More on Spotted Lanternfly

Adam Chorba, Forest Specialist, Bradford County Conservation District
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​Hopefully you’ve already heard of the spotted lanternfly at this point, but in case you haven’t, Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper native to Asia that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapevines, apple trees, stone fruit trees, and other hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that promotes sooty mold growth, which can further damage plants. Its preferred host is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The pest was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It likely arrived in the United States on goods shipped from overseas. Today, 19 States and the District of Columbia have some degree of infestation. The spotted lanternfly is a notorious hitchhiking pest that lays its eggs on any hard surface including grills, vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys aiding in its hitchhiking abilities and its ability for populations to seemingly appear out of nowhere.

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