Spotted Lanternfly Hits New Stage: How To Spot The Pests In MD

MARYLAND — Spotted lanternfly nymphs have reached one of their final developmental stages before they can fly and lay eggs — unless Marylanders can exterminate them first.

July means two pivotal moments for the invasive species: the black nymphs seen in prior months become predominantly red, while the adults begin to appear, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Spotted lanternfly nymphs undergo four stages of maturing toward adulthood, according to the state agriculture department. During the first three, the creature is black with white spots. But during the fourth and final stage before adulthood, the spotted lanternfly nymph becomes bright red, covered in black stripes and white spots. They appear in this stage from July to September.

Adult spotted lanternflies, meanwhile, can be seen from July until December, according to the state agriculture department. They lay egg masses from September through December.

A quarantine order first issued by the secretary of agriculture three years ago for Harford and Cecil counties is still in effect, but has been expanded this year to also include: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Kent, Montgomery and Washington counties, as well as Baltimore City, the Maryland Department of Agriculture said.

This quarantine took effect in January, and restricts moving materials that might contain the spotted lanternfly in any of its life stages, including egg masses, nymphs, and adults. Residents are asked to check backpacks, bicycles, trash cans, lumber and other material before moving it.

What To Watch For, Report

The invasive species was first discovered domestically Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014 and has since spread to nine states, including Maryland. The insect feeds on the sap of many plants important to New Jersey, including grapevines, maples and black walnut.

While spotted lanternflies don't harm animals or humans, they can reduce the quality of life for people in heavily infested areas, according to the state agriculture department. That's why state officials want people to stomp out spotted lanternflies they see.

The Maryland Extension Service and the Maryland Department of Agriculture urge residents to report lanternfly sightings and take steps to reduce the spread of the invasive sap-feeding plant pests.

To report a sighting of a spotted lanternfly or any egg masses, contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture at (410) 841-5920 or DontBug.MD@maryland.gov.

Native to China, lanternflies first appeared on the eastern U.S. coast in 2014 in Pennsylvania, most likely arriving on a shipment of goods from Asia, according to Dr. Michael Raupp, insect specialist with the University of Maryland Extension, also known as "The Bug Guy" for his popular "Bug of the Week" blog. The invasive species was first reported in Maryland in 2018.

Lanternflies damage host plants in two ways, Raupp said. Adults deposit eggs on a host plant and when the nymphs emerge, they insert their sucking beaks into leaves and stems and feed on the tissue, robbing the plant of valuable nutrients.

During feeding they produce large quantities of waste, called "honeydew" because of its rich sugar content. The honeydew serves as a base for growth of a sooty mold that impairs photosynthesis and disfigures fruit and leaves.

"Lanternflies are lethal to vineyards," noted Raupp. "While an infestation won't kill trees, they can become a real nuisance. The honeydew, with its high sugar content, attracts stinging insects like wasps and honeybees."

You can detect adult spotted lanternflies from the following characteristics, according to the state agriculture department:

• The forewing is gray with black spots of varying sizes, and the wing tips have black spots outlined in gray.
• Their hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band.
• The legs and head are black, and the abdomen is yellow with black bands.
• When the adults fly, they generally prefer to hop/jump and glide, exposing their hindwings.
• The hind wings get exposed when they're frightened or treated with an insecticide.

The nymphs appear in their fourth stage from July through September. They're about a half-inch in size and bright red, covered in black stripes and white spots.
The creatures in this stage are strong jumpers and will hop to avoid danger.

The spotted lanternfly is a "hitchhiker," so it can easily travel when nobody's looking. That's why the state agriculture department advises people in quarantine zones to do the following:

• Check your vehicle: Before leaving a parking lot or work site, inspect vehicles for spotted lanternfly egg or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.
• Inspect items being moved: Check shipping containers, propane tanks, pallets and other items being stored outdoors before they are moved offsite. Inspect incoming goods for egg masses and insects.
• Park with windows closed: The spotted lanternfly and its nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees if in a quarantine zone.
• Remove and destroy pests: Crush nymphs and adult insects. Scrape egg masses into a plastic bag and place them in the trash.
• Remove host trees: Spotted lanternflies prefer the ailanthus tree, also known as "Tree of Heaven." Try to remove trees from the business property to avoid attracting spotted lanternfly.
• Report sightings: Contact the state agricultural department to report sightings outside of quarantined zones. If possible, take a picture or capture the insect in alcohol.
• Comply with permitting: Businesses operating in quarantine zones must have permits to move equipment and goods. Visit here for more information about permits.

New Jersey Patch previously collaborated with Duke Farms environmental experts at the Hillsborough nature preserve to show readers how to make their own lanternfly trap. Read More and See Video: Catch And Kill Spotted Lanternflys With This Trap