Fall is a great time to check for spotted lanternflies. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says you may find some adult lanternflies lingering until the first hard frost, as well as their freshly laid egg masses that will overwinter and bring next year’s generation of lanternflies.
Spotted lanternflies or SLF are invasive insects that feed on sap from plants. Lanternflies have a particular appetite for grape vines, maples, and other ecologically and agriculturally important species, potentially harming the economy and the environment.
You can help protect our natural resources by checking for SLF in your area, joining the statewide network of scientists and volunteers tracking the spread of this invasive species. We encourage you to get outside, check for spotted lanternflies, and report back to iMapInvasives, an online invasive species database. Your report is valuable, whether you found SLF or not!
Good places to check for SLF egg masses:
- Flat man-made surfaces and their undersides (metal barrels, vehicles, fences).
- Tree trunks and branches.
Learn more about where to survey and how to record your efforts.
