Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive sap-feeding insect from Asia that was first found in the United States in 2014, in Pennsylvania. While the main host plant of this pest is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), SLF attacks a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, and has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including grapes and wine, apples, peaches, and maple syrup. The first known infestation of spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts was found in 2021.

Think you've Spotted a Lanternfly?

• Check this map to see if you are in an infested area.
• If not, report it here.

Spotted lanternfly ID (Click on an image below to see the captioned full-size version)
Figure 1		Figure 2		Figure 3		Figure 4

• Checklists and guides for dealing with SLF:
  • Residents in or near Infested Areas
    • Management Guide in English or other languages
    • Inspection Checklist
    • How to check your vehicle (video)
  • Businesses
    • Any Business In or Near an Infested Area
    • Beekeepers
    • Driver's Checklist in English or Spanish
    • Moving Industry
    • Nurseries and Landscapers
• Educational Resources:
  • Interactive Massachusetts SLF Map
  • SLF Look-alike Sheets
    • Adults/Nymphs
    • Egg Masses
    • Download both sheets together!
  • View the archive of our quarterly SLF webinar series on the MDAR YouTube channel
  • Fun SLF Activities (for kids and adults!)
• Press Releases/News/PSAs
  • Watch our video series about SLF:
    • You're in the Driver's Seat - Checking Your Vehicle for SLF
      (Portuguese|Spanish)
      Or download the mp4 file: English|Portuguese|Spanish
    • Impacts of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
      (Portuguese|Spanish)
      Or download the mp4 file: English|Portuguese|Spanish
    • Managing Spotted Lanternfly
      (Portuguese|Spanish)
      Or download the mp4 file: English|Portuguese|Spanish
  • MDAR Marks National Invasive Species Awareness Week with Update on Spotted Lanternfly Management (February 2023)
  • State Agricultural Officials Ask Residents to Report Sightings of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly - Hampden County Find Indicates Species Is Continuing to be Found in New Areas (August 2022)
  • State Agricultural Officials Ask Public to be on Alert for Hatching of Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Eggs -Potential for egg masses to have been accidentally brought in on nursery stock imported from other states (May 2022)
  • State Agricultural Officials Remind Residents to Keep an Eye Out for the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly - Recent find in Worcester County (August 2021)
  • Massachusetts reports multiple finds of SLF across several counties, public urged to report possible sightings (Sept. 2020)
  • Single, dead spotted lanternfly found in MA (Dec. 2018)
• Download our SLF mini poster in English or in Spanish, or order free SLF outreach materials

Scientific Name: Lycorma delicatula
Common Names: Spotted lanternfly

Known Hosts:
While the main host plant of spotted lanternfly is the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), SLF has been found on almost 100 different types of plants. Below is a table of the most well-known species. Preferred host plants are marked with an asterisk (*).

Key ID Features
	Adults have brownish-gray forewings with black spots, and appear dull when at rest. (Figure 2)
	When disturbed, the lanternfly will hop or fly away, revealing bright red and white hindwings. (Figure 1)
	Overwinters as a gray egg mass laid on any smooth flat surface. The egg mass resembles mud. (Figure 3)
	The first 3 instar nymphs are black with varying amounts of white speckling. The final, fourth instar nymph is red, black and white. The nymphs can be found on host plants, often feeding on the softer parts of the plants. (Figure 4)
Description of damage
	Adults and nymphs of this species cause significant damage by feeding on sap from the stems and leaves of host plants, as well as the trunks of the trees.
	Adult lanternflies damage plants by feeding on the sap and excreting honeydew. The honeydew then causes sooty mold and attracts other insects that may also cause damage to the plant.
Current Distribution
	A current map of cities and towns in Massachusetts where SLF has been found is available on our pest dashboard.
	Spotted lanternfly was first discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in September of 2014. It is thought to have arrived on a stone shipment around 2012. It has since spread to more than 45 countiesw in Pennsylvania and is under a quarantine in that state.
	Since 2014, spotted lanternfly infestations have also been found in several states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia (view a map).
Additional Fact Sheets and References
	USDA Pest Alert: English, Spanish
	Fact Sheet from UMass Amherst Extension
	SLF page from PennState Extension
	SLF look-alikes guide (adults, nymphs, and egg masses) from Virginia Tech
	Pennsylvania SLF Permit Database (searchable list of companies who have completed SLF compliance training in PA)
Educational Activities (Fun for kids and adults!) SLF Origami! Adult SLF (Instructional video) Early Instar SLF (Instructional video) Late Instar SLF (Instructional video) Short-form origami videos in vertical orientation (feel free to download and share on social media!): Full set of life stages | Early Instar Nymph | Late Instar Nymph SLF Word Search (with secret message!) (high school and up) Color and Cut Your Own SLF Bookmarks! SLF Coloring Sheet SLF Activity Sheet for Kids from Penn State Extension (grades 1-4) Stone Soup: Invasive Species Cartooning (grades 4-12) FBI: Fighting Bad Invasives - A sorting card activity from Holton Public Schools and GVSU College of Education (grades 6-9) MDAR's Guide to Invasive Pest Nature Journaling Develop a plan and budget to manage SLF from the McKeesport Area School District in PA (High school and up)
Outreach Resources SLF Graphics (jpg and png files from our video series, free for non-commercial use with attribution, see terms of use in zip file)

last reviewed March 2025