Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula
Spotted Lanternfly Identification
Color: Red, black and light brown with white and black spots
Size: Adults are approximately 1” long ½” wide at rest
Legs: 6
Antennae: No
Shape: Circular or oval-shaped at rest; have two pairs of wings creating butterfly-like appearance when spread
Region: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia
What is a Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect native to Asia, including China, India and Vietnam. It was first documented in the U.S. in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to other areas.
Spotted lanternflies are a type of planthopper and can pose a serious threat to agriculture and plants in areas where they become established.
What Do Spotted Lanternflies Look Like?
Spotted lanternflies (SLF) look different depending on their life stage. Young nymphs are small – about 1/8 to ½ inch long – and look like black bugs with white spots. As they mature, nymphs develop bright red coloring while keeping their distinctive white spots, giving them the appearance of red bugs with white spots.
Adult spotted lanternflies are about 1 inch long and 1 1/2 inches wide with their wings spread. Their forewings conceal brightly colored hind wings. Adults are typically easier to spot because of their larger size, striking coloration, and increased mobility.
Yes, but they can only fly short distances. Despite having wings as adults, they primarily move by jumping or walking.
Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in the fall, and the eggs hatch in the spring.
Females lay an average of 30-50 eggs at a time.
Spotted lanternflies can lay their eggs on many hard surfaces, including:
- Trees
- Rocks
- Homes
- Outdoor objects
Because egg masses can be laid on items that are later moved, checking outdoor equipment and other objects is important for helping prevent their spread.
The spotted lanternfly lifespan usually lasts around one year. Eggs hatch in the spring, and the insects pass through several nymph stages before becoming adults in the summer. Adults reproduce and lay eggs in the fall, beginning the cycle again.
Spotted lanternflies feed on both woody plants and non-woody plants, including trees and a variety of plant species.
The tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a preferred host for spotted lanternflies to feed and mate on. This invasive plant was first introduced to the Philadelphia area in the 18th century.
However, spotted lanternflies can host on over 70 other plant species and will lay eggs just about anywhere.
No. Spotted lanternflies do not bite or sting humans. Their primary threat comes from the damage they can cause to plants and agriculture.
Spotted lanternflies are a major destructive pest that can threaten crops and other plants including grapes, hops, and hardwood trees, causing costly damage. They can also affect quality of life in the areas they invade by congregating in large numbers and becoming a nuisance.
Spotted lanternflies harm their host plants by feeding on their sap, which can lead to weeping wounds and mold growth. This damage can result in stunted plant growth or even death.
Homeowners can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternflies by checking cars and outdoor items before moving them, especially when traveling in and out of areas where spotted lanternflies are established. Be sure to inspect items such as grills, firewood, lawnmowers, and other outdoor equipment for insects or egg masses.
There are several spotted lanternfly control methods that can help manage an infestation, including:
- Scraping visible egg masses off trees and properly destroying them
- Removing tree-of-heaven plants from your property
- Banding trees where spotted lanternflies are present
- Swatting or crushing individual lanternflies when only a few are present
- Consulting a licensed pest control professional wo specializes in SLF treatment
Areas affected by spotted lanternfly populations are currently working to stop the spread and damage caused by this invasive pest.
The PA Department of Agriculture put the quarantine in place to regulate the movement of plants and other items that spotted lanternflies can be hosting on, in and out of quarantined areas.
The PA Department of Agriculture put the quarantine in place to regulate the movement of plants and other items that spotted lanternflies can be hosting on, in and out of quarantined areas.
The tree-of-heaven, a favorite host of spotted lanternflies, is routinely being removed.
For help getting rid of spotted lanternflies, contact a licensed pest control professional near you with the helpful zip code search below.
Find a PEST PRO in your area
