The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper that poses a threat to agricultural crops and hardwood trees. The adult insect possesses two pairs of wings, totaling four wings. These two separate wing sets allow for both protection and flight capabilities, which aid the insect’s dispersal and life cycle.
The Four Wings of the Adult Lanternfly
The adult spotted lanternfly has a wing structure consisting of the forewings and the hindwings. These four wings are paired, with one set positioned in front of the other along the insect’s thoracic segments. This arrangement places the forewings as the outer pair and the hindwings as the inner pair, tucked beneath the forewings. When the insect is at rest, the forewings are folded back over the hindwings and the abdomen in a tent-like fashion. This resting posture means that observers typically only see the outer pair of wings, obscuring the brightly colored set underneath.
Distinctive Features of the Forewings
The forewings are designed primarily for camouflage and protection. These wings are roughly grayish-tan or light pinkish-brown and are covered with numerous dark black spots across the basal two-thirds of the surface. The tips of the forewings feature a distinctly different pattern, appearing more like a net or a speckled band composed of neatly spaced black rectangular markings. This cryptic coloration allows the spotted lanternfly to blend seamlessly against the bark of host trees, concealing the insect from potential predators. The forewings are the defining feature seen by most people, as they create the visual pattern used to identify the resting insect.
Role and Appearance of the Hindwings
The hindwings are completely hidden beneath the forewings when the insect is perched, revealing a contrasting coloration only when exposed. The proximal section, closest to the body, features a bright red color marked with black spots. Moving outward, a white band separates the red section from the solid black tips of the wings. This dramatic pattern is used in a “startle display” mechanism, where the insect rapidly opens its forewings when disturbed. The sudden flash of red and black is believed to momentarily deter predators, providing a brief window for the lanternfly to escape.