Is This aSpotted
Lanternfly?
Use this visual step-by-step checklist to confirm what you've found. Covers all four life stages — egg masses, early nymphs, late nymphs, and adults — plus the most common look-alikes that get misreported.
Quick Visual Check
Answer 5 yes/no questions to get a confident ID. Takes about 30 seconds.
Is it an insect (6 legs)?
SLF has 6 legs and 2 antennae
All 4 Life Stages
SLF looks completely different at each stage. Know them all — each requires a different response.
Egg Masses
Oct–May
- —Muddy gray putty-like mass, 1–1.5 inches long
- —Found on any smooth surface: tree bark, rocks, cars, outdoor furniture, concrete
- —Looks like dried mud or cracked clay
- —Contains 30–50 eggs in neat rows covered with waxy coating
- —Fresh = shiny gray, Old = dull brown and cracked
Early Nymphs
May–Jun (1st–3rd instar)
- —Tiny (3–6mm), jet black with white dots
- —Like a small black ladybug but elongated
- —Found in clusters on new plant growth
- —VERY easy to miss — look carefully at stem bases
Late Nymphs
Jul (4th instar)
- —Red body with white dots and black markings
- —10–12mm long
- —More mobile, found on trunks and stems
- —Cannot fly yet — easiest to catch at this stage
Adults
Jul–Dec
- —Gray outer wings with black spots
- —Red hindwings (visible when flying or startled)
- —~25mm long
- —Excellent jumpers — will leap away when disturbed
- —Aggregate in large groups on Tree of Heaven at dusk
What It's NOT
These species get misidentified as SLF regularly. If you're not sure, report it anyway — our team reviews all photos.
Spotted cucumber beetle
Much smaller, bright yellow-green body, garden pest. Completely different color and size.
Brown marmorated stink bug
Pentagon-shaped body, no spots, no red. Uniform mottled brown with banded antennae.
Planthopper species
Small, brown, similar body shape but tiny (5–10mm). No distinct spotted wing pattern.
Praying mantis egg case
Similar putty look but oval and papery, not a flat patch. Mounted on thin stems, not bark. DO NOT destroy.
When in doubt, report it. Our team reviews photos submitted through the sighting map. False positives are far better than missed reports.
Weekly Fight Briefing
Know when SLF reaches your area. Season alerts, action reminders, and weekly updates.