New York Wineries Confront Growing Threat from Spotted Lanternfly
Wineries across New York State, particularly in the Finger Lakes region, are facing an increasing threat from the invasive spotted lanternfly. Dave Pittard, a vineyard owner, observed the species on his property last year and has seen nymph-stage lanternflies this year, though he notes no significant damage yet. The spotted lanternfly, first identified in Pennsylvania in 2014, has since spread to New York, where farmers have noted its preference for the sugar on grapevines, rather than the grapes themselves. This poses a significant challenge as harvest season approaches, given the insects' tendency to cling to vines. Researchers, including Hans Walter-Peterson, a viticulture specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, have been studying methods to mitigate the risk for the past decade. While natural solutions like fungi are being explored, insecticides remain the primary control method, despite many vineyard owners, like Pittard, having moved away from their use on grapes.
