If you live in the northeast of the country, you might have noticed an uptick in spotted, red bugs flying around recently. These insects, known colloquially as “spotted lanternflies,” are an invasive species: they are not indigenous to the United States. Instead, they actually hail from parts of China and Vietnam.

So, what are these bugs really?

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The lycorma delicatula

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The spotted lanternfly (SLF for short), known by its scientific name as lycorma delicatula (literally translated as “delicious tomato”), is a species of planthopper from the genus Lycorma in the family Fulgoridae. Planthoppers are insects known for their ability to “hop” quickly similar to grasshoppers.

Young SLFs are characterized by a spotted black and white pigmentation that develops into red as they mature. Adult SLFs have a black head, grey wings, and red hind wings. Notably, adult SLFs feed and can extensively damage crops and ornamental plants.

The SLF’s life cycle depends on its ability to reside with a specific host. Its preferred host is the Ailanthus altissima, or “tree of heaven,” a species of Chinese deciduous tree in the family Simaroubaceae. Therein lies the issue with the spotted lantern fly: when no “trees of heaven” are available, the SLF can associate with and feed from more than 173 different plants.

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Invading?

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As previously mentioned, SLFs are native to parts of China and Vietnam. So, how did they get to the United States?

SLFs are thought to have arrived at the US through egg masses on a shipment of stone in 2012. Lanternflies have proliferated extremely rapidly in the just twelve years they have been present in the country. As can be seen below, they have spread to numerous different US states in a short time.

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The United States isn’t the only place this pest has invaded: the spotted lanternfly was also introduced to other countries such as South Korea and Japan, where it has spread rapidly.

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If effective action is not taken against the spotted lanternfly, the US may experience a rapid escalation of these bugs, similar to what has occurred in other countries. A Nature study predicts that the SLF will establish itself in California, the Midwest, and Southeast by 2033 if no preventative management is undertaken.

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Oh no?

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So: the spotted lanternfly is spreading, and spreading fast. Why care?

The lycorma delicatula poses a major threat to multiple US industries such as viticulture (grape and wine production), fruit trees, ornamentals, and timber. Spotted lanternflies also produce large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” which promotes the growth of molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, and attracts swarms of insects that can hinder outdoor activities.

The SLF will also grow to be a large public nuisance—they can aggregate in large numbers and swarm buildings, amass on furniture/trees, and fly up peoples’ shirts. In fact, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation even notes that they can result in “people getting honeydew on their hair, clothes, and other belongings when going outside.” Yuck!

So, if you don’t want to see the tree in your backyard looking like this anytime soon:

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it’s time to take action.

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What to do

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Stopping the spread of the spotted lanternfly is no small task. But, all of us can do our parts to slow it down. Here are some tips to join the “battle” against the SLF:

●  Check your vehicle for spotted lanternfly eggs or insects before leaving a site. This can help to prevent the accidental transportation of the bug.

●  Checking other items being stored outdoors frequently for eggs or insects should also be done, especially if it is an object that will be moved to further locations, such as shipping containers.

●  Park with your windows closed—spotted lanternflies can enter your vehicle without your knowledge if the windows are down, facilitating their transport across the country.

●  Destroy all spotted lanternflies and eggs (pictured below) you see. Scrape their egg masses into plastic bags and place in trash.

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Spotted lanternflies aren’t going away anytime soon, unfortunately. But, with enough work and a lot of time, we just might able to slow or even stop their spread before it’s too late.