D3028: Feeding preference of birds based on spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) diet

Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula, SLF) is a polyphagous, invasive planthopper that poses a threat to the viticultural, woody ornamental, and timber industries. Since its introduction to the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014, it has spread to an additional 33 counties in PA and several nearby states. SLF shows a strong preference for the common, invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which produces bitter tasting, toxic compounds called quassinoids. These toxins may be sequestered by SLF to chemically defend them from predation, with implications for biological control of SLF. To determine how these defenses could affect avian predators, we made two batches of suet: one containing crushed SLF reared with access to A. altissima and one with SLF reared without access to A. altissima. One of each suet treatment was placed in opposite sides of a two-sided feeder at three sites in central PA with two sets per site and monitored for 2 weeks with motion activated trail cameras. The video was reviewed to determine how many times each visiting bird pecked each suet treatment. Birds found the suet containing SLF reared with access to A. altissima less palatable (documented as fewer pecks) than the suet containing SLF reared without access to A. altissima. Next steps are to determine the concentrations of quassinoids in each life stage of SLF reared with and without access to A. altissima and the impacts of SLF diet on arthropod predation.