Before leaving an infested area, check vehicles, firewood and outdoor equipment for unwanted hitchhikers. How it spreadsĪlthough spotted lanternflies cannot fly long distances, they lay eggs on nearly any surface like cars, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture and more. The honeydew often attracts other pests like yellow jackets, flies, and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests. This honeydew and the resulting black sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The insects cause direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. Spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 different plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. The spotted lanternfly usually lays its eggs on smooth surfaces and can be found in crevices on trees, rocks or fences, according to the DNR. They’re laid in egg masses of between 30 to 50 eggs at a time, which are covered in a protective putty-like substance. The black bodied nymphs go through 4 growth phases (instars) before. Environmental experts are urging residents to destroy the egg masses left by the spotted lanternfly to greatly reduce the population of the invasive pests this year - so. As they age, they grow to be 1/4 inch long. According to Penn State Extension, these hatch from the eggs and are just a few millimeters in length. In Michigan it has been detected in areas of Oakland County. The same goes for the spotted lanternfly’s eggs. Spotted lanternfly eggs hatch as nymphs in April and May during the early hours of the day. Above photo by Dalton Ludwick on Penn State Extension website.

Native to Eastern Asia, the spotted lanternfly has spread in several eastern states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Your, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and others. Spotted lanternfly prefers to feed on the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but also will feed on a wide range of plants including grapes, and other trees such as black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac and red maple.

Spotted lantern fly eggs