Lanternflies Are Taking Over NYC Again
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
What Are Spotted Lanternflies?
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect species native to parts of Asia. It’s technically a planthopper, meaning it feeds by sucking sap from plants. While it prefers certain species — notably the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) — its diet is broad, affecting many kinds of trees, vines, and other vegetation.
The life cycle includes stages as nymphs (young insects) and adults. Early in the season, nymphs are black with white markings; they later turn red with white spots before maturing into adults with more striking wings (grayish forewings with black spots; red‐and‐black spotted hind wings under certain conditions). Egg masses are laid in the fall on a wide variety of surfaces: tree bark, vehicles, outdoor furniture, stone, etc.
Spotted lanternflies were first documented in New York City in July 2020. The first known infestation in New York State was on Staten Island.
They’ve spread not primarily by flying long distances themselves, but by “hitchhiking” via human transport: egg masses or individuals get moved on vehicles, outdoor equipment, firewood, stone, or other surfaces.
Impacts and Threats
The spotted lanternfly poses several risks:
Vegetation damage: Because they feed on the sap of many plants, heavy infestations can stress trees or vines, making them more susceptible to disease or other pests.
Economic risk: Useful for agriculture, vineyards, orchards: the insect threatens grapes, apples, hops, and other fruit and nut crops.
Environmental & aesthetic damage: The insects excrete large amounts of honeydew (a sticky, sugary waste), which can coat surfaces, encourage mold (sooty mold) growth, and generally make areas unpleasant.
Spread difficulty: Because they lay egg masses on many kinds of surfaces, early detection is difficult. Once established in a place, they’re hard to fully eradicate.
Current Status in NYC & Management
As of now, spotted lanternflies are present throughout the city. The situation is not considered a full-blown forest‐level threat yet in terms of NYC’s ecosystems, but certain urban trees, parks, and green spaces are increasingly affected.
What the city and state are doing:
Surveillance and reports: Agencies encourage residents to look for lanternflies (and their egg masses) and report sightings.
Quarantines and regulations: New York State has protections in place to prevent goods and materials from infestation zones from introducing new egg masses or insects into uninfested areas.
Public guidance: Information on how to identify them, how to kill them if found (for example “squishing” or disposing insects), and how to inspect outdoor items to avoid transporting eggs.
Working with parks and green spaces: In places like Central Park, staff are actively monitoring and treating infestations, and educating visitors.
What You Can Do as an NYC Resident
If you live in or visit NYC, here are practical steps to help limit the spread and impact:
Inspect your vehicles, firewood, outdoor furniture, and other surfaces for egg masses before you move them, especially if they’ve been stored outdoors in infested areas.
If you see spotted lanternflies, kill them (squish and dispose). Also scrape off, remove, and properly destroy egg masses (hot soapy water, etc.).
Learn to recognize them: early nymphs look very different from the adults. Being able to spot the various life stages helps with early detection.
Support tree removal or treatment of Tree of Heaven in your neighborhood (if feasible), since it’s a preferred host and enhances the lanternfly’s ability to reproduce.
Report sightings using local reporting systems (NYC311, NYS DEC, etc.). These reports help track spread and prioritize action.
Outlook
The needle has shifted from eradication to mitigation and “slow‐the‐spread.” Fully eliminating spotted lanternflies in NYC is considered unlikely at this point. However, with continued public awareness, proper monitoring, and coordinated efforts, it is possible to reduce their numbers, limit damage, and slow geographic expansion.
Spotted lanternflies are a continuing concern for NYC — not yet a total ecological disaster, but enough of a pest that city agencies and residents alike must be vigilant. Their broad host range, ability to hitchhike on objects, and prolific egg laying make them difficult adversaries. But through identification, public cooperation, smart regulation, and regular monitoring, NYC can hold them in check.
