For years, people in parts of the United States have been encouraged to “see it, stomp it” when they encounter a spotted lanternfly. The striking insect became a symbol of the fight against invasive species, and killing individual insects was seen as one way ordinary people could help slow its spread.
But scientists now have a more nuanced message.
The spotted lanternfly remains an invasive pest and can cause serious problems, particularly for vineyards and certain agricultural crops. However, researchers increasingly emphasize that squashing individual insects is unlikely to control an established population.
So, what has changed—and what should people actually do when they encounter one?
What Is the Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a planthopper native to parts of Asia. It was first detected in the United States in 2014, in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
The insect has since spread across parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Adult spotted lanternflies are relatively easy to recognize. Their wings have black spots, while the hind wings display striking red and yellow colors when opened.
Although they are not considered dangerous to humans, their feeding behavior can create problems for plants and agriculture.
Why Is It Considered an Invasive Species?
Spotted lanternflies use specialized mouthparts to pierce plants and suck out their nutrient-rich fluids.
They feed on a wide range of plants—more than 70 types have been recorded as hosts in the United States.
One of their preferred hosts is the tree of heaven, itself an invasive species. However, lanternflies can also feed on native trees and economically important plants, including:
Grapevines
Maple trees
Black walnut
Hops
Fruit and ornamental plants
A single insect may not cause much noticeable damage. The problem becomes more significant when large numbers gather on the same plant.
Heavy infestations can weaken plants and reduce agricultural productivity.
The Biggest Concern: Vineyards
One of the industries particularly concerned about the spotted lanternfly is the wine industry.
Grapevines can be vulnerable when large numbers of lanternflies feed on them. Heavy feeding may reduce plant vigor and, in severe circumstances, contribute to reduced grape production or plant death.
There is another problem.
As lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugary substance known as honeydew. This can accumulate on leaves and other surfaces and encourage the growth of sooty mold.
The result can be an additional stress on plants and a significant nuisance for growers.
Research in Pennsylvania has estimated that the potential economic consequences of spotted lanternflies could be substantial, particularly for agriculture and associated industries.
So, Should You Still Squash Them?
This is where the story gets interesting.
Early in the spotted lanternfly invasion, authorities and researchers promoted simple public messaging encouraging people to kill the insects they encountered.
That approach made sense when populations were relatively localized. Raising public awareness also helped people recognize the insect and understand the importance of not transporting it to new areas.
But the situation has changed.
Once an invasive species becomes widespread, killing a handful of individual insects is unlikely to have a meaningful effect on the overall population.
As Cornell University entomologist Brian Eshenaur has explained, researchers have become more cautious about emphasizing a simple “kill every insect” message.
There is also a broader ecological reason for this caution.
Most insects are not pests.
Bees, butterflies, beetles, many flies, wasps and countless other insects perform essential ecological functions, including pollination, decomposition and serving as food for other animals.
A campaign aimed specifically at an invasive species can therefore be useful—but it should not create the impression that insects in general are harmful.
The Real Enemy May Be Their Ability to Travel
One of the spotted lanternfly's greatest advantages isn't simply its ability to reproduce.
It's its ability to hitchhike.
Adult lanternflies can cling to vehicles, trains and other objects. Their egg masses are an even bigger concern.
Females deposit masses containing dozens of eggs on a wide variety of surfaces. These masses can resemble patches of mud or dried material and may be laid on:
Tree bark
Rocks
Outdoor furniture
Vehicles
Shipping containers
Machinery
Other smooth surfaces
When people unknowingly transport these objects, they can potentially help the insect establish itself in a new location.
This means preventing accidental transportation can be more important than simply killing an adult lanternfly after it has already arrived.
Nature Is Fighting Back
There is also some encouraging evidence that spotted lanternflies are becoming part of the local food web.
Researchers have observed several native predators feeding on them.
Laboratory studies have found that insects such as spined soldier bugs and Carolina mantises can prey on spotted lanternflies. In the wild, birds, spiders, ants and other predators have also been observed eating them.
However, this does not mean native predators will automatically solve the invasion.
Scientists are still investigating how effectively natural predators can suppress lanternfly populations under real-world conditions.
Could Dogs Help Find Them?
One particularly unusual approach involves specially trained detection dogs.
Researchers are investigating whether dogs can detect spotted lanternfly egg masses by smell.
This could be especially useful because egg masses are often hidden in places where people might not notice them.
Dogs could potentially help inspectors locate egg masses on vehicles, equipment, trees and other surfaces before the insects are transported to new areas.
It is an example of how invasive-species management is moving beyond simply trying to kill individual insects.
Researchers Are Looking for Better Solutions
Scientists are exploring several approaches to managing spotted lanternflies.
These include:
Improved monitoring and early detection
Biological control and natural predators
More targeted pesticide applications
Detection dogs
Research into the insect's behavior and biology
Strategies to prevent transportation of egg masses
Public education and agricultural management
There is currently no single solution that can simply eliminate the spotted lanternfly from the United States.
Instead, researchers are looking at combinations of methods that can reduce populations and limit further spread.
What Should People Do?
The answer depends on where the insect is found and what local authorities recommend.
If you encounter a suspected spotted lanternfly in an area where it is invasive, identifying it correctly and following the relevant local guidance is more useful than assuming every unfamiliar insect should be killed.
Most importantly, people should be careful about accidentally transporting insects or egg masses on vehicles, outdoor equipment and other objects.
In areas where authorities are actively asking residents to destroy spotted lanternflies, following those instructions can still contribute to local control efforts.
But scientists increasingly recognize that individual insect-squashing alone is not a realistic strategy for eliminating a widespread invasive species.
A Changing Message About an Unusual Insect
The spotted lanternfly is an interesting example of how scientific understanding can evolve.
At first, the message was simple:
See it. Squash it.
Today, the picture is more complicated.
The insect remains a genuine agricultural concern, particularly where large populations affect vulnerable crops such as grapevines. At the same time, researchers are learning that long-term management requires surveillance, preventing transportation, protecting vulnerable crops, studying natural predators and developing better control methods.
So, should you squash a spotted lanternfly?
If local authorities tell you to do so, there is no reason not to.
But don't mistake squashing one insect for solving the invasion.
The bigger battle is stopping the next population from getting established.
🌍 Why This Matters
Invasive species can create ecological and economic problems far beyond the number of individual organisms involved. The spotted lanternfly demonstrates how globalization, transportation and human movement can unintentionally help species cross natural boundaries.
It also offers an important lesson in conservation: effective environmental management is rarely as simple as “good insects versus bad insects.”
Understanding an invasive species—and the ecosystem around it—is often the first step toward managing it responsibly.
Sources & Further Reading
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), Spotted Lanternfly information
Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program – Spotted Lanternfly resources
Pennsylvania State University – Research on the economic impacts and natural predators of spotted lanternflies
New York State Integrated Pest Management – Spotted Lanternfly detection and management research
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