Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternflies are invasive Asian insects first detected in the United States in 2014. Since their discovery in Pennsylvania, these destructive pests have spread steadily. Left unchecked, they threaten to expand their range throughout much of North America. With few natural enemies to stop them, their damage to ornamental plants, trees and agricultural crops is extensive. Byproducts of their feeding frenzies also impact the quality of life for people and pets who live nearby.

Spotted Lanternfly Identification

Spotted lanternflies are very distinctive at every life stage. Though adults are often mistaken for moths, these pests are true bugs more closely related to stinkbugs and aphids.

At rest, adult spotted lanternflies measure 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. They have black heads, short antennae and yellow abdomens with black bands. Black spots on their pinkish-gray forewings progress to brick-like patterns on wing tips. When wings are open, they reveal black and white hindwings with brilliant red patches spotted with black. The adult wingspan measures about 2 inches across.

Juvenile spotted lanternflies pass through four wingless nymph stages known as instars. Sometimes mistaken for ticks, the first three instars grow up to 1/4 inch long and have black legs and bodies, both spotted with bright white dots. The final nymph stage is vibrant red and black with white spots and measures 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Signs or Damage of Spotted Lanternflies

The first signs of spotted lanternflies are usually the pests themselves. These swarm feeders gather in large numbers that are hard to miss. At different life stages, their piercing-sucking mouthparts can penetrate plant tissue and tree bark and consume large amounts of sap vital to plant health. Affected trees and plants may wilt, drop leaves, ooze sap, die back and eventually die.

Early-stage nymphs have softer mouthparts and prefer tender new plant growth. Red-stage nymphs and adults blanket tree trunks and penetrate bark. As they feed, spotted lanternflies excrete large amounts of honeydew, coating nearby surfaces in sticky goo. The honeydew attracts yellow jackets, ants and other unwelcome insect pests and eventually develops into black, sooty mold.

Spotted lanternflies lay their egg masses on all types of hard surfaces, from tree trunks to patios, BBQ grills and cars. About 1 inch in length and comprised of columns of eggs, the putty-like fresh masses age to look like cracked mud.

How to Control Spotted Lanternflies

Effective spotted lanternfly control requires fighting these invasive pests at every life stage. If spotted lanternflies are new to your area, report all sightings to your state's  Department of Agriculture immediately.

Take a picture of the insect so experts can confirm the sighting, then kill the pest so it can't reproduce. If you find egg masses, scrape them and destroy the eggs by smashing or burning them. Check firewood, vehicles and other surfaces regularly to make sure you don't accidentally transport live spotted lanternflies or their eggs to new areas. 

GardenTech brand's Sevin® Insect Killer line offers two highly effective products to kill spotted lanternfly juveniles and adults by contact and keep protecting against spotted lanternflies for up to three months. These non-staining formulas treat shrubs, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, home foundations (up to 3 feet high) and trees (up to heights of 10 feet): 

• Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate, designed for use with a pump-style sprayer, is ideal for extensive coverage of small trees, tree trunks, shrubs and outdoor surfaces. Spray all surfaces thoroughly. Give special attention to tree trunks, where spotted lanternflies frequently congregate.
• Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Spray attaches to a common garden hose and provides quick, thorough coverage for plants, trees and outdoor areas. There is no measuring and mixing required on your part. The convenient container does the work automatically as you spray.

Spotted Lanternfly Control Tip: Spotted lanternfly nymphs don't have wings, but they're strong jumpers. Be prepared for them to jump when disturbed.

Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions, including guidelines for listed plants and pests, application frequency and pre-harvest intervals (PHI) for edible crops.

GardenTech is a registered trademark of Gulfstream Home and Garden, Inc.

Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.

Photo Credit:

Photo credit (Images 2-4): Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 US 

Photo credit (Image 5): Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 US