Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is a beautiful pest but don’t let looks fool you. It is destructive, dirty and prolific. Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to Asia that was first detected in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania. It feeds voraciously on more than 60 varieties of plants and trees. Spotted Lanternfly is capable of causing serious damage to its host, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and dieback. In addition to plant/tree damage, they excrete a sour smelling, sugary substance that encourages the growth of black sooty mold which can cover leaf surfaces and stunt growth.
If you think you have Spotted Lanternfly, do not panic! Spotted Lanternfly does not bite or sting but be aware that they are very mobile and management actions must be continuous to keep them controlled. There is no way to prevent SLF from moving onto your property and it has no natural predators in PA. Make sure the insect you are seeing is the Spotted Lanternfly and learn about its life cycle and habits.
The Spotted Lanternfly is a prominent insect in many local landscapes. GREENSKEEPER’s SLF management program is designed to control them in every stage of their life cycle. Since the adults are flying insects and will fly in from surrounding areas, we will not be able to eradicate them. We can successfully minimize the number of adults that will occur later in the season.
Consider GREENSKEEPER’s certified pesticide services for the necessary insecticide treatments for your yard. Our skilled professionals have specialized training and equipment to treat trees and shrubs. Hiring our professionals will reduce your risk of pesticide exposure and save you valuable time. By limiting Spotted Lanternfly in the earlier stages of their lifecycle, we can reduce their numbers and reduce the damage they cause to your landscape! Click to contact us online or call 215-938-8440 and schedule a no-obligation consultation today.