Truex et al. 2024. Birds as biocontrol: avian species exhibit no avoidance of spotted lanternflies when unable to see red coloration
By Brendon Truex (primary author, Daniela Korbeci, Ashlee Streete, Modesto Fontanez III, Dr. Allyson Jackson
Abstract
Invasive species, particularly insects, are a growing concern in agricultural ecosystems worldwide. These non-native organisms, in new environments, can cause significant ecological and economic damage. Insects have been identified as some of the most destructive invasive species. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive insect in North America, has emerged as a major threat to the agricultural economy and ecosystems. Sequestering toxins commonly derived from host plants such as the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This research investigates whether birds can serve as natural predators for the spotted lanternfly by examining their feeding behavior on SLF-treated seeds. To test this, we pulverized dead spotted lantern flies and created a mixture with bird seed eliminating the red coloration. Our results show that, after removing the red coloration, birds consumed SLF-treated seeds just as frequently as the control group (mealworm-seed mixture). Birds fed on SLF-treated seeds in a similar manner to control seeds. Suggesting that removing the aposematic colors promotes feeding upon SLF, that are not collected from a toxic host species. While this suggests the potential for birds to act as a natural biocontrol for the spotted lanternfly, further research is needed to assess the effectiveness and broader ecological impact of birds as a control method.