Red-Spotted Lanternfly Invades New York State 🚨

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Spotted lanternfly spreading in New York state | CALS

1. What’s Happening?

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a warning: the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been reported in multiple regions across NY, including Long Island, NYC boroughs, and numerous upstate counties. Native to Asia, these sap-feeding insects threaten over 70 plant types—such as grapes, hops, maples, walnuts, apples—and even affect landscaping efforts. This year, they’re expected to surge again statewide by late May.

2. Where Has the Lanternfly Been Found?

Sightings have confirmed these insects in:

Staten Island (first spotted in 2020)
All five NYC boroughs, Long Island, and upstate locations including Port Jervis, Ithaca, Binghamton, Newburgh, Highland, Finger Lakes counties (Broome, Onondaga, Tioga, Tompkins), and Buffalo metro
At least 26 of New York’s 62 counties statewide according to a New York Post article written earlier this year.

DEC advises that reports are not currently needed from nine counties with known infestations, but are welcomed elsewhere.

3. What Should You Do If You Spot One?

Stomp & squish adult lanternflies—they jump and glide but are easy to crush.
Scrape off egg masses using a plastic card into a sealed bag with alcohol or hand sanitizer, then dispose properly.
Report sightings outside established counties to help track and contain their spread. Use:
- 📩 Email: spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov
- 📱 DEC online form
- ☎️ StopSLF hotline: 1-888-4BAD-FLY
Inspect outdoor items like firewood, vehicles, furniture, and moving supplies before relocating them.
Remove Tree-of‑Heaven if possible—it’s their preferred host.

Why This Matters

Spotted lanternflies threaten agriculture, wineries, nurseries, and forests by sucking sap from plants. They produce large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” promoting sooty mold and weakening trees and crops .

Stay Vigilant & Help Protect NY

Know what to look for: Adults (July–December) are grey with black spots and red hind wings; nymphs (April–June) are black & white spotted, with red patches later in summer .
Act fast: Remove eggs and adults immediately to slow spread.
Report sightings—your vigilance helps DEC control this invasive threat.

Quick Facts

Fact	Details
Invasive Origin	Native to Asia; spotted in PA in 2014, NY in 2020 (Facebook, Agriculture and Markets)
Host Plants	Tree-of-Heaven, grapes, maples, apples, hops, walnuts (Cornell CALS, Cornell Cooperative Extension)
Lifecycle Timeline	Egg masses (Oct–Jun), early nymphs (black/white), late nymphs (red), adults (Jul–Dec) (fingerlakesinvasives.org, Wikipedia)
Impact on Agriculture	Damages over 70 plant species; threatens vineyards, orchards, nurseries (Cornell CALS, fingerlakesinvasives.org)

📌 Disclaimer

This article provides general information based on DEC and agricultural sources. It does not replace official guidance. For detailed protocols or assistance, please contact DEC or the StopSLF hotline.

By staying informed, proactive, and reporting sightings, you help protect New York’s agriculture, forests, and natural beauty. Thank you for doing your part in stopping the spread of the spotted lanternfly!