June 15, 2025

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). A planthopper native to Vietnam and China, which arrived in the United States in 2012. Spotted in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and now has now spread to Virginia. It’s preferred host plant is Tree of Heaven (Ailantuus altissima), but is a problem with many other trees and agricultural crops such as grapes, soybeans, stonefruits, and apples.

The picture above is of the early life stage. I’m seeing these incredibly quick critters everywhere. On my blueberry bushes, on my front and back porch. Everywhere. I’m seeing many more of these creatures now than I did last year.

Soon that early life stage will grow into this one.

And by August it will have grown into its adult form.

Last year, in August, I found this adult SLF caught in a spider web. Only one. If only spiders would catch many many more.

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