Invasive Pest Update: Spotted Lanternfly

This year marks 10 years since the spotted lanternfly was first detected in Berks County, PA. As we enter April and May, spotted lanternfly (SLF) nymphs will begin hatching. If you find egg masses that have not hatched, you can scrape and destroy them. Once they hatch, management options include traps and insecticides.

As shown in the New York State Integrated Pest Management map (right), SLF invasion now covers all but the northern tier counties in Pennsylvania. These voracious plant hoppers feed on a large variety of plant species, including those in the agricultural, timber, and ornamental industries, and backyard plants. SLF is a plant stressor that, in combination with other stressors (e.g., other insects, diseases, weather), can cause significant damage to its host. SLF alone may not kill a tree.

For more information on SLF and what you can do to slow the spread and manage this pest on your property, check out Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide at https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide. To see a map of the distribution of spotted lanternfly in the eastern US, visit go.nysipm.org/slf-map-i.