Doris Behnke, Senior Agriculture Agent Associate | dbehnke@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Cecil County
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a invasive planthopper which is native to China, India, and Vietnam. It was detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since been found to have confirmed populations in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. It has a broad host range including fruit, ornamental and woody plants.
Nymphs will begin hatching out in May so now is the time to remove the egg masses that the adult spotted lantern fly (SLF) laid last year. To do this you will need some hand sanitizer, a plastic bag, and a firm card for scraping.
- Squirt the hand sanitizer into the plastic bag.
- Arrange the opened bag just below the SLF egg mass.
- Apply a firm amount of pressure on the edge of the card and scrape the card down and across the egg mass.
- Catch the eggs in the bag, then squish the hand sanitizer and eggs around in the bag.
- Seal the bag and then dispose. Help stop the spread of SLF
For more information please visited the MDA website: https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/spotted-lantern-fly.aspx