If you spot a lanternfly, don’t hesitate – get rid of it immediately! This invasive insect, originating from China, has been wreaking havoc in the US since its discovery in Pennsylvania in 2014. The lanternfly’s voracious appetite for plant sap is causing widespread agricultural and ecological destruction.
Identifying lanternflies is easy. Adults are about an inch long, with distinctive gray wings featuring black spots and red and black underwings. Nymphs are black with white spots, turning red before maturity. They use a sharp, needle-like mouthpart to pierce plants and suck out sap, leaving behind a sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold. This mold chokes the plant, inhibiting photosynthesis and further weakening it.
If you encounter a lanternfly, take action! Squash adults and nymphs directly, and destroy egg masses that resemble gray mud smears. Scrape them into a bag with alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill the eggs. Your swift action can help protect our plants and environment from the devastating impact of lanternflies. Remember, these insects are a serious threat to our ecosystems, and eliminating them is crucial to preserving the health of our planet.
