Identification
- Species: Lycorma delicatula (Spotted Lanternfly) is an invasive sap-feeding planthopper from Asia.
- Appearance:
- Egg Masses: Laid in rows, covered with gray, putty-like substance that ages to a brown, flaky surface.
- Nymphs: Early instars are black with white spots; later instars develop red patches with black and white spots.
- Adults: ~1 inch long with gray wings with black spots, red hindwings, and a yellow-black banded abdomen.
- Damage: SLF feeds on sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, causing wilting, oozing sap, reduced vigor, and sooty mold development from honeydew secretions.
Adult spotted lanternfly
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture , Bugwood.org
Spotted lanternfly nymphs
Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org
Spotted Lanterfly egg masses
Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Seasonal Biology & Life Cycle in North Carolina
- Egg Stage (Sept - Mar):
- Laid in fall on tree trunks, nursery containers, equipment, smooth surfaces.
- Overwinters as eggs.
- Hatching may begin as early as late March to early April.
- Nymph Stages (Apr - Jun):
- Four instars, each lasting ~2-3 weeks.
- Early instars feed on herbaceous plants and small woody stems; later instars move to trees.
- Found in dense clusters. Highly mobile and jump and crawl between hosts.
- Adult Stage (Jun - Nov):
- Adults are strong fliers but often walk or hop short distances.
- Mating starts mid to late summer.
- Egg-laying begins as early as early September and continues into November.
- Adults are most destructive due to large volume of feeding and egg-laying.
Preferred Host Plants in Nurseries
- Primary Host: Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima).
- Use for monitoring or as trap trees when treated with systemic insecticides.
- High-Risk Nursery Crops:
- Acer (Maple), Betula (Birch), Juglans (Walnut), Quercus (Oak), Salix (Willow), Prunus spp. (Cherry, peach, plum), Malus (Apple)
- Rhus, Populus, Styrax, Ulmus also reported
- Feeding Behavior:
- Prefers trunks and upper stems.
- Congregates in large groups.
- Excretes honeydew which encourages black sooty mold.
Monitoring & Mechanical Management
- Trapping:
- Use sticky bands wrapped around host tree trunks.
- Place traps in April before egg hatch.
- Visual Surveys:
- Inspect trees and plants, focus on trunks and nursery stock containers.
- Inspect newly arrived shipments or equipment from infested regions.
- Egg Mass Scraping:
- From October to March, inspect trees, nursery pots, pallets, vehicles, and buildings.
- Scrape and destroy egg masses using plastic cards or putty knives.
- Sanitation & Exclusion:
- Power-wash incoming shipments and equipment.
- Implement quarantine protocols for stock from SLF-infested counties.
Adult spotted lanternfly aggregation
Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org
Spotted lanternfly aggregation on tree of heaven
Sara Lalk, Clemson University, Bugwood.org
Management Calendar for North Carolina
| Month | SLF Life Stage | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
|
Jan – Mar |
Egg masses |
Scrape egg masses, inspect dormant nursery stock and hard surfaces |
|
Apr – May |
Egg hatch, 1st instars |
Deploy sticky bands, begin visual monitoring, apply insecticides if needed |
|
Jun – Jul |
2nd–4th instars |
Intensify monitoring, remove weeds, maintain trap trees, apply foliar sprays if needed |
|
Aug – Sep |
Adult emergence |
Survey adults, apply insecticides if needed |
|
Oct – Nov |
Egg laying |
Locate and treat egg masses, basal bark treatments on Ailanthus trap trees (if applicable) |
|
Dec |
Dormancy |
Plan for next season, clean and store tools and traps, training and record review |
Insecticides Labeled for SLF Use in Nurseries
|
Active Ingredient (example product) |
Application Method | Use Sites / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dinotefuran (e.g. Safari® 20 SG) | Foliar spray; soil/media drench; field drench | Container and in-ground ornamentals in nurseries; Section 2(ee) label for SLF use |
| Bifentrin (Talstar S Select, OnyxPro) | Foliar application | Ornamentals in greenhouses, nurseries (non-bearing fruit/nut trees); Section 2(ee) for SLF |
| Imidacloprid products (e.g. ImidaStar 2L T&O, Xytect, ArmorTech IMD 2SC, etc.) | Foliar spray; soil drench/injection (product-dependent) | Ornamentals and non-bearing fruit/nut trees; some require Section 2(ee) for SLF |
| Dinotefuran (e.g. Transtect, Zylam) | Basal bark spray (for Ailanthus only) | SLN (Section 24(c)) label for use on tree-of-heaven in SLF management |
| Soybean oil (50% solution) | Spot treatment on egg masses | Used by USDA SLF Program; suitable for treating egg masses on nursery stock and trees |
Implementation Notes
- Section 2(ee) / SLN Labels: These are special or supplemental labels permitting off-label but legal applications specifically for SLF.
- Application Methods:
- Foliar sprays are effective on nymphs and adults.
- Soil drenches/injections: longer protection for high-risk or trap trees.
- Host-Specific Strategy: Dinotefuran bark spray is approved only for tree-of-heaven (trap‑tree use) and should not be used broadly.
- Environmental Safety: Soybean oil offers a less-toxic option for egg mass control.
This fact sheet is designed for use in North Carolina nursery operations and includes life cycle, host plant risk, monitoring tools, calendar-based management, and registered insecticide options for SLF. Always follow label instructions and consult state guidance for updates.
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2025
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