Develop biological control methods for control of spotted lanternfly focusing on the nymphal parasitoid dryinus sinicus

In 2014 spotted lanternfly, lycorma delicatula (hemiptera: fulgoridae) (SLF), was first detected in a small area of pennsylvania. SLF is now found throughout much of pennsylvania, and populations are now established in 18 states with reports of detection in additional other states. Investigations into developing classical biological control methods are underway focusing on the nymphal parasitoid dryinus sinicus. Work toward this overarching goal includes maintaining a colony of dryinus sinicus, completing host range testing of this species, writing and submitting a petition for release, and designing protocols for field releases. The university of massachusetts and the PPQ science and technology forest pest methods laboratory (fpml) have agreed to work cooperatively to complete these objectives. A d. Sinicus colony will be maintained, and improvements made to improve survival of the overwin tering cocoons, more efficient rearing protocols, and improved consistency in the rearing times. Host range testing of d. Sinicus was started but a final season is needed to complete the needed battery of tests for appropriate taxonomic breadth and to complete no-choice and choice tests. From the results, a petition for release will be written and submitted for review. And during the time that the petition is being evaluated, a protocol for field releases needs to be designed. This work will benefit the overarching pursuit of developing methods for managing invasive spotted lanternfly, which threatens american grape and hops farmers. No subawards will be conducted under this agreement.