Spotted Lanternfly Nymph (4th instar)

Natural Habitat

Originally native to China, India, and Vietnam, the Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species in North America and Korea. They can be found in vineyards, orchards, agricultural areas, forests, and urban/suburban environments wherever their host plants are present. They often aggregate on tree trunks and host plants.

Diet & Feeding

Spotted Lanternflies are primarily phloem feeders, meaning they feed on the sap of a wide range of plants. They are known to feed on over 100 plant species, with a strong preference for Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), grapevines, maples, black walnut, and fruit trees.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs and adults feed by sucking sap from the phloem of host plants. They are sap-feeders and can aggregate in large numbers on preferred hosts. Adults can fly and are strong jumpers, helping them to disperse. Females lay egg masses covered with a waxy, white substance. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Potential Risks: The Spotted Lanternfly is a serious invasive pest. It poses a significant threat to agriculture, particularly to vineyards, fruit trees, and various hardwood trees. Their feeding weakens plants and can lead to reduced yields or plant death. They excrete large amounts of honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold on affected plants and surrounding surfaces. This mold can block photosynthesis and also reduce property value. Potential Benefits: There are no known benefits to the ecosystem in invaded regions; they disrupt native ecosystems and agricultural industries. Research is ongoing for biological control methods involving natural enemies from their native range.

Identified on: 7/6/2025