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Published on: January 31, 2020
Spotted lanternfly honeydew as a sugar source for mosquitoes
Irving Forde Upshur1, Chin-Cheng Scotty Yang2, Chloé Lahondère1,2,3,4,5
1Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Journal of Medical Entomology
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Spotted lanternflies produce honeydew that mosquitoes, including invasive and native species, consume. This finding impacts understanding invasive insect interactions and managing disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Ecology
- Invasive Species Biology
Background:
- Spotted lanternflies (SLF) are invasive insects causing significant ecological and economic damage.
- Mosquitoes, known disease vectors, also feed on sugars, not just blood.
- SLF produce abundant honeydew, a sugary substance, as a byproduct of their sap-feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mosquitoes consume spotted lanternfly honeydew.
- To identify mosquito species feeding on SLF honeydew using DNA barcoding.
- To explore the implications for invasive species interactions and disease vector control.
Main Methods:
- Collected samples from mosquitoes in areas with SLF presence.
- Utilized spotted lanternfly honeydew-specific DNA barcoding techniques.
- Analyzed DNA barcodes to identify the food source of mosquitoes.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that both invasive and native mosquito species feed on spotted lanternfly honeydew in field conditions.
- DNA barcoding provided direct evidence of this interspecific feeding interaction.
- Demonstrated a novel food source for mosquito populations.
Conclusions:
- Spotted lanternfly honeydew represents a new sugar source for various mosquito species.
- This interaction could influence mosquito populations and disease transmission dynamics.
- Findings offer new strategies for invasive species management and public health.
