Spotted Lanternfly - Roswell Pest Threat
Prevent a Spotted Lanternfly invasion from damaging your trees, ornamental plants, and crops in Roswell. Recognizing the warning signs early and knowing how to respond can protect landscapes across the community.
spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula
New Image Tree Solutions gathered information about the Spotted Lanternfly, its threat to local vegetation, signs of infestation, prevention strategies, and who to contact when this invasive pest is detected.
What Is the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)?
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, it has spread rapidly through multiple states. Adult Spotted Lanternflies are about one inch long, with grayish wings adorned with black spots, and bright red hind-wings that flash when in flight. Although beautiful in appearance, these insects feed on the sap of over 70 plant species, including hardwoods, ornamentals, fruit trees, and grapevines.
Watch this video for an overview of the Spotted Lanternfly, and continue reading for further details.
Damage This Pest Causes
Spotted Lanternflies feed by piercing plant stems and trunks to suck out sap. This weakens plants, reducing growth rates and making them more vulnerable to disease and environmental stress. While feeding, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which causes black sooty mold growth on bark, leaves, and nearby surfaces. Heavy infestations can cause leaf curling, premature leaf drop, branch dieback, and tree death.
Infestations threaten Georgia’s agricultural industry, including vineyards, orchards, and ornamental plant growers. Early detection and management are crucial to preventing large-scale damage.
Lifecycle of the Spotted Lanternfly
spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula lifecycle identification prevention
Understanding the pest’s lifecycle is crucial for effective control:
Egg Stage (Late Fall - Early Spring): Females lay gray, mud-like egg masses on tree bark, stones, firewood, and outdoor equipment. Eggs remain dormant through winter.
Nymph Stage (Spring - Summer): Nymphs hatch in spring, appearing black with white spots, and later develop red patches as they mature. Nymphs move quickly and feed on soft plant tissue.
Adult Stage (Late Summer - Early Fall): Adults emerge in late summer, feed heavily on tree sap, and reproduce. They are most visible during this time.
spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula eggs
Since the pest overwinters as eggs, winter inspections of outdoor surfaces are a crucial prevention strategy.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment Options
Mechanical Removal: Scrape and destroy egg masses in late fall or early spring.
Sticky Bands: Apply tree bands to trap nymphs as they climb trunks.
Systemic Insecticides: Use under arborist guidance for severe infestations.
Contact Insecticides: Effective against nymphs and adults during active feeding.
Prevention Strategies
Inspect Incoming Materials: Egg masses travel on vehicles, firewood, and outdoor equipment.
Remove Preferred Hosts: The invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a favored host; consider removing or treating the tree.
Promote Tree Health: Healthy trees are better equipped to withstand pest stress.
When to Call an Arborist
Call an arborist if:
spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula nymphs
You spot multiple adults or nymphs feeding on your trees.
Egg masses are found on multiple surfaces.
Leaves are curling, yellowing, or dropping prematurely.
Black sooty mold is spreading rapidly across your landscape.
Why Call New Image Tree Solutions 404-680-0041
New Image Tree Solutions has experience with invasive pests, like the Spotted Lanternfly. Our team utilizes industry-approved, eco-conscious methods for treatment, offers preventative care, and provides expert pruning or removal when trees become hazardous. We also help homeowners develop seasonal monitoring plans to stay ahead of potential infestations.
When to Prune or Remove Trees, Shrubs, and Plants for Pest Prevention
Pruning: Late winter or early spring is ideal, as pests are less active and structural issues can be corrected before new growth.
Removal: Dead or heavily infested trees should be removed immediately.
Shrubs and Vines: Inspect regularly, especially grapevines, as Spotted Lanternflies favor them.
Key Considerations for Spotted Lanternfly Infestations
spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula adult open wings
The Spotted Lanternfly poses an urgent ecological and economic threat. Here are critical points Roswell property owners must remember:
Early Detection is Critical: Act immediately - catching an infestation early is essential for successful control. Egg mass removal in winter is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take.
Control Must Target All Lifecycle Stages: Treating only the adults will not solve the problem. Spotted Lantern Fly (eggs, nymphs, and adults) require different strategies.
Preferred Hosts Accelerate Spread: “Tree of Heaven” removal slows infestations, as it is a primary reproductive host. Work with professionals to safely eliminate this invasive tree.
Honeydew and Mold Cause Secondary Damage: Even if trees survive feeding, the honeydew promotes mold growth that can weaken plants and harm surrounding surfaces.
Community-Wide Action is Necessary: Because these pests travel easily, neighborhood collaboration is key. Coordinated treatment plans between property owners, businesses, and municipalities can the slow spread more effectively.
Avoid DIY Chemical Misuse: Improper pesticide application can harm beneficial insects, pets, and humans. Always consult an arborist.
Reporting: If you spot a lanternfly, researchers ask that you take a clear picture, smash the bug, and report the sighting through EDDMapS. Areas near Fulton County, Georgia, remain at the highest risk.
Year-Round Vigilance Protects Property Value: Regular inspections (especially in winter and spring) help maintain healthy trees and prevent large-scale removals that can diminish property value.
Combining early detection, targeted treatment, and community awareness helps Roswell residents slow infestations and protect landscapes.
Watch this USDA video to reiterate the problems and damage this pest can cause.
Spotted Lanternfly Infestation and Containment
In this article, you discovered information about the Spotted Lanternfly, its threat to trees and plants, the signs of infestation, effective prevention measures, and who to contact when this pest is found.
Immediate reporting when detecting the Spotted Lanternfly can protect your property and help prevent this invasive insect from spreading throughout your community.
Failure to eliminate a Spotted Lanternfly problem leaves trees, crops, and ornamental plants vulnerable to severe damage, reduced yields, and death, with widespread losses in landscapes and agriculture.
Sources:
invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/spotted-lanternfly
agr.georgia.gov/spotted-lanternfly
news.uga.edu/spotted-lanternflies-in-georgia
(404) 680-0041