What to look for
They're easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of a plant. During the day, they tend to cluster near the base or canopy of a plant, making them more difficult to see.
First Instar Nymph
Nymphs (juvenile spotted lanternflies) are black with white spots. This coloration persists through the third instar. These are seen in spring and summer.
Credit: itchydogimages Photo credit: Rkillcrazy
Fourth Instar Nymph
Nymphs (juvenile spotted lanternflies) turn red as they develop. These are seen in summer and early fall.
Credit: Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture
Adult at rest
Spotted lanternfly adult at rest. They are roughly 1-inch long and 1/2-inch wide. They have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. The wings are held tent-like over the back of the insect. Adults are seen in late summer through fall.
Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Egg Masses
Newly laid egg masses (holding 30-50 eggs) resemble wet, gray putty before turning dull and brown, mirroring a smear of cracked mud. The 1-inch long egg masses can be seen in fall, winter, and spring on a variety of smooth surfaces, such as trees, bricks, stones, fences, grills, equipment, and vehicles.
Credit: Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture
Oozing sap - honeydew
Tree-of-heaven
One of the best places to look for these pests is on a tree-of-heaven, a favorite plant for spotted lanternflies. The tree has a cantaloupe-like texture, with bark that appears light brown to gray. The leaves are large, 1 to 4 feet in length. These leaves are made up of many smaller leaflets on both sides of a central stem.
