Everything You Need to Know About the Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly is not a fly, but a “planthopper”, and is found in the Family Fulgoridae.  It is actually a much stronger hopper than it is a flyer. Spotted Lanternfly adults lay their eggs in September & October and these eggs overwinter until the following spring. Egg sacs are commonly laid on the bark of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) but can also be laid on any smooth barked tree, or smooth surface (e.g. patio stones, outdoor furniture etc), spotted lanternfly eggs on cars is even a common occurrence. Egg sacs may house up to 30-50 brown, seed-like eggs deposited in vertical rows. The egg sacs are covered in a grey, smooth protective covering that protects them from the elements.

Spotted Lanternfly eggs hatch in April and May the following year, giving rise to the immature stage called “nymphs”. Nymphs go through four growth phases (instars) before becoming a winged adult in late summer. Nymphs in the first 3 instars are black with white spots. The last nymph instar is black and red with white spots. These red and black nymphs have stronger beaks and can be found feeding on woody tissue while younger nymph stages have weaker beaks and feed mainly on herbaceous plants.

Nymphs will sit with their head raised higher than their body, and hop around, almost like a little frog. Spotted Lanternflies have a long beak and feed by inserting their beak into plant tissue and suck out plant sap. Nymphs and adults tend to congregate in large numbers on the host plant, either at the base of the tree or in the canopy.

Adult lanternflies have grayish forewings with black spots which are the main wings visible when the insect is at rest. In flight, the hind wings are visible with their bright red coloration and black spots. Adults are active in September and October. Females measure about 25 mm in length and males about 20 mm.