How-to
Spotted lanternfly, finding it and reporting it
Learn to recognize a spotted lanternfly and its egg masses, check the trees, the car and the outdoor gear, and destroy the eggs before they hatch.
Satisfy+ Editorial · Published August 13, 2026 · 2 min read
At a glance
- Adult
- About 1 inch long, red hindwings with black spots
- Egg mass
- Gray, like wet putty, about 1 inch long
- Eggs seen
- Fall, winter and spring
- Favorite tree
- Tree of heaven
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper from Asia, first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds on grapevines, hops, fruit trees and hardwood trees, and leaves a sticky honeydew that grows sooty mold, which harms the plants further. It spreads by laying its eggs on hard surfaces that people then move, such as cars, trailers, firewood, grills and outdoor furniture.
What you need
- Something flat to scrape with, such as a plastic putty knife
- A zippered plastic bag
- Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
- A phone for photos
Steps
- 1
Learn what an adult looks like
Adults are about 1 inch long and half an inch wide. The forewings are brown with black spots, the hindwings are scarlet with black spots, and the abdomen is yellow with black bars.
5 min
- 2
Learn what an egg mass looks like
A fresh egg mass holds 30 to 50 eggs and looks like a smear of wet, gray putty about an inch long. It dries to a dull brown.
5 min
- 3
Check the trees and the hard surfaces in the yard
Look on tree trunks, bricks, fences, grills, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys, from fall through spring. Tree of heaven is the lanternfly's favorite host, so start there.
20 min
- 4
Scrape off and destroy any egg masses
Smash each egg mass and scrape it into a zippered bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Seal the bag and put it in the trash.
10 min
- 5
Check outdoor items before they come inside for winter
Look over the furniture, the grill and the toys before they go into the garage or the house.
10 min
- 6
Check the car when you travel through a quarantine area
Keep the windows shut while parked, park about 15 feet from trees if you can, and look over the car and your clothes before you leave.
5 min
- 7
Report a sighting
Take a photo. In a state that already has lanternflies, use the state's own reporting contacts. Elsewhere, report it to the state's plant health office. The local Cooperative Extension office can advise on control.
5 min
Check for spotted lanternfly
- Check the trees, fences and outdoor gear for egg masses
- Check the car and trailer before leaving a quarantine area
- Report a lanternfly seen outside the known areas
FAQ
What does a spotted lanternfly egg mass look like?
A gray smear like wet putty, about an inch long, that dries to a dull brown.
How do I destroy spotted lanternfly eggs?
Smash them and scrape them into a zippered bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, then seal it and throw it away.
Does the spotted lanternfly hurt trees?
It feeds on grapevines, fruit trees and hardwood trees, and its honeydew grows sooty mold that can harm the plants further.
Sources
Checked October 19, 2026
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Spotted lanternfly (2025)
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