JUNIOR SQUISH SQUAD
A spotted lanternfly invasion is happening right now. You can help stop it — for real. This isn't pretend. Real scientists count these things.
Section 1
🐛 What Is Spotted Lanternfly?
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF for short) is a bug that hitchhiked from China to the United States on a cargo ship about 10 years ago. It's beautiful — bright red wings with black polka dots! But it's causing big problems for farms that grow grapes and apples.
Scientists need people like you to help count and report them. Every time you spot one, squish it, and report it — that data goes to real researchers who use it to understand how far the invasion has spread.
Section 2
🔍 What Does It Look Like?
SLF looks different depending on what time of year it is. Here's your field guide!
Baby Stage
Spring- Tiny! About the size of a pencil eraser
- Jet black body with bright white polka dots
- Moves FAST and jumps if you get close
- Found on stems and leaves of plants
Growing Stage
Summer- Now it's about the size of a grape
- BRIGHT RED with black and white polka dots
- This is the most dramatic stage! Very easy to spot
- Still jumps when you get close
Adult
Late Summer- About the size of a large moth (1 inch long)
- Resting wings are gray-brown with black spots
- When the wings open: BRIGHT RED underneath!
- Flies more now — sometimes in big groups
Egg Mass
Fall/Winter- Looks like a smear of gray mud or putty
- About the size of a playing card
- Found on tree bark, fences, walls, outdoor furniture
- Each mass has 30-50 eggs hiding inside!
Section 3
🎯 Your Junior Squish Squad Missions
Complete these missions to earn your Junior Squish Squad rank. Each one makes a real difference.
Mission 1: The Spotter
- 1Go outside and look for spotted lanternfly on trees, fences, and walls
- 2Take a photo on a phone or tablet if you have one
- 3If you find one, report it at lanternflywatch.com/map (ask a grown-up to help)
You're officially a Spotter!
Mission 2: The Squisher
- 1Find a spotted lanternfly and stomp on it (or use a fly swatter)
- 2It's not gross — it's helping save farms and forests!
- 3Log how many you squished at lanternflywatch.com/my-kills
You've earned the Squisher patch!
Mission 3: The Egg Hunter
- 1Look for gray putty smears on trees, fences, and outdoor furniture
- 2Each smear is a spotted lanternfly egg mass — find them before they hatch in spring!
- 3With a grown-up: scrape them into a bag with rubbing alcohol
Best time: Fall and winter (when the trees have no leaves)
You're an Egg Hunter — one of the most important jobs!
Mission 4: The Reporter
- 1Tell three other people about spotted lanternfly — a neighbor, a friend, or your teacher
- 2Share the lanternflywatch.com website
- 3Print a flyer and ask to put it up at your school or library (ask a grown-up)
You're a Reporter — spreading awareness!
Section 4
🤯 Fun Facts
Impress your friends and teachers with these wild SLF facts.
ONE egg mass contains 30 to 50 eggs — that's a whole classroom of baby bugs!
Spotted lanternfly came all the way from China by hiding on cargo ships and wooden packing crates!
Some birds in the US have started eating spotted lanternfly — yellow-billed cuckoos love them!
Their favorite food is a tree called Tree of Heaven. It's an invasive plant too! Two invaders teaming up.
Adult spotted lanternflies die in the first frost every year. Only the egg masses survive winter.
Penn State University has scientists who study spotted lanternfly every day — and they use citizen reports just like yours!
Section 5
🔬 Science Project Ideas
Turn your squishing into a real science project for school or a science fair!
"The Spread Map"
Use the sighting map at lanternflywatch.com/map to document SLF in your neighborhood. Map where you found them on paper and track over a week. Are they moving? Are they near certain plants?
"The Egg Mass Count"
During fall/winter, count and record every egg mass you find on your property. Create a chart: How many on trees vs. fences vs. furniture? Take photos over several weeks. Scrape them when you're done counting!
"Before and After ToH Removal"
If a nearby Tree of Heaven is removed, document the SLF populations before and after removal. This mirrors real scientific research!
Section 6
🏫 Share With Your Class
Did you know your school might have spotted lanternfly? 🤔
Ask your teacher to check out the educator resources at lanternflywatch.com/educators. There are real science activities about SLF designed for the classroom — including a “Citizen Scientist for a Day” lesson!
With a grown-up's help, you can also sign up for the free weekly fight briefing newsletter to stay updated on what's happening with spotted lanternfly in your area!