Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly (adult). Photo: Peter L. Coffey, University of Maryland Extension

• July 2020 - Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) continues to spread in Cecil County, Maryland. In Harford County, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has not seen too much movement but they continue to survey. Activity has been found in Hagerstown (Washington County). Surveying is being done to determine the size of the infestation and a treatment plan will follow. The quarantine is still in place in Cecil and Harford counties. A permit is required for any businesses moving within or through these counties, along with any movement in the quarantines in DE, NJ, PA, and VA.
• May 2020 - Maryland Dept. of Ag confirms spotted lanternfly hatch of 2020
• November 2019 - Spotted Lanternfly confirmed in West Virginia 
• (PDF) Maryland Department of Agriculture Residential Checklist for those living in an area with spotted lanternfly. 
• September 9, 2019 - Spotted Lanternfly Treatments Begin in Cecil and Harford Counties. 
• ****Spotted Lanternfly: What to Look For - Photo Gallery**** Become familiar with all of the different life stages of this pest.  
  
  Video, Spotted Lanternfly Indentification and Life Cycle
  
  
  
• 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
• Northeastern IPM Center Spotted Lanternfly 
• USDA APHIS Hungry Pests - Spotted Lanternfly
• Penn State Entomology - Spotted Lanternfly
• (PDF) National Pest Alert by the IPM Centers
• 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
• (PDF) MD Department of Agriculture - Spotted Lanternfly Poster