Nondestructive Sampling for Spotted Lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) Egg Masses in Woodlands Based on Fixed-Radius Plots

Abstract A nondestructive sampling method was developed for Lycorma delicatula egg masses based on fixed-radius plot (100 m2) in 2020. All trees >1.0 cm DBH (diameter at breast height, 1.37 m height) each were visually inspected from the ground 4 tree with binoculars. Egg found separated into six within-tree positions (lower trunk, middle upper first branch, second above branch) and recorded by cardinal directions, whereas those laid shrubs/vines stones without such separation. In total, 146 inventoried 28 plots over seven study sites (four per site). 19 species plus summer grape (Vitis aestivalis) stone. Of 421 total recorded, 31.1% Norway maple (Acer platanoides), followed tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima; 14.7%), black birch (Betula lenta; 12.6%), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera; 11.9%), American beech (Fagus grandifolia; 10.2%). mass density positively correlated diameter, basal area. after conversion ranged 600 to 3,930 eggs masses/ha no significant difference among sites. Cardinal direction had effect; however, significantly more branches trunks than other positions. Overall, better predicting number tree. The role of distance late season adult aggregation oviposition substrate selection are discussed.