Should I remove fake angry grapes that have lots of spotted lantern flag nymphs - Ask Extension
I have 2 young figs and 2 young grape vines teeming with spotted lantern fly nymphs. They are too numerous daily to pick off. I have no tree of heaven...
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Should I remove fake angry grapes that have lots of spotted lantern flag nymphs #871130
Asked June 02, 2024, 11:19 AM EDT
I have 2 young figs and 2 young grape vines teeming with spotted lantern fly nymphs. They are too numerous daily to pick off. I have no tree of heavens in the area but I live in a place with lots of trees not far from gunpowder state park. I do know that the plants did not originally have these or eggs. My large fig has a rotten odor. Should I cut them all down to root & cover & try again next year? Is there anything I can do? Or should I wait it out? The main stalks are very low diameter making traps seem not possible.
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Feeding injury from high populations of Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) could weaken grapevines, especially young plants, but they are rarely a problem on other types of plants. Although the insects also can hang out on fig trees and may feed a little bit, there are no reports of SLF injuring or weakening fig trees.
SLF populations will continue to be high in Maryland for several more years until populations crash. The insects will be back next year, even if you prune plants to the ground. If the nymphs are too much of a nuisance, consider covering the plants with netting in late fall or early spring to exclude their access to the plants.
We can't explain the fig odor you mention...is it coming from ripe fruits later in the year, or something that is smelling bad now? Does anything look amiss on the plant, like an area of wood decay or oozing, frothy-looking sap?
Miri
SLF populations will continue to be high in Maryland for several more years until populations crash. The insects will be back next year, even if you prune plants to the ground. If the nymphs are too much of a nuisance, consider covering the plants with netting in late fall or early spring to exclude their access to the plants.
We can't explain the fig odor you mention...is it coming from ripe fruits later in the year, or something that is smelling bad now? Does anything look amiss on the plant, like an area of wood decay or oozing, frothy-looking sap?
Miri
