Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula

 

 

Spotted Lanternfly in Connecticut

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a new pest in Connecticut. It is invasive to the United States. SLF has spread to many states. It was first found in Fairfield County in 2020. As of 2025, SLF has been seen in all counties.

 

Identify       Report        Quarantine        Resources

 

 

 

What can you do if you see a spotted lanternfly (SLF)?

 

See the resources below for help. There are ways to control SLF and tree-of-heaven.

 

You can use this form to report a spotted lanternfly if you'd like. You will need to a picture and your address. Reports without pictures and addresses can't be accepted. You may not receive a response. All reports are confidential.

 

Connecticut does not have a public program for the control of SLF or tree-of-heaven. 

 

  

About Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly was first seen in Pennsylvania in 2014. It is an invasive insect that is native to Asia. It may affect agriculture in Connecticut. Important plants it may damage are grapes, hops, and ornamental trees. Adult SLFs can feed on more than 70 types of plants. Its preferred host is the tree-of-heaven. Tree-of-heaven is an invasive tree in Connecticut. It can grow in very harsh conditions. You may see it along roads, fields, and parking lots. SLFs are attracted to these trees.

 

SLF Quarantine in Connecticut

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has issued a Quarantine Order. This defines restricted areas for SLF. Its purpose is to slow the spread of SLF in CT. This order allows businesses to move regulated articles out of state. These are: plants, wood, outdoor containers and vehicles, and more. If you have a business that sells these, you may need a compliance agreement.

To read the public hearing about this order, click here: Public Hearing

The order is effective until December 31, 2025. After then, it may be renewed, rescinded, or replaced. 

Below are links to the quarantine order and compliance agreements.

Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Order 

The SLF Compliance Agreement for Nursery and Plant Material

The SLF Compliance Agreement for Non-Plant Material

 

 

 

Resources for SLF

Management/Control Techniques

There are options to slow the spread of SLF, see our factsheets below. Click to open the link. 

Spotted Lanternfly Management for Landscape Professionals

 

Spotted Lanternfly Management for Residents

 

Written instructions to make a Lampshade Trap to capture egg masses 

         -Video Demonstration for making a Lampshade Trap

 

Spotted Lanternfly Management for Vineyards

 

Spotted Lanternfly Checklist for Homeowners, Moving Companies/Industry

 

Tree-of-Heaven Information and Management

 

Tree-of-Heaven Identification Guide

 

Map of citizen-reported SLF sightings in Connecticut, by town 

 

Check out CAES's SLF press releases by clicking this link: Press Releases

 

How to identify SLF

Adult spotted lanternflies are about one inch long and one half inch wide. They have tan forewings that have black spots. Their hindwings have lower red patches and upper black patches, separated with a white section in between. The red hindwings are mostly hidden unless the wings are spread. Adult SLF crawl, jump, or fly short distances. You will see adults from July to November.

 

Fig 1: Side view of adult SLF Raffaela Nastri, CAES

Fig 2: Top view of SLF adults with wings open and closed Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

Spotted lanternfly eggs hatch in the spring and early summer. Early instar nymphs are black in color with white spots; fourth instars nymphs are red with black and white spots. You will see nymphs from April to October.

 

Fig 3: Early stage nymph Lawrence Barringer, PDA, Bugwood.org

Fig 4: Late stage nymph Victoria Smith, CAES

Fig 5: SLF adults and late stage nymphs Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Fig 6: Early and late stage nymphs Victoria Smith, CAES

 

The spotted lanternfly eggs masses are laid on practically any surface including trees, stones, trash cans, side of a house, etc. during the fall. Egg masses are yellowish-brown in color, and most are covered with a gray, waxy coating prior to hatching (USDA, 2019). They may appear wet or sticky when fresh. You will see eggs from September to May.

 

Fig 7: Fresh egg mass Raffaela Nastri, CAES

Fig 8: Fresh egg mass (uncovered) Raffaela Nastri, CAES

Fig 9: Old egg mass Lawrence Barringer, PDA, Bugwood.org

Fig 10: SLF adult and egg masses Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Fig 11: SLF egg masses Lawrence Barringer, PDA, Bugwood.org

 

Where is SLF found?

Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthis altissima, is the favored host tree. However, SLF may be found on maple, walnut, and willow trees. It also feeds on apples, grapes, hops, and other fruit trees. In the fall, large groups of adults can be found on tree-of-heaven and other host trees.

To identify Ailanthus altissima: view the tree-of-heaven identification fact sheet

 

 Hitchhiking SLF

Check your vehicles for SLFs! Check your cars and trailers for adult SLFs and egg masses. They may hide on your car when you travel through infested areas. In the fall, they may lay eggs on cars. They have even been seen on clothing!

 

What Impact Will SLF Have?

SLF is mainly a nuisance. They can’t bite humans. As nymphs and adults drink sap from plants, the plants can be damaged. While feeding, SLF excretes honeydew. This sticky substance can grow black sooty mold. The mold can block sun from plants. In infested areas, honeydew falling on the ground can be very slippery. Honeydew can also attract bees and wasps. Also, other counties may reject agricultural products if they think they have SLFs.

 

Fig 11: Weeping sap from SLF feeding Gerda Magana, CAES

Fig 12: SLF feeding damage Emelie Swackhamer, Penn State University, Bugwood.org

Fig. 13: A backyard tree infested with SLF Lawrence Barringer, PDA, Bugwood.org

Fig. 14 Sooty mold Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org