The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect native to parts of Asia, has become a noticeable presence in various regions, particularly in the Northeastern United States since its first detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. These planthoppers are often seen in large numbers, leading to frequent encounters with humans. It is a common experience for people to find these insects landing on them, prompting questions about why this occurs. This article will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, focusing on specific attractants and the insect’s general behavior.
What Attracts Lanternflies to You
Spotted lanternflies can be drawn to humans for a combination of reasons, including physiological cues and accidental contact. Like many insects, they are sensitive to environmental factors such as body heat and the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans and animals. This warmth and CO2 can act as a general attractant, signaling the presence of a large, warm-blooded object.
Movement also plays a role in attracting their attention. A moving person can be perceived as a large, shifting object, potentially causing them to fly towards it as a navigational cue. Certain clothing colors, especially brighter ones, may also be more noticeable. However, a lanternfly landing on a person is often accidental. They might be in the insect’s flight path or near host trees, resulting in an incidental landing rather than a deliberate attraction.
Are Lanternflies a Threat to Humans?
Despite their sometimes startling appearance or tendency to land on people, spotted lanternflies do not pose a direct threat to human health. They lack the ability to sting or bite, possessing only piercing-sucking mouthparts designed for feeding on plant sap, which cannot penetrate human skin. These insects are not known to transmit diseases to humans or pets.
While not directly harmful, their presence can create nuisances. Spotted lanternflies excrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew as they feed, which can accumulate on surfaces, including outdoor furniture and plants. This honeydew can then promote the growth of sooty mold, a black fungus that can be unsightly and cover surfaces. The primary threat posed by spotted lanternflies is to agriculture and trees, as their feeding can cause significant damage to crops like grapes and various tree species.
Typical Lanternfly Behavior
The frequent landings of spotted lanternflies on people are largely attributed to their natural behaviors and population dynamics. Adult lanternflies are not particularly strong or graceful fliers, often exhibiting a somewhat clumsy or erratic flight pattern. This can result in them bumping into objects, including people, as they navigate their surroundings.
In areas with high populations, encounters become more frequent due to their numbers. They tend to gather in large groups on trees and other vertical surfaces, increasing the likelihood of accidental contact with humans. Lanternflies tend to land on vertical surfaces for resting or seeking temporary shelter, and a person standing still can serve as such a temporary perch. Their activity levels fluctuate seasonally, with adults being more noticeable and active in late summer and fall.