Introduction | The Spotted Lanternfly and Commercial Agriculture

December 2025 – The spotted lanternfly has become one of the fastest-spreading invasive insects in the United States, and its rise is creating new challenges for growers across several major production regions. Its colorful wings and unique markings make it stand out, yet the insect’s appearance hides a very real threat. The spotted lanternfly feeds on a long list of crops and trees, and its growing population has placed vineyards, orchards, and nursery operations at significant risk.

For commercial agriculture, the concern is straightforward. This insect weakens plants, spreads quickly, and is difficult to control once populations take hold. The industry has already seen how rapidly infestations can move through shipping corridors, rail lines, and agricultural communities. Because of this, understanding the biology, spread, and economic impact of the spotted lanternfly is essential for growers who want to stay ahead of this invasive pest.

About the Spotted Lanternfly

Identification and Biology

The spotted lanternfly progresses through several distinct stages. Egg masses, which are difficult to spot, appear as indistinct, gray, mud-like smears on trees, vehicles, stones, and outdoor equipment. When the nymphs hatch, they move through early black and white stages before developing red patches as they mature. Adult spotted lanternflies are larger, with tan forewings that reveal bright red hindwings when opened.

The spotted lanternfly’s appetite extends to a wide range of crops, including grapes, apples, cherries, hops, and numerous hardwood species. It feeds using piercing-sucking mouthparts that extract large amounts of sap. As they feed, they excrete honeydew, which coats leaves and fruit. This sugary residue attracts other pests and contributes to the development of sooty mold.

Why It Spreads So Quickly

Spotted lanternflies are highly mobile. Both adults and nymphs can move easily across properties, making them difficult to contain. The biggest factor in their rapid spread, however, is their habit of laying eggs on almost any smooth surface. Egg masses on pallets, vehicles, shipping materials, and landscaping stone can travel long distances without detection. The indiscriminate placement of egg masses on vehicles is the most common way the insect is transported, similar to the gypsy moth. With few natural predators in the United States, populations can grow faster than many regions are prepared for, and newly established colonies can persist for years without proper intervention.

History of the Spotted Lanternfly in the United States

First Arrival in 2014

The spotted lanternfly was first confirmed in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. Investigators believe it arrived on imported stone or other international materials that passed through the region without being detected and international ports of entry, where inspections for invasive insects generally occur. Once established, the insect quickly demonstrated its ability to reproduce and spread in areas rich in suitable hosts.

Spread Over the Past Decade

Over the next several years, infestations expanded across the Northeast. Travel corridors, outdoor equipment, firewood, and construction supplies accelerated the spread into new communities. State agencies and federal partners established quarantine zones, yet the insect continued to move into new counties and neighboring states at a steady pace. What made it especially difficult to quarantine the area was the sheer volume of trucking supplies and materials through New York and Pennsylvania. The insect is so active that quarantine agencies couldn’t keep up with the volume to regulate it.

Current Distribution and Hot Spots

Today, the spotted lanternfly is established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and New York. It has also spread into Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina. New detections continue to appear, making ongoing monitoring vital for agricultural regions that sit outside current infestation zones. USDA tracking efforts and state-level responses have helped slow the pace in some areas, but the insect remains a concern for farmers across much of the eastern United States. This is one of the reasons that agricultural inspection stations are so important at locations throughout the highways system. They help prevent the spread of invasive species like spotted lanternfly, Japanese beetles, gypsy moths, and more.

Agricultural Impact | Why the Spotted Lanternfly Is a Serious Threat

Direct Damage to Commercial Crops

The spotted lanternfly puts several key industries at risk. Heavy feeding weakens vines, trees, and young plants. Over time, excessive sap extraction causes wilting and reduced vigor. High populations can kill saplings and place mature vines under significant stress. In their weakened state, the plant is then more vulnerable to existing pathogens.

Crops with the greatest vulnerability include:

• Grapes
• Apples, peaches, cherries, and other fruit trees
• Hops
• Nursery stock and hardwoods

Grape production is particularly sensitive. Vineyards in affected states have reported reduced yields, vine decline, and increased labor demands to keep populations under control.

