- Spotted lanternfly populations are prevalent in Maryland counties, including Frederick, Carroll, and Montgomery, typically targeting tree-of-heaven, grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwood trees.
- While spotted lanternflies usually don’t kill trees, their sap feeding produces honeydew that can lead to black sooty mold and attract secondary pests.
- Recognizing lanternflies at every life stage and knowing how to manage them and when to call a tree care company helps homeowners protect their landscapes.
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper native to Asia, recognizable for its black-spotted red and brown wings. The pest is found in 19 states, including Maryland, particularly Frederick County, and other heavily infested counties. While they rarely kill trees, spotted lanternflies feed on tree sap and produce honeydew that can attract secondary pests and lead to black sooty mold.
Homeowners familiar with these planthoppers may be wondering: Which trees do they target? And what should you do if you see them in your landscape? Here, we’ll unpack the answers to these questions and provide homeowners with a comprehensive guide to spotted lanternfly damage and management in Frederick County.
How Spotted Lanternflies Infested Maryland Communities
Detected in a stone shipment to Pennsylvania in 2014, spotted lanternflies first came to Cecil County, Maryland, in 2018, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). Today, there are populations in 20 of 23 countries, including Frederick, Carroll, and Montgomery—central counties that are recognized as heavily infested. Residents of Maryland are urged to report observations of spotted lanternflies to the MDA to assist with statewide tracking.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) described the spotted lanternfly as a “hitchhiking” pest. It can lay eggs on firewood, outdoor furniture, and other hard surfaces. In addition to pests hopping between surfaces, moving infested materials across county or state lines also accelerates the spread of populations. If you’re traveling from or through a heavily infested county, inspect your car, camping equipment, and any outdoor items before crossing county or state lines.
Spotted Lanternfly Damage: Which Trees Are at Risk?
Like aphids and scale insects, spotted lanternflies have piercing mouthparts used to suck sap from trees and plants. While they rarely kill their host, lanternflies can weaken plants over time, and the honeydew produced during feeding can attract additional pests that cause further damage. Honeydew can also lead to black sooty mold growth, which can cause further tree decline.
Spotted lanterflies favor several tree and plant species, but their primary target is the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), an invasive tree from China that is destructive by itself, growing in disturbed soils and spreading quickly. A team of researchers from the Agricultural Research Service noted that reducing the tree-of-heaven population would, in turn, help to control the spotted lanternfly population.
In addition to the tree-of-heaven, spotted lanternflies have about 70 secondary hosts, according to the MDA. Other common trees the pest feeds on include:
- Grape vines (this is the one plant spotted lanterflies have killed)
- Peach, apple, and other fruit trees
- Walnut, maple, oak, and pine trees
How to Identify Spotted Lanternflies: Life Stages and Signs of Infestation
While many people can identify adult lanternflies by their dotted wing patterns, their nymph stages and egg masses are less recognizable. Let’s take a look at this pest’s entire cycle and what an infestation looks like on a host tree
The Life Cycle of Spotted Lanternflies
- Egg masses (Sept–June): Adults lay eggs between September and November. The egg masses are white, putty-like, and about 1 inch long. These masses overwinter and hatch in the spring.
- Early nymphs (May–June): The first, second, and third instar nymphs are about a quarter inch long and resemble ticks, with black bodies and white spots.
- Late nymphs (July–Sept): During the fourth instar, the insect develops a red coloration while retaining its white spots. It grows up to three-quarters long before it begins molting.
- Adults (July–Dec): Only adult lanternflies have wings: tan forewings with black spots, and red hindwings that are visible in flight. To fly, they may jump and glide until they reach the next surface.
