Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Spotted Lanternfly

lanternfly on a branch

Spotted Lanternfly adult (L) and fourth instar nymph (R). Photo: USDA APHIS.

spotted lantern fly adult

Spotted Lanternfly adult. Photo: Lawrence Barringer, PA Dept. of Agriculture, bugwood.org

spotted lanternfly nymph

Spotted Lanternfly nymph. Photo: Lawrence Barringer, PA Dept. of Agriculture, bugwood.org

spotted lantern fly egg masses

Spotted Lanternfly egg masses. Photo: Emelie Swackhamer, Penn State University, bugwood.org

Overview

Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper insect introduced into the United States in 2014. Native to China, this pest is associated with the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) but can also cause significant damage to grape, apple, stone fruits, walnut, and other economically important plants. It's also a significant nuisance that affects the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. Rhode Island is at high risk of this invasive pest.

Although they can fly distances on their own, Spotted Lanternfly are excellent hitch hikers and mainly spread through human movement. Their inconspicuous egg masses can be laid on pallets, vehicles, and other goods. It’s important to check all your gear and equipment before traveling to and from Rhode Island, and scrape off any egg masses.

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is a type of “true bug” that uses a stylet (or beak) to pierce plant tissue for feeding. In addition to the spotted patterning, the adult SLF’s unique colors feature scarlet underwings, yellow markings on its abdomen, and tan semi-transparent forewings. Adults about an inch in length and can be found late July into November. The nymph stage appears in June and July and feature strikingly bright red and black bodies with white spotting. Early stage nymphs lack the red color and appear completely black. Adult lanternflies are about an inch long and are active from August until the first hard freeze, which typically occurs from late October into November.

SLF was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has quickly spread through surrounding states. In 2021, a confirmed finding of a single Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) was found for the first time in Rhode Island in an industrial/commercial area in Warwick near Jefferson Blvd. In August 2022, DEM found an additional credible report of an invasive Spotted Lanternfly sighting in Smithfield. Patches of SLF found along Route 7 in Smithfield indicated Rhode Island's first confirmed population of SLF. This was later confirmed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA). DEM is currently surveying the area to determine the extent of its spread and working with USDA and the University of Rhode Island to minimize its spread. To date, SLF is established in Providence and Kent County.

If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly

SLF is established in Providence and Kent County. If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly in Bristol County, Newport County, and Washington County take a photo and report it to DEM's Pest Alert Form. 

Note: Reports received will be reviewed by our staff for use in survey activities, but we may not respond to all submissions due to the large volume of reports received.

 

Report Sighting in Bristol County, Newport County, or Washington County

Want to help?

stop. scrape. squash. with bug images
  • Be Aware: Learn how to identify spotted lanternfly
  • Check For Signs: Inspect your firewood, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and camping gear for egg masses, nymphs, and adults
  • Inspect Items Being Moved: If you visit states with spotted lanternfly, check all your gear and equipment before leaving and scrape off any egg masses
join the battle. beat the bug

Downloadable Materials For Businesses

Although SLF can fly distances on its own, these pests are excellent hitch hikers and mainly spread through human movement. Their inconspicuous egg masses can be laid on pallets, vehicles and other goods, so it is important to inspect shipping materials and adhere to travel restrictions when moving through areas that are under quarantine for SLF. The following tips can help stop the spread of SLF:

  • Inspect firewood, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and camping gear for egg masses, nymphs, and adults.
  • Check all your gear and equipment before traveling to and from Rhode Island, and scrape off any egg masses.

Here’s how businesses can help. Visit the USDA's website for free outreach materials (scroll to the bottow (scroll to the bottom of the page) to alert your team about the spotted lanternfly and how they can help stop it.