United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly is a threat to many fruit crops and trees. Learn how to spot it and report it.
Spotted lanternfly fourth (final) instar nymph (immature). Credit: itchydogimages
Profile of spotted lanternfly adult at rest. Note the wings are held tent-like over the back of the insect. Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Pinned spotted lanternfly adult with wings open. Note the bright red coloration now visible on the hindwings. This cannot be seen when the insect is at rest. Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Top left: Hatched spotted lanternfly egg masses | Bottom left: Unhatched spotted lanternfly egg masses | Right: Mature spotted lanternfly Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Spotted lanternfly first instar nymph (immature). Note that the nymph is black with white spots. This coloration persists through the third instar. Credit: itchydogimages
The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. Spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being one of the preferred hosts. Spotted lanternflies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries.
- Pennsylvania. See Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Spotted Lanternfly State quarantine map
- Most states are considered a risk. See Pest Tracker for details
- Almonds
- Apples
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Hops
- Maple Trees
- Nectarines
- Oak Trees
- Peaches
- Pine Trees
- Plums
- Poplar Trees
- Sycamore Trees
- Walnut Trees
- Willow Trees
- Plants that ooze or weep and have a fermented odor
- Buildup of sticky fluid (honeydew) on plants and on the ground underneath infested plants
- Sooty mold on infested plants
- When preparing for the winter holidays, check outdoor items for spotted lanternfly egg masses, including those items you may bring indoors. Scrape any egg masses into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer, then zip the bag shut and dispose of it properly.
- Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on the trunks or stems of plants.
- Inspect trees (in particular, tree of heaven), bricks, stone, and other smooth surfaces for egg masses.
HOW TO REPORT SPOTTED LANTERNFLY
If you find an insect that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly, please report it to the following experts to have the specimen identified properly:
Pennsylvania
- Use the interactive plant pest quarantine map to see if you’re in the spotted lanternfly State quarantine area. If you are outside of the quarantine area, report any sightings to the Pennsylvania State University Extension at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or call 1-888-4-BADFLY (1-888-422-3359).
- To help control spotted lanternfly on your property, homeowners can reference the “ Spotted Lanternfly Management for Homeowners” factsheet available through Pennsylvania State University Extension.
- If you are in a quarantine area, this YouTube video shows how to identify, remove, and destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses. For additional information on what to do if you find spotted lanternfly, visit extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.
- If you are a business and have questions about getting a permit, visit the Do I Need A Permit? page. If you have questions, please email slfpermit@pa.gov.
New Jersey: plantindustry@ag.nj.gov or call 1-833-223-2840 (BADBUG0)
Virginia: https://ask.extension.org/groups/1981/ask
Delaware: online, https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/spotted-lanternfly/; email HitchHikerBug@state.de.us, or call (302) 698-4586.
New York: spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov or iMapInvasives.
Maryland: call (410) 841-5920 or email DontBug.MD@maryland.gov
West Virginia, report and send pictures of suspect spotted lanternfly to bugbusters@wvda.us.
In Other States
If you suspect any life stage of the spotted lanternfly (egg mass through adults), please contact your local Extension office or State Plant Regulatory Official to report it.
If you find an insect or egg mass that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly, contact your local Extension office or State Plant Regulatory Official to report it.
For more information, homeowners can reference the “Spotted Lanternfly Management for Homeowners” factsheet available through Pennsylvania State University Extension.
Pennsylvania and other State regulated areas.
- Spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiker. Be sure to inspect for the pest. Egg masses, juveniles, and adults can be on trees and plants and are also found on bricks, stone, metal, and other smooth surfaces. Also thoroughly check your vehicles, trailers, and even the clothes you’re wearing because you can accidently move spotted lanternfly.
- If you are in a quarantine area, this YouTube video shows how to identify, remove, and destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses. For additional information on what to do if you find SLF, visit extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly
- If you live in Pennsylvania, use the interactive plant pest quarantine map to see if you’re in the spotted lanternfly State quarantine area. If you are outside of the quarantine area, report any sightings to the Pennsylvania State University Extension at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or call 1-888-4-BADBUG (1-888-422-3359).
Quick Links
- Spotted Lanternfly Pest Alert
- Spotted Lanternfly Pest Alert (en Español)
- PennState Extension Spotted Lanternfly Website
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly Website
What's at Risk from the Spotted Lanternfly:
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