About the Spotted Lanternfly

Characteristics

  • Appearance evolves dramatically throughout its lifecycle
  • Attacks grapes, hops, many fruits and vegetables, hardwoods and more than 100 plants
  • Does not sting or bite humans or pets
  • Main host is the invasive plant called Tree of Heaven
  • Plant hopper and excellent jumper
  • Poor flyer
  • Very effective hitchhiker from state to state on vehicles and on goods, such as firewood

Life Cycle

(Slides advance automatically. Use the arrows on the right and left to move back and forth through the slides)

Egg Masses (December-May)

Egg Masses


  • Size: About 1.5" long
  • The egg masses are laid on tree trunks and other surfaces.
  • Egg masses typically include 30 to 50 jellybean-shaped eggs in neat rows covered by a waxy substance that looks like mud.
  • During winter, destroy the egg masses.

Young Nymph (May-August)

Young Nymphs


  • Size: 4mm up to 3/8" long
  • Early, immature stages of the spotted lanternfly are wingless and black with white spots.

Mature Nymph (July-August)

Mature Nymph


  • Size: 7/8" long or 12mm
  • Mature nymphs develop red patches.

Adult (July-December)

Adult

Adult Wings Spread

Adult Wings Spread


  • Size: about 1" long
  • At rest, the adult resembles a colorful moth and shows light-brown, grayish wings with black spots held "tent-like" over its body. 
  • When the wings are open, yellow and red patches are exposed. 
  • Adults are approximately 1" long and ½" wide.

Look-Alike Insects

There are insects that look very much like the spotted lanternfly at all stages – egg masses, nymphs and adults. Some of the insects are beneficial. Learn more from the publications below. 

For questions about these look-alike insects, contact the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. 

  1. Contact Us 

    For more information about the spotted lanternfly, please contact Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun.