Now that it’s fall, adult Spotted Lanternflies are mating and laying eggs. Identifying, finding, and disposing the eggs are an important step in helping to reduce the number of the invasive. The following video put together by staff at our park, Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers, explains what they look like and what to do when you see Spotted Lanternfly eggs.
You may also go to YouTube to watch the video.
The Spotted Lanternfly is a sap-sucking invasive species from Asia that can cause significant damage to parks and wooded areas. As nymphs, they are wingless with black and red spots. As adults, they can be mistaken for a colorful red, black, and grey moth, but do not have antennae.
The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation acquired a fleet of high-powered commercial vacuums to suck up large congregations of Spotted Lanternflies found in our parks. The County also has a fleet dedicated to lend out to local municipalities to use.
If you see a Spotted Lanternfly, kill it. Ways for homeowners to kill them include using power washers and vacuum cleaners as stomping them doesn’t always work since they are quick.
In winter and spring, their egg masses should be scraped off of trees, rocks and other hard surfaces. The egg masses resemble clay or putty. Please report any sighting on our iNaturalist Spotted Lanternfly presence.
Helpful links:
Invasive Spotted Lanternfly palm card
Take Steps to Reduce Spotted Lanternflies Press Release.
Local Municipalities loaned Vacuums to Reduce Spotted Lanternflies Press Release.
Conservation Supervisor, Taro Ietaka, talks about and demonstrates in the video, how the Parks Department uses high-powered vacuums, and what residents can do if found at home.