Lycorma delicatula
An invasive planthopper now established in parts of Indiana. Learn every life stage, report suspected sightings, and avoid moving egg masses on vehicles, firewood, equipment, or outdoor objects.
At a Glance
Status | Invasive; not native to Indiana or the United States |
|---|---|
Type | Sap-feeding planthopper; not a fly |
Risk | Greatest economic concern is grape production; heavy feeding also stresses some trees and woody plants |
Preferred host | Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), though many other plants may be used |
Human safety | Does not bite or sting people |
Indiana action | Photograph, note the exact location, report it, and kill the insect if practical |
How to Identify It
Egg masses. About 1 inch long, usually holding 30 to 50 eggs in rows. Fresh masses look like wet gray putty; older ones resemble dried, cracked mud. The covering may wear away and expose brown, seedlike eggs. Females attach masses to bark, stone, vehicles, trailers, firewood, patio furniture, and many other hard surfaces.
Early nymphs. Small, wingless, black insects with bright white spots. They jump strongly when disturbed.
Late nymphs. Red and black with white spots and developing wing pads.
Adults. About 1 inch long. At rest, the forewings are gray tan with black spots and dark, bricklike tips. When the wings open, the red hindwings, black bands, and white stripe are conspicuous.
Life Cycle in Indiana
Approximate period | Stage | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
October to spring | Egg | Mudlike masses on almost any outdoor surface |
Late spring to early summer | Early nymph | Black body with white spots |
Mid to late summer | Late nymph | Red black and white body |
Late summer through fall | Adult | Spotted gray forewings; red hindwings visible in flight |
Damage and Signs
- Adults and nymphs pierce stems and trunks and remove sap. Large populations can cause wilting, reduced vigor, branch dieback, or poor yields, especially on grapevines.
- The insects excrete sugary honeydew. It makes surfaces sticky, attracts wasps and other insects, and supports black sooty mold that can coat leaves, decks, vehicles, and objects below infested plants.
- Sap oozing, fermented odors, heavy insect clustering, and honeydew buildup can indicate an infestation.
What to Do If You Find One
- Take clear photographs of the insect or egg mass. Include the life stage and a nearby object for scale when possible.
- Record the exact location, date, host plant or surface, and number seen.
- Report the sighting to Indiana officials through the Indiana DNR online reporting system or call 1 866 NO EXOTIC (1 866 663 9684).
- Kill reachable insects. Do not transport a live specimen unless an official requests it.
- Before moving a vehicle, trailer, firewood, nursery material, outdoor furniture, stone, or equipment, inspect it carefully for insects and egg masses.
Control for Home Landscapes
Use integrated pest management. A few insects on a healthy landscape plant seldom justify broad insecticide use. Concentrate effort where populations are high, valuable plants are threatened, or honeydew creates a serious nuisance.
Egg masses. Scrape them completely into a sealed container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, or thoroughly crush them. Simply knocking them to the ground may not kill the eggs.
Nymphs and adults. Swat, crush, vacuum, or use a wildlife-safe circle trap. Avoid exposed sticky bands because they can catch birds, bats, beneficial insects, and other animals.
Host management. Identify tree of heaven correctly before removal. Cutting it alone often produces root sprouts; follow current Purdue Extension guidance for a complete treatment plan.
Pesticides. Use only a product labeled for the site, plant, and target pest. Follow every label direction and protect pollinators, water, people, and pets. The label is the law. For large trees or heavy infestations, consult Purdue Extension or a licensed pesticide applicator.
Do Not Help It Travel
Spotted lanternfly spreads mainly by hitchhiking. Egg masses are easily carried long distances on vehicles, railcars, trailers, firewood, stone, pallets, outdoor equipment, and household items. Inspect and clean these objects before moving them, especially from an infested area.