May 25, 2025
Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicata). A Planthopper (in the order Hemiptera) native to parts of China and Vietnam, believed to have first come to the United States in 2012, on a shipment of stone arriving in Pennsylvania. This image, one of many found here in the past couple days, an early stage nymph.
Being a Planthopper means these Lanternflies are extremely fast. They will fly short distances but prefer walking quickly or jumping. Getting this picture was quite the challenge because of their speed, and it not wanting a picture taken.
Lanternflies are agricultural pests, reducing the yield on grapevines, lowering the sugar content on remaining grapes leaving plant health in jeopardy. Other concerns are trees in our yards, and forests, including Black Walnut, Maples, Willow, River Birch, Black Cherry, Tulip Poplar, and others. Its favorite though is Ailanthus. Ailanthus is a non-native invasive that attracts the Lanternfly.
If you see these nymphs, squash them!
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