Unwelcome Pest
The invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread throughout Maryland and surrounding states, leaving millions of dollars in damage in their wake.
- News
The invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread throughout Maryland and surrounding states, leaving millions of dollars in damage in their wake.
Maryland has its fair share of invasive species—from snakeheads and zebra mussels to marmorated stink bugs and emerald ash borers. These non-natives have permanently established themselves here, often to the detriment of native species and ecosystems. These days, Marylanders should be on high alert for a new invader: the spotted lanternfly.
Spotted lanternflies are native to China, India and Vietnam. It's believed that they hopped aboard a shipment of landscaping stones imported from Asia in 2014, when they first appeared in Pennsylvania. From there, they spread to Delaware, New York, Virginia and Maryland. The first spotted lanternfly was confirmed in Maryland in 2018, and Cecil and Harford counties both now have infestations. State officials are relying on residents to stop these insects from continuing to move around the state, and to report any sightings.
Spotted lanternflies are easiest to identify this time of year. Adults begin to appear in July and are active until the first frost of winter. They're about an inch long and moth-like, with black bodies and brightly colored wings that have patches of white, brown, black and orangey-red, covered with small black dots.
Because lanternflies typically jump more than fly, their wings often remain closed and appear gray with black spots and tips.
You might see their large gray egg masses on tree trunks beginning in fall and through the winter. Eggs begin hatching into sap-sucking nymphs in April and May. In the early nymph phase, lanternflies are jet black with white spots. In later nymph phases, they turn black and bright red.
While they don't bite or sting, lanternflies have no native predators, and they are destructive. They pose a major threat to agriculture and timber production and have the potential to cause damage costing millions of dollars. They feed on a wide variety of plants, including hardwoods, pine and fruit trees, grapevines, blueberry bushes and ornamental plants.
Lanternflies feed by sucking fluids from plants' stems or leaves. This damages the plant, stunts its growth and, in some cases, can even kill it.
As it feeds, the lanternfly also excretes a sugary substance called honeydew. This honeydew not only attracts other insects, but also supports the growth and spread of black, sooty mold, which can further weaken the host plant.
Lanternflies have a special affinity for the tree-of-heaven, another invasive species imported from Asia. These trees were intentionally brought to the U.S. in the 1700s, primarily for urban landscaping. The popularity of this non-native tree quickly faded, but not before it became well-established. Locally, these trees can be found throughout Baltimore City, growing in vacant lots and along the Jones Falls Expressway.
The key to stopping a full-blown invasion and permanent establishment of the spotted lanternfly in Maryland is early detection, containment and eradication. Marylanders can play a key role in detecting and reporting the presence of these insects.
If you see lanternfly eggs, nymphs or adults, you have license to kill. It's also important to report your sighting right away to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Take note of where you are, take a picture and send it to DontBug.MD@maryland.gov or call 410-841-5920.
Because lanternflies don't fly well, they will likely spread with (unwitting) help from humans. If you travel to affected counties or states, check your car and any outdoor equipment—such as tents, grills and furniture—for lanternfly stowaways, and don't bring any firewood home with you. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has a checklist that can help.