Michigan’s agriculture department says residents should be on the lookout for spotted lantern flies this summer. The invasive species can harm crops and leaves behind sticky, moldy sap on yards, sidewalks and cars.
Right now, the invasive species is most prevalent in the southeast part of the state. They are native to China and were first detected in Michigan in 2022.
“We're looking for it in a lot of other areas,” said Deb McCullough, an insect researcher with Michigan State University. “So far, we haven't found it. But this insect is notorious for hitchhiking.”
McCullough said adults and wingless lanternflies like to be in and on cars. There are no natural predators for the Spotted Lanternfly in the United States so their populations can spread rapidly.
“If you're coming out of Southeast Michigan and going to another county or another part of the state,” McCullough said. “Be sure that you're not moving spotted lanternfly with you.”
Be aware
The best way to prevent the spread of the pest is by knowing how to identify it, according to McCullough.
The invasive species has a distinct look with tan grayish wings and black spots when folded. Their reddish orange hind wings are exposed when they open.
McCullough said their eggs are usually found on trees.
“When the female lays them, she kind of lays a coating over the top of them,” McCullough said. “To me, it looks like wet concrete.”
Spotted lanternflies feed on trees and vine-fruits. But McCullough said they are most often found on the Tree of Heaven.
“If you don't have one, don't plant one,” McCullough said the invasive tree can spread very quickly. “One female tree can produce 350,000 seeds in a single year.”
McCullough said the bug isn’t a tree-killer, but it does leave behind a sticky honey dew that molds over and attracts other pests like wasps and ants.
In the state of Michigan, the pest has a low population for now, according to Tim Boring, the director of Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). But he said they are expected to become more widespread over time.
“Spotted lanternfly does not pose a risk to human or animal health,” said Boring. “But it can be a major nuisance for Michiganders who enjoy spending time on their patios, in their gardens or in the great outdoors.”
Agricultural impacts
McCullough said grape growers are especially wary of the spotted lanternfly.
“They don't feed on the grapes, on the fruit, but they will feed on the woody vines,” McCullough said. “They will pull enough sap and enough sugars that the fruit is not very desirable.”
She said in some cases, farmers can't market the fruit after the pests take over.
Mike Reinke is a viticulture specialist with MSU Extension. He said farmers are well-equipped to handle pests of any kind, but spotted lantern flies can be tricky.
“This pest in particular comes in late,” said Reinke. “It shows up in July, August, September, October. And usually growers have moved on from insects and they're focused on diseases.”
Reinke said smaller growers use other means to deter the pest from their crop like netting plants and scraping off eggs.
Preventing the spread
If you find a spotted lanternfly in Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland or Wayne County, you can squash the bug without reporting it, according to a news release from MDARD.
Residents can also identify eggs on trees and scrape them off and smush the eggs. For Michiganders in other parts of the state, state officials ask that you report the bug with a photo online.
Officials say residents should avoid transporting fire wood and check yourself and your vehicle for the bug after spending time outdoors.
