The Spotted Lanternfly ~ I Was Shocked To See So Many!

Well, today I'll be getting a little serious with you! I discovered that the Spotted Lanternfly is in Maryland and has been since 2018. I saw it for the first time this October while visiting the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail by the Conowingo Dam in Harford County, Maryland.

This particular bug is native to China and in 2014 this invasive leaf hopping bug was first discovered in the USA in Pennsylvania. It is believed to have made its way into the USA in shipments of stone from China. Since then is has been discovered in other states including: Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, Indiana, Connecticut, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Rhode Island. This may not even be a complete list as evidence of Spotted Lanternfly egg masses have been found in additional states as well.

The Spotted Lanternfly has wings in the adult stage but they can't fly far distances. They are spread mostly in shipments from infested states, in timber and firewood, on cars, in planes and even on railroad tracks and in and on rail cars. Anyway they can hitch a ride pretty much!

Now, I knew about them from reading articles online so I knew to be on the lookout for them. What I didn't know was that in 2018 they were discovered in Maryland in Cecil County. Part of the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail is in Cecil County and the other part is in Harford County by the Conowingo Dam. That is where I encountered them first hand. The first one that I saw I instinctively squashed it with my foot. I thought afterwards that I should've taken a photo of it before I squashed it so I could include it when I reported it to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). I didn't have to think long about it though as my husband and I encountered at least 100 more Spotted Lanternflies both alive and not alive. Another couple we saw said they killed approximately 80. We saw many dead ones along the trail that other people had evidently squashed and we "took care" of the ones we saw and could reach.

Here is the thing, yes, they are a pretty bug but they are extremely destructive so if possible you have to kill them! Step on them, swat them dead, just anyway you can. Report them to your local USDA office. People are also trying to develop traps. I read that you can hold an empty water bottle in front of them and they will basically just jump in (because they are a hopping bug) and then you can kill them by placing the bottle in the freezer if you don't want to stomp them. I forget where I read that but I think it may be true since my husband tried to kill three of them on a tree with his knife and they all hopped at him and it startled him slightly till I explained it is what they do. I think he did manage to kill two of the three though. I know it sounds harsh but it is necessary. Killing them with the knife was quick and the knife, more importantly, gave him a little more reach up the trunk of the tree.

The Spotted Lanternfly is destructive to not only many kinds of trees but also many kinds of plants and vines including grape vines. Many trees including Tree of Heaven, Oak, Poplar, Willow and more. Fruit trees are included also and that includes apple, cherry, black walnut, and most stone fruits. Plants including but not limited to are blueberry, salvia, bee balm, hops and basil. Vines including but not limited to are grape, blackberry, Virginia creeper. This is just a partial list and it seems to me like nothing is off limits to them. The Spotted Lanternfly goes through several developmental stages and causes damage and possible death to these trees, plants and vines all along the way by sucking the sap and causing fungus from its excretions afterwards. It can also cause fruits not to attain their sweetness due to lack of sap besides killing them. The excretions can also cause the fungus and damage on properties such as decking.

Below my post I will have a few links to learn more about these destructive pests. Please take a few minutes as they will also show the Spotted Lanternfly in its instar stages before they become adults and their egg masses. You can also search the internet and there are many sites to learn more so you can become aware and keep an eye out for them in your areas. But most importantly, you have to get past them being pretty and kill them. Additionally, inspect any firewood you may purchase especially out of state. If you are in a state where they are active then you can do a quick search around your vehicle to look for any hitchhikers. These are just a few things that may help but after what I saw along the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail it will not be enough. People are trying to come up with ways like traps and such in lieu of insecticides but herbicides and insecticides are being utilized. As far as I know, they don't have any natural predators. The best we can do is be informed and stay vigilant when and where we can. Thanks for reading my post and please feel free to check out the links below and search out other links as well!

Sources and Links:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-spotted-lanternfly-squash-it-officials-say-180978545/
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-lanternfly-explainer-20181026-story.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUARIsABEee8UkhGfmIIYPVI5WipF1aPNSNI0Q8jz5vj_3Nx-ahQxC14C7m1648lcaAlC5EALw_wcB
https://entomologytoday.org/2020/09/10/list-known-host-plants-grows-invasive-spotted-lanternfly/

All photos and text by me @deerjay. All rights reserved.