It often starts with something that doesn’t seem connected at all.

Maybe your car is parked beneath a tree, and when you return, it’s covered in a sticky film that won’t wash away easily. Perhaps your patio furniture feels tacky after sitting outside for a few days, or you notice black, soot-like patches spreading across the leaves of your favorite tree. At first glance, these problems seem unrelated. But together, they can point to one increasingly common culprit: the spotted lanternfly.

Over the past several years, this invasive insect has spread rapidly across parts of the United States, leaving behind damaged trees, struggling vineyards, and frustrated homeowners. While the spotted lanternfly isn’t dangerous to people because it doesn’t bite or sting, it can cause significant harm to plants, gardens, and agricultural crops when large populations become established.

Here’s what you should know about this destructive pest—and what you can do if you find one in your yard.

What Is a Spotted Lanternfly?

Despite its name, the spotted lanternfly isn’t actually a fly. It’s a type of planthopper native to parts of China, Vietnam, and other regions of Asia.

The insect was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely arriving on imported materials. Since then, it has spread to numerous states, becoming one of the country’s most closely monitored invasive species.

Unlike many insects that feed on just one or two plants, spotted lanternflies have an enormous appetite. Scientists have identified more than 70 different plant species they feed on, making them a threat to forests, orchards, vineyards, landscaping, and backyard gardens.

Some of their favorite targets include:

• Maple trees
• Walnut trees
• Willow trees
• Fruit trees
• Grapevines
• Birch trees
• Poplar trees
• Ornamental shrubs
• The invasive tree-of-heaven

This wide range of host plants allows them to thrive almost anywhere they establish themselves.

How They Damage Plants

The spotted lanternfly feeds by piercing stems and trunks with specialized mouthparts and sucking out plant sap.

A few insects usually won’t kill a healthy tree.

The problem comes when hundreds—or even thousands—gather on a single plant.

Large infestations continuously remove nutrients that trees and vines need to grow, produce fruit, and defend themselves against drought, disease, and other pests. Over time, affected plants may become weakened, produce fewer leaves, or experience reduced harvests.

For commercial vineyards and fruit growers, these infestations can lead to significant crop losses.

The Sticky Mess Called Honeydew

One of the easiest ways to recognize a lanternfly infestation isn’t actually seeing the insects.

It’s noticing what’s left behind.

As lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugary liquid called honeydew.

This sticky substance rains down onto everything beneath the insects, including:

• Cars
• Decks
• Patio furniture
• Sidewalks
• Outdoor grills
• Children’s play equipment
• Plants growing underneath

Besides being unpleasant, honeydew creates another problem.

Its sugary coating provides the perfect environment for sooty mold, a black fungus that grows across leaves, branches, and other surfaces.

Although the mold doesn’t infect the plant itself, it blocks sunlight from reaching leaves, reducing photosynthesis and adding even more stress to already weakened trees.

The combination of sap loss and sooty mold can leave plants looking unhealthy and struggling throughout the growing season.

What They Look Like

Spotted lanternflies change dramatically as they mature, making them easy to overlook if you don’t know what to watch for.

Early nymphs

Young lanternflies are tiny and black with bright white spots scattered across their bodies.

Older nymphs

As they grow, they develop brilliant red patches while keeping the white spots and black coloring.

These red-and-black stages are often the easiest to notice because of their bright appearance.

Adults

Adult spotted lanternflies measure about one inch long.

When resting, their folded wings appear gray with black spots, giving them a fairly plain appearance.

When startled or in flight, however, they reveal brilliant scarlet-red hind wings accented with black and white markings, making them one of the most distinctive insects in North America.

Although they can fly short distances, adults usually prefer hopping or gliding from tree to tree.

Don’t Forget the Eggs

One reason lanternflies spread so quickly is that their eggs are surprisingly easy to overlook.

Females lay egg masses on almost any hard surface, including:

• Tree trunks
• Firewood
• Outdoor furniture
• Fences
• Deck railings
• Campers
• Boats
• Trailers
• Lawn equipment
• Vehicles

The egg masses resemble smears of gray or tan mud about an inch long.

Because they blend in so well, people often transport them accidentally without realizing it.

How to Help Prevent Their Spread

If you live in an area where spotted lanternflies have been reported, a few simple habits can make a difference.

Inspect outdoor furniture, trailers, campers, and vehicles before traveling.

Check firewood before moving it from one location to another.

Examine trees, fences, and outdoor equipment for egg masses, especially during fall, winter, and early spring.

If you find an egg mass, many agricultural agencies recommend scraping it into a container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to destroy the eggs before they hatch.

Avoid simply scraping eggs onto the ground, as they may still survive.

What Should You Do If You Find One?

Recommendations vary depending on where you live.

Some states encourage residents to report sightings, particularly in areas where the insect hasn’t yet become established. Others advise homeowners to destroy individual lanternflies when it’s practical to do so.

If you’re unsure, check with your state’s department of agriculture or local extension office for the latest guidance.

These agencies can also provide information about approved treatment methods if your property develops a significant infestation.

Can They Hurt People?

Fortunately, spotted lanternflies don’t bite, sting, or spread diseases to humans or pets.

They’re mainly a threat to plants and agriculture rather than personal safety.

Still, their sheer numbers can become overwhelming. In heavily infested areas, thousands may gather on trees, fences, decks, and buildings, creating a nuisance alongside the sticky honeydew they leave behind.

Why Early Action Matters

Completely eliminating spotted lanternflies from an established area is difficult, but slowing their spread is possible.

Early detection helps prevent populations from exploding and gives homeowners, farmers, and local officials a better chance of protecting valuable trees and crops before extensive damage occurs.

Even simple actions—such as inspecting vehicles, checking for egg masses, and reporting new sightings where appropriate—can contribute to broader efforts to manage this invasive insect.

The spotted lanternfly may be eye-catching with its colorful wings, but it’s far from a welcome visitor. Staying alert and recognizing the signs of an infestation can help protect your yard, local ecosystems, and nearby farms from one of the fastest-spreading invasive pests in the country.