Reply to Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies

Forum Index » Lawn and Garden

Reply to "Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Another bonus of milkweed - it’s poisonous to spotted lantern flies![/quote]

That's good to know![/quote]

That's still being investigated by Penn State, and the studies aren't due to be completed until 2028.

Myth Debunked
According to entomologists at Penn State Extension, the claim that milkweed is toxic to spotted lanternflies is false. It’s one of several myths circulating about this invasive insect. While milkweed contains cardiac glycosides — compounds that are toxic to many birds and mammals — there’s no scientific evidence that these compounds harm or deter spotted lanternflies.

Why the Confusion?
- Cardiac glycosides are indeed potent chemicals. Monarch butterflies famously sequester them from milkweed to become unpalatable to predators.
- However, spotted lanternflies are sap-feeding insects, and their physiology doesn’t appear to be affected by these compounds in the same way.
- The lanternfly’s preferred hosts (like tree of heaven) also contain toxic compounds, yet it thrives on them — suggesting a high tolerance or detoxification mechanism.

Anecdotal vs. Empirical
Some gardeners and bloggers have speculated that lanternflies avoid milkweed or die after contact, but these are anecdotal observations, not backed by controlled studies. Researchers emphasize the importance of evidence-based pest control, especially when balancing ecological preservation with invasive species management.

Penn State has been at the forefront of spotted lanternfly (SLF) research, especially through its College of Agricultural Sciences. While milkweed is often mentioned in public discourse around SLF, Penn State researchers have clarified that milkweed is not toxic to spotted lanternflies, and there are currently no formal studies at Penn State investigating milkweed as a control method for SLF.

Here’s what their current research is focusing on:

---

Penn State’s Spotted Lanternfly Research Highlights

Myth-Busting & Public Education
- Heather Leach, SLF Extension Associate, and Kelli Hoover, Professor of Entomology, have led efforts to debunk misinformation — including the myth that milkweed harms SLF.
- They emphasize that while milkweed contains cardiac glycosides (toxic to birds and mammals), SLF physiology is unaffected by these compounds.

Reproduction Without Tree-of-Heaven
- Hoover’s lab demonstrated that SLF can reproduce without access to Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven), its preferred host. In controlled studies, SLF completed their lifecycle on silver maple, willow, and river birch.

Biological Control & Natural Predators
- Penn State researchers are exploring native predators and parasitoids, such as Anastatus orientalis, to target SLF eggs.
- They’re also studying fungal pathogens and microbial agents that could serve as environmentally friendly control options.

Home Remedies & Environmental Risks
- Julie Urban, Associate Research Professor, cautions against untested home remedies like dish soap sprays, which may harm native insects and ecosystems.

---

Milkweed: Clarified Role

While milkweed is a vital host for monarch butterflies and a key player in pollinator conservation, Penn State researchers have not found any evidence that it affects SLF populations. They encourage planting native milkweed to support monarchs, but not as a pest control strategy for lanternflies.
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics