USDA Identified Grapes as High-Risk Lanternfly Targets
Field studies confirm that spotted lanternfly feeding on sap directly reduces grape yield in eastern vineyards.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Botany
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USDA researchers have identified grapes as a primary high-risk crop for damage from the invasive spotted lanternfly. This research, based on field studies in Virginia and West Virginia, highlights the insect's preference for grape sap over other fruit trees.
Why it matters
The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species from Asia, threatens the economic viability of grape cultivation. The findings suggest that regions such as the Lake Erie grape belt face significant risks as the insect population expands.
Feeding activity on sap reduces berry and cluster weight in grapevines. Researchers utilized drones, environmental DNA (eDNA), and population counts to quantify these impacts across vineyard sites.
The players
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, and food.
The details
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) utilizes its piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of host plants. Researchers performed visual counts of adults and nymphs, alongside setting traps in vineyard peripheries to assess impact. While the insect also feeds on the tree of heaven, scientists are investigating native fungi as a potential biological control agent to manage the invasive population.
Timeline
The spotted lanternfly was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014.
USDA research findings were published in September 2026.
The Tech Race
This research follows the ongoing development of biological controls against invasive agricultural pests. It updates the threat landscape established by the USDA's invasive species program as they pivot from containment to active population reduction.
Vineyard owners and regional grape producers in the eastern United States now have clearer guidance on crop risk assessment. The shift in focus toward biological control agents aims to protect domestic wine and table grape production in the coming seasons.
The takeaway
The spotted lanternfly poses a localized but severe risk to grape health by draining sap necessary for berry development. Growers should monitor the performance of ongoing biological control trials, which represent the primary effort to curb future population surges in the Lake Erie belt.
Further reading
For more information on agricultural plant health, visit the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FreshFruitPortal.
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