The lanternfly, known scientifically as Lycorma delicatula, is an insect that you need to eliminate right away if you see it. It came from China and was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania back in 2014. Since then, it has spread and caused a lot of harm to farms and the environment.
Lanternflies suck the sap from various plants and trees, which makes them weak and leads to a sticky substance called honeydew that they produce. This honeydew creates sooty mold, which can further damage the plants by blocking their ability to photosynthesize.
Lanternflies are pretty simple to recognize. The adult ones are around an inch long and have gray wings with black spots, plus red and black on the underside. The baby lanternflies, called nymphs, start off black with white spots and change to red as they grow up. They have a special mouth that looks like a needle, which they use to poke into plants and drink their sap, taking away the plant’s energy.
If you spot a lanternfly, it’s best to get rid of it. You can crush the adult ones or the baby ones right away. It’s also really important to get rid of their egg masses, which look like gray blobs of mud. You should scrape them into a bag with some alcohol or hand sanitizer to make sure the eggs are dead.
It’s really important to do something about lanternflies to keep our plants and environment safe. If you see one, think about the harm they can do and take action fast to help keep our ecosystems in good shape.
Summarized:
Here’s why you need to jump into action if you see a lanternfly.
The spotted lanternfly, or Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive bug that’s causing some real trouble for agriculture, plants, and the environment. This pest hails from China and made its debut in Pennsylvania back in 2014. Since then, it has spread to several states, wreaking havoc along the way.
What Makes Lanternflies a Problem?
Lanternflies are pretty sneaky little pests. They’ve got these needle-like mouths that let them suck sap right out of trees and plants, which can really weaken them over time.
Honeydew Production: These little guys produce a sticky substance known as honeydew, which leads to the growth of sooty mold—a black fungus that can hinder plants’ ability to photosynthesize.
Lanternflies are wreaking havoc on vineyards, orchards, and hardwood trees, threatening whole industries in the process.
Identifying Lanternflies: Adults: It’s about an inch long, sporting gray wings with black spots and a striking splash of red and black underneath.
Nymphs, or babies, kick things off as tiny black bugs with white spots and gradually shift to a vibrant red as they grow up.
Egg masses appear as these grayish-brown blobs of mud, and you can usually spot them on tree trunks, rocks, or even your outdoor furniture.
If you spot a lanternfly, it’s best to take action immediately: kill it on sight. Make sure to squash those adult lanternflies or nymphs right away to stop them from spreading.
Get rid of those egg masses:
Just scoop up those egg masses and toss them into a sealed bag with some alcohol or hand sanitizer to make sure they’re wiped out for good.
Make sure to get rid of the bag properly.
Got a lanternfly sighting? Many states have set up online portals or hotlines for you to report them. It’s a great way to help keep track of and manage the infestation.
The Importance of Taking Action
Lanternflies aren’t just annoying; they actually pose a real threat to our ecosystems and economies. When you spot them and their eggs, getting rid of them helps out in the big picture of protecting our environment and keeping essential agricultural resources safe.
Keep your eyes peeled, move fast, and get others on board with it too. We can totally work together to tackle the issues brought on by this invasive species.
