What you eat is what we need: using ants to detect spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) DNA DOI Creative Commons
Wei‐Jiun Lin, Fang-Ling Liu,

Xue-Ling Huang

et al.

Pest Management Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 24, 2025

Abstract BACKGROUND Early detection of invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula ) is critical for effective management including eradication efforts and limiting further spread. SLF excretes honeydew containing detectable DNA, providing a unique opportunity to leverage environmental DNA (eDNA) its detection. This study introduces ant‐derived (antDNA) approach, utilizing ants ‘honeydew samplers’ detect DNA. We validated effectiveness this method through three experiments. RESULTS Using SLF‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we consistently detected in foraging or nesting near infestations. then showed that after single meal, persisted at least 5 days, even when, subsequently, were fed plain honey solution. Lastly, collected from honey‐baited lure stations along transects radiating infestations yielded positive detections up 100 m core infestations, demonstrating method's extensive range. These findings confirm ants, their active feeding on ability retain ingested material, are highly reliable samplers. CONCLUSION Combined with ants' ecological dominance ease low cost ant collection, antDNA offers sensitive, efficient practical alternative traditional, labor‐intensive approaches detecting potentially other honeydew‐producing insects. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd behalf Society Chemical Industry.

Language: Английский

What you eat is what we need: using ants to detect spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) DNA DOI Creative Commons
Wei‐Jiun Lin, Fang-Ling Liu,

Xue-Ling Huang

et al.

Pest Management Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 24, 2025

Abstract BACKGROUND Early detection of invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula ) is critical for effective management including eradication efforts and limiting further spread. SLF excretes honeydew containing detectable DNA, providing a unique opportunity to leverage environmental DNA (eDNA) its detection. This study introduces ant‐derived (antDNA) approach, utilizing ants ‘honeydew samplers’ detect DNA. We validated effectiveness this method through three experiments. RESULTS Using SLF‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we consistently detected in foraging or nesting near infestations. then showed that after single meal, persisted at least 5 days, even when, subsequently, were fed plain honey solution. Lastly, collected from honey‐baited lure stations along transects radiating infestations yielded positive detections up 100 m core infestations, demonstrating method's extensive range. These findings confirm ants, their active feeding on ability retain ingested material, are highly reliable samplers. CONCLUSION Combined with ants' ecological dominance ease low cost ant collection, antDNA offers sensitive, efficient practical alternative traditional, labor‐intensive approaches detecting potentially other honeydew‐producing insects. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd behalf Society Chemical Industry.

Language: Английский

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