Spotted Lanternfly (Early Stage Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Agricultural and wooded areas; often found on host plants such as Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), grapevines, and various fruit trees.

Diet & Feeding

Piercing-sucking mouthparts used to feed on plant sap from a wide variety of over 70 host plants.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs hatch in spring and are highly mobile, often crawling up plant stems to feed. They go through four nymphal stages before becoming winged adults. They are known for their jumping ability when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Highly invasive and a significant economic threat. They damage plants by secreting honeydew which leads to sooty mold growth, weakening plants and killing crops like grapes and hops. It is recommended to report and kill them in non-native regions.

Identified on: 5/16/2026