Spotted lanternflies, the invasive bugs that have been causing problems in Western Pennsylvania for the last few years, are predicted to reappear beginning in April, as their offspring come out of egg clusters.
The bugs are known for their harm to the environment and overall annoyance, and authorities suggest killing and reporting them whenever seen.
They can damage trees, vines, crops, and various other plants, and produce a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts mold and covers outdoor equipment, according to a guide from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The insects lay egg clusters in autumn, each containing 30-50 eggs. according to the agriculture department. These egg clusters, which are protected by a mud-like covering, usually hatch in late April to June.
Residents of Western Pennsylvania can take action early by targeting spotted lanternfly egg clusters, according to a Penn State Extension guide.
The bugs lay their eggs on almost any flat surface, including trees, branches, rocks, outdoor equipment, and even cars. The egg clusters are typically brown and grey and resemble patches of mud when on a tree. They are about 1.5 inches long.
Each cluster contains rows of small eggs that are about the size of a sharpened pencil point, although the eggs may sometimes be visible if the spotted lanternfly was disturbed by a predator while laying them.
Pressing down and scraping off the egg clusters with the edge of a plastic card or putty knife is a good way to dislodge and destroy them. Putting the scraped-off eggs into a plastic bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol ensures the eggs are dead, as intact eggs left on the ground may still hatch.
It’s especially important to remove any eggs found on camping equipment, vehicles, or any other equipment that will travel to different areas of the state in order to prevent further spread of the invasive species.
Penn State Extension also notes that spotted lanternflies often lay eggs near their feeding areas, which can include red maple, silver maple, and willows. However, they can also be found on trees they do not heavily feed on, such as black cherry and pine trees.
Egg clusters are often located high up on a tree and hard to reach. The Penn State Extension estimates that an average of less than 2% of the egg clusters laid on a tree are within reach of 0 to 10 feet, leaving 98% of the egg clusters out of reach.
“We do not recommend using ladders or climbing trees to reach the unreachable clusters,” the Penn State Extension guide states. “Keep in mind that each destroyed egg cluster can eliminate up to 50 (spotted lanternflies) from next year’s generation, but you are unlikely to get them all.”
