Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameSpotted Lanternfly
DescriptionSpotted lanternflies are invasive planthoppers that secrete sticky honeydew, attracting mold and damaging dozens of crops. Identify grey, mud-like egg masses to stop their spread.
TypeInsect
FamilyFulgoridae
GenusLycorma
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderHemiptera
Features
- A highly invasive planthopper from Asia (Lycorma delicatula) that attacks over 70 plant species, including grapes, fruit trees, and maples
- Adults are 2.5 cm long with pinkish-grey forewings with black spots and striking scarlet-red hindwings visible when in flight
- They feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Large populations can cause 'weeping' wounds on tree trunks that attract other insects
- Like aphids, they excrete massive amounts of 'honeydew'. This sticky substance fuels the growth of black sooty mold on anything beneath the tree
- Infested plants show wilting, leaf curling, and branch dieback. In vineyards, they can weaken vines so severely that they fail to survive the winter
- Egg masses resemble smears of wet, grey mud or putty; they are found on almost any smooth surface, including tree bark, vehicles, and lawn furniture
- Nymphs are black with white spots (early stages) and develop bright red patches as they mature through late summer
- The preferred host is the invasive 'Tree of Heaven' (Ailanthus altissima), but they move to other high-value crops as the summer progresses
- Control by scraping and destroying egg masses from vehicles and trees. Use 'circle traps' or sticky bands (with wildlife guards) on infested tree trunks
- Report sightings to local agricultural authorities immediately to help contain the spread of this serious economic pest
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificLycorma delicatula
English (Alternate)SLF
Hindiचित्तीदार लालटेन मक्खी (Chittidar lantern makkhi)
Tamilபுள்ளி கொண்ட லான்டர்ன் பூச்சி (Pulli konda lantern poochi)
Teluguమచ్చల లాంతరు పురుగు (Machhala lantharu purugu)
Malayalamസ്പോട്ടഡ് ലാന്റേൺ ഫ്ലൈ (Spōṭṭaḍ lāntēṇ flaī)
Kannadaಚುಕ್ಕೆಯ ಲಾಂದ್ರದ ಹುಳು (Cukkeya lāndrada huḷu)
Sanskritचित्र-पतंग (Citra-pataṅga)
Bengaliস্পটেড ল্যান্টার্নফ্লাই (Spotted lanternfly)
Frenchfulgore tacheté
Russianпятнистая фонарница (pyatnistaya fonarnitsa)
Spanishmosca linterna con manchas
GermanGefleckte Laternenträgerzikade
