The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that has spread to the United States, South Korea and Japan. It is a flea insect native to Vietnam, Taiwan and southern China. Known for feeding on more than 70 host plants, having it everywhere is a big deal. If you notice spotted beetles that feed on fruit and wood trees, you definitely have the spotted lanternfly. Here are some sure-fire ways to get rid of Spotted Lanternfly Infestation so you can get back to enjoying all that nature has to offer.
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What is a spotted lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is a relatively new invasive species in the United States. The spotted lanternfly is native to Asia, namely China, India and Vietnam, and was first recorded in Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA in 2014. It is now considered an invasive species in southeastern Pennsylvania, southwestern New Jersey, northern Delaware, and northern Virginia. They are the main threat to agriculture in the areas they invade. Read on to learn more, including pest control information and how to get rid of spotted lanternflies.
Identification
Spotted lanternflies get their name from the distinctive black spots on their forewings as they reach adulthood. Adult SLFs find that the forewings are covered with brightly colored hindwings. Spotted lanternfly nymphs are usually 1/8 to 1/2 inch tall, with white-spotted black bodies that turn bright red on older nymphs. Adults are larger than nymphs, about 1 inch long and 1 1/2 inches wide when wings are spread. Adults are often easier to find due to their increased size, color, and mobility.
Habit
Spotted lanternflies are planthoppers, and although they have wings, they can only fly short distances, mostly by jumping or walking. The spotted lanternfly lays eggs in the fall and hatches in the spring. They lay their eggs on hard surfaces such as houses, trees, rocks, etc., with an average of 30-50 eggs at a time. As immature nymphs, spotted lanternflies go through several stages during which they grow wings and change color. Adult spotted lanternflies hatch in summer and their total lifespan is usually around a year. The spotted lanternfly feeds on woody and non-woody plants, including trees and a variety of plants.
Habitat: where to find them
The spotted lanternfly’s favorite foraging and mating host is the sky tree (Ailanthus altissima), an invasive plant first introduced to the Philadelphia area in the 18th century. However, they are known to have over 70 other plants and can lay their eggs almost anywhere.
Threaten
Spotted lanternflies do not bite or sting humans, but they are a major destructive pest. They are a major agricultural threat to crops and trees such as grapes, hops and hardwoods, causing costly damage. They are also a nuisance and can affect the quality of life in the areas they invade because they are a nuisance and accumulate in large numbers. The spotted lanternfly feeds on plant sap, which damages the host plant, causing oozing sap and mold sores, which can lead to stunted plant growth or even death.
How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternfly Infestation
Areas affected by the spotted lanternfly are currently working to stop the spread and destruction of this invasive pest. Fourteen counties in southeastern Pennsylvania are currently under quarantine measures established by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to regulate the movement of plants and other items that may harbor spotted lanternflies in and out of quarantine areas. They also regularly remove the tree of paradise, the spotted lanternfly’s favorite host.
Homeowners are encouraged to check cars and all outdoor equipment, such as grills, firewood, and lawn mowers, when entering and leaving quarantine areas to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly. If you find your property is infested, there are a number of spotted lanternfly control methods that can help control the infestation, including:
Scrape visible egg masses from trees and destroy them professionally
Remove the sky tree when a tree grows on your lot.
Ribbon tree spotting spotted lanternfly.
When insect numbers are low, you can kill the spotted light flies by hitting or crushing them.
Contact a pest controller specializing in SLF treatment.
Hopefully the articles above can help you learn more about how to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternfly Infestation. If you still have questions, please leave a comment so we can respond as soon as possible. globaltimes-sl.org wishes you success.