Spotting an Insect Invader

Isaac Fox was the first to notice that something was out of place at the Kansas State Fair. The 19-year-old is an avid bug collector and a former member of the youth organization 4-H. He’d spent 10 years in the group’s entomology program, studying insects. Last September, Fox was at the fair to help judge top-ranked bug collections from 4-H students across the state. As he walked among the entries, his gaze landed on a striking insect mounted in a display box. It was about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long, with polka-dotted grayish forewings and blazes of brilliant scarlet on its hindwings. The bug was labeled “spotted lanternfly.” Fox told another judge, “I don’t think this is supposed to be here.”

Something was out of place at the Kansas State Fair. Isaac Fox was the first to notice. The 19-year-old loves to collect bugs. He’s a former member of the youth organization 4-H. For 10 years, he’d studied insects in the group’s entomology program. Last September, Fox was at the fair to help judge top-ranked bug collections. They’d come from 4-H students across the state. As he walked among the entries, he spotted a striking insect. It was mounted inside a display box. The bug was about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. It had polka-dotted grayish forewings and blazes of bright scarlet on its hindwings. The insect was labeled “spotted lanternfly.” Fox told another judge, “I don’t think this is supposed to be here.”

Fox was right. The spotted lanternfly should not have been in Kansas. In fact, it shouldn’t be anywhere in the United States. The insect is an invasive species native to parts of Asia. Spotted lanternflies were first found in the U.S. in 2014, in Pennsylvania. Now the insects are rapidly spreading across the country, damaging trees and crops along the way.

The specimen Fox spotted had been collected by an elementary student in Thomas County, in northwestern Kansas. That’s more than 1,370 kilometers (850 miles) from the nearest known lanternfly infestation, which is in Indiana (see Infestation Map). The idea that the bugs had spread so far so fast was cause for alarm.

Fox was right. The spotted lanternfly should not have been in Kansas. In fact, it shouldn’t be anywhere in the United States. The insect is an invasive species. It’s native to parts of Asia. Spotted lanternflies were first found in the U.S. in 2014, in Pennsylvania. Now the insects are quickly spreading across the country. Along the way, they’re damaging trees and crops.

The specimen Fox spotted came from northwestern Kansas. An elementary student had collected it in Thomas County. The nearest known lanternfly infestation is more than 1,370 kilometers (850 miles) from there, in Indiana (see Infestation Map). How could the bugs spread so far so fast? The idea was alarming.

In 2014, employees with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reported unfamiliar insects around trees in Berks County. Investigators identified the bugs as spotted lanternflies and found them at four sites, including a business that imports landscaping stone from China. Agency officials suspect that the insects first arrived a few years earlier as egg masses, which resemble smears of mud, stuck to shipments of stone (see A Bug’s Life Cycle).

Spotted lanternflies don’t bite or sting and don’t pose any direct threat to people. The trouble with these pretty pests is their feeding habits. Adult lanternflies and juvenile nymphs pierce plant tissue to suck up sugary sap—the plant’s food supply. The insects feed on more than 100 plant species and prefer some of the most economically important ones in the U.S., such as apple, maple, peach, pine, oak, and walnut trees, as well as grapevines.

By stealing energy and nutrients, lanternflies can kill vines or young trees. Mature trees may be left damaged and weakened, vulnerable to other pests or infections. As the insects feed, they also excrete a sticky fluid called honeydew. The sugar and moisture in honeydew often lead to mold growth that can weaken trees, kill delicate plants and vines, and spoil fruit.

In 2014, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture employees reported something strange. Unfamiliar insects had been seen around trees in Berks County. Investigators identified the bugs as spotted lanternflies. They found the insects at four sites. One was a business that imports landscaping stone from China. Officials think the insects arrived a few years earlier as egg masses, stuck to shipments of stone. Lanternfly egg masses look like smears of mud (see A Bug’s Life Cycle).

Spotted lanternflies don’t bite or sting. They don’t pose any direct danger to people. The trouble with these pretty pests is their feeding habits. Adult lanternflies and juvenile nymphs pierce plant tissue to suck up sugary sap. That’s the plant’s food supply. The insects feed on more than 100 plant species. They like apple, maple, peach, pine, oak, and walnut trees, as well as grapevines. These are some of the most economically important plants in the U.S.

