Background

The Spotted Lanternfly  is very destructive, invasive  pest from Southeast Asia. Although researches have been  to studying this insect to develop the best method for eradication and control,  a definitive solution has not yet been found.

Due to the lack of natural predators and its ability to lay 50 or more eggs per female, the Lanternfly population has exploded. The USDA has predicted that without intervention the Lantern may inhabit much of the United States and impact other countries as well.

The Lanternfly feeds and lays eggs on a wide variety of surfaces, but tends to swarm towards preferred targets where they are a very unsettling site:

Controlling the Spotted Lanternfly within a forest setting will be extremely difficult since the pest can fly from tree-to-tree. In other settings, the Lanternfly climbs tall structures to launch themselves towards their ultimate goal. Therefor, isolated trees on personal property may still be successfully protected by homeowners and business owners. Existing control methods include; sticky tape, pesticide tree dousing, pesticide tree injection and indiscriminate pesticide spraying. However, each of these have significant drawbacks that range from by-catch of native birds, bats and butterflies to potential poisoning of the local environment through misuse and overuse of pesticides.

The field-proven Spotted Lanternfly Tree Collar Trap eliminates most by-catch issues, requires minimal amount of pesticide and is very long lasting. Our product works 24/7 with minimal upkeep so you may get back to spending quality time with your loved ones instead of frantically squishing and swatting an endless influx of these pests.

Product Development Details

As shown in our Tree Collar overview video, the Lanternfly instinctively climbs tall trees to feed, mate, lay eggs and launch itself toward preferred food sources such as vineyards. Instead of physically capturing the pest, the Spotted Lanternfly Tree Collar has a slippery surface and overhanging petals that keeps the pest from advancing beyond the point of installation so they are more easily treated.  An absorbent wick may be used in the trough of the Tree Collar to collect pesticide over-spray when treating the trunk per Penn State Extension recommended guidelines. That would provide a point-source of pesticide within the trap that the Lanternfly is exposed to until it dies.

The Tree Collar’s overhanging petals also act to protect the wick from rain, which extends the effectiveness of the wick far beyond sticky tape or indiscriminate spraying. Finally, the design includes a growth strip (not shown in prototype pictures) that allows the Tree Collar to expand with the tree's girth.

Product development is planned in three phases as this product may be employed at increasingly higher levels. Phase 1 involves procurement of manufacturing equipment for the barrier strip, which may be used on its own to constrain the pest to the lower tree trunk. Phase 2 involves perfecting the integrated pesticide strip (currently an absorbent wick), which provides a long-lasting point-source of pesticide so the user may reduce pesticide expenditures, reduce pesticide introduction to the environment and free-up time that may be directed towards other pursuits.  Phase 3 involves research using a bio-insecticide instead of a pesticide that  will enable an exponential increase in kill rates and potential application to large-area, forest settings.

What We Need & What You Get

The extrusion die for the Spotted Lanternfly Tree Collar Trap is already available and the product design has been successfully proven-in through prototype testing. The tooling for slitting the barrier strip and punch die for growth strip and other critical features is already designed. We just need funding to procure that manufacturing capability. Other efforts that will benefit from your generous donations include:

• Mechanical design and tooling to adapt the Tree Collar Trap to grape vines 
• Research and development to evaluate organic control agents
• Product fulfillment and retail vendor relationship development
• Marketing and education to promote  pest and product awareness
• Legal costs associated with finalizing the product patent

Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.  Contributions of $50 or more will be rewarded with a 15-foot section of this product, sufficient for 2 to 3 trees, long before it becomes available to the general public. Additionally, you will gain peace of mind that you helped make this critical tool available to fight this very destructive pest.

The Impact

In life, we take much for granted. Our environment, the stability of our food sources, and even the oxygen we breath are great examples. News of massive and uncontrollable fires in the Amazon, which provides 20% of the world’s oxygen was were a serious wake-up call.

Our food sources are now under attack by the Spotted Lanternfly. Vineyards are being decimated. Fruit orchards are under sporadic attack though long-term effects are still unknown. Forests and shade trees in our own backyard are dying a slow death after years of Lanternfly feedings. How can that be? Well, if you stand under an infested tree you will experience what feels like rain but is actually Lanternfly excrement as they mercilessly draw sap from the tree, which weakens its ability to withstand stress from heat and drought.

Existing Lanternfly control methods include professional tree spraying that costs about $25 per tree, which becomes less effective as it dries and is ultimately washed-away into our waterways by the first rainstorm. Tree injection is much more effective but also much more costly. Additionally, applications must be timed so as not to impact flowers and fruit that pollinators and small animals at the bottom of the food chain depend on them. In contrast, the Spotted Lanternfly Tree Collar works 24/7 and year-round with minimal upkeep. Just check the trap periodically to reapply pesticide to the trunk and wick and to watch the Lanternflies die a slow death.

Risks & Challenges

There is very little risk to making this product commercially other than not getting involved. My only concern beyond funding is that the EPA may chose to label this product a Pesticide Product that needs to be regulated instead of a Pesticide Device or Pesticide Applicator that does not. If that occurs, I’ll need to write a $2700 check to the EPA and then not provide the absorbent wick with the barrier strip until a final decision is provided 4 months after submission.

Other Ways You Can Help

Money isn’t everything and that is especially true with the Lanternfly infestation. Many people living 50 miles outside of quarantine zones are not even aware of this pest. Many more people within infested areas feel beaten and are considering giving up. Spreading the word about Spotted Lanternfly and our effective Tree Collar Trap solution will provide 10 times more benefit than any single donation.

Thank you very much for you time, consideration, and willingness to get involved!

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