Invasion - The Spotted Lanternfly

Have you heard of the newly invasive bug attempting to suffocate the northeast? The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma Delicatula) is a planthopper native to Asia and initially made a landing in Pennsylvania in 2014. Before its foray into America, it was a known invasive pest in South Korea. (Early Response). Over the last eight years, this planthopper has rapidly spread from Connecticut to North Carolina, with a few spotting’s in Rhode Island. 

The Spotted Lanternfly takes all year to complete its life cycle. Emerging as nymphs in April, primarily black with white spots, and then entering their teenage years, where they are red with white spots. Eventually, they molt into adulthood around July and lay their eggs in the fall.

While in the nymph stage, they eat soft plant tissue, and then as they mature and can pierce through thicker bark, they can consume sap from trees and vines. Some of their preferred species include grape vines, Christmas trees, and hops. These insects don’t kill plants outright but do cause a lot of harm to native and farmed plants. The damage they cause occurs when they suck the sap from the trees. They excrete something called honey doo, which feeds sooty mold growth on the leaves. This, essentially, weakens the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and store carbohydrates properly. Vineyards in the NE have already seen a reduction in harvest after Spotted Lanternfly infestations. 

One avenue that allowed Spotted Lanternfly to succeed is the spread of the Ailanthus Altissima tree, also known as the tree of heaven, an established ornamental invasive tree species also originating from China. This existing spread of the Tree of Heaven has contributed to a secondary invasive chain reaction as the Spotted Lanternfly was able to recognize this food source from its country of origin and has used the tree to further spread throughout the NE. 

The Spotted Lanternfly spread has been interesting to witness as awareness of it has been spread through various social media channels. For example, on the social media app TikTok, there are currently over 206.3 million views of the #spottedlanternfly. Videos range from education to removal methods to showcasing horrible infestations on trees. 

It is only a matter of time before the Spotted Lanternfly appears with more vigor in Rhode Island. It is important that we be mindful of this spread and take swift action as soon as one is spotted.

How can you help stop the spread? 

• Familiarize yourself with this insect's eggs, nymph, and adult stages. Smash on sight! 

• Tell your friends and family about the Spotted Lanternfly 

• Remove any tree of heaven from your property. 

• Check your car for potential eggs and stowaways if traveling in the PA, NJ, and NY.  

If you would like to learn more about the Spotted Lanternfly, be sure to visit the Jennifer English Gallery on the second floor of the Barrington Library in March 2023 for an art exhibit.