The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, has become a familiar sight across parts of the United States since its initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. This invasive insect, originally from Asia, is easily recognized by its distinctive appearance, featuring gray forewings adorned with black spots and striking red hindwings that become visible during flight. Many people have observed these insects exhibiting a peculiar jumping behavior, often seemingly landing directly on them. This raises questions about why these planthoppers jump.
The Anatomy of Their Leap
Spotted lanternflies are classified as planthoppers, a group of insects known for their powerful jumping abilities. Their remarkable leaps are enabled by specialized hind legs, which include robust femur and tibia segments specifically adapted for propulsion. These insects generate high take-off speeds and accelerations.
While adult spotted lanternflies possess wings and can undertake short flights, jumping serves as a primary mode of rapid movement and escape. A complete jumping action occurs very quickly. This explosive capability allows them to quickly propel themselves away from perceived threats or to navigate their environment.
Understanding Their Jumping Behavior
Spotted lanternflies jump primarily as an instinctive escape mechanism when they feel threatened or are startled. This behavior is not a deliberate attempt to target or aggressively interact with humans. When a person approaches, casts a shadow, or causes vibrations, the insect’s natural reflex is to rapidly launch itself away from the perceived disturbance.
The trajectory of these rapid, undirected jumps can sometimes lead a spotted lanternfly to land inadvertently on a person. Their attraction to tall, vertical objects, which they attempt to climb before launching, can also contribute to accidental landings. Since they primarily jump forward, their escape route might place them onto an unexpected surface, such as a human.
Dispelling Common Concerns
Many people feel alarm when a spotted lanternfly jumps on them, but these insects are not harmful to humans or pets. They do not bite or sting; their mouthparts are designed solely for piercing plant tissues to feed on sap. There is no evidence that spotted lanternflies carry diseases transmissible to humans.
While some concerns exist about their toxicity to pets, current research indicates they are not known to be poisonous. Their presence on a person is purely accidental, a byproduct of their natural escape behavior and defensive jumping reflex, not an aggressive attempt to infest or harm.