Insect · GBIF taxon 5157899
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatulaAlso known as SLF
Spotted lanternflies are striking planthoppers renowned for their vibrant red and black hindwings hidden beneath grey, spotted forewings. Nymphs hatch in spring and develop through four distinct growth stages before acquiring functional wings in late summer, excreting copious sticky honeydew as they feed on sap. Dense clusters multiply rapidly along suburban forest edges and vineyards, severely stressing native trees and commercial agricultural crops.
InvasivePlanthopperAgricultural Pest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree of Heaven Sap
- Grapevine Sap
- Hardwood Tree Sap
Predators
- Praying Mantis
- Wheel Bug
- Birds
ThreatsTargeted eradication programs, predatory insects, and winter freeze events
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, orchards, vineyards, and suburban landscapes
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFulgoridae
- SpeciesLycorma delicatula
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Squash on sight: Destroy adults, nymphs, and muddy egg masses in non-native invasive zones.
- Check vehicles: Inspect tire wells and outdoor equipment for hitchhiking egg masses.
- Spot the honeydew: Look for sticky weep marks and black sooty mold on host tree trunks.
Primary Host Plant (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · cc-by-sa
Predator Luc Viatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) gailhampshire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Related Hemipteran (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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