Navigating Urban Environments Reshapes Dispersal Traits of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Invasion Biology

Background:

• Urbanization and biological invasions are key drivers of global change.
• Their combined impact on the evolution of dispersal traits is not well understood.
• Cities can aid invasive species through transport and altered environments, but also impose new selective pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the joint effects of urbanization and invasion on the wing morphology of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
• To compare wing size and shape in native (China) and invasive (USA) populations across urban and rural gradients.

Main Methods:

• Quantified forewing size (area, length) and shape using geometric morphometrics from adult spotted lanternflies.
• Collected specimens from native (Shanghai) and invasive (northeastern USA) ranges, including urban and rural sites.
• Compared morphological size, shape, and variance among native, invasive, urban, and rural groups.

Main Results:

• Forewing size (area and length) increased with urbanization and building height in both native and invasive ranges.
• Wing shape diverged between ranges, with invasive U.S. individuals exhibiting longer, narrower forewings than native Chinese individuals.
• Wing shape variance was significantly higher in the invasive range compared to the native range.

Conclusions:

• Dispersal morphology components respond differently to urbanization and invasion.
• Wing size appears to adapt to contemporary urban conditions, while wing shape reflects invasion history and expansion.
• Urban environments may actively reshape dispersal traits, contributing to invasion success beyond mere facilitation.