What Is the Spotted Lanternfly? The Invasive Pest Threatening Trees, Crops, and Gardens

Identifying and removing lanternflies early can safeguard your trees and gardens.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Identifying and removing lanternflies early can safeguard your trees and gardens.

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula): an attractive but notoriously destructive insect—has quickly become one of the most serious invasive pests facing the eastern United States. Since first arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has proliferated across multiple states, damaging vineyards, orchards, forests, and gardens. It poses threats not only to plants, but also to local economies and everyday outdoor enjoyment. Here, we explore what makes the spotted lanternfly so harmful, its life cycle, how to spot it, and, crucially, what you can do to help contain its spread.

Where Did the Spotted Lanternfly Come From?

The spotted lanternfly is native to China, India, and Vietnam, where naturally occurring predators keep its population in check. It first appeared in the U.S. in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014, probably arriving via an egg mass on imported materials. Lacking native predators or diseases here, the insect’s population exploded, and it has now spread across multiple states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, and Ohio, with scattered sightings in many others.

What Does the Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?

To stop the spread, it is vital to recognize the spotted lanternfly in any of its life stages. The insect’s appearance changes dramatically as it matures. This section describes the distinctive characteristics of each stage:

Egg Masses: Laid on flat surfaces—tree trunks, rocks, outdoor furniture, vehicles. Look for grayish, mud-like patches that resemble smeared clay. Each mass contains 30–50 eggs.
Nymphs (Instars):
- Early (1st–3rd instar): Small (1/4 inch), black with bright white spots.
- Late (4th instar): Larger, red body with white spots and black stripes.
Related: Stink Bug Identification: Photos, Species, Prevention, and Control
Adults:
- About 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide.
- Wings are gray with black spots; hindwings are red with black spots and a band of white, visible when the wings are open.
- Look for bright yellow abdomen with black bands.

Why Are Spotted Lanternflies a Threat?

The spotted lanternfly prefers to feed on the sap of over 70 plant species. This feeding damages plants directly and creates conditions for further harm:

Agricultural Damage: Major crops at risk include grapevines, apples, stone fruits, and hops. Pennsylvania’s wine industry and orchards have reported significant losses.
Tree Damage: Hardwoods such as maple, walnut, and especially the “tree of heaven” (Ailanthus altissima) are favored hosts. While healthy trees may survive for a time, repeated infestations weaken and eventually kill them.
Sooty Mold: Lanternflies excrete sticky honeydew as they feed. This promotes sooty mold—a black fungal growth—that covers leaves, bark, patios, furniture, and cars, inhibiting photosynthesis and spoiling outdoor spaces.
Spread to New Areas: Lanternflies hitch rides on vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor gear, and other items, rapidly colonizing new territories.

Life Cycle: How Do Spotted Lanternflies Grow and Spread?

Understanding the spotted lanternfly’s life cycle reveals when and how to intervene:

Stage	Time of Year	What to Look For
Egg Mass	Late Fall to Early Spring	Gray, mud-like patches on smooth surfaces
Nymph – Early Instar	Late Spring (May–June)	Tiny black insects with white spots
Nymph – Late Instar	Early Summer (July)	Red with black and white spots
Adult	Late Summer to Fall (July–December)	Gray wings with spots, red hindwings, yellow belly

Which Plants and Trees Are at Risk?

The spotted lanternfly is not picky—it attacks a wide assortment of native and cultivated plants. However, there are clear favorites and casualties:

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): The preferred host; identifying and removing this weed tree can help reduce lanternfly breeding grounds.
Grapevines: Vineyards are especially vulnerable, with loss of yield and even death of vines reported in severely infested areas.
Apple and Stone-Fruit Trees: Includes apples, peaches, cherries, plums, and apricots.
Maples, Walnut, Willow: Commonly damaged hardwoods found in forests and landscapes.
Other at-risk plants: Hops, birch, sycamore, roses, and dozens more.

How to Identify a Spotted Lanternfly Infestation

Regular monitoring and early identification are key to stopping an outbreak before it spreads. Look out for:

Clusters of Insects: Both nymphs and adults are often found in groups, climbing plant stems and congregating on trunks, leaves, and branches.
Honeydew and Sooty Mold: Sticky droplets and black moldy coating on plants, patio furniture, decks, or cars parked nearby.
Visible Injury: Wilting, stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and oozing wounds on trunks or branches.
Egg Masses: Inspect smooth surfaces—trees, siding, outdoor gear, vehicles—for the characteristic taupe-colored, putty-like blobs.

How Do Spotted Lanternflies Spread?

