and are able to penetrate the trunks of trees, cordons, and the older growth of other perennial plants.The beaks of first, second and third instars are not strong enough to penetrate woody tissue so they primarily feed on annual plants or the current year growth in perennial plants.It is hypothesized they are only feeding to get the energy needed to move on to a more preferred host. As an example, populations have been found feeding in corn and soybean fields for short periods of time, and spotted lanternfly nymphs have been found feeding on basil, cucumber, rose, statice flowers and even grass though none are a preferred food source. ![]() It has been reported that spotted lanternfly feed on almost anything as they move from one area to another in search of a preferred food source. ![]()
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