The Terrestrial Invasive Species Participatory Science (TIPS) program invites volunteers in Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties of Minnesota to help survey for spotted lanternfly and key host plants: round leaf bittersweet, common hops, riverbank grape, black walnut and butternut.
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect which primarily uses tree-of-heaven and grapes as host plants. Tree-of-heaven is not widely present in Minnesota, and it is possible that spotted lanternfly would not thrive in Minnesota without this important host.
Outside of its native range, spotted lanternfly has been recorded attacking 65 different species; many of these same genera occur in Minnesota, including apple, grape, willow, oak, walnut, silver maple, common lilac, poplar, eastern white pine, and rose. If spotted lanternfly did become established in Minnesota, it could impact grape, apple and nursery production.
To learn more click on the "Join the project" button at the bottom of this UMN Extension webpage: https://z.umn.edu/ExtensionSLFproject