Spotted Lanternfly

Identification: Adults grow to about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide, and have large visually striking wings. Forewings are light brown with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. Hind wings are scarlet with black spots at front and white and black bars at the rear. Yellow abdomen with black bars. Nymphs appear black with white spots and turn red before coming adults.

Hosts: Native to China, India, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Feeds on a variety of host plants including fruit trees, ornamental trees, woody trees and vines. Apples, birch, cheery, dogwood, grapes, Korean evodia, lilac, maple, poplar, stone fruits, and tree-of-heaven are among more than 70 species of host attacked.

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid on tree trunks in groups of 30-50, are yellowish brown in color, and covered with a gray, waxy coating prior to hatching. Hatch in early spring and early summer and nymphs begin feeding by sucking sap from young stems and leaves.

Impact and Damage: Nymphs and adults cause damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and leaves. Can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant and eventually contribute to the plant’s death. Feeding can cause the plant to ooze or weep, resulting in a fermented odor. Insects excrete a large amount of fluid (honeydew) which promotes mold grown and attracts other insects.

Monitoring and rapid response: Neonicotinoids, pyrethrins, and organophosphates are among effective chemical insecticides. Sticky traps at the base of trees and the parasitic wasp, Anastatus orientalis is reported to parasitize up to 69% of eggs in China.