09/10/2026
If you see them, kill them and report it to Dem
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Spotted lanternflies have spread to 22 states.
First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, the invasive insects have now been reported in 22 states and Washington, D.C., according to AccuWeather’s reporting on Cornell’s distribution map.
Those records include both sightings and established populations. They do not mean every affected state is overrun.
The insects become especially noticeable in early fall as adults feed heavily, mature and move toward new food sources. Although they are weak fliers, they can travel much farther by hitchhiking on vehicles, trains and transported objects.
Cold weather eventually kills the adults, but their eggs can survive winter and hatch the following spring. Penn State entomologist Julie Urban told AccuWeather that killing adults requires a hard freeze, not simply a frost.
Their feeding affects some plants much more severely than others.
Healthy, established ornamental trees have not been documented dying directly from spotted lanternfly feeding, according to Penn State. Grapevines are more vulnerable: heavy infestations can deplete stored energy, lower grape sugar levels, reduce future yields and contribute to vine death.
That makes their continued spread a particular concern for vineyards.
Populations can also rise sharply one year and decline the next. A quieter season does not necessarily mean the insects have disappeared.
People can help limit their spread by checking vehicles and outdoor items for insects and egg masses before moving them. Sightings in new areas should be reported to the relevant state agriculture department or extension service.
The goal is to slow their movement and protect vulnerable crops, even where eliminating them entirely is no longer realistic.
Learn more:
"Spotted lanternflies have spread to 22 states: ‘They’re here to stay’." AccuWeather
