What Are Spotted Lanternflies?
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Spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) are invasive planthoppers native to Asia that have become a major pest in the northeastern United States, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, these insects spread rapidly and cause serious damage to trees, crops, and ornamental plants.
Are Spotted Lanternflies Harmful?
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Plant Damage: Feed on the sap of over 70 plant species, weakening trees and crops.
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Honeydew & Mold: Their feeding produces sticky honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth, damaging plants and creating mess.
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Agricultural Impact: Threaten vineyards, fruit orchards, and hardwood trees.
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Nuisance Factor: Swarms of lanternflies gather on trees, decks, and buildings, making outdoor areas unpleasant.
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Economic Threat: Infestations reduce crop yields and increase costs for farmers and homeowners.
Spotted Lanternflies Control
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Control focuses on slowing their spread and protecting plants.
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Inspection: Look for egg masses on trees, rocks, outdoor furniture, and vehicles.
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Egg Scraping: Remove and destroy egg masses during winter months.
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Tree Banding: Sticky traps catch nymphs as they crawl up tree trunks.
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Insecticide Treatments: Professional applications protect high-value trees and crops.
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Host Tree Removal: In some cases, removing “Tree of Heaven” (Ailanthus altissima), their preferred host, helps reduce infestations.
Spotted Lanternflies Appearance
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Adults: About 1 inch long; gray wings with black spots, bright red underwings visible in flight.
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Nymphs: Black with white spots, turning red-and-black in later stages.
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Egg Masses: Muddy-looking patches laid on smooth surfaces from fall through spring.
Spotted Lanternflies Habitat
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Outdoors: Fields, meadows, gardens, and grassy areas.
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Seasonal Activity: Most active in late summer and early fall.
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Indoors: Rare, usually enter accidentally through open doors or windows.
Spotted Lanternflies Diet
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Sap Feeders: Use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap.
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Preferred Hosts: Tree of Heaven, grapevines, maples, black walnut, apple trees, and other hardwoods.
Spotted Lanternflies Life Cycle
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Eggs: Laid in masses in fall on trees, rocks, and manmade surfaces; overwinter until spring.
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Nymphs: Hatch in spring; go through four immature stages, changing color and size.
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Adults: Appear by midsummer, mate, and lay eggs in fall.
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The cycle repeats annually, with overwintering eggs spreading infestations to new areas.
