Identifying the Spotted Lanternfly
​Egg Masses: Spotted Lanternfly mate and lay eggs from late September through the onset of winter. In their native habitat they have shown a preference to lay their eggs on the trunks of the Tree of Heaven, but egg masses can be found on almost any flat outdoor surface. Per the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDOA), 80 to 90 percent of egg masses deposited on trees are found 10 feet and higher on the tree. Freshly laid egg masses have a light gray mud-like substance covering them. As they age, egg masses change in color to a light tan resembling cracked mud. Hatched egg masses lose the mud-like covering completely, exposing individual eggs that look similar to seeds. Egg masses typically contain 30–50 eggs. Try to locate and destroy these egg masses before they begin to hatch in May.
Early Nymph: When it hatches in the spring, a Lanternfly nymph is fairly easy to recognize. It will be black with white spots on its body and legs and approximately 1/8" to 1/4" in length. Expect to see lanternflies in nymph form from late April to early July. Nymphs have no wings and cannot fly but they are strong jumpers and will jump when prodded or frightened.
Early Nymph
Egg Masses
Early Nymph Molting
Late Nymph: As the nymphs grow, they molt by splitting along their back and crawling out into a new stage of life, turning red and black with white polka dots in July. Still without wings, they must continue to crawl or hop in search of plants to feed on. It is important to note that nymphs do not have the ability to pierce tree trunks in order to feed. Thus, even if they hatch from an egg mass deposited on the trunk of a Tree of Heaven, they must leave the tree and travel to a sapling in order to find tender shoots to feed upon.
Late Nymph
Adult: Nymphs molt into adults with wings as early as July. Though not particularly good fliers they, like nymphs, are strong jumpers and use their wings to get to another nearby location. With their wings closed, adults appear grey in color and can easily be mistaken for a common moth. In flight, though, large patches of bright red on their wings are exposed. Lanternflies do not bite. Their mouth is a straw-like beak that is inserted into plant tissue to suck up sap and is not capable of penetrating human skin. Though nymphs will travel away from an adult Tree of Heaven in order to feed, adult lanternflies have shown a preference in their native habitat to return to a Tree of Heaven in late September in order to lay their eggs.
Adult