Spotted Lanternfly inDetroit, MISPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Wayne County confirmed early SLF detection in 2024, placing Detroit — Michigan's largest city with a population of approximately 620,000 — at the forefront of SLF's advance into the Great Lakes corridor. The Detroit River and its Canadian border connection represent a critical international dispersal concern, while the city's dense I-75 and I-94 freight corridors provide vehicle-based introduction pathways from established Ohio and Indiana populations. Urban vacant lots throughout Detroit's legacy of deindustrialization harbor extensive Tree of Heaven colonies that could support rapid SLF establishment. Eastern Market's freight operations and Belle Isle's natural areas on the Detroit River are high-priority early-detection sites.
Where it's showing up
Key Neighborhoods
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots
Midtown Detroit urban canopy
Active zone
Corktown historic district
Active zone
Eastern Market freight corridors
Active zone
Belle Isle Park (Detroit River island)
Active zone
Rivertown waterfront corridor
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Detroit, MI
Tree of Heaven is abundant along Detroit's railroad corridors, urban vacant lots, and riverbank margins — deindustrialization has left extensive disturbed land throughout the city where ToH thrives without competition. Belle Isle's island parkland on the Detroit River and the Rivertown waterfront provide riparian TOH habitat. The I-75 and I-94 interchange corridors bring SLF egg mass transport pressure from Ohio and Indiana populations directly into the city's core.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Detroit, MI
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Detroit, MI maps the invasion front. Report directly to Michigan EGLE / MDARD.
Report Now →Squish on Sight
See a spotted lanternfly? Kill it immediately — it is legal and encouraged in all states. Learn the best kill methods.
Full Fight Guide →Map ToH in Your Block
Tree of Heaven removal cuts off SLF food supply. Add ToH sightings to the community map to guide removal efforts.
View Sighting Map →Statewide resources
Full Michigan State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full Michigan guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Detroit, MI. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Detroit, MI.
One email per week. Your zip code. Your threat level. Your action plan. Know exactly what to do this week in Detroit, MI.