Lanternflies steal energy and nutrients. They can kill vines or young trees. They may leave older trees damaged or weakened. Then other pests or infections can move in. As the insects feed, they also excrete a sticky fluid called honeydew. The sugar and moisture in honeydew often leads to mold growth. That can weaken trees, kill delicate plants and vines, and spoil fruit.

Some entomologists believe the bugs may be the most destructive pests to reach the U.S. in 150 years. In 2020, researchers estimated that spotted lanternflies cause more than $50 million in damages each year in Pennsylvania alone. Their analysis predicts that losses in the state could balloon to 10 times that amount if the invasion grows out of control.

Scientists are investigating ways to fight back against the pest. One potential strategy relies on a naturally occurring soil fungus in the U.S. that can kill the bugs. Another involves releasing tiny wasps native to Asia that eat lanternfly eggs and nymphs. But these options need additional research into their effectiveness and environmental impact.

Some entomologists believe the bugs may be the most destructive pests to reach the U.S. in 150 years. In 2020, researchers did a study. They found that spotted lanternflies cause more than $50 million in damages each year. And that’s only in Pennsylvania. If the invasion grows out of control, the study predicts that the state could lose 10 times that amount.

Scientists are studying ways to fight back against the pest. One idea relies on a soil fungus that can kill the bugs. This fungus is found naturally in the U.S. Another involves releasing tiny wasps from Asia. They eat lanternfly eggs and nymphs. But these ideas need more research into their results and environmental effects.

Today, lanternflies have expanded into 10 states beyond Pennsylvania. Isolated individual bugs have also turned up in several states, as far south as North Carolina and—with the 4-H student’s surprising discovery—as far west as Kansas.

Today, lanternflies have spread to 10 states beyond Pennsylvania. Individual bugs have also turned up in several states, as far south as North Carolina. With the 4-H student’s surprising find, they’ve been seen as far west as Kansas.

After Fox spotted the lanternfly at the state fair, he alerted senior judge Sharon Dobesh. She’s an experienced entomologist. Dobesh confirmed the bug’s identification. “My first thought was: Oh no!” she says. Dobesh quickly contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to report the lanternfly specimen. She passed along digital photos and coordinated with 4-H leaders to put a USDA expert in touch with the student who collected the bug.

After Fox spotted the lanternfly at the state fair, he quickly told senior judge Sharon Dobesh. She’s an experienced entomologist. Dobesh confirmed it was a lanternfly. “My first thought was: Oh no!” she says. Dobesh quickly reported the specimen to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She passed along digital photos. Then she worked with 4-H leaders to connect a USDA expert with the student who collected the bug.

It’s impossible to say how the state fair specimen arrived in Kansas. Spotted lanternflies often latch on to vehicles, so maybe a traveler from the East gave the bug a lift. What’s certain is that these insects are spreading—but there are ways to slow them down. In states with known infestations, people should inspect their vehicles for stowaway insects or egg masses before traveling. And they should check with their state department of agriculture for guidance on reporting sightings to help track the bugs’ movement.

No one knows how the state fair specimen arrived in Kansas. Spotted lanternflies often hang on to vehicles. Maybe a traveler from the East gave the bug a lift. These insects are spreading. But there are ways to slow them down. In states with known infestations, people should check their vehicles for lanternflies or egg masses before traveling. And they should ask their state department of agriculture how to report sightings. This will help track the bugs’ movement.

If you come across spotted lanternfly egg masses, crush them thoroughly, making sure all the eggs burst. Or you can scrape them into a sealable bag or container with some hand sanitizer, which will kill the eggs. Then seal it well and throw it away. If you find a nymph or adult lanternfly, follow the advice of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: “Squash it, smash it . . . just get rid of it.”

The lanternfly specimen from Kansas shows the importance of noticing something, taking action, and communicating with others, says Wade Weber, the state’s 4-H program leader: “You never know how a small decision—like picking up a cool bug—can ripple into something much bigger.

If you see spotted lanternfly egg masses, crush them completely. Make sure all the eggs burst. Or scrape them into a bag or container with some hand sanitizer to kill the eggs. Then seal it well and throw it away. If you find a nymph or adult lanternfly, follow the advice of the Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture: “Squash it, smash it . . . just get rid of it.” 

We can learn something from the Kansas lanternfly specimen, says Wade Weber. He’s the state’s 4-H program leader. It’s important to notice things, take action, and communicate with others. He says, “You never know how a small decision—like picking up a cool bug—can ripple into something much bigger.”