Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org What is the Spotted Lanternfly?The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect species with a large potential to become a threat to local agriculture and forests. The SLF is native to Southeast Asia and is a planthopper that moves primarily by hopping. However, similar to grasshoppers they can look like they are flying but they can only remain in the air for short distances. Unfortunately, these insects are spreading so quickly by hitching rides on humans, vehicles, or clothing. How to identify a Spotted Lanternfly:The SLF hatch around May or June and appear as a very tiny black bug with little white dots. As the grow and mature they gain red stripes down their back and are a tiny bit bigger, you will start to see this stage around July through September. As they continue eat and grow, they get to their final stage which looks similar to a moth with tan wings, black dots. When they open their wings you will notice a vibrant red with black dots on it. Finally, their life cycle comes to an end as they lay their eggs on the bark of trees. The egg mass tends to look like a mud smear but do not be fooled, it can contain a ton of baby SLFs. 
New York State Integrated Pest Management How does Spotted Lanternfly threaten the environment?Spotted Lanternflys are considered sapsuckers, meaning they pierce the plant with their mouth to feed on the sap. During feeding the they excrete honeydew (a sugary substance) which attracts bees, wasps, and other insects to the area. The honeydew builds up and promotes the growth of sooty mold (fungi) which can cover the base of the plant and the area below the feeding location. The sooty mold can usually be observed as a black covering at the base and on the trunk of the tree. If the species is continues to spread, they can cause serious damage to the landscape. Over 70 different plant species are known to be affected including, but not limited to:
Is the Spotted Lanternfly a threat to people or pets?Spotted Lanterflys are not known to bite, sting, or attack people, pets, or livestock. It is not known if SLFs are poisonous when ingested by humans or animals. What is the park doing?In cooperation with local organizations and other government agencies, the park is working to monitor and suppress the spread of SLF. The park is actively investigating treatment options for them. A combination of control measures include:
How can I help the park?
What can I do?Please keep in mind to only manage SLFs on your own property or where you have permission to do so. Report any SLF infestations or egg masses found within the park. Further information and treatment options can be found on:https://www.nps.gov/articles/spotted-lanternfly-101.htm https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/spotted-lanternfly/ |
Last updated: September 8, 2021