If you come across the lanternfly, scientifically known as Lycorma delicatula, you should get rid of it immediately. It originated in China and was initially found in Pennsylvania, USA, back in 2014. It has since spread and harmed agriculture and the environment severely. The sap that lanternflies draw from a variety of plants and trees weakens them and causes them to create honeydew, a sticky material. The sooty mold that this honeydew produces can harm the plants even more by preventing them from photosynthesizing.
It is not too hard to identify lanternflies. The adult ones feature red and black markings on the underside of their gray wings with black specks, measuring about an inch in length. Nymphs, the young lanternflies, are initially black with white dots and eventually turn red as they mature. They bite into plants and sip their sap, depleting the plant’s energy, using a unique mouth that resembles a needle.
It is preferable to remove lanternflies as you see them. Either the adult ones or the infant ones can be crushed immediately. Additionally, eliminating their egg masses—which resemble gray mud blobs—is crucial. To ensure the eggs are dead, scoop them into a bag and add some alcohol or hand sanitizer.
It is imperative that we take action against lanternflies in order to protect our environment and plants. If you come across one, consider the damage they could cause and act quickly to protect our ecosystems.
H/T : happiness-life.org
