The Spotted Lanternfly Returns to the Northeast This Year: What to Expect

The spotted lanternfly is back on the seasonal clock. As warm weather settles across the Northeast, egg masses begin to hatch, nymphs start moving across trees and garden plants, and adults will follow later in the summer.

This invasive insect has been a growing concern across parts of the northeastern United States for years, especially in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and nearby areas. It does not bite people or pets, but it can weaken plants, create sticky messes, and put pressure on vineyards, orchards, nurseries, and backyard trees.

Here is what to expect this year, how to recognise each life stage, and what practical steps can help slow its spread.

Young nymphs are often the first sign that egg masses have hatched.

Why the spotted lanternfly keeps returning

The spotted lanternfly survives winter as egg masses. Adults lay these eggs in late summer and autumn on almost any hard surface, not just trees. That includes fence posts, stones, patio furniture, firewood, trailers, cars, outdoor equipment, and garden pots.

Those egg masses are easy to miss. They often look like smears of dried mud or grey putty. When temperatures rise in spring, the eggs hatch into tiny nymphs that spread out to feed.

A single insect is not the main problem. The issue is movement. Egg masses can travel unnoticed on vehicles, camping gear, nursery stock, and outdoor materials. That is how the insect reaches new towns and counties.

The spotted lanternfly also thrives because it feeds on a wide range of plants. Its favourite host is tree-of-heaven, another invasive species, but it can also feed on grapes, hops, maples, walnuts, fruit trees, and many ornamentals.

What the life cycle looks like this season

Recognising the insect at each stage helps people act at the right time.

Egg masses appear before the action starts

Egg masses remain in place through winter and early spring. They are usually about the size of a thumbprint or larger, with rows of seed-like eggs under a waxy coating.

Look for them on:

• Tree trunks and branches

• Deck railings and fences

• Outdoor furniture

• Stone walls and landscaping blocks

• Vehicles, trailers, and wheel wells

• Firewood and stored lumber

  
  

Scraping egg masses before they hatch can reduce the number of nymphs nearby. Scrape them into a container with soapy water or rubbing alcohol, rather than just knocking them onto the ground.

Egg masses can look like dried mud, which makes them easy to overlook.

Nymphs show up in spring and early summer

The first nymphs are small, black, and marked with white spots. They jump quickly and often gather on tender stems, vines, and new growth.

Later-stage nymphs develop red patches along with black and white markings. This red stage is a clear warning sign that adults are not far behind.

Nymphs are easier to kill than adults because they are smaller and less mobile. Physical removal works well in small gardens, especially when numbers are low. Tree traps can help on heavily infested trees, but they should be wildlife-safe to avoid catching birds or other animals.

Adults become obvious in late summer

Adult spotted lanternflies are larger and easier to spot. At rest, they have greyish wings with black spots. When they open their wings, bright red, black, and white markings show underneath.

Adults feed heavily and gather in groups. They move by hopping and gliding rather than strong flight. This is when people often notice sticky surfaces, black sooty mould, and clusters of insects on trees, vines, decks, patios, and cars.

What damage to expect

The spotted lanternfly feeds by piercing plant tissue and sucking sap. As it feeds, it excretes a sugary liquid called honeydew. That honeydew coats leaves, bark, outdoor furniture, cars, and anything underneath feeding sites.

The sticky coating can lead to sooty mould, a black fungus that grows on the honeydew. Sooty mould is not the insect itself, but it can block sunlight on leaves and make plants look unhealthy.

The biggest concerns are:

• Grapevines

  
  

Vineyards can suffer serious stress from heavy feeding.

• Young or already stressed trees

  
  

Drought, disease, poor soil, and repeated feeding can make damage worse.

• Outdoor living spaces

  
  

Honeydew can make patios, seating, and play areas sticky and unpleasant.

• Nurseries and landscape businesses

  
  

Plants and materials can unintentionally carry egg masses to new places.

For many hardy shade trees, one season of light feeding may not kill the plant. Heavy infestations over time are more worrying, especially when plants are already under stress.

Adult lanternflies often gather in groups on preferred host trees.

How to respond without overdoing it

A measured response works better than panic spraying. Start with the least risky actions and build from there if the infestation is heavy.

Inspect outdoor items before moving them. This is one of the most useful habits. Check vehicles, trailers, firewood, garden supplies, grills, bins, and patio furniture before taking them to another property.

Remove egg masses when you find them. Scrape them into soapy water or alcohol and dispose of them after they sit long enough to kill the eggs.

Destroy nymphs and adults when practical. Stomping, vacuuming with a shop vacuum, or using traps can help in small areas.

Manage tree-of-heaven carefully. Removing this host plant can reduce local breeding sites, but it is not always simple. Tree-of-heaven can send up root sprouts when cut. Many extension services recommend targeted treatment rather than cutting alone, so check local guidance before starting.

Use pesticides with care. Broad spraying can harm pollinators and beneficial insects. If chemical treatment is needed, follow the label exactly and avoid treating blooming plants visited by bees. For valuable trees, vines, or orchards, it is safer to ask a certified arborist or local extension office for site-specific advice.

When to report sightings

In places where the spotted lanternfly is already well established, local agencies may not ask for every sighting. In areas where it is new or spreading, reports can help officials track movement.

Report a sighting if:

• It appears in a county or town where it has not been common before

• You find egg masses on goods, vehicles, or materials that travelled from another area

• You manage a farm, vineyard, nursery, school property, or public site

• Local agriculture or environmental agencies specifically request reports

  
  

A clear photo, date, location, and life stage are usually enough to make a report useful.

Scraping egg masses before hatch can reduce local numbers.

What to watch for through the year

The pattern is fairly predictable.

Season	What to look for	Best action
Late winter to spring	Egg masses on trees and hard surfaces	Scrape and destroy eggs
Late spring to early summer	Black nymphs with white spots	Remove by hand, vacuum, or trap
Mid to late summer	Red nymphs and adults	Target heavy clusters and inspect host plants
Autumn	Adults laying new egg masses	Check outdoor items before winter

The spotted lanternfly will not disappear from the Northeast this year, but local action still matters. Every destroyed egg mass and every checked trailer, plant pot, and bundle of firewood reduces the chance of a new pocket taking hold.

The best approach is simple: learn the life stages, inspect before moving outdoor items, remove what you can, and follow local reporting guidance. Small steps, repeated across many homes and properties, make the biggest difference.