Spotted Lanternflies Have Spread to 22 States, and They're Not Leaving

The invasive spotted lanternflies have been observed in over 20 states. Unfortunately for those tired of these pesky critters, experts predict that it could be months before they die off.

The Spotted Lanternfly Invasion is Here  

At least 22 states in the eastern U.S. have seen an infiltration of spotted lanternflies. These invasive insects have been expanding across the U.S. for the last decade after first being observed in 2014 in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania. The confirmed sightings now total 22 states and Washington, D.C.

A new map from Cornell IPM has confirmed that these insects have been detected as far south as Georgia and as far west as Iowa. New Hampshire was the latest state to be added to the list.

According to Julie Urban, an associate research professor of entomology at Penn State University, the bugs are here to stay. Urban also explained that a population decline in any given year does not mean that the insects have disappeared. The volume of these lanternflies can ebb and flow over time, impacting different areas to varying degrees with each year.

One thing that is consistent is that insects typically begin to emerge at the end of July, becoming more noticeable by the early fall. Most people begin to notice them this time of the year as they move toward new food sources and become more mature.

While the lanternflies are equipped with wings, they are not strong fliers. Instead, they get around best by climbing trees and buildings and then gliding to their next destination. Despite the flying challenges, the insects can hitch rides on cars, trains, and buses, carrying them hundreds of miles.

Hard Freeze Will Kill Off the Insects

Urban said that it takes a hard freeze to kill off the lanternflies. One chilly frost is not enough to bring an end to the season. This means that adults can remain invasive until the beginning of November for most of the East Coast. Scientists have observed that temperatures need to be at least 4 degrees below 0 for at least 12 straight hours to mitigate the number of eggs that hatch the next year.

Spotted lanternflies are not picky in their eating habits, feeding on a myriad of plants. You may also find thousands of these insects gathered on one single tree. However, most healthy trees can withstand the infestation of the lanternflies.

That said, grapevines are more vulnerable to the persistent feeding of these bugs. Scientists at Penn State have discovered that a large lanternfly infestation can contribute to the death of these vines by depleting sugar levels in the grapes and reducing the amount of energy stored in the roots.

The biggest concern now is that the lanternflies will continue spreading to the west, impacting the important wine industry in California. The good news is that these infestations have not yet affected Pennsylvania's Lake Erie Concord grape belt, home to about 32,000 acres of vineyards.

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