Origin

The Spotted Lanternfly was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. It is originally from China and South Asian countries such as India. It was discovered in Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014 and has the potential to become a serious agricultural pest without natural pests and predators keep populations low. It was accidentally introduced into South Korea in 2006 and has spread dramatically, making it a major agricultural pest, especially for grape production. At first, the risk of spread in the northern US was believed to be lower due to cold Pennsylvania winters, but it has now been discovered that many eggs and newly hatched nymphs have survived the winter.

Life Cycle

In the fall adults congregate in large groups on tree trunks, especially of tree of heaven. Females begin to lay eggs in late September on trunks, branches, stones, and many other smooth surfaces. The egg masses typically contain 30-50 eggs and are usually about an inch long. The egg masses are gray and covered with a material that first appears waxy, like wet mud and then dries and cracks. The insect overwinters in the egg mass. Nymphs hatch out in the spring and begin to mature in early summer. 

ecological threat

The spotted lanternfly is a sap-feeding planthopper. Nymphs and adults feed on sap from stems and leaves. Both life stages have been found on apples, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds, grapes as well as forest trees like maples, oak, pine, walnut, poplar willow and sycamore. When it is present, adults prefer tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is also an invasive species. Damage is done in two ways. Removing sap reduces photosynthesis, weakening the plant. Host plants are also damaged indirectly as the adults excrete honeydew which allows the growth of sooty mold fungus on the leaves, stems, and fruit. This growth further reduces photosynthesis and attracts ants, flies, wasps, and bees.