Page 8 - 3RD-QTR2
P. 8
Be on the Lookout for the Spotted
by Laura Iles
Lanternfly
from eggs and have 4 separate nymph
Spotted lanternfly adult. Emelie Swackhamer, Penn State University,
Bugwood.org stages until they molt to the adult stage.
he spotted lanternfly (SLF) is There is only one generation per year.
an invasive planthopper native Adults: Spotted lanternfly adults look a
to China that was discovered in bit like pinkish-gray cicadas or very large
TPennsylvania in 2014 but is now treehoppers. Their wings are pinkish-gray
found in 14 different states. The nymphs
and adults feed on sap from a wide variety colored and covered in black spots. They
of crops and are serious pests of grapes, have long legs that are grayish black.
tree fruits, and ornamental plants. The Beneath the gray spotted wings there is
favorite host plant is the tree of heaven. If a second pair of wings that are red, white
you see an insect you suspect is a spotted and black.
lanternfly please let us know by collecting Depending on temperature, adults
samples, if possible, or taking pictures and would be present in Iowa from mid-July
sending them to insects@iastate.edu through a killing freeze.
Spotted lanternflies, Lycorma Eggs: Adult females lay lines of eggs
delicatula, have three stages, eggs, on a suitable surface. They are not picky
nymphs and the adult stage. They hatch and will lay their eggs not only on the
surface of trees, but also on vehicles,
camping gear, etc. The eggs can be easily
moved to new locations and start new
infestations. The female lays several lines
of eggs that she covers with a protective
gray wax. This makes the egg masses
difficult to see on the bark of trees. On a
vehicle or other items egg masses look
like a spot of mud.
Page 8 IPMA Connection • 3rd Quarter, 2022
