Invasive Insect Alert: Spotted Lanternfly

This is a new invasive insect that should be collected, killed, and reported if seen.

  • An adult spotted Lanternfly (Photo courtesy of Bugwood)

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What You Can Do

  • Inspect your trees (in particular, tree of heaven) and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on the trunks or stems of plants.
  • Inspect posts, bricks, stone, and other smooth surfaces for egg masses.
  • Inspect outdoor items such as vehicles and firewood for egg masses.
  • If you find an insect that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly, please contact your local Extension office or State Plant Regulatory Official to have the specimen identified properly.
  • If you live on Fishers and in New York State, DEC* and DAM encourage the public to be on the lookout for and report this pest. Please send pictures and note the location of where the insect, egg masses, and/or infestation signs were found, to spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov.
  • Locate the Extension specialist near you
  • Contact your State Plant Regulatory Official (click on the state)
  • If visiting Pennsylvania or other states with SLF, check equipment and gear before leaving and scrape off any egg masses.
  • If you live In Pennsylvania, use the interactive plant pest quarantine map to see if you’re in the spotted lanternfly quarantine. If you are in the quarantine area, this YouTube video shows how to identify, remove, and destroy SLF egg masses (with rubbing alcohol). In other parts of Pennsylvania, report it to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture by emailing a photo of the egg mass to badbug@pa.gov or call 888-4-BADFLY (223359).

Help eradicate the Spotted Lanternfly from Fishers

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) Lycorma delicatula is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. Spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being one of the preferred hosts. Spotted lanternflies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries.

~USDA APHIS