The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect native to parts of Asia and was discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014. Since it was first discovered, it has steadily moved into our backyards and is invading our community’s landscape. It causes extensive damage to valuable plants and makes time outdoors less than enjoyable.
Identifying the Spotted Lanternfly Throughout Its Life Cycle
Although adults are easy to identify, it can be difficult to spot this invasive pest early in its life cycle.
Spotted lanternfly nymphs go through four stages of development. In stages 1-3, the nymphs are small in size and are black with white spots. At stage 4, the nymphs begin to turn red with white spots.
In late July, spotted lanternflies turn into adults with large spotted wings. You can’t miss the bright red color on their backs when they open their wings to fly.
In late September, the female spotted lanternflies lay their eggs on tree bark, stone, bricks, cars, trailers, or any smooth service. Their egg masses look almost like putty or paste and can be difficult to identify. Females can lay 30 to 50 eggs up to three times a year and will continue to feed until the first severe frost kills them.
Eggs usually survive over winter and hatch in the spring, beginning the cycle again.
A 4th instar (developmental stage) spotted lanternfly nymph has a distinct red and black back with white dots. Don’t confuse them with ladybugs!
Damage Caused by the Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania
Spotted lanternflies do not chew or bite. They have a straw-like mouth that they use to feed and suck sap out of trees and plants. When these insects feed on sap, they excrete honeydew that collects on surfaces beneath the tree or plants it is feeding on. Some trees with heavy infestations can appear to be “raining” because so much honeydew is falling from the tree’s canopy.
Honeydew is sugary and sweet and attracts other insects like bees and wasps. This creates a hazard for children or adults with serious allergies to stinging insects.
As the honeydew collects on everything beneath the tree it will develop a fungus called “sooty mold.”
When sooty mold becomes black, it can be an eyesore on your property, can have a foul odor, and can be difficult to remove from cars, siding, patio furniture, decks, and driveways. If heavy accumulations develop on the leaves, this can reduce photosynthesis (the process by which a plant uses energy from light to turn water and CO2 into glucose and oxygen) and severely stress the tree.
The adult spotted lanternfly is easily recognizable by its red eyes and the pink blush on its outer wings.
Unfortunately, honeydew, sooty mold, and stinging insects are not the only concern when it comes to this invasive pest. If not controlled, the spotted lanternfly could potentially wreak havoc on the trees in our landscape.
The preferred host for this invasive pest is the Ailanthus tree or “Tree of Heaven,” which is an invasive tree species from Asia. Unfortunately, it grows very well in eastern Pennsylvania so is found almost everywhere you look.
The second choice of “food” for the spotted lanternfly is a wide variety of species we commonly see in our landscapes today, including apple, maple, willow, walnut, poplars, birch, and grapes.
Repeated attacks on susceptible trees could stress the tree and weaken its ability to fight off other insects or diseases, causing severe damage. Plus, insects that feed on infested trees can spread pathogens from one tree to the next. We have seen this with Dutch Elm disease and the Elm Bark Beetle that has devastated our Elm tree population.
The spotted lanternfly kills its preferred host, the Ailanthus tree, in 2-4 years after its initial attack.
The Spotted Lanternfly has no natural predators in Pennsylvania at this time. If it’s not controlled or eliminated, we anticipate the loss of several trees in our communities and maybe even in your own backyard. We’ve also seen a dramatic impact to important commercial crops and plants such as grapes and hops.
Are you in a spotted lanternfly quarantine area?
The PA Department of Agriculture has labeled Spotted Lanternflies as a “public nuisance.” This means that homeowners in the quarantine areas are now required to control or eliminate spotted lanternflies on their plants.
At this time, both Bucks and Montgomery Counties are in the quarantine zone. That may change over time so visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s quarantine website to see if your location is quarantined for spotted lanternfly (or other devastating plant diseases, such as Thousand Cankers Disease).
Check Out These Helpful Spotted Lanternfly FAQs
Where do spotted lanternflies lay eggs?
Spotted Lanternflies typically lay eggs on flat tree bark and their favorite type of tree is the tree of heaven, but they can lay eggs on almost anything. They may choose from many different types of trees or a variety of other surfaces as well. According to the PA Department of Agriculture, “Manmade items like vehicles, campers, yard furniture, farm equipment or any other items stored outside are suitable sites for egg laying.”
The brownish-gray egg masses laid by female spotted lanternflies can be scraped off and disposed of – if you can reach them!
When do spotted lanternflies lay eggs?
Their egg-laying season typically lasts from September until December.
What trees are affected by the spotted lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is known to affect a wide range of trees. The following trees have been reported as host trees for the spotted lanternfly.
- Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) (preferred host)
- Apple (Malus spp.)
- Plum, cherry, peach, apricot (Prunus spp.)
- Grape (Vitis spp.)
- Pine (Pinus spp.)
- American beech (Fagus grandifolia),
- American linden (Tilia americana),
- American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis),
- Big-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata),
- Black birch (Betula lenta),
- Black cherry (Prunus serotina),
- Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica),
- Black walnut (Juglans nigra),
- Dogwood (Cornus spp.),
- Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus),
- Maple (Acer spp.)
- Oak (Quercus spp.),
- Paper birch (Betula papyrifera),
- Pignut hickory (Carya glabra),
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum),
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis),
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra),
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera),
- White ash (Fraxinus americana),
- Willow (Salix spp.).
What damage do spotted lanternflies cause?
Lanternflies can be very destructive to trees and plants. They damage trees by feeding on the sap from stems, leaves, and tree trunks. They are also known to feed on commercial crops. After feeding on the plants, the insect excretes the carbohydrates from the sap into a honeydew-like substance. This sticky honeydew substance helps promote the growth of mold on the plants.
Sticky bands wrapped around trees can trap spotted lanternflies at all stages of their life cycle in which they’re actively moving around.
What to Do if You See a Spotted Lanternfly
It is important to watch for the spotted lanternfly since they can be very destructive to your trees. If you see a spotted lanternfly on your property, it is best to kill them with either a spray or flyswatter since they don’t have any native predators in the area. If they are already present on your trees, the plant health experts at Clauser Tree Care can help.
If you see spotted lanternflies on your property, call us today at 215.542.8291
About Clauser Tree Care
From who you talk to on the phone in our office, to our courteous and experienced work crews who provide your service, all of the hard-working team members at Clauser Tree Care strive for complete client satisfaction. Our job is simply not done until you are pleased with the experience that you have had working with our company. Founded more than 25 years ago on the principles of honest work and arboricultural best practices, we strive for a higher standard of care for a greener future.
