The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, is spreading and causing trouble in the U.S. Here's what to do if you find this invasive insect.
The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Is Spreading: Protect Your Yard
Published on May 16, 2025
When we think of “invasive species,” we tend to think about plants. Gardeners can spend months or even years trying to rid their yards of purple loosestrife, common buckthorn, or garlic mustard. However, bugs can be invasive, too: the emerald ash borer continues to cause issues throughout North America, and now, another invasive insect is causing trouble. Here’s what to know about the spotted lanternfly, and what you should do if you find one in your yard.
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What Is a Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is a mothlike insect native to Asia. Adults are relatively easy to identify; their brown, black-spotted forewings as well as their red and black underwings tend to give them away. They grow to about an inch in length, and half an inch in width.
Spotted Lanternfly Eggs
Egg masses, containing several dozen eggs, are unglamorous. Egg clusters are coated in gray wax and laid on host trees, which can make them difficult to find. When the wax dries, the eggs look similar to mud or dried putty. After hatching, the nymphs feature black-and-white spotted bodies that eventually turn red.
Spotted lanternflies will lay eggs on any solid surface, although they’re frequently found on host trees and plants such as red maple, silver maple, weeping willow, and grape. Tree of heaven (also invasive) is their main host.
How Do Spotted Lanternflies Hurt Trees?
These pests can cause damage, especially to fruit plants and forests. When these bugs feed on plants, they leave behind honeydew, which causes mold growth and can bring other insects to the ailing plant.
Where Are Spotted Lanternflies Found in the U.S.?
According to Cornell Integrated Pest Management, as of April 2025, spotted lanternflies have been found in many eastern states. They include Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. If you live in one of those states and are concerned about the insect’s spread, read on the learn what you can do to help.
How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a few tricks to reduce the spread of this invasive insect. These include checking trees and plants, and closing car windows when cars are parked. Destroy eggs by smashing them, or scraping them into a plastic bag filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and then zipping the bag and throwing it away.
You should also check your belongings and clothes before leaving an area where lanternflies are present. You’re most likely to spot spotted lanternflies at night, since they feed in large numbers around dusk. Kill adult bugs by crushing them or putting them in a container of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
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