SPOTTED LANTERNFLY (Lycorma delicatula)(1st Flying Adults = 1700 GDD): There are still some red-colored 4th instar nymphs being observed but most areas of NJ are now seeing the adult stage of this invasive planthopper. Adult spotted lanternflies will initiate a migration period beginning in late August that will continue into the weeks of September. It is during this time that this insect will become a major nuisance in residential sites & also within more urban areas. Although spotted lanternfly adults are better hoppers than flyers, they are proficient gliders & are capable of traveling a few miles. Throughout these late weeks of summer, the insects are searching for ideal trees to feed on & then potentially lay overwintering egg masses.
Some of the most common trees selected will include tree-of-heaven, red maple, black walnut, willow, birch, & grapes. Eggs Masses can potentially begin to be laid in mid-September, but the majority of adult females will not start egg-laying until the end of the month & will continue into the month of November. The majority of the egg masses are laid during October. With large deciduous trees, between 85-90% of eggs will be found above 10 feet off of the ground. Typically, they are laid in clusters underneath larger scaffold branches & at branch collars. Each female will usually lay two egg masses that contain 30-50 eggs each. Most adults will be killed with the onset of colder temperatures in late November. The NJ winters are rarely cold enough to kill the overwintering eggs.