09/28/2026
BEFORE THEY ARRIVE: Potential Invasive Insects on Florida's Horizon
WEEK 01 | SPOTTED LANTERNFLY (Lycorma delicatula): Native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper first reported in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. It has since spread to multiple states but has not been reported in Florida.
🌳 Meet its favorite host: Tree-of-Heaven
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is the most preferred host of SLF. This invasive tree is already present in Florida. SLF can also feed on grapes, apples, stone fruits, maples, black walnut, and other woody plants. However, for the successful establishment of SLF, the presence of tree-of-heaven in the field is a must.
⚠️ Why should Florida care?
Florida's diverse agriculture and landscapes provide plenty of potential hosts for SLF. Grapes, fruit crops, ornamental plants, and woody trees could be at risk if this pest becomes established. Large populations feed on plant sap and produce sticky honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth and can affect plant health and quality.
🔎 What does it look like?
Adults are about 1 inch long. At rest, their grayish-tan forewings are covered with distinctive black spots. When the wings open, bright red hindwings with black and white markings become visible.
Young nymphs are black with white spots. Later-stage nymphs develop a striking red, black, and white pattern before becoming adults.
🥚 Don't overlook the eggs!
Each egg mass typically contains 30–50 eggs. Fresh egg masses look like a smear of wet gray putty; as they age, they become dry and brownish-gray, often resembling cracked mud. And SLF isn't particularly picky about where it leaves the kids! 😅 Egg masses can show up on tree trunks, vehicles, trailers, outdoor furniture, fences, bricks, stones, firewood, grills, equipment, and even outdoor toys.
Basically, if it's a hard surface sitting outside, it's worth a look. 👀
🚗 How could they get here?
SLF is an excellent hitchhiker. Adults, nymphs, and especially hidden egg masses can be accidentally transported on vehicles, outdoor equipment, firewood, and other materials.
📣 Think you found one in Florida?
Take clear photos and, if possible, safely collect the specimen. Report suspected spotted lanternflies or egg masses to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI):
📞 1-888-397-1517
📧 [email protected]
Early detection starts with knowing what to look for—before they arrive.
💬 Have questions about spotted lanternfly? Drop them in the comments! And don't forget to share this post—the more people who know what to look for, the better our chances of spotting an invasive pest early.
Follow the UF Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) page for next week's potential invasive insect on Florida's horizon.
Series by Tafsir Nur Nabi Rashed | UF Doctor of Plant Medicine
