Are these lantern flies? - Ask Extension
These insects are all over the milkweed in my yard. They’re hard to photograph, because as soon as I get close enough, they either run under the lea...
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Are these lantern flies? #877755
Asked July 18, 2024, 10:12 AM EDT
These insects are all over the milkweed in my yard. They’re hard to photograph, because as soon as I get close enough, they either run under the leaves or fly off. But here are a couple photos that I did get they are various sizes ranging from about an eighth of an inch to a little over half an inch.
If these are lantern flies, what can I do to get rid of them without affecting the milkweed and the other insects?
If it isn’t lantern flies, can you tell me what it is and whether it’s something something I should try to get rid of
Thank you
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
No, none of the insects pictured are Spotted Lanternflies. You can browse images of what the juveniles and adults look like on the page linked above and the Maryland Biodiversity Project web page for this species. Currently, lanternflies are in the fourth instar juvenile stage (the final one before adulthood) and are beginning to mature into winged adults, photos of which you can find on both of the above pages.
The insects in your photos are all native and rely on milkweed just like Monarch butterflies do. Red Milkweed Beetle, pictured next to the ruler, and Large Milkweed Bug are the two in the photos, though there are a few others that can appear throughout the year. University of Wisconsin Extension has a nice article, with photos, about these various insects that might be of interest: Common Milkweed Insects. None need removal, especially since any method, apart from perhaps blasting them off with plain water from a garden hose, may risk harm to any Monarch butterfly caterpillars or eggs on the plant or any butterflies or bees visiting its flowers.
Miri
The insects in your photos are all native and rely on milkweed just like Monarch butterflies do. Red Milkweed Beetle, pictured next to the ruler, and Large Milkweed Bug are the two in the photos, though there are a few others that can appear throughout the year. University of Wisconsin Extension has a nice article, with photos, about these various insects that might be of interest: Common Milkweed Insects. None need removal, especially since any method, apart from perhaps blasting them off with plain water from a garden hose, may risk harm to any Monarch butterfly caterpillars or eggs on the plant or any butterflies or bees visiting its flowers.
Miri
