The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper that has become a significant agricultural and nuisance pest across the eastern United States. Since its initial detection, the insect has rapidly spread, causing considerable concern for homeowners and farmers alike. During the active months of summer and fall, the adults are highly noticeable, but as winter approaches, they seem to vanish entirely. Understanding this seasonal disappearance is the first step in disrupting the annual life cycle of this damaging insect.
Survival Strategy: Why Adults Disappear
The adult Spotted Lanternfly cannot survive freezing temperatures and will not be found during the winter months. These insects have an annual life cycle, meaning the generation seen throughout the summer and fall completes its purpose by reproducing before succumbing to the cold. The appearance of the first hard frost signals the end for all adults and any remaining nymphs.
This species successfully overwinters solely in the egg stage, a strategy that ensures the next generation will emerge when conditions are favorable. Adult females spend the late fall laying eggs on various surfaces before they perish naturally. The disappearance of the bright, conspicuous adults is a predictable part of the species’ biology, marking the transition to its most vulnerable stage.
Locating Egg Masses
The egg masses are the only stationary life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly, making the winter months an opportune time for human intervention. A female SLF will lay between 30 and 50 eggs, grouping them together into a mass that is approximately one to one and a half inches long. When first laid, the mass is covered with a creamy-white, putty-like substance that offers protection from predators and the elements.
Over a few weeks, this protective covering dries out, turning a grayish-brown color and developing a cracked or mud-like appearance that acts as effective camouflage. The masses can be found on nearly any hard outdoor surface, including stone, metal, and plastic. They are often transported inadvertently on vehicles, outdoor equipment, and firewood. They are frequently laid in protected spots, such as the undersides of tree limbs, branch crotches, and the sheltered areas of lawn furniture or sheds.
Destroying the Winter Stage
Once an egg mass is located, its removal and destruction are straightforward and highly effective for reducing the population in the coming year. Each mass destroyed prevents dozens of nymphs from hatching in the spring, making this action a significant part of the overall management strategy. The recommended method involves physically scraping the mass off the surface using a stiff tool, such as a putty knife, a paint scraper, or a credit card.
The scraped material must be immediately deposited into a sealed plastic bag or container that holds rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to ensure the eggs are completely killed. Simply scraping the mass onto the ground is insufficient, as the eggs may still be viable and capable of hatching. For masses found outside of established quarantine zones, it is helpful to take a photograph before destruction and report the sighting to the local Department of Agriculture or extension office for tracking purposes.