Here are clear photos showing what the spotted lanternfly looks like at each stage of its life:
Adult Spotted Lanternfly.
Young Nymph (Red Phase).
- Young Nymph: Bright red with white spots and black markings (earlier nymphs are solid black with white spots).
- Egg Mass: Looks like a smear of gray, dried mud stuck to tree trunks, rocks, or patio furniture.
- Infestation: Adults gather in large groups on tree trunks to feed on sap.
Egg Mass on Bark.
Infestation on Trees. Adult: Light grey forewings with black dots, about an inch long.
Why Are They a Problem?
Spotted lanternflies don’t belong here—they originally came from far away in Asia. Because they don’t have many natural enemies in North America (like birds or bigger bugs to eat them), their numbers grew super fast!
Here is what makes them such big troublemakers:
- Tree Juice Thieves: They use sharp, straw-like mouths to poke holes in trees, grapevines, and plants, drinking up all the sap.
- Making Plants Sick: When they steal sap, trees get weak, tired, and can even die.
- Sticky Mess: They leave behind a gross, sticky goo called “honeydew” that makes black mold grow all over leaves and outdoor toys.
How to Spot One
Look out for these signs when you’re playing outside:
- Babies (Nymphs): Tiny, black bugs with white spots. As they grow bigger, they turn bright red with black and white spots.
- Grown-ups: Light brown wings with black dots, plus bright red under-wings when they open them up.
- Egg Masses: Muddy-looking gray patches stuck on tree trunks, rocks, or outdoor furniture.
How You Can Be a Plant Hero!
If you see a spotted lanternfly or their egg masses, tell a grown-up right away! Scientists and farmers actually want us to squish them on sight to protect our fruit trees and forests. You can also scrape their muddy egg patches off tree bark and throw them into a bag with hand sanitizer to stop new ones from hatching.
Keep your eyes open, bug detectives—our trees are counting on you!
How to Make a Safe Bug Trap
Lanternflies love to crawl up tree trunks. You can catch them using sticky tape, but you must add a wire cover so birds and squirrels stay safe!
What You Need:
- Sticky bug tape
- Wire screen or mesh netting
- Push pins or tape
How to Build It:
- Put tape on the tree: With a grown-up, wrap sticky tape around a tree trunk at chest height, sticky side facing out. Pin it tight!
- Cover it with a wire screen: Put the wire screen over the tape like a protective cage. Leave a small gap so lanternflies can crawl under, but birds can’t touch the glue.
- Watch them get caught: Bugs crawl under the screen and get stuck. Check the trap often and put up new tape when it gets full!
common types of tree traps used to catch spotted lanternflies safely:
Sticky Band with Guard Mesh.
Circle Funnel Trap (Tape-Free). .
Sticky Band Full of Bugs.
- Guarded Sticky Band: Uses sticky tree tape wrapped around the trunk with wire fencing over top to keep birds and small animals from touching the glue.
- Circle Trap: A mesh funnel wrapped around the tree trunk that guides lanternflies upward into a collection bag without using glue.
