It’s worth taking a moment to check your backyard — especially if you live in the eastern or midwestern United States. In recent years, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has quietly become one of the country’s most concerning agricultural pests. With its colorful wings and graceful hop, it appears harmless, even beautiful, but this insect feeds on the sap of more than 70 plant species, draining crops, trees, and gardens of vital nutrients. First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, it has now spread through several states, threatening vineyards, orchards, and forests with lasting ecological and economic damage.
The spotted lanternfly isn’t a fly at all — it’s a planthopper native to parts of China, India, and Vietnam. It likely arrived in the U.S. via imported materials and found ideal conditions to thrive: mild climates, abundant host plants, and very few natural predators. Adults are easy to recognize: gray forewings covered in black dots, and bright red hind wings that flash when they leap. The younger nymphs, black with white or red markings, look like tiny ink blots in motion. As they feed, lanternflies leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew that coats leaves, decks, and cars, encouraging black sooty mold and attracting other insects.
The damage goes beyond appearance. Farmers have reported weakened vines, stunted crops, and trees struggling to recover. Forests, too, are showing signs of decline where infestations persist. Fortunately, homeowners and communities can take practical steps to help control the spread. If you see a lanternfly, safely crush it or scrape any gray, mud-like egg masses into a bag filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Wrap trees with sticky bands to trap nymphs, but protect wildlife by covering the tape with mesh. For severe infestations, insecticidal soaps or EPA-approved sprays can help — always used carefully and according to label directions.
Before traveling or moving outdoor materials like firewood or lawn furniture, inspect them for eggs, which often cling to smooth surfaces. Report any sightings to your local agricultural agency so experts can track and manage outbreaks. The broader goal isn’t fear, but awareness. Small actions — checking, cleaning, and reporting — make a collective difference. The spotted lanternfly may not belong here, but our shared vigilance does. By staying alert and informed, we can protect our landscapes, crops, and communities from one of nature’s most deceptive invaders.
