Battling the Bugs: How Japanese Beetles and Spotted Lanternflies Threaten American Farms – and How We Can Fight Back

Across the United States, two invasive pests have become notorious for their ability to damage crops, defoliate plants, and put entire harvests at risk: the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) and the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). For vineyards like Todhunter Vineyards, these insects are more than just a nuisance — they’re a real threat to sustainability, quality, and yield.

The Japanese Beetle: A Persistent Leaf-Eater

Japanese beetles first arrived in the U.S. in 1916 and have since spread across much of the country. Adults feed on over 300 plant species, but for grape growers, their most destructive habit is skeletonizing leaves — eating the tissue between leaf veins. Without the leaves, our vines loose the ability to photosynthesize; that weakens vines, at best, but can even kill a vine. Their lifecycle includes a larval stage (grubs) that feeds on grass roots, meaning even lawns and cover crops can be affected.

The Spotted Lanternfly: A Sap-Sucking Invader

The Spotted Lanternfly is a much newer arrival, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has spread rapidly throughout the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. This insect feeds on grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods by piercing plant tissue and sucking sap. The feeding stress can cause reduced vigor, smaller fruit, and — in severe infestations — plant death. Additionally, their sugary waste (honeydew) encourages fungal growth, and that is not a good thing for a vineyard!

Organic & Low-Impact Pest Management Strategies

At Todhunter Vineyards, we are committed to regenerative and sustainable farming. That means finding ways to control these pests without harming beneficial insects, pollinators, or the surrounding ecosystem. Here are some of the strategies we and other organic farms use:

1. Hand-Picking & Trapping

• Japanese Beetles: Early in the morning, when beetles are sluggish, hand-pick them into soapy water. This is labor-intensive but effective for smaller vineyards.

• Beetle traps: Can reduce numbers but should be placed far from vines to avoid attracting more beetles into the vineyard.

• Diatomaceous earth: Spreading this powder on leaves can seriously impair and even kill bugs.

2. Beneficial Insects & Biological Controls

• Tachinid flies & parasitic wasps: Natural predators of Japanese beetles.

• Milky spore powder: A natural bacterium that targets Japanese beetle grubs in the soil.

• Beauveria bassiana: A naturally occurring fungus that infects Spotted Lanternflies, now available as a biopesticide. Todhunter Vineyards is going to try this one out!

3. Physical Barriers & Cultural Practices

• Removing “preferred host” plants near vineyards (such as tree of heaven for spotted lanternfly) can help reduce breeding sites.

• Maintaining healthy soil and vine vigor allows plants to better withstand pest stress.

4. Organic-Approved Sprays

• Neem oil and pyrethrin-based sprays that are OMRI-listed can help manage insects, but timing is essential to minimize impact on 'good bugs' like bees.

• Insecticidal soaps can be used on lanternfly nymphs, which are more vulnerable than adults. We have a tow-behind sprayer that can be loaded with these products and sprayed across the vineyard if the infestation gets out of control.

5. Community & Regional Cooperation

Both pests are highly mobile, so controlling them effectively requires coordinated action with neighboring farms, homeowners, and local agricultural agencies. Regional pest alerts, cooperative trapping programs, and shared monitoring can help reduce overall populations.

Protecting Our Vines for the Future

Japanese beetles and Spotted Lanternflies are formidable opponents, but with careful monitoring, a mix of cultural and biological controls, and a commitment to sustainability, vineyards Todhunter Vineyards can manage their impact. In the end, we know that healthy vines make the best wine — and protecting them from these pests is just one part of our ongoing stewardship of the land.