Invasive lanternflies are threatening everything from fruits to beer. See where they are
The spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to crops and trees in the United States, despite its adorable little red wings. It is now spreading to 18 states and Washington, DC, and the federal government is asking for the public's help. If you see one, squish it!
Why do we dislike the spotted lanternfly so much? According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly can cause damage, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback to trees, crops, vines and other plants.
When the spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete honeydew, a sugary substance that can encourage the growth of sooty black mold. This mold is harmless to people but can hurt plants.
States with hardwood trees, roses, hops, grapevines and stone fruits like peaches, plums and cherries should be particularly concerned about the spotted lanternfly's expansion. Several plant varieties would be at risk, according to a study by researchers at North Carolina State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Crops such as apples, almonds, walnuts and hops also could be threatened, according to a study published in the journal Communications Biology.
What do spotted lanternflies look like?
Spotted lanternflies molt from their nymph phase to adults from July to September.
Adult spotted lanternflies are about 1 inch long and about a half-inch wide. Adult wing tips feature black specks defined in gray, and their forewing is gray with black spots of various sizes. Their hind wings feature red and black contrasting patches with a white ring. Their abdomen is yellow with black bands, and the head and legs are black.
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If you see this mudlike mass in your yard, scrape it
Heading into September, spotted lanternflies will begin to lay their eggs – which can be found on any outdoor surface, such as trees, stones, outdoor furniture and cars – until the first killing freeze, usually in November.
The USDA recommends "smashing and scraping" the masses, placing them into a plastic bag and sealing it. The bag should then be thrown away in municipal trash. The agency said pressure washing is another effective way to remove the masses from hard outdoor surfaces.
Experts recommend you kill the insects when you see them, then report them to your state's Department of Agriculture. The sooner authorities know about an infestation, the more likely it can be controlled.
There are various ways to kill them, including building a trap, as shown by Pennsylvania state officials in an online video. For information on approved insecticides and how to scrape egg masses, visit the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program site.
States reporting infestations of spotted lanternflies
The invasive species is native to Asia but first appeared in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, probably brought over in imported woody plants, wood products and other goods. As of July 2025, 56 counties in Pennsylvania were dealing with invasive insects.
The spotted lanternfly has been reported in multiple counties across the United States in 18 states and the District of Columbia:
How to stop spotted lanternflies from spreading
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service asks people to inspect their cars, outdoor furniture and recreational gear and equipment (tents, tarps, coolers) for signs of the insect before moving them from an area known to be populated by the bug.
Spotted lanternflies can lay eggs on any object, including light bulbs, fence posts, tires, and outdoor furniture and cushions.
The USDA asks people to go through this checklist to ensure there are no signs of the insect on their belongings.
CONTRIBUTING Kaycee Sloan and Haadiza Ogwude/Paste BN NETWORK; Julia Gomez/Paste BN