Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly is a threat to many fruit crops and trees. Learn how to spot it and report it.

The spotted lanternfly is a threat to many fruit crops and trees. Learn how to spot it and report it.

Top left: Hatched spotted lanternfly egg masses | Bottom left: Unhatched spotted lanternfly egg masses | Right: Mature spotted lanternfly Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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.

Where’s the Threat?

Most states are considered a risk. See Pest Tracker for details

Delaware

• Delaware Department of Agriculture spotted lanternfly quarantine information

Maryland

• Maryland Department of Agriculutre spotted lanternfly Information

New Jersey

• New Jersey Department of Agriculture spotted lanternfly quarantine information

New York

• New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets spotted lanternfly quarantine information

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania quarantine area map
  More information regarding the Pennsylvania state quarantine requirements can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spotted lanternfly website.

Virginia

• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services spotted lanternfly quarantine information

What’s at Risk?

• Almonds
• Apples
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Hops
• Maple Trees
• Nectarines
• Oak Trees
• Peaches
• Pine Trees
• Plums
• Poplar Trees
• Sycamore Trees
• Walnut Trees
• Willow Trees

Source of the Threat

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.

Signs and Symptoms

• 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

What You Can Do

• 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 and reporting tool to see if you’re in the spotted lanternfly quarantine area or would like to report it. 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 [email protected].

New Jersey:  [email protected] 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 [email protected], or call (302) 698-4586.

New York:  [email protected]

Maryland: call (410) 841-5920 or email [email protected]

West Virginia, report and send pictures of suspect spotted lanternfly to [email protected].

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.

• Locate the Extension specialist near you
• Contact your State Plant Regulatory Official

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. 

• Locate the Extension specialist near you
• Contact your State Plant Regulatory Official

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

 Click Image to Learn More

• Action Kit for Businesses to Help Fight the Spotted Lanternfly
• APHIS Spotted Lanternfly Website
• Spotted Lanternfly Pest Alert
• Spotted Lanternfly Pest Alert (en Español)
• PennState Extension Spotted Lanternfly Website  
• Checklist for Pennsylvania Residents Living in Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Areas
• New Jersey Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly Website
• Kid Activities

What’s at Risk from the Spotted Lanternfly: