Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

Not known to vector any pathogens or other associated organisms. Sooty mold can develop on honeydew produced by L. delicatula, leading to disrupted photosynthesis. This can cause reduced tree growth, death of seedlings, as well as a decline in the quality and yield of grapes.

Place circle traps about 3 ft from the ground on host trees. Prioritize tree of heaven then black walnut and maple about 4-20 in. in diameter. Affix the trap to the tree trunk with ~½ in. staples.

Note that surveying for egg masses only is not sufficient for negative data reporting, but find of an egg mass can be used to report a positive. Negative data can be reported for visual survey alone or visual survey combined with trapping.

Adults: roughly 1-inch long and 1/2-inch wide with large, visually striking wings. Adults have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. Their hind wings are scarlet with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear. Their abdomen is yellow with black bars. Adults can be seen from summer to late fall.

Nymphs: First through third instar nymphs are black with white speckled bodies; fourth instar nymphs develop red bodies but retain their white spots. Newly hatched nymphs are roughly 1/8th of an inch and can grow to roughly 1/2 inch by their 4th instar. Nymphs can be seen from early spring to early fall.

Eggs: Newly laid egg masses (holding 20-40 eggs) resemble wet, gray putty before turning dull and brown, mirroring a smear of cracked mud. The 1-inch long egg masses can be seen in fall, winter, and spring on smooth, sheltered surfaces of trees but can also be found on vehicles, outdoor equipment and building materials in proximity to host trees.

Honeydew and Sooty Mold: As spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults feed on plants, they excrete a sticky, sugary liquid called honeydew. Honeydew is initially a shiny, sticky residue that attracts other insects, but can develop into dark sooty mold growth.

Fermented odor: As honeydew ferments, it can develop a vinegar-like smell.

A Likelihood of Establishment Map is now available; note that this map is based entirely on environmental factors and not host availability. This survey should only be considered in the states with appropriate conditions and suitable hosts for this insect. The map was produced by the SAFARIS Team. SAFARIS is a modeling framework that enables PPQ to quickly respond to emergencies, efficiently survey for pests, and assess potential pest impacts by collecting critical geospatial data and developing predictive models. SAFARIS is developed and maintained by the NC State University, Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) with support from PPQ.

Visual surveys can be year-round targeting the appropriate life stage(s).

Install circle traps before or at first hatch, which corresponds to late March-late April in the Northeast or less than 200 growing degree days (base 50°F). Check traps every 2-3 weeks and change bags, as needed. Remove traps after a hard frost.

Surveys should be conducted in grape vineyards, fruit tree orchards and at in high-risk areas, including wholesale and retail distributors of natural and artificial outdoor products, utility and transportation rights-of-way, construction companies and contractors, landscapers, and loggers and firewood dealers. Tree of heaven is a highly preferred host of SLF and, as an edge species, is commonly found growing along the margins of agricultural fields, industrial areas, and rights-of-way. For these reasons, tree of heaven is the sentinel plant for visual survey and should be the principal host examined for SLF. If tree of heaven is not present at the site, walnut and maple are good alternatives for visual survey and trapping.

Early instar nymphs are not host specific and can be found on herbaceous or soft tissue of woody plants. As nymphs mature to fourth instars and adults, the host range narrows and most adults migrate to tree of heaven. The fourth instar nymphs (red nymph) and adults are the most distinct and easily detected life stages. While feeding, nymphs and adults may aggregate on the branches and trunk of host plants.

Tree of heaven: examine the tree from the base to canopy. Use binoculars to inspect branches, upper trunk, and canopy. Look for feeding damage, including weeping sap wounds, honeydew accumulation, sooty mold growth, and fungal mats found at the base of the tree. If only feeding damage is observed, increase the frequency of visual survey and inspect more tree of heaven in the area.

Grapes: examine grapevines for adults. Nymphs may also be found on the underside of leaves.

Nymphs and adults should be preserved in 70% ethanol.

Egg masses:

• Photograph before removal.
• Remove a portion of the bark surrounding the egg mass then double bag the bark section with the egg mass.
• Please contact assigned identifier before egg mass shipment

Adults are large and striking in appearance and are unlikely to be confused with other species found in the United States. Nymphs are more likely to be confused with other species and several helpful state guides exist with easily-mistaken species including the spotted lanternfly nymph lookalikes article from PennState Extension and the spotted lanternfly lookalikes guide from APHIS-PPQ. Egg masses may be confused with cracked mud.