The Spotted Lanternfly Has Arrived, and Authorities Are Asking You to Kill It on Sight

Theres an invasive species spreading across the eastern United States, and for once, the government is being very clear about what it wants you to do: kill it. Stomp on it. Squash it. The spotted lanternfly is here, and it threatens billions of dollars in agricultural damage if it continues its march across the country.

The spotted lanternfly is originally from Asia and was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, its spread to more than a dozen states and shows no signs of stopping. The USDA has declared the spotted lanternfly invasive and destructive, particularly threatening to grape vineyards, apple orchards, and hardwood trees.

What makes this insect particularly problematic is its feeding behavior. It sucks sap from plants and excretes a sugary substance called honeydew that promotes mold growth. A heavy infestation can stress trees to death and ruin entire crop harvests. The wine industry in affected regions is especially concerned.

Penn State Extension has comprehensive information on identifying and reporting spotted lanternflies. The adults are actually quite beautiful in a disturbing way – grey forewings with black spots that reveal bright red hindwings when opened. But beauty is no reason to let them live.

The spread has been facilitated by hitchhiking. Lanternflies lay eggs on almost any flat surface, including cars, trains, and outdoor equipment. People moving between states can unknowingly carry egg masses with them. Quarantine zones have been established in multiple states requiring inspections of vehicles and goods. The pattern of invasive species spread is accelerating due to global trade and climate change.

So yes – if you see a spotted lanternfly, youre being asked to kill it and report the sighting to your state agriculture department. Its one of those rare situations where squashing a bug is actually the civic-minded thing to do. Nature is strange sometimes, but invasive species control is genuinely important for protecting ecosystems and agriculture.

Check your vehicles and outdoor equipment before traveling, especially if youre leaving an infested area. Were all in this fight together.