Highlighted Species: Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Lycorma delicatula Hempitera: Fulgoridae
About:
The Spotted Lanternfly (“SLF”) is a True Bug and is hemimetabolous and undergoes an “incomplete” metamorphosis. The life stages are egg, nymphs which pass through a number of instars, and adult. In the Northeast, nymphs will start emerging from the egg masses in May and June, undergo four instar stages through the summer into fall, and become sexually mature adults.
From the late summer into fall, the adults will mate and lay their egg masses, which will overwinter– the adults will die with a hard frost. The egg masses may contain 30-60 eggs, and will harden into a protective substrate. While the host plant for SLF is the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), egg masses can be laid on any nearby surface, including vehicles and structures. This is a major reason why SLF is successful in spreading: the egg masses are easily transported with human assistance.
Design Notes:
This design features a black nail surface with white crackle polish over it. The crackle-effect was the perfect choice to demonstrate the hardened, putty-like masses which will crack as the substrate dries. I pose my manicure design against the trunk of a Tree of Heaven.
Resources:
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Science. (2024). Spotted Lanternfly Biology and Lifecycle. Cals.cornell.edu. https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly-biology-and-lifecycle#:~:text=Lifecycle%3A%20One%20Generation%20Per%20Year,and%20overwintering%20as%20egg%20masses
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. (23, May, 2022). State Agricultural Officials Ask Public to be on Alert for Hatching of Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Eggs. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/news/state-agricultural-officials-ask-public-to-be-on-alert-for-hatching-of-invasive-spotted-lanternfly-eggs