The pest’s rapid geographic expansion comes from human activity. Adult lanternflies and especially egg masses may hitch rides on:

Cars, trucks, RVs, and trains
Outdoor furniture or recreational gear
Lumber, firewood, landscaping supplies
Boats and campers

You can help by always checking your car, gear, and outdoor items before leaving or entering an infested area, especially in late summer and fall when egg-laying peaks.

Stopping the Spread: What You Can Do

Everyone, from home gardeners to business owners and travelers, has a role in containment. Here’s how you can help stop the spotted lanternfly in its tracks:

Learn to Identify All Life Stages—study the appearance of eggs, nymphs, and adults, along with their favorite host plant, the tree of heaven.
Regularly Inspect Your Property—look for lanternflies on trees, shrubs, outdoor objects, and especially under bark or on smooth surfaces.
Scrape and Destroy Egg Masses—use a plastic card or putty knife to scrape egg masses into a bag with hand sanitizer or alcohol, then seal and dispose. Do not throw eggs on the ground; they must be destroyed to prevent hatching.
Kill Nymphs and Adults—crush on sight, use sticky traps on trees (with caution to avoid capturing birds or small mammals), or consider registered insecticidal sprays for severe infestations. Always follow EPA label instructions and never spray plants in bloom to protect pollinators.
Check Vehicles and Equipment—before traveling, inspect all vehicles, trailers, and equipment, especially after parking under trees or in quarantine zones.
Report Sightings—take a photo and note the location, then report to your state’s department of agriculture or local invasive species program.
Remove Tree of Heaven—if safe and feasible, eliminate this invasive tree from your property. Consult local guidelines on removal techniques.

What States Are Affected?

The spotted lanternfly is currently established in parts of:

Pennsylvania (first and worst hit)
New Jersey
Delaware
Virginia
Maryland
New York
Connecticut
Ohio
Other states have reported isolated sightings or are considered at risk, so vigilance is recommended throughout the eastern U.S.

Management Strategies and Treatments

There is no single solution for spotted lanternfly eradication, but a combination of tactics yields results. Communities and landowners use an integrated approach:

Monitoring and Mechanical Removal: Inspect regularly, scrape egg masses, and set sticky bands around the trunks (using wire mesh guards to avoid trapping wildlife).
Chemical Control: Use only EPA-registered insecticides, and only as a last resort. It is essential to minimize impacts on pollinators and non-target species. Avoid applying chemicals to blooming plants.
Biological Control: Scientists are researching natural predators and fungal controls found in the lanternfly’s native range, though these are not yet widely available in the U.S.
Remove Host Trees: For heavily infested areas, removing tree of heaven helps slow breeding.
Community Efforts: Join local programs, report sightings, and educate neighbors to maximize area-wide impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Spotted Lanternfly

Q: Are spotted lanternflies dangerous to humans or pets?

A: No, spotted lanternflies do not bite or sting humans or animals. Their harm is mainly to plants and outdoor spaces.

Q: Can the spotted lanternfly kill healthy trees?

A: While healthy mature trees often survive for years, repeated infestations stress trees and make them vulnerable to disease, eventually leading to death, especially for younger or already weakened trees.

Q: What should I do if I find a spotted lanternfly on my property?

A: Document with a photo, report the sighting to your local agriculture department or invasive species hotline, and follow steps to kill the insect or destroy eggs as appropriate.

Q: Do sticky traps work?

A: Yes, but use wildlife-protective mesh over them to prevent accidental harm to birds, small mammals, or beneficial insects.

Q: Is there a quarantine or regulations for moving materials from infested areas?

A: Many states have established quarantine zones restricting the movement of plants, lumber, and outdoor objects out of infested counties. Always check local guidelines before transporting materials.

Q: How can communities work together to stop the spread?

A: Organize neighborhood inspections, educate residents about identification and reporting, partner with local authorities, and participate in removal and treatment efforts.

Key Takeaways

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest with a broad appetite, causing severe agricultural and environmental harm wherever it spreads.
Recognizing and reporting all life stages is essential for early intervention.
You can help by inspecting vehicles and property, destroying eggs, killing insects, managing host trees, and staying informed on local quarantine regulations.
Managing this pest requires a combination of awareness, vigilance, and coordinated action by individuals and communities.

Resources and Additional Reading

Visit your state’s Department of Agriculture website for reporting and management resources.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) maintains a detailed resource page on the spotted lanternfly.
Penn State Extension and other university cooperative extensions provide region-specific guidance on identification and management.

By staying vigilant and proactive, everyone can play a part in stopping the spotted lanternfly before it causes further devastation to plants, agriculture, and the environment.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb