THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY

The spotted lanterfly (SLF) is an invasive pest and a threat to crops and trees and inspecting a vehicle for the pest is an important management technique.  Currently, the pest is infesting areas in the Northeastern United States.  However, it is a threat to spread to other areas.  Despite the name, the spotted lanternfly is not a strong flyer.   It most often hitchhikes to new areas. Therefore, when visiting an area infested with the spotted lanternfly, it is important to inspect your vehicle and stop the spread.  The following information will help to conduct a thorough inspection.

Life Cycle

Before leaving an SLF-infected area thoroughly inspect the vehicle and its contents for SLF.  It is important to become familiar with identifying the spotted lanternfly at the different stages of its life cycle. Depending upon the time of the year, look for SLF in egg masses, nymphs and adults.

• Spring and Summer: nymphs and adult SLF
• Fall: Adult SLF
• Fall, Winter and Spring: Adult SLF and egg masses

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly – 5 tips for vehicle inspections

1. Inspect the interior of the vehicle – thoroughly inspect the vehicle’s interior including any contents from the infested area.  In addition, look on the vehicle floor, seats and areas near doors and windows.
2. Inspect the exterior of the vehicle – truck beds/caps – walk around the vehicle thoroughly checking hiding places along the vehicle.  Focus on truck beds/caps where SLF are prone to land.
3. Check exterior hiding places – wheels wells & more – use a flashlight to check inside of the wheel wells, as this is a common hiding spot. If possible, consider looking on top of the vehicle for SLF that may have landed on the vehicle roof.
4. Investigate dollies – don’t overlook equipment that may have been used to move pallets or other items. Inspect all sides of dollies or other moving equipment.
5. Inspect pallets – pallets are particularly susceptible for infestation, use a flashlight and inspect all sides for SLF.

If the spotted lanternfly is found at any point in the life cycle, it is critical to kill live insects.  In short, if you see it, squash it.  In addition, it is recommended SLF egg masses are thoroughly smashed and scraped into a plastic bag.  Finally, the bag is sealed tight and disposed.