Spotted Lanternfly Identification & Prevention

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Spotted lanternflies feed on and damage plants; learn about them and how to control and eliminate them here.

What are spotted lanternflies?

Spotted lanternflies are insects introduced into the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and have spread throughout other parts of the eastern United States. These pests are extremely dangerous to our agricultural system, and populations of these insects need to be immediately destroyed.

Despite what their name and appearance may lead you to believe, spotted lanternflies are neither flies nor moths; they are plant hoppers. Plant hoppers are insects that have piercing mouthparts they use to feed on a plant. While these insects are winged, their primary mode of transportation is jumping or gliding.

Understanding what spotted lanternflies look like is vital to eliminating them from your Morristown property as quickly as possible.

Nymphs

Female lay their eggs from September to mid-November; the insects hatch in early spring. Young nymphs are often mistaken for ticks; they are small and black with white markings on their body and legs. Older nymphs will keep their white spots but turn red right before becoming adults.

Adults

Adult spotted lanternfly bodies are black, their wings are pinkish-gray with black spots with tips that are black with gray veins. Their abdomens are yellow with black stripes. When their wings open, you can see they have red underwings. 

Are spotted lanternflies dangerous?

Spotted lanternflies pose significant dangers to their host trees, plants, and ecosystems. Their feeding habits cause plants to become stressed, making them susceptible to disease, other pests, and death. These insects move through areas in large populations and cause devastating damage in short periods of time.

Adult spotted lanternflies feed by sucking out a plant's sap; most of the sap comes back out of the spotted lanternfly as honeydew, a sugary waste product. Honeydew coats trees and plants and promotes the growth of a black sooty mold. In large amounts, black sooty mold can prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the plants and providing them with necessary nutrients.

Why do I have a spotted lanternfly problem?

You are experiencing a spotted lanternfly infestation on your property because there are host trees present that they are using as a food source. They can find a way to your property on their own, or they can hitchhike. Spotted lanternfly eggs, nymphs, and adults are regularly transported from outdoor space to outdoor space in boxes, firewood, potted plants, or vehicles.

No matter how they get to your property, invasive spotted lanternflies will quickly establish large populations and spread throughout the area.

Where will I find spotted lanternflies?

The most common place to discover spotted lanternflies is on their preferred host tree, the tree of heaven (Ailanthus tree), an invasive deciduous tree native to China, but will also feed on a wide variety of trees and other plants.

These flies also attack and use as a food source:

• Grape vines
• Fruit-bearing trees
• Silver and red maple trees
• Willow trees
• Black walnut trees
• River birch trees

If you suspect you have spotted lanternflies on your property, immediately contact us so we can implement our spotted lanternfly reduction services.