Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, an invasive pest from Asia is an insect to be on the lookout for in the Eastern United States. The spotted lanternfly can cause serious damage to stone fruit crops, specifically grapes, apples and fruit trees in Pennsylvania. Additional hosts of SLF include: azaleas, cherries, maples, oaks and many more. Learn about how to prevent spotted lanternfly  and which systemic insecticide for spotted lanternfly you can use to keep this destructive pest from ruining your vegetation. The spotted lanternfly is a new invasive pest that feeds on several hundred different plants. The adult spotted lanternfly feeds by sucking the sap from tree leaves and vines, but the real danger comes from the nymphs which lay eggs under the bark of host trees. These eggs hatch into larvae which tunnel into the wood of host trees and feed on the nutrient rich phloem tissues. In severe outbreaks, these tunnels can compromise tree health causing stress to the point where trees are wind blown or even killed by decay of dead heartwood. If you have an issue with spotted lanternfly or need information on this insect pest, this article will help you understand what it is, why it has become an issue in select PA counties, how to control it and learn more about this new invasive pest. The invasive spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) is a planthopper destructive to hardwood trees. It was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has been increasing its range in the state since then. In September 2017, it was spotted in New Jersey and Delaware. In December 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced that the pest has now been detected in Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Systemic Insecticide For Spotted Lanternfly

Introducing the best Spotted Lanternfly treatment!

The best way to control and eradicate Spotted Lanternfly is with a systemic insecticide, which can be applied directly onto the leaves of plants or throughout the soil. When sprayed on leaves, the systemic insecticide enters through stomata (pores) and spreads throughout the plant’s vascular system. The active ingredient then moves from leaf to root, providing protection from caterpillars that have already hatched out or are still in eggs.

You may already be familiar with the new invasive insect in PA. This insect is invasive, but it’s also a nuisance.

You may already be familiar with the new invasive insect in PA. This insect is invasive, but it’s also a nuisance. People notice them first in the fall when they leaf out and begin feeding on tree leaves. They cause damage all year long though as adults feed on the foliage of many different kinds of trees, shrubs and vines. In addition to being an agricultural pest because they feed on grapes and hops plants that are used for making beer; these pests can also spread plant diseases such as sooty mold spores which grow as white powdery growths on infected plants’ leaves, stems or fruit

The spotted lanternfly is an Asian plant hopper that has invaded Pennsylvania and surrounding states. It is a major threat to agriculture and local ecosystems, especially to hardwood trees such as maples, willows, poplars and birches.

There are many ways you can help. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is working with local and federal partners to develop a comprehensive plan to stop the spread of this pest.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White, 1902), is an invasive plant hopper from eastern Asia that feeds on sap from over 70 different plant species including trees such as maples, willows, poplars and birches. Spotted Lanternflies have been found in Berks County PA since 2014 where they were probably introduced via infested freight shipments from China or Korea or through nursery stock imported into the United States prior to 2006.

Adult SLF are large insects with bands of red and black and white spots. They are good fliers and can move around very quickly. Nymphs are less colorful, but when they gather in groups along tree trunks they can be seen easily.

Adult SLF are large insects with bands of red and black and white spots. They are good fliers and can move around very quickly. Nymphs are less colorful, but when they gather in groups along tree trunks they can be seen easily.

Adult spotted lanternflies have a wingspan of about two inches, which is larger than most other native leaf-feeding insects in Pennsylvania. The body is covered with fine hairs that range from yellow to orange or red on the head, back and abdomen (the part behind the thorax). The wings are brownish gray with black veins. Adults have two pairs of membranous wings that meet each other at an angle where the insect’s body meets its legs (see photo).

Most people notice them first when the adults are feeding on plants during the fall, but they cause damage all year long. As nymphs they feed on the foliage of many different kinds of trees, shrubs and vines. In the fall adults lay their eggs on any flat surface – smooth bark, gardening tools and even your car!

Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide range of plants and trees, including many important crops. This means that the damage caused by these insects is far reaching – from the destruction caused to valuable crops by the adults feeding to the destruction of trees by the larvae who actually feed directly on host plants.

The damage from these insects is far reaching – from the destruction caused to valuable crops by the adults feeding to the destruction of trees by the larvae who feed directly on host plants.

Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive pest species native to China, India and Vietnam. It was first discovered in the United States in Berks County Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.

Due to its wide host range and ability to lay up to 600 eggs per female per season, spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to agriculture as well as horticulture industries including Christmas tree farms where it can cause significant damage by feeding on the sap of trees. Spotted lanternflies can also feed on over 300 plants from 30 different plant families including many ornamental species such as grapes (Vitis spp.), apples (Malus spp.), pears (Pyrus communis) and blueberry plants (Vaccinium spp.). The adults consume large quantities of sap causing leaves to curl upwards giving them their namesake “lantern shape” appearance which makes them easy for homeowners or gardeners to recognize when present inside homes or yards during mating season from May through October.