An invasive pest is slowly expanding throughout the country — and Florida may soon be in its crosshairs.
More specifically, that pest — the spotted lanternfly — is a type of “planthopper” that’s native to China but found its way into Pennsylvania starting in 2014, according to the UF/IFAS.
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From there, it began to spread into surrounding states. So far in 2025, researchers with Cornell IPM say that the bug has been reported in 21 states, now including Georgia.
True to their moniker, adult lanternflies may appear colorful, with red hind wings that are dotted with black spots.
However, the problem is that these lanternflies feed by piercing plants via leaves, stems and trunks to suck up sap. Not only does this weaken the plant, but the lanternflies also excrete honeydew while eating, which can result in sooty mold growth.
As a result of these behaviors, spotted lanternflies have decimated agricultural crops across the northeastern U.S., including apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnuts and more, according to New York state officials.
So far, these lanternflies haven’t been reported out of Florida, but given their slow creep into the south, it may not be long before these bugs are spotted in the Sunshine State.
Furthermore, Florida state officials point to the tree of heaven as a preferred host plant, which has been documented in the state as far south as Hillsborough County. The plant is relatively scarce compared to northern states, but it’s still an incentive for these critters to travel further south.
“The presence of other potential host plants, such as chinaberry and Virginia creeper, puts Florida at some risk for establishment of this pest,” state officials wrote in a 2020 Pest Alert.
It’s important to keep an eye out for spotted lanternflies, though UF/IFAS researchers explain that the bug can be found in a variety of life stages:
- Egg Casings — These are covered by a gray, waxy secretion and often found on smooth surfaces like buildings or the bark of certain trees.
- Nymphs — During much of this growth stage, the spotted lanternfly appears mostly black with white spots. But in its fourth and final stage, it develops red markings on its body
- Adults — They have light-brown forewings dotted with black spots, giving them a coloration that helps them to blend in with branches and bark when their wings aren’t out.
Officials warn that these insects and their egg masses may be found on goods and plant materials imported into Florida from infested states.
Anyone within the state who happens to stumble across one of these pests is urged to report it to the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Alternatively, the USDA suggests reaching out to the Florida Division of Plant Industry by clicking here.