THE EFFECTS OF THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY ON ANT AND TERRESTRIAL SLUG POPULATIONS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
Invasive species, a pervasive ecological dilemma, can be hugely detrimental to the biodiversity of natural systems and local economies. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a species of Asian planthopper invasive to eastern Pennsylvania, drains plants to produce copious amounts of honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth. This study utilizes pitfall traps in eastern Pennsylvania to compare ant species richness and terrestrial slug biomass in areas affected by spotted lanternfly to areas which have yet to be invaded.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Sara Cahan
Graduate Student Mentors
Lindsey Cathcart
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
Second Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Accelerated RN-BS-MS
Second Program/Major
Natural Resources
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
THE EFFECTS OF THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY ON ANT AND TERRESTRIAL SLUG POPULATIONS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Invasive species, a pervasive ecological dilemma, can be hugely detrimental to the biodiversity of natural systems and local economies. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a species of Asian planthopper invasive to eastern Pennsylvania, drains plants to produce copious amounts of honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth. This study utilizes pitfall traps in eastern Pennsylvania to compare ant species richness and terrestrial slug biomass in areas affected by spotted lanternfly to areas which have yet to be invaded.