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Spotted Lanternflies: A Growing Threat to Your Landscape

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious threat to trees, plants, and the health of your landscape. Originally from Asia, this invasive insect has rapidly spread across the eastern United States, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, wreaking havoc on both residential and agricultural environments.

At Rhine Landscaping, we believe homeowners play a vital role in helping to control the spread. In this post, we’ll cover what makes these pests so dangerous, what they target, and the critical importance of removing their favorite host plant—the Tree of Heaven.

Why Lanternflies Are a Problem

Lanternflies feed by piercing the bark of trees and plants to suck out sap. While one or two bugs may not do much damage, lanternflies swarm in large numbers, causing stress and decline in their host plants. As they feed, they excrete a sticky substance called “honeydew,” which attracts mold and promotes fungal growth, further harming your landscape.

What Lanternflies Destroy

Spotted lanternflies attack a wide range of trees and plants. Some of the most vulnerable include:

  • Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) – their primary host
  • Maples
  • Willows
  • Birch trees
  • Fruit trees (especially apples and peaches)
  • Grape vines
  • Hops
  • Roses and ornamental shrubs

Damage includes wilted leaves, dieback of branches, stunted growth, and in severe cases, plant death.

The Tree of Heaven: A Dangerous Ally to Lanternflies

One of the most effective ways to combat lanternflies is by eliminating the Tree of Heaven from your property. This invasive species is their preferred breeding ground, and they rely on it to complete their life cycle.

Why You Should Remove It:

  • It spreads aggressively and quickly overtakes native vegetation.
  • It attracts and supports lanternfly populations.
  • It has weak wood and brittle limbs, making it a liability on your property.

How to Identify It:

  • Smooth, gray bark that resembles cantaloupe skin
  • Long, feather-like leaves with a strong foul odor when crushed
  • Rapid, weedy growth, often found in clusters or along roadsides

To stop the spread, both the tree and its stump must be completely removed. Simply cutting it down may cause it to regrow even more aggressively, so full removal and treatment are essential.

What You Can Do

  • Inspect your trees and plants regularly. Look for the lanternfly’s distinctive black and red spotted wings and their egg masses—grayish, mud-like clumps.
  • Squash any bugs you see. It may feel strange, but physical removal is one of the most effective tactics.
  • Scrape and destroy egg masses. Drop them into a bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.
  • Remove all Tree of Heaven on your property. Hire a professional if needed to ensure full removal and stump treatment.
  • Report sightings to your local agricultural extension office.

Lanternflies are more than an eyesore—they’re a real threat to your trees, your garden, and our local ecosystem. Removing the Tree of Heaven is one of the most important steps you can take to disrupt their life cycle and protect your landscape.

At Rhine Landscaping, we’re here to help!  Let’s work together to stop the spread and keep our communities healthy and beautiful.

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