The spotted lanternfly has the potential to wreak havoc on crops, landscape trees, and the agricultural economy in Minnesota. It is important to know how to correctly identify this invasive insect, and to report it before it can cause significant damage.
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that is native to China, and was first found in Pennsylvania eight years ago. It has since spread to at least 12 states. It feeds on the sap of many trees that are common in Minnesota landscapes, and can do economic damage to crops like grapes and apples.
- Adult spotted lanternflies are large (one to one and a half inches long).
- When at rest, they are taupe to gray with black polka dots on the wing.
- When in flight, you can see their lower wings, which are a combination of black, white and red.
- Before they are adults, nymphs do not fly, but the spotted theme continues.
- Larvae are black with white spots and, as they approach adulthood, are red with spots.
This pest has the potential to damage Minnesota crops and landscape trees, and become a public nuisance. It is estimated that in Pennsylvania, where this pest was first found, the insect costs the state more than $300 million dollars annually.
Beyond the economics, these insects are large, highly mobile, and can have large populations. If you thought box elder bugs were big and annoying, wait until you meet spotted lanternfly. People who live in infested areas on the east coast complain about not only their high populations (“it is raining spotted lanternfly”), but also the sticky residue they leave behind after feeding.
Spotted lanternfly’s preferred host is tree-of-heaven. This is an invasive, weedy tree that is on the Minnesota noxious weed list and is most likely to be found in southeastern Minnesota. Spotted lanternfly feeds and reproduces successfully on tree-of-heaven. Spotted lanternfly also feed on more than 100 species of woody plants. This includes apples, plums, grapes, and many common landscape trees like pines, willows, and maples.
Despite being a large, showy insect, spotted lanternflies can be quite sneaky. This is due to the appearance of its eggs. Spotted lanternfly lays a group of many eggs at one time, and isn’t too picky about where these eggs go. They can be laid on rocks, trees, wood, lawn furniture, and in wheel wells.
The appearance of these eggs isn’t flashy, if you were just walking by, you might just think that the egg mass was a splat of mud. As people unknowingly move items with eggs on them, they introduce spotted lanternfly to new areas. The adult insect themselves can also hitchhike a ride on the same materials that egg masses can be found on.
One big step is to inspect your vehicle if travel takes you to an area with a spotted lanternfly infestation. Again, eggs are subtle and easy to move by accident, so give your car, trailer, or camper a thorough once-over when you get back to Minnesota. If you find eggs or adults, scrape them off and smash them.
The Minnesota State Department of Agriculture keeps track of where invasive species have been spotted. If you suspect that you’ve seen a spotted lanternfly, report it to the state via email at Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us or by phone at (888) 545-6684, or use the MDA’s online form at mdaonbase.mda.state.mn.us.
If you have any questions about this or any horticulture-related topic, please contact your local Extension educator. For residents in Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties, contact Emily Hansen at (612) 394-6302 or hans6005@umn.edu.