{"id":19396,"date":"2026-05-20T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=19396"},"modified":"2026-06-19T13:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T17:37:18","slug":"spotted-lanternfly-feeds-on-over-70-plus-plant-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/spotted-lanternfly-feeds-on-over-70-plus-plant-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotted Lanternfly Feeds on Over 70 Plus Plant Species"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/spotted-lanternfly.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"spotted-lanternfly\" data-rl_caption=\"spotted-lanternfly\" title=\"spotted-lanternfly\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-19400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/spotted-lanternfly-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"Spotted lanternfly on tree limb.\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a major pest of concern across most of the United States. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper native to China that was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF feeds on over 70+ plant species including fruit, ornamental and woody trees with tree-of-heaven as its preferred host. Spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiker and can easily be moved long distances through human assisted movement.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Know the Primary Host: Tree -of-Heaven<br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/reportinvasive\/species\/tree-of-heaven\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tree of heaven<\/a> (TOH) is the preferred host for the spotted lanternfly (SLF).\u00a0 The ability to identify TOH will be critical to monitoring the spread of this invasive pest as the 4th-stage nymphs and adult spotted lantern-flies show a strong preference for TOH.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Report a Sighting<br \/>\n<\/strong>If you suspect you\u2019ve seen a spotted lanternfly, please take the following steps:<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a picture and note your location.<\/li>\n<li>If you can, collect a sample of the insect by catching it and placing it in a freezer. You can use any container available as long as it has a tight seal (like a water bottle) so that the spotted lanternfly can\u2019t escape.<\/li>\n<li>Report your sighting through one of the following channels:<br \/>\nEmail: <a href=\"mailto:DEPP@dnr.in.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DEPP@dnr.in.gov<\/a><br \/>\nOnline: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eddmaps.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eddmaps.org<\/a>\u00a0or <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/reportinvasive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ReportINvasive<\/a><br \/>\nPhone: 1-866-663-9684<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tree-of-heaven-invasive.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"tree-of-heaven-invasive\" data-rl_caption=\"tree-of-heaven-invasive\" title=\"tree-of-heaven-invasive\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-19405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tree-of-heaven-invasive-200x194.jpg\" alt=\"Tree-of-heaven, invasive plant.\" width=\"200\" height=\"194\" \/><\/a>Help Stop the Spread<br \/>\n<\/strong>Everyone can play a role in slowing the spread of spotted lanternfly:<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inspect vehicles, trailers and outdoor equipment for spotted lanternfly eggs, nymphs, and adults before driving or moving to a new location.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid moving firewood, as it can transport SLF and other invasive pests.<\/li>\n<li>Stay informed by subscribing to trusted resources like the up to date with the latest newsletters: <a href=\"https:\/\/purduelandscapereport.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Purdue Landscape Report<\/a> and Indiana Department of Natural Resources &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/entomology\/entomology-weekly-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Entomology &amp; Plant Pathology Weekly Review E-newsletter<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Follow updates and management tips on social media by connecting with <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/reportinvasive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ReportINvasive<\/a> on Facebook (@reportINvasive) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Department of Natural Resources<\/a>, which shared information acrossa Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@INdnrinvasive).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Spread Awareness<\/strong><br \/>\nShare your spotted lanternfly knowledge with others! Share about SLF with neighbors, colleagues and your communit to help protect Indiana&#8217;s natural and agricultural resources.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/entomology\/pests-of-concern\/spotted-lanternfly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spotted Lanternfly<\/a>, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Entomology<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/purduelandscapereport.org\/article\/prepare-to-manage-spotted-lanternfly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prepare to Manage Spotted Lanternfly<\/a>, Purdue Landscape Report<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/purduelandscapereport.org\/article\/spotted-lanternfly-is-on-the-move\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spotted Lanternfly is on the Move!<\/a>, Purdue Landscape Report<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/purduelandscapereport.org\/article\/spotted-lanternfly-egg-hatch-is-here\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hatch is Here<\/a>, Purdue Landscape Report<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purduelandscapereport.org\/article\/spotted-lanternfly-found-in-indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spotted Lanternfly Found in Indiana<\/a>, Purdue Landscape Report<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/item.asp?Item_Number=FNR-535-W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Invasive plants: impact on environment and people<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension&#8217;s resource center<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/EMnTn1U6SSg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Woodland Management Moment: Invasive Species Control Process<\/a>, Video, Purdue Extension &#8211; Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLgoGnq-fak7VPjD7DpNPWCoNrhCdBFUIt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Invasive Species<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension &#8211; FNR YouTube Channel<br \/>\n<a title=\"Permanent Link to What are invasive species and why should I care?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/invasive-species\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What are invasive species and why should I care?<\/a>, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension &#8211; Forestry and Natural Resources<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/reportinvasive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Report Invasive<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/fnr\/directory.html#\/evans44\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Diana Evans<\/a>, Extension and Web Communication Specialist<br \/>\nPurdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/entm\/extension\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Purdue Extension &#8211; Entomology<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a major pest of concern across most of the United States. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper native to China that was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF feeds on over 70+ plant species including fruit, ornamental and woody trees with tree-of-heaven as its preferred [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,42,80,43,47,53,54],"tags":[147,106,224,1623,257,1622,1624],"class_list":["post-19396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alert","category-forestry","category-trees","category-gardening","category-invasiveinsects","category-urbanforestry","category-wildlife","tag-forestry-and-natural-resources","tag-insect","tag-invasive","tag-planthopper","tag-purdue-extension","tag-spotted-lanterfly","tag-tree-of-heaven","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19396"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41659,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19396\/revisions\/41659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}