ing chemical control when appropriate.
Figure 1. The life stages of SLF, including an egg mass on a tree.
A. Egg Mass. Found September-June. Photo Credit: E. Swackhamer
B. Early nymph (actual size = 1/8″) Found late April-July. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
C. Late nymph (actual size = 1/2″) Found July-September. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
D. Adult, wings closed (Actual size = 1 inch) Founds July-December. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
E. Adult, wings open. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
Current Distribution and Reporting
An SLF quarantine is currently in effect for 14 counties in Pennsylvania (Figure 2). If you find a spotted lanternfly, kill it and report it immediately with our online reporting system or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).
Figure 2. The distribution as of March 18, 2019, of SLF in Pennsylvania, indicated in blue. Check the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website for updated distribution information.
SLF is capable of causing serious damage to its host, including oozing sap from the trees, wilting, leaf curling, and tree dieback. SLF feeds using a piercing-sucking mouthpart tapped into the plant like a straw. When SLF feeds, it also excretes honeydew, or sugary water. This creates a sugary surface on and around plants that encourages the growth of black sooty mold. This mold is harmless to people but can cause damage to the plant. If you see black sooty mold or sticky areas on a plant or tree, it may be infested by SLF, but it could also be aphids, leafhoppers, planthoppers, or scale insects. Therefore, it is important to identify the cause of the mold, as control measures may differ for pests other than SLF. There is no way to prevent SLF from moving onto your property. Be aware that SLF is very mobile and management actions must be continuous to keep them controlled.
Stop the Spread
When you travel in and out of the quarantine zone, check your car and outdoor equipment (grills, outdoor furniture, landscaping supplies, mowers, etc.). Check for SLF egg masses from late fall to early spring. Remember that egg masses may be underneath your car or in your wheel well. During all other times of the year, check for nymphs and adults, and keep your windows rolled up when you park. Don’t store things or park under infested trees, and don’t move firewood.
Steps of Spotted Lanternfly Management
- Stop the spread
- Scrape eggs
- Band trees to catch nymphs
- Remove tree-of-heaven
- Apply insecticides
Walk around your property to check for egg masses on trees, cement blocks, rocks, and any other hard surface. If you find egg masses on your property from September to May, you can scrape them off using a plastic card or putty knife (Figure 3). Scrape them into a bag or container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and keep them in this solution permanently. Egg masses can also be smashed or burned. Remember that some eggs will be laid at the tops of trees and may not be possible to reach.
Figure 3. Scraping SLF egg masses from a tree. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
When the nymphs first hatch, they will walk up the trees to feed on the softer new growth of the plant. Take advantage of this behavior by wrapping tree trunks in sticky tape and trapping the nymphs. Any tree can be banded, but we recommend only banding trees where SLF are abundant (Figure 4). Tape may be purchased online or from your local garden center. Push pins can be used to secure the band. While some bands may catch adults, banding trees is most effective for nymphs. Be advised that birds and small mammals stuck to the tape, while rare, have been reported. To avoid this, you can cage your sticky bands in wire or fencing material wrapped around the tree. Alternately, try reducing the width of the band, so that less surface area is exposed to birds and other mammals. Both of these methods will still capture SLF effectively. Check and change traps at least every other week (or more often in highly infested areas).
Figure 4. A banded tree with SLF nymphs stuck a