Ho, ho, hold on before putting up your tree, Raleighites. NC Forest Service officials are encouraging the public to keep an eye out for spotted lanternflies — an invasive species in the US — that may be living on Christmas trees.

What is the spotted lantern fly?

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is currently encroaching on NC by means of Christmas trees coming from Virginia. Recently, a small infestation of spotted lanternflies was uncovered in Virginia after they were first detected in the US back in 2014. Since then, they have invaded Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The pests spread through natural dispersal + human activity. They are most likely to spread when their egg masses — 30 to 50 eggs — are moved to a new location.

What problem does the invasive species pose?

Spotted lanternflies are native to Asia, but pose a significant threat to agriculture crops + could cause reduced yields in the US. They also attack + prey on around 70 species of woody plants and have been known to cluster in certain areas like the base of a tree, on landscape plants, and even on doors.

What does the spotted lanternfly look like?

The pest’s life cycle lasts around one year. In December, you are likely to see them in adulthood. In this phase, they are typically an inch long and half an inch wide. They also have light brown wings with black spots + red hindwings.

What should you do if you find one?

If you find a spotted lanternfly, take a picture + send the photo to badbug@ncagr.gov. Then kill it and put it in a Ziplock bag in the freezer so an expert can pick it up.