The Spotted Lanternfly has become a well-known harmful bug in the United States, including California, Louisville, Idaho, Texas, etc. It is not originally from the US but from Asia and has managed to spread to different parts of the world. It is causing significant problems for farms, forests, and nature. If this pest gets inside your house, it could mean annoyance for you as well.
Learning more about these pests and how to identify them is the first step to controlling them in the states and cities of the United States, such as Nampa, Idaho. For Nampa residents, there are professionals to hire for pest control Nampa region infestations instead of going for DIY methods.
How to identify a spotted lanternfly?
While at rest, a spotted lanternfly is about 1 inch long and 0.5 inch wide. Its forewing is gray with black patches, and it has gray-outlined black blocks at the tips of its wings. Spotted lanternflies have black legs and heads and contrasting red and black patches with white bands on their hind wings. They have a yellow abdomen with wide black stripes, and they can jump very far.
Life cycle of spotted lanternflies.
The spotted lanternfly’s life cycle starts in late spring when its eggs hatch into nymphs. These nymphs travel through multiple instars, progressively evolving from red with black and white markings to black with white spots.
They develop into adults by late summer when they have characteristic black, red, and white wings together with a yellow belly. After mating in the fall, females lay masses of eggs on a variety of surfaces. The cycle is finished when the eggs overwinter.
What do spotted lanternflies eat?
Nymphs and adults of spotted lanternflies consume more than 70 different plants, but their favorite is the tree of heaven, a deciduous plant that is frequently found near roadsides and in disturbed forest regions.
The Tree of Heaven devours nearby native plants with such force that it is capable of killing them. Spotted lanternflies and other invasive bug species can also be seen frequently in the tree of paradise. Spotted lanternflies consume a wide range of plants in addition to trees of paradise, such as grapevine, maple, walnut, fruit trees, etc.
How to fight a spotted lanternfly infestation?
To combat a spotted lanternfly infestation, start by removing their preferred host, the Tree of Heaven. To catch nymphs, wrap sticky bands around tree trunks. Cover those sticky bands with chicken wire for the protection of wildlife. You can also use horticultural oils, neem oil, or insecticidal soaps.
For severe infestations, you can apply systemic insecticides, paying particular attention to trees and plants that serve as a common food source for lanternflies. Examine egg masses on a regular basis and eliminate them by scraping them off surfaces and putting them in alcohol or soapy water to kill them.
If these notorious creatures are causing problems in your property, call pest control services today!
