The New York DEC Needs You to Do This If You See This Invasive Bug

Those darn bugs. They are an invasive species in New York State. Their scientific name is Lycorma Delicatula. You know them as the Spotted Lanternfly.

These little winged monsters came from Asia, and they are causing a stir in several states, including New York State and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Spotted Lanternfly was originally found in 2014 in Pennsylvania and 2020 in New York State. Remember how we are told not to transport firewood from state to state? This is one of the reasons why, as they can be easily transported on that firewood.

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According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Spotted Lanternfly mostly feeds on trees of heaven (Alianthus altissima), but you will also find them feasting on grapevine, hops, maple, walnut, and fruit trees.

The DEC notes that while all the facts are known, this invasive bug negatively impacts the agricultural and tourism industries, and could impact New York's forests as well.

How will you know what this unwanted bug looks like?

Nymphs are black with white spots and turn red before transitioning into adults. You will find the black nymphs from April to July, and then the red nymphs from July to September.

The NYS DEC notes that the Spotted Lanternfly is about an inch long with forewings that are grayish with black spots. The lower section is red with black spots. The upper portion is dark with a white stripe.

What Can You Do To Help Slow The Spread?

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has these tips:

• Learn how to identify SLF.
• Inspect outdoor items such as firewood, vehicles, and furniture for egg masses.
• If you visit other states with SLF, be sure to check all equipment and gear before leaving. Scrape off any egg masses.
• Destroy egg masses by scraping them into a bucket of hot, soapy water or a baggie/jar of hand sanitizer.
• Take pictures of the insect, egg masses, and/or infestation signs as described above (include something for scale such as a coin or ruler) and email them to spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov. or fill out the Department of Agriculture and Markets' reporting form.
• Note the location (address, intersecting roads, landmarks, or GPS coordinates).
• After you have reported SLF in your area and collected a sample, you should kill any additional SLF you see by stepping on it or crushing it.

For more information on ways to slow the spread, visit the Spotted Lanternfly Management website, and check out the NYS DEC website for more photos and information.