STOMP vs. SCOOP: Techniques for Catching and Preserving Spotted Lanternflies

A completed mandala for the SFZones project, PC: Amy Gery, PSULV

If you’ve been following Pennsylvania’s plight with the Spotted Lanternfly in any way, you should very well know the popular way of stamping out these pestilent insects, right? “THE STOMP.” 

See it? Stomp it! Graphic, PC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But you can’t very well create beautiful artwork with squashed bug wings. Now can you?! 

For this project, we are asking community members to capture and preserve Spotted Lanternflies, so that they can be used for our final artwork for the Spotted Lanternfly: Zones of Syncopation project. So, instead of stomping, try SCOOPING!  

You’ve done this before, right? You just place a cup or small jar over the insect and slide a piece of paper underneath.  

Scoop up that lanternfly! PC: wikihow [edited]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few other methods our team and volunteers have used include:

1. Catching them in a bug net 

Dr. Dan Jackson, Assitant Professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley, catching Spotted Lanternflies
Dr. Dan Jackson, Assitant Professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley, catching Spotted Lanternflies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Collecting them in a shop-vac 

The PSULV SFZones Team at Coca-Cola Park 
Dr. Elizabeth Flaherty, SFZones Co-chair, collecting Spotted Lanternflies

 

3. Picking them up with a plastic bag 

Community member, Tessa Brennan, and her captured Spotted Lanternflies
Community member, Tessa Brennan, and her captured Spotted Lanternflies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After catching your Spotted Lanternfly, place it in a small container or plastic bag, and place it in the freezer. Leave the insects in the freezer for 24-48 hours. When you are ready to de-wing your insects, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw for 10 minutes.

For more tips, tricks, and information on the whole process, check out this short step-by-step video below!

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Want to get involved with the project?

Workshop dates & locations:  

September 28th: The Baum School of Art (12am to 2pm) and Allentown Arts Fest at Cedar Beach Park (3pm to 5pm)

September 29th: The Cave Brewing Company (3pm to 5pm) 

TO LEARN MORE

Check for workshop updates, harvesting information, and more on our website or contact us at SFZones@psu.edu.

Also, follow the project on social media! 
@spottedlanternflyzones
@campusarts_psu
#spottedlanternflyzones

Blog post by Elise Schaffer, Arts Administration major, Penn State Lehigh Valley