One insect has been getting plenty of headlines for the past few years, but for all the wrong reasons. Have you heard of the spotted lanternfly? You might have seen news stories instructing people to kill these insects on sight, or even offering a bounty for turning in dead specimens of the insects.
Why so much concern for an insect that poses no risk to people? Because these invasive insects aren't totally harmless. Although the spotted lanternfly isn't a danger to humans or even other animals, it can damage trees and, in turn, cause harm to economies that depend on trees and timber.
Spotted lanternflies are native to parts of Asia. They were first seen in the United States in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that they made their way here in shipping containers.
As of July 2024, the invasive insect has been reported in 17 states, including Illinois. It was first reported in Illinois in September 2023.
Once these insects hatch, they begin to feed on woody plant matter. This is why spotted lanternflies can be destructive. They are capable of damaging the trees they feed on in two ways. First, they have sharp mouthparts that pierce and can harm the trees as they look for the sap inside. As they eat, they also secrete a substance called honeydew that attracts more insects. This then puts the trees at risk of a dangerous fungus called sooty mold.
Words to know
Bounty: A sum paid for capturing someone or something.
Collaboration: Working with someone to produce or create something.
Intricate: Very complicated or detailed.
Invasive: Spreading prolifically and harmfully.
Secrete: To produce and discharge.
Another concern about the spotted lanternfly is that it has spread more quickly than other invasive insects. For example, the spongy moth took nearly 100 years to spread from Massachusetts to New York, but the spotted lanternfly spread to 10 states in just seven years and has continued to expand its range.
Spotted lanternflies prefer a tree called tree of heaven These trees are also invasive in our area. They were introduced here in the 1700s. Because they grow well in poor-quality soils, the tree was often planted in urban areas where other trees did not grow well.
While tree of heaven is considered the host plant for the spotted lanternfly, it is not the only tree the insects will feed on. Not even close. It is known to feed on at least 103 plant species found in the United States.
Among the other trees the spotted lanternflies feed on are black walnut, red maple, silver maple, apple trees and grapevine. Grapevine is particularly sensitive to damage caused by the insects.
Spotted lanternflies are a type of insect called a planthopper. These insects are noted for their ability to hop from plant to plant and hanging on tightly when they land. Their life cycle includes three stages: egg, nymph and adult. It takes just a few months to complete the entire cycle after the eggs hatch.
In the fall, female lanternflies lay eggs on bark and in other spots like rocks and even man-made structures. The nymphs hatch in the spring, usually in late April or early May.
The nymphs transition through four stages, called instars, as they grow. In their first instar, they are about a quarter-inch. They are black in color with white spots. They remain black with white spots until their fourth and final instar. At this stage they have grown to a half-inch and are mostly red but with black markings and white spots. The adults typically emerge by late July and mate in August and into fall.
In their adult form, spotted lanternflies have a striking appearance. They have gray or beige forewings with black spots toward the middle. The tips of the wings are covered in smaller, more intricate black markings that make them look darker in color. Their hindwings are bright red and black, with the red part containing black spots and the black part covered with a white band. Their abdomens are black with yellow bands between the segments. As adults they are about 1 inch long and a half-inch wide.
Because spotted lanternflies are so destructive and can spread so quickly, Illinois officials ask that spotted lanternflies be removed and destroyed when found. Before destroying the insects, officials ask that sighting be reported with photos via email at lanternfly@illinois.edu. If you spot what you think is a spotted lanternfly, check with an adult to confirm the identification and ask for help submitting your sighting via email.
Slowing the spread of the spotted lanternfly will require collaboration across all levels of government. However, there are things you can do at home to help prevent further destruction by these insects. Most importantly, take the time to learn the life cycle of the spotted lanternfly so you can ID them at every stage.
It's also important to know how to recognize the tree of heaven, since this is where you are most likely to see the insects. Removing tree of heaven can be difficult because removal allows for new growth along its root system.
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