![]() ![]() The Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, and willow trees are a couple of the Spotted Lanternflies most preferred hosts. Nymphs will feed on a variety of host plants, while adults feed on only a few plant species. Spotted Lanternflies feed on many different host plants during their nymphal stages however, their feeding preferences change as they mature. ![]() This stage is active from July through September they then molt and become adults. ![]() During the final fourth instar stage, nymphs take on a red coloration with white spots and can be up to ¾” in size. The second and third instar nymphs are also black with white spots. This “camouflage” can make them difficult to notice.ĭuring the first instar stage, which comes directly after they hatch, nymphs are approximately ¼” long with black and white spots. The eggs are laid in groups of approximately 30-50 and then coated with gray wax that, when dry, can look like a splash of mud. Egg masses are typically about 1 ½ inches long and are brown or gray colored. Spotted Lanternfly females prefer to lay their egg mass on a host tree however, they also may deposit eggs on flat surfaces such as buildings, trailers, fence posts, outdoor furniture, and vehicles. Spotted lanternflies typically lay their eggs from September to November. The life cycle of spotted lanternflies is divided into three stages: egg, 4 nymphal sub-stages, and adult. They are also classified as planthoppers in the order Hemiptera – which includes other pests including cicadas, common stink bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, aphids, and leafhoppers. These insects were first detected in eastern Pennsylvania in September 2014 and have since spread to Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia. Spotted lanternflies were introduced to the US from their native areas of China, India, Vietnam, and eastern Asia. Spotted Lanternflies are plant sap-sucking insects that are very destructive to plants they feed on. ![]()
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