# Spotted Lanternfly (*Lycorma delicatula*) The Spotted Lanternfly is a colorful insect with beautiful spots. It can be found on trees and plants, and it loves to suck the sap from them, which can make the plants unhealthy. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 324 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, forests ![Spotted Lanternfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spotted_lanternfly_in_BBG_%2842972%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spotted_lanternfly_in_BBG_%2842972%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Lanternfly has unique grey forewings covered in small black spots, contrasting sharply with its vibrant red hindwings that feature black and white stripes. Its distinct pattern and bright colours make it easily recognizable from other planthoppers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Fulgoridae - **Genus:** Lycorma ## Interesting facts - Wow! Baby lanternflies are black with white spots and turn bright red later! - Wow! Spotted Lanternflies can ride on cars and trains to travel to new places! - Wow! Their eggs look like a smear of mud or caulk on trees and rocks! - Wow! They squirt a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew that coats plants! ## Special abilities - **Warning Flash:** Spotted Lanternfly can reveal bright red hindwings to startled predators because of its unique wing pattern that helps them deter attacks. - **Sticky Secretion:** Spotted Lanternfly has specialized glands that produce honeydew because of its sap-based diet that helps them excrete excess sugar. - **Super Jumper:** Spotted Lanternfly can leap surprisingly far because of its powerful legs that help them quickly escape danger or find new feeding spots. - **Master Mimicry:** Spotted Lanternfly has forewings that blend with tree bark because of its mottled grey colouration that helps them hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-50 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 150-180 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These insects sip sugary sap from many plants, like trees and grapevines, using a straw-like mouth. - **Age differences:** Nymphs feed on a wider variety of plants, moving to woody hosts as they mature. - **Primary Foods:** Ailanthus altissima, Vitis vinifera, Acer saccharum, Betula pendula - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Tree of Heaven (*Ailanthus altissima*) — Its primary host plant and preferred food source. - **Eats:** Common Grape Vine (*Vitis vinifera*) — Causes significant damage to vineyards and grape crops. - **Parasitizes:** Oriental Wasp (*Anastatus orientalis*) — A tiny wasp that lays its eggs inside lanternfly eggs. - **Depends on:** Sooty Mold (*Fumago vagans*) — This fungus grows on the sticky honeydew excreted by lanternflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Vampiric](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/vampiric): Vampiric organisms are those that obtain nutrients by feeding on the blood or bodily fluids of other animals. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch or pick up insects without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spotted Lanternfly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Spotted Lanternfly's wingspan? 40-50 mm ### How big is Spotted Lanternfly? 20-30 mm ### How long does Spotted Lanternfly live? 150-180 days ### What does Spotted Lanternfly eat? These insects sip sugary sap from many plants, like trees and grapevines, using a straw-like mouth. ### Where is Spotted Lanternfly usually found? Urban areas, forests ### How does Spotted Lanternfly hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Spotted Lanternfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Abbott Farm Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbott-farm-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spotted-lanternfly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) - [Queen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/queen) (*Danaus gilippus*) --- Source: [Spotted Lanternfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly)