2. It Feeds on Over 70+ Plants
Favorite hosts include:
Tree of Heaven (its preferred home)
Grapevines (devastating for wine industry)
Maple, walnut, birch, willow, and fruit trees (apple, peach, plum)
Even roses and hops aren’t safe
3. Spreads Fast — And Leaves Eggs Behind
Females lay 30–50 egg masses per season — each with 30–50 eggs.
Egg masses look like gray mud smears on trees, rocks, cars, or outdoor furniture.
They’re sneaky, hard to spot, and survive winter cold.
🐛 How to Identify the Spotted Lanternfly
Adult (July–December)
~1 inch long, gray wings with black spots. Bright
red underwings
flash when flying. Flies awkwardly but jumps suddenly.
Nymph (Spring–Summer)
Starts
black with white dots
. Later turns
red and black
with white bands. Tiny but fast-moving.
Eggs (Fall–Early Spring)
Found on flat surfaces: tree bark, stones, patio furniture, vehicles. Look like
grayish putty or mud patches
, about 1–2 inches wide.
📸 Pro Tip: Take photos and report sightings via official apps (like Spotted Lanternfly App ) before removing.
✅ What to Do If You See One
👟 Step 1: Kill It (Yes, Really)
Squish it (wear gloves if needed).
Drop it in rubbing alcohol or soapy water to ensure death.
Don’t release it — even injured ones can survive and lay eggs.
⚠️ Myth: “It doesn’t bite people.” True — but that doesn’t make it harmless.
🌳 Step 2: Check for Egg Masses
Inspect trees, decks, outdoor furniture, grills, and vehicles — especially near Tree of Heaven.
Scrape off egg masses with a plastic card or putty knife into a bag filled with alcohol or hand sanitizer.
Destroy them — don’t just leave them on the ground.
🪵 Step 3: Remove Tree of Heaven (If Possible)
This invasive tree is the lanternfly’s favorite host.
Cutting it down? Treat stumps with herbicide — otherwise, it resprouts aggressively.
📢 Step 4: Report the Sighting
Use your state’s agricultural department app or website.
Example: Pennsylvania’s Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Helps track spread and target control efforts.
🛡️ How to Protect Your Yard
✅ Use sticky bands on trees
Wrap tree trunks with sticky tape or glue bands (available online) to trap nymphs climbing up. Check regularly — they catch other bugs too.
✅ Plant wisely
Avoid introducing new hosts. Replace Tree of Heaven with native species like sycamore or oak.
✅ Clean outdoor gear
Inspect camping equipment, firewood, and vehicles — lanternflies love to hitch rides.
✅ Talk to neighbors
Spread awareness. One untreated yard can reinfest an entire block.
🧭 Where Is It Now?
As of 2024, the spotted lanternfly has spread beyond Pennsylvania into:
New Jersey
New York
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
Ohio
Indiana
And now moving toward the Midwest and South
Quarantine zones exist — transporting firewood or plants from affected areas is illegal in many states.
❤️ Final Thought: Small Bugs, Big Consequences
The spotted lanternfly may look harmless — even beautiful — but it’s a silent destroyer of ecosystems, agriculture, and backyard sanctuaries.
Killing one might feel extreme…
But consider this:
One female can lead to thousands of offspring next year.
So yes — squash it.
Scrape that egg mass.
Report it.
Because saving your maple tree, your grapevine, or your local farm starts with one person taking action.
And that person?
Could be you.
