The spotted lanternfly.

by Maddie Clark

As far as bugs go, it’s attractive – a bit like a strawberry or perhaps an overgrown ladybug. But don’t let its bright colors fool you. The spotted lanternfly is trouble.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly, or the lycorma delicatula, was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014, making it the first sighting in the United States.

While the spotted lanternfly resembles a cross between a ladybug and cicada, its presence is not as benign. The insect is an aggressive pest that primarily affects Ailanthus altissima, the tree of heaven, said the USDA.

And now it has recently been spotted in Philadelphia.

At the start of its life cycle, the spotted lanternfly lays its eggs on smooth host plants and or smooth surfaces such as bricks, stones, dead plants, and so on. When the eggs hatch in the spring and early summer, the nymphs begin to feed on a wide variety of host plants by sucking the sap from the stems and leaves, said the USDA.

As the adults emerge in late July, they focus on the tree of heaven and grapevines as well. During the feeding process, the adults secrete a sticky, sugar-filled fluid that resembles honeydew, said the USDA. This fluid then builds up on the ground and plants near the infected areas and causes mold to form.

Though this process doesn’t kill the trees outright, they become significantly weakened, thus affecting tree and fruit growth and eventually wine and logging industries.

They are a “very serious pest,” said Beth Finlay, the Master Gardener Coordinator in Berks County.

Finlay also said that the number of spotted lanternflies has “multiplied enormously” within the last three years or so.

The life cycle of the spotted lantern fly.

As of now, the spotted lanternflies have been quarantined to 13 Pennsylvania counties, Monroe, Carbon, Northampton, Schuylkill, Lebanon, Lehigh, Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia, as well as three New Jersey counties and one in Maryland, said Finlay.

While these numbers may seem alarming, Finlay states that the issue “hasn’t exploded yet.”

In order to limit the spread of the spotted lanternflies, the USDA urges people to inspect their trees and plants for signs of this insect, especially at night when they tend to gather in large groups on trunks or plant stems. Also, be sure to inspect hard surfaces, such as bricks, stones, etc., for egg masses.

If you find a pest that you suspect is a spotted lanternfly, contact your local Extension office or state plant regulatory official immediately, said the USDA.

People are also encouraged to kill the lanternflies as soon as they’re detected. Anything from pesticides, fly paper, fly swatters and even empty water bottles, are suitable methods of attack, Finlay said.

“Do anything to prevent new colonies,” said Finlay.

The USDA has even been making residential visits in order to warn people of this dreadful pest.

Larry Smith, Chestnut Hill resident and gardener, was visited by the USDA a little over a week ago.

“Three members of the USDA came around the neighborhood knocking on everyone’s door,” said Smith, adding that he was shown a spotted lanternfly that had been soaked in a glass bottle of alcohol.

While Smith has not seen any lanternflies yet, he said that if he does “I promise that I will kill them immediately.”

If you have seen a spotted lanternfly in your area, or need more information on them, you can visit the USDA’s website, www.usda.gov, or the Penn State Extension website, www.extension.psu.edu/spottedlanternfly