It was international Earth Day on Tuesday and here’s a fitting snippet we saw online - celebrate native species!

In the USA, native insects, such as spined soldier bugs, have been shown to consume on of our industry’s most unwanted pests, the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF).

In a recent study, researchers discovered that predatory insects, especially spined soldier bugs and praying mantises, effectively reduced SLF populations in a controlled setting. Even better, the insects ate the spotted lanternflies regardless of life stage - promising news in the fight to control these very damaging invasive insects.

While biological control (using natural enemies to control a population) is unlikely to work by itself, it is one more tool in the toolbox and may one day lead to a reduced reliance on chemical pesticides. Read the full story here.

Content credit thanks to the Washington Invasive Species Council.

Photo: A soldier beetle enjoys a SLF snack. Credit Penn State.