Common Names: Spotted lanternfly, SLF

Origin: Native to China, India, and Vietnam

Invasive Range: United States (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts), South Korea

Description:

* Adult spotted lanternflies are about 1 inch long and have distinctive black spots on their wings.

* Nymphs are smaller and lack wings. They are black with white spots and have red or yellow markings on their legs and antennae.

Life Cycle:

* Spotted lanternflies have one generation per year.

* Eggs are laid in the fall and hatch in the spring.

* Nymphs feed and grow through four stages before molting into adults.

* Adults emerge in late summer and early fall and lay eggs before dying.

Host Plants:

Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide variety of plants, including:

* Tree of heaven

* Apple

* Peach

* Plum

* Cherry

* Grape

* Hops

Economic Impact:

Spotted lanternflies can cause significant damage to crops and trees. They feed on the sap of plants, which can weaken or kill them. They also produce a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract other pests and diseases.

Management:

There are a number of management strategies that can be used to control spotted lanternflies, including:

* Removing tree of heaven trees

* Using sticky traps

* Applying insecticides

* Biological control

Prevention:

The best way to prevent spotted lanternflies from infesting your property is to inspect for and remove any egg masses. You should also avoid moving firewood or other materials that could contain spotted lanternflies or their eggs.

If you see a spotted lanternfly, report it to your local agricultural extension office or the USDA.