Spotted lanternflies are planthoppers, and though they do have wings, they fly only They lay eggs in theshort distances and primarily jump or walk. They lay eggs in the fall which hatch in the spring, depositing 30-60 eggs on hard surfaces like house siding, trees, rocks, and decks. They go through several colorful phases as they mature, emerging in summer as adults which go on to lay their own eggs in the fall. They live about one year but can do a serious amount of damage in that time.
Spotted lanternflies’are an invasive species and were first introduced in the Berks County area in 2012. Their preferred plant to feed and mate on is the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), itself an invasive species. But spotted lanterflies are not picky: they have been known to host on over 70 other plant species and will lay eggs just about anywhere.
Tree of Heaven
Spotted lanternflies are not directly harmful to humans in that they do not bite or sting, but they are a major destructive pest. They are a huge agricultural threat to plants and trees such as grapes, hops and hardwoods, causing costly damage. Spotted lanternflies harm their host plants by feeding on the plant’s sap, leading to weeping wounds of sap and mold, which can result in damaged trees and plants and ultimately the death of the vegetation.
What can you do? Check your property and especially vehicles when driving out of our area. Keep an eye on outdoor equipment, like grills, firewood and lawnmowers, when traveling in and out of the quarantined zones. If you find an infestation on your property, use these tips to curb the spread, then call a pest control professional who specializes in SLF treatment!
Remove any tree of heaven you find on your property.
When you see a Spotted Lanternfly, kill a Spotted Lanternfly. Swat, stomp, crush!
Scrape any visible egg masses off of trees and dispose of them in a plastic bag with alcohol or hand sanitizer.