invasive insect

Help Maintain the Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly in Connecticut

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The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is continuing its move through Connecticut. It has been found in Orange and Milford, Connecticut. It is important that everyone help spread the word about this invasive pest. Many farms in Connecticut have visitors that travel from areas where SLF populations are established in Connecticut and outside Connecticut.

map of spotted lanternfly locations in Connecticut

What can you do if you see an SLF?

All Residents:

1. Photograph it
2. Kill it
3. Report it
4. See management strategies on the the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station website.

Agricultural Producers:

There are 2 posters from USDA APHIS you can download and post at your farm stands, farm markets and pick–your–own locations to alert the general public. If they understand this pest has the potential to have a negative impact on their favorite farm – your place – they may be more inclined to take an active role in slowing down the movement of SLF. And for every adult female they destroy, there will be roughly 90 less SLF the next year.

Watch out for Spotted Lanternflies

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spotted lanternfly on a piece of wood
Photo: An adult spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) by Walthery via Creative Commons.
Watch out for Spotted Lanternflies in your yard! Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive and destructive insect that has been found in Connecticut over the past three years. It was reported in West Haven and Greenwich. The insect has the potential to severely impact Connecticut’s farm crops, particularly apples, grapes, and hops, as well as a number of tree species such as maple. In Connecticut, approximately 47% of the forest trees are considered as potentially susceptible to Spotted Lanternflies.

Common Q&As:

Q: What should I do if I find one in my yard?
A: First, do not attempt to move any wood or other potentially infested material from the site. Instead, you should follow the instructions on the SLF sample submission form and send a dead specimen sample to The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station or take pictures and send it to ReportSLF@ct.gov. For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Forest-Protection/Spotted-Lanternfly#What1
 
Q: Do spotted lanternflies impact human health?
A: According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, it is no threat to humans or animals, only plants.
 
Q: How do spotted lanternflies destroy my trees?
A: Both nymphs and adults of the SLF feed by sucking sap from the stems and leaves of host plants, this can weaken and damage the plant.
 
Content Reviewed by Mary Concklin, UConn Extension Educator; and curated by Ben Xu, UConn.