Secondary Damage From Honeydew and Sooty Mold

The honeydew produced by spotted lanternflies collects on leaves, trunks, and fruit, creating a sticky surface that encourages fungal growth. Sooty mold then develops, blocking sunlight and reducing photosynthesis. This affects fruit quality and can interfere with harvest activities. Equipment, walkways, and outdoor work areas also become coated with residue, making routine farm operations more challenging. Although it is not considered a vector for plant disease at this time, its feeding habits on the phloem make it a candidate for becoming a vector.

Economic Losses to the Industry

Growers in established infestation zones report higher operational costs related to scouting, removal, insecticide treatments, and sanitation efforts. Quarantine regulations add shipping requirements to nurseries and greenhouses. Vineyard losses have gained national attention, particularly in regions where harvest seasons overlap with peak feeding periods. As the insect spreads, more agricultural sectors may experience similar pressures.

Monitoring and Management Strategies for Spotted Lanternfly

Current Best Practices for Growers

Effective management begins with monitoring. Growers rely on visual scouting to locate egg masses, nymphs, and adults. Scraping egg masses, removing host plants near farms, such as Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) where practical, and clearing debris help reduce available habitat. Some operations use approved insecticides to protect high-value crops as part of integrated pest management programs.

Real-time insect monitoring, such as the data-driven tools used in other pest management efforts, is becoming increasingly important. The FarmSense FlightSensor offers a modern approach for tracking early signs of spotted lanternfly pressure. Automated detection helps growers identify activity sooner, giving them time to respond before infestations spread across entire fields.

How Data-Driven Technology Is Helping

Spotted lanternflies can establish quickly. Because of this, early detection is essential for mitigating crop loss. Digital monitoring tools give growers timely insights that manual scouting and sticky traps alone can’t provide. By incorporating automated surveillance into IPM strategies, farms gain a stronger position against fast-moving invasive insects.

Data helps growers make informed decisions. When monitoring tools highlight the first signs of insect activity, interventions can be more targeted, cost-effective, and sustainable. This creates a clear path toward reduced chemical use and improved crop protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Spotted Lanternfly

1. What attracts spotted lanternflies to farms?

They are drawn to ]many fruiting and hardwood hosts. Sweet sap and various woody plants provide feeding sites that support growth and reproduction.

2. Can the spotted lanternfly kill crops or trees?

They can kill young trees and vines through heavy feeding. Mature trees usually survive, but long periods of stress reduce productivity and make plants more vulnerable to other issues.

3. How far can the spotted lanternfly spread in a season?

Adults can travel short distances on their own, but much of the long-range spread happens when egg masses move on vehicles, trailers, and outdoor materials.

4. What should growers do if they find egg masses on equipment?

Crush the masses or scrape them into a sealed container with alcohol or other sanitizing agents for identification if you’re unsure. Equipment should then be inspected again before transport to reduce the chance of accidental spread.

5. Does cold weather kill the spotted lanternfly?

Cold temperatures kill adults, but egg masses survive winter. This allows new generations to emerge each spring.

6. Are there natural predators that help control spotted lanternfly in the U.S.?

A few native species feed on them, yet they are not abundant enough to keep populations in check. Research into biological control using egg parasitoids is ongoing.

The Takeaway | Protecting Agriculture From this Fast-Moving Pest

The spotted lanternfly is more than an occasional nuisance. Its presence threatens crops, disrupts harvest operations, and places economic pressure on farmers across affected regions. With its ability to spread quickly and survive winter through resilient egg masses, long-term management will require national and statewide cooperation, clear reporting, and reliable monitoring tools.

Early detection can prevent many of the challenges faced by growers in established infestation zones. Real-time insights, accurate identification, and data-driven technology give producers a practical way to stay ahead of this invasive pest. By strengthening monitoring programs and incorporating modern insect surveillance tools, farmers can maintain healthier fields and protect the crops that we depend on.