Made in collaboration with Ava Maghsoodlou and Anika Gupta, BFA Industrial Design '27
For our regenerative food system, we decided to focus on the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), specifically the relationship between their excretions (honeydew) and local honeybees. SLFs, which are native to China, feed on the sap of trees, with a very clear preference for the sap of the Tree of Heaven (TOH). This invasive tree species is also native to China, and releases toxins through its roots that negatively impact surrounding native plants. Upon consuming the sap of this tree, the SLFs excrete honeydew, a sugary substance which is then harvested by bees for their honey production, in turn creating an antimicrobial honey. In this project, we wanted to examine this relationship and create a space where this interaction could be controlled and used for our benefit, while also mitigating the harm of invasive species on local ecosystems.
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