Lanternfly Control Services

What Do Lanternflies Look Like?

Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) exhibit distinct and easily recognizable physical characteristics at different stages of their life cycle. Here is what they look like:

Adult Lanternflies:

• Adult lanternflies are approximately one inch (2.5 cm) in length.
• They have a pair of wings with a grayish background color and are adorned with black spots.
• When their wings are closed, a vibrant red color is visible on the lower part of the wings.
• The forewings have contrasting black spots that are distributed irregularly, with some spots forming a partial pattern.
• Their hindwings are brightly colored and display a bold, contrasting pattern of black blocks and patches on a red background.

Lanternfly Nymphs:

• Nymphs go through several developmental stages, each with a distinct appearance.
• Early nymphs are small and black, usually with white spots.
• As they grow, they develop larger white spots on their black bodies, and their appearance becomes more contrasting.

These striking and conspicuous features make spotted lanternflies relatively easy to identify. Their vivid coloration and unique markings are among the key traits that help distinguish them from other insects. It's important to be able to recognize them to aid in their control and management, especially since they are considered invasive pests in various regions.

Where Are Lanternflies Found?

Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) are adaptable insects that can be found in a variety of habitats. They have a preference for certain host plants, which can influence their habitat selection. Here are the types of habitats where you might encounter lanternflies:

• Forests: Lanternflies can be found in wooded areas, particularly those containing their preferred host trees like oak and walnut. They tend to infest these trees, which are common components of forest ecosystems.
• Orchards and Vineyards: These insects are known to be damaging pests in orchards, where they feed on fruit trees such as apple, peach, and cherry. They can also infest vineyards, affecting grapevines.
• Urban and Suburban Areas: Lanternflies are highly adaptable to human-altered environments. They can be found in and around residential areas, parks, and gardens. In these settings, they often target ornamental plants and trees.
• Agricultural Land: Beyond orchards and vineyards, lanternflies can infest other crops, including agricultural crops such as soybeans and corn. This poses a significant threat to agriculture.
• Transportation Corridors: Lanternflies can be unintentionally transported via vehicles and cargo. They are known to congregate on vehicles, making highways, railways, and shipping hubs potential locations for their spread.
• Wooded Edges: They often infest areas where woodlands meet open fields or developed areas, as they can feed on the trees in the forest and then move into nearby fields and gardens.
• Riparian Zones: Lanternflies can also be found near streams, rivers, and other water bodies, as they may be attracted to the moisture and the vegetation found in riparian habitats.

Understanding the diverse habitats in which lanternflies can be found is crucial for monitoring and managing their populations, especially in regions where they are invasive pests. Early detection and control measures are important to prevent their spread and mitigate the damage they can cause to various ecosystems and industries.

Lanternfly Diet

Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) are known to be polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide range of plant species. Their feeding habits can have a significant impact on agriculture, forestry, and the environment. Here's a list of some of the plants that lanternflies might eat:

• Tree Species: Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven - this is one of their preferred host trees), oak, walnut, maple, poplar, willow, pine, apple, and cherry.
• Ornamental Plants: Roses, lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons, wisteria, and a variety of flowering shrubs and plants.
• Agricultural Crops: Grapes (a significant concern for vineyards), apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, apricots, blueberries, peppers, soybeans, and corn.
• Hardwood and Softwood Trees: Lanternflies can also damage hardwood and softwood trees in forests, making them a concern for forestry.
• Miscellaneous Plants: While they have preferred host plants, lanternflies have been observed feeding on a wide variety of other vegetation, and their dietary preferences can vary by region.

Lanternflies use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from these plants. This feeding can weaken the plants, making them more susceptible to diseases and other stressors. The honeydew excreted by lanternflies can also attract other insects and promote the growth of sooty mold, which further harms the plants. The broad range of plants they feed on is a significant concern, as it makes them a potential threat to a variety of industries and ecosystems. Efforts to control and manage their populations are ongoing to mitigate their impact.

Learn more: What Do Lanternflies Eat?

Lanternfly Life Cycle

The life cycle of lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) involves several distinct stages, each with its own characteristics. Understanding their life cycle is important for effective management and control. Here is an overview of the lanternfly life cycle:

• Egg Stage: Lanternflies start their life cycle as eggs. Eggs are laid in late summer or early fall, typically on smooth surfaces, such as tree trunks, rocks, or outdoor furniture. The eggs are laid in masses, covered with a gray, putty-like substance, which hardens over time and protects the eggs through the winter.
• Nymph Stage: In spring, the eggs hatch, giving rise to nymphs. The nymphs go through four instar stages, during which they undergo gradual development. Early nymphs are small, black, and have white spots. As they progress through instar stages, they become larger and develop red patches.
  Nymphs actively feed on plant sap during this stage.
• Adult Stage: After completing the nymphal stages, lanternflies become adults, usually in late summer. Adult lanternflies have a distinct appearance: they are about one inch in length, with grayish wings adorned with black spots. Their hindwings display a striking red and black pattern when opened. During the adult stage, lanternflies reproduce, laying eggs for the next generation. Mating usually occurs in late summer and early fall. Females lay egg masses, as described in the egg stage, to overwinter and continue the cycle.

The lanternfly life cycle is a key factor contributing to their potential for rapid population growth. Their ability to reproduce and spread is a concern for agriculture and ecosystems, as they feed on a wide variety of plants, including economically important crops. Effective management strategies often target the egg masses and nymphs to prevent their proliferation and limit the damage they can cause. Early detection and control measures are essential to mitigate their impact in affected regions.