Signs of Infestation on Your Trees
While a single lanternfly can travel on its own, you may spy group feedings on your Maryland trees, in which swarms of adults cover part of the tree’s bark. Keep an eye out for other signs of infestations:
- “Weeping” sap or oozing wounds on the trunk or branches
- Sticky honeydew coating leaves, branches, or the ground beneath the tree
- Black sooty mold on leaves or surfaces below
- Visible clusters of adults or egg masses
What Frederick County Homeowners Should Do About Spotted Lanternflies
If you live in Frederick County or another heavily infested Maryland region, keep in mind that spotted lanternflies do not bite or sting people, and most likely, your trees will not die from lanternfly feeding alone. That said, managing populations protects your landscape’s trees from any level of harm. Here’s what homeowners can do immediately, and when to call a tree care company for professional treatments.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Report lanternfly sightings to the MDA, with photo evidence of your observation.
- Remove adults and nymphs from your trees by crushing them (always wear gloves), stomping them out with your shoes, or smashing them with a fly swatter or racket.
- If you spot egg masses, scrape them off tree bark or other outdoor surfaces and crush them or kill them with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
- If you have tree-of-heaven on your property, have the tree removed by an ISA-Certified Arborist, who will remove its root system and ensure it does not spread.
- Check common outdoor locations, such as cars and travel gear. If you discover lanternflies, take the above actions.
Homeowners should not apply insecticides or other chemicals, as there is no solution that exclusively targets spotted lanternflies. Spraying insecticides around your trees and lawn is an environmental hazard that risks harming animals and beneficial insects; homemade solutions tend to have the same effect. For large infestations, contact your local tree care company for assistance with management.
When to Call a Certified Arborist in Frederick County
Because Frederick County is a hotspot for spotted lanternflies, it’s best to contact an ISA-Certified Arborist for pest management, especially in the following scenarios:
- You have identified an active infestation on one or multiple trees.
- Your trees are showing stress symptoms, such as oozing sap, sooty mold from honeydew, or leaf drop.
- You have high-value trees, fruit trees, or a mature hardwood canopy you want to protect.
- You’re unsure whether a tree has been weakened beyond recovery.
Keep Spotted Lanternflies Away From Your Landscape With Baker Tree Services
At Baker Tree Services, our expert team understands the specific tree species, soil conditions, and pest pressures across Maryland regions. We offer professional spotted lanternfly treatment programs, tree and plant health care, and ongoing monitoring plans to keep your trees healthy and protected year-round.
As a locally-operated, family-built company, we’re proud to offer expertise from ISA-Certified Arborists, who have received professional training and the highest credential in the industry from the International Society of Arboriculture. Every member of our team is fully licensed, bonded, insured, and ready to support you and your landscape.
For spotted lanternfly management and prevention, call our Thurmont office at 240-288-7223 or schedule an evaluation online today.
FAQs
What Maryland-specific regulations should Frederick County residents know about spotted lanternfly?
The state of Maryland designated Frederick County as a heavily infested zone. Residents must abide by any quarantine guidelines that restrict the movement of items that could harbor egg masses or live insects. The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages residents to report sightings and may issue updated guidance on approved treatment methods. Staying current with advisories helps homeowners contribute to statewide control efforts while keeping their landscapes healthy.
How do spotted lanternflies interact with other common Maryland tree pests?
Spotted lanternflies excrete honeydew, creating a moist, sugary environment that attracts other pests, such as ants and fungal pathogens already present in Maryland’s tree ecosystem. Trees already weakened by emerald ash borer, scale insects, or drought stress are especially vulnerable to compounding damage from lanternfly feeding. This layered pest pressure makes it especially important for Frederick County homeowners to have a holistic tree health evaluation rather than treating pests individually.
When is the best time of year for Frederick County homeowners to schedule a spotted lanternfly inspection?
Early spring, before eggs hatch in May, is the optimal window for a proactive lanternfly inspection, as arborists can identify and remove overwintering egg masses before populations establish. A second inspection in late June or early July helps catch early-instar nymphs before they mature into the more mobile adult stage.
Can spotted lanternflies kill trees?
Spotted lanternflies rarely kill trees, but they can cause long-term decline. Trees that are already under stress from disease, drought, or other pest pressures tend to see more severe declines in tree health. The one exception is grapevines, which spotted lanternflies are known to kill directly, posing a significant risk to local vineyards and backyard gardeners. An ISA-Certified Arborist can assess tree health and implement a management plan before repeated feeding seasons cause irreversible damage.