The lanternfly, or Lycorma delicatula, should be eliminated as soon as you come across it. It was first noticed in Pennsylvania, USA, in 2014 and it originated in China. Since then, it has expanded and has impacted agriculture and the environment. Lanternflies weaken and induce sooty mold on a range of plants and trees that they feed on sap from due to the sticky honeydew they produce. This mold further damages the plant by impeding photosynthesis.
Lanternflies are easy to identify. Adults have one-inch-long, gray wings with black spots and red and black underwings. Nymphs are black with white spots that turn crimson before they reach adulthood. With a mouthpart that resembles a needle, they pierce plants to take sap, which depletes the plant’s life force.
It is recommended that you remove any lanternflies that you encounter. Squash the adults or nymphs directly. Egg masses, which resemble gray mud marks, must also be destroyed. Scrape the eggs into a bag and apply hand sanitizer or alcohol to demolish them.
Taking action against lanternflies is necessary to protect our plants and ecosystem. If you encounter one, be mindful of the potential harm they could cause and act quickly to protect our ecosystems.
