Spotted Lanternfly Update #25.01
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) (SLF) is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and fruit and hardwood trees. Its preferred host is tree-of-heaven. When the spotted lanternfly feeds it damages trees and excretes a sticky sugary fluid that causes sooty mold to further damage plants.
First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, 18 states now have some degree of infestation. It has not yet been detected in Washington. Dead SLF specimens have been intercepted in Oregon and California during regulatory inspections. WSDA has responded to several reports in Washington that have all turned out to be negative. Should it make its way here and become established in Washington, spotted lanternfly could threaten many Washington iconic crops and result in costly quarantines and increased pesticide use to manage the pest.
WSDA is working to educate residents to protect Washington from spotted lanternfly’s introduction. WSDA will be sending out periodic updates to keep you informed about the project. We encourage you to become a first detector, stay connected to the project, and educate your friends, family, and colleagues on how to report suspected sightings.
 Meet the entomologist
Since 2020, Joshua Milnes has been working as an entomological pest biologist at the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Milnes is currently coordinating the state spotted lanternfly program while working on agricultural insect pests such as apple maggot, grape, and stone fruit pests. Learn more about Josh, and how he is working to prepare for and prevent the spread of invasive insects, including spotted lanternfly, in this article from Entomology today.
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Preparation status
In 2022, a Washington State Spotted Lanternfly Preparedness Advisory Group (PAG) was formed to discuss current research, best management practices and strategies, state response efforts, and other spotted lanternfly topics. In 2023, the group created a Washington State Spotted Lanternfly Action Plan to outline Washington state’s readiness and response actions to a SLF introduction. In 2024, WSDA worked to educate workshop attendees to become first detectors for spotted lanternfly during presentations, conferences, and trainings. In 2025, WSDA will work to expand efforts to educate audiences to become first detectors and recruit stakeholders.
Learn the skinny on spotted lanternfly and watch this seven-minute video. You’ll hear from field experts - WSDA’s Josh Milnes, WSU’s Doug Walsh, and more - as the film takes place in Washington’s ranches, vineyards, and breweries.
You can help by staying informed and receiving project updates. However, you can always email pest@agr.wa.gov or call 1-800-443-6684 if you have questions. We encourage you to join our Facebook group and tell others to also sign up for email updates using the links below.
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