Juvenile later fly guidance - Ask Extension
We noticed several small black insects on several of my outdoor plants. We think they are Japanese lantern flies. We are looking for a safe way to...
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Juvenile later fly guidance #900540
Asked May 07, 2025, 7:39 PM EDT
We noticed several small black insects on several of my outdoor plants. We think they are Japanese lantern flies. We are looking for a safe way to get rid of them and not kill our plants. It's only May and the beginning of the growing seasons. Any suggestions? I've attached a photo.
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
Yes, those are young Spotted Lanternflies, which are just hatching in our area.
They will be with us at relatively high pest levels for a while but are not of great concern for our gardens. To date, they are not killing anything other than very young black walnut trees and grape vines. (Commercial growers are doing fine managing them.)
We do not recommend chemical pesticide treatments for SLF, as they are constantly on the move, and any pesticides will negatively impact non-target organisms including beneficial insects.
Like the brown marmorated stinkbug that was a newly arrived invasive insect of the early 2000's, SLF is expected to be a nuisance for a while but in areas other areas where they first arrived, they are no longer found in large numbers as birds etc. have found them tasty.
Here is our page on SLF with more info:
They will be with us at relatively high pest levels for a while but are not of great concern for our gardens. To date, they are not killing anything other than very young black walnut trees and grape vines. (Commercial growers are doing fine managing them.)
We do not recommend chemical pesticide treatments for SLF, as they are constantly on the move, and any pesticides will negatively impact non-target organisms including beneficial insects.
Like the brown marmorated stinkbug that was a newly arrived invasive insect of the early 2000's, SLF is expected to be a nuisance for a while but in areas other areas where they first arrived, they are no longer found in large numbers as birds etc. have found them tasty.
Here is our page on SLF with more info:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
Beware of newly RE-branded pesticides (last year it was a bright yellow sprayer-type product labeled conspicuously for SLF) which actually contains a long-lasting poison which kills any insect that lands on it.... for weeks. Not environmentally friendly.
Christine
