Spotted Lanternfly Found In Radnor Township

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA – The invasive species spotted lanternfly has been found in Radnor Township, according to officials.

Officials say the insect – native to China, Bangladesh, Vietnam – poses a danger to the grape, hops, orchards, hardwood, and nursery industries.

Spotted lanternfly adults are about 1 inch long and a half inch wide at rest.

The forewing is gray with black spots and the wings tips are reticulated black blocks outlined in gray.

The hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band.

Its legs and head are black; the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands.

Immature stages of spotted lanternflies are black with white spots and develop red patches as they grow.

It feeds on many types of plants but prefers Tree of Heaven.

Attacked trees will develop weeping wounds that leave a grayish or black trail along the trunk.

This sap will attract other insects to feed, notably wasps and ants.

In late fall, adults will lay egg masses on host trees and nearby smooth surfaces like stone, outdoor furniture, vehicles, and structures.

Newly-laid egg masses have a gray mud-like covering which can take on a dry cracked appearance over time. Old egg masses appear as rows of 30 to 50 brownish seed-like deposits in four to seven columns on the trunk, roughly an inch long.

What to do:

For those who find the spotted lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recommends ways to destroy them or collect a specimen online here. A video of how to remove a spotted lanternfly egg mass is included below.

Homeowners can also watch a 20-minute presentation on the insect here.

You can also take a photo and submit it to Badbug@pa.gov. If you can't take a specimen or photograph, call the Automated Invasive Species Report Line at (888) 422-3359 and leave a message detailing your sighting and contact information, or contact Radnor Township Arborist John Hosbach at (610) 731-7969.

On May 26, a new spotted lanternfly Order of Quarantine and Treatment was published. A quarantine limits movement of commodities and home articles, and requires inspection and safe movement from the quarantine.

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