Native to southeast Asia, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) was found in Pennsylvania in 2014. As of 2019, it had spread to New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, with additional detections in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The spotted lanternfly has a wide host range that includes tree-of-heaven and grapes as preferred hosts. It is a serious threat to the production of tree fruits, grapes, ornamental trees and forestry.
These large, colourful and active insects have a distinctive appearance.
Adults are 2-2.5 cm long with dark legs and a yellow abdomen marked by a central black stripe. The front portion of the greyish-brown front wing is marked with black spots, and the rear section marked with dark broken fine lines.
The front section of the hind wings is red with black spots. The rear section is white with black bands.
Small nymphs are black with white spots. Larger nymphs are boldly coloured in black, white and red.
The overwintering eggs that are laid in masses and initially covered in a wax-like covering account for the rapid spread of this pest. A preference for smooth vertical surfaces, such as the sides of cars, transport trucks and trains, on which to lay eggs has resulted in eggs being transported widely.
In the northeastern U.S., adults will appear starting in July, with large numbers suddenly appearing in vineyards until frost. There is one generation per year.
Feeding of nymphs and adults on the trunks, shoots and leaves of grapes removes large volumes of phloem, which stresses the vines and causes reduced fruit set, increased winter injury and death. Feeding sites on woody tissues are marked by weeping wounds.
The large amounts of honeydew produced during feeding promotes the growth of sooty mould that fouls table grapes.
