Overview

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a sap-feeding insect native to Asia that feeds on more than 65 plant species and is projected to become a serious pest of specialty crops including grapes, tree fruit, ornamentals, and hardwoods. The goals for this project are to develop efficacious tactics for managing the invasive SLF, on vulnerable specialty crops to reduce the risk of widespread, catastrophic damage and to develop strategies for long-term SLF management.

Updates

February 12, 2024
Spotted Lanternfly Summit 2024

The SLF Summit was held Feb. 27–29, 2024. Recordings are now available.

January 16, 2024
Spotted Lanternfly Map

Spotted lanternfly reported distribution in the United States. Updated January 16, 2024.

October 23, 2023
Scientific Publications

A list of journal articles published by our team of scientists and extension specialists. Updated October 23, 2023.

February 13, 2023
Spotted Lanternfly Summit 2023

Recordings of the 2023 Spotted Lanternfly Virtual Summit (held March 1 & 2, 2023) are now available.

March 21, 2022
SLF 101 & Spotted Lanternfly Summit 2022

Recordings of SLF 101, held on Feb. 17, and the three-day Spotted Lanternfly Summit, held March 1–3, 2022, are now available.

May 11, 2021
Meeting Reports and Presentations

Learn about upcoming meetings, and view recordings and notes from past meetings, including the Spotted Lanternfly Summit.

March 1, 2021
2021 Spotted Lanternfly Summit Agenda

Download the agenda for the 2021 Spotted Lanternfly Summit, held March 1–3, 2021.

October 27, 2020
Spotted Lanternfly Found in Jefferson County, Ohio

A population of the invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in Mingo Junction, just south of Steubenville, along the Ohio River. Source: Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 27, 2020.

October 15, 2020
Lanternfly Study Yields Insight into Insecticide, Biopesticide Effectiveness

Preliminary findings of a Penn State-led study on spotted lanternfly management indicate that foliar application of an insecticide could be effective in reducing satellite populations of the pest.

June 12, 2020
Biological Control at Blue Marsh Lake

Beginning in late May, a remote section of Blue Marsh Lake property in Berks County, Pennsylvania, will be the site of a research project focusing on biological control of the spotted lanternfly. Learn more about the research and read the FAQs about the project on the Penn State Extension website.

May 15, 2020
Spotted Lanternfly Virtual Symposium (May 15, 2020)

Featuring the latest research on this invasive insect, sponsored by the SCRI spotted lanternfly group. Watch the recording and download the agenda (PDF).

Funding

USDA: United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Collaborators

Penn State

USDA ARS

USDA APHIS

Cornell University

Northeastern IPM Center

Rutgers

Virginia Tech

University of Delaware

Temple University

The University of Rhode Island