Spotted Lanternfly

Photo Credit : Holly Raguza  

• In October 25, 2018 the Maryland Department of Agriculture confirmed the first sighting of a single adult spotted lanternfly found on a trap in Cecil County. By early 2019, the spotted lanternfly had been detected in multiple additional Mid-Atlantic States.
• ****Spotted Lanternfly: What to Look For - Photo Gallery**** Become familiar with all of the different life stages of this pest.
• In Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has spread into 13 counties.
• Spotted lanternfly females prefer to lay their eggs on the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus), but will lay their eggs on any flat vertical surface, including other trees, stones, vehicles (moving them into other areas), outdoor furniture, and many others. Egg masses will hatch in the spring.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that attacks grapes, apples, stone fruits, pines, and other species. This non-native invasive pest was first detected in the United States in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania but is spreading to other counties in the state. Maryland residents should be on the lookout.

Both nymphs (immatures) and adults of spotted lanternfly cause damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and leaves. This can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant, and eventually contribute to the plant’s death. Additionally, spotted lanternfly feeding creates a sugary substance called honeydew. This honeydew, in addition to being attractive to ants, wasps, and other insects, is readily colonized by sooty mold, which can cause parts of the plants to become blackened and look unsightly. 

If you observe any egg masses or insects which look similar to this, please try to collect them, and inform the Maryland Department of Agriculture at (410) 841-5920 or DontBug.MD@maryland.gov  as soon as possible (please attach photos if sending an email). 

Additional Resources

• (PDF) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pest Alert 
• Maryland Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly Information
• The Spotted Lanternfly, Penn State Entomology
• Northeastern IPM Center Spotted Lanternfly 
• (PDF) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
• Additional Information from Penn State Entomology
• (PDF) National Pest Alert by the IPM Centers
• (PDF) Journal of Integrated Pest Management: A New Invasive Pest in the United States
• Help Find the Spotted Lanternfly, Dr. Mike Raupp 'Bug of the Week'
• (PDF) EBR-44 Spotted Lanternfly, by Peter Coffey. Includes graphic representation of life cycle
• Current map of (SLF) finds in the Northeast - NY State Integrated Pest Management