Does the spotted lanternfly bite humans?

No. Spotted lanternflies do not bite, sting, or carry diseases that affect humans. They are entirely a plant pest. The primary concern for property owners is plant damage from sap-sucking feeding and honeydew-related sooty mold on outdoor surfaces and plants. They pose no direct health risk to people or pets.

How do I kill spotted lanternfly eggs on Long Island?

Scrape egg masses off surfaces from late October through April using a plastic card or flat scraper. Scrape them into a zip-lock bag with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill the eggs, then seal and dispose in the trash. A single egg mass contains 30 to 50 eggs. Even removing a fraction of egg masses on your property can meaningfully reduce the following year's population.

Is spotted lanternfly established in Nassau County?

Yes. Spotted lanternfly is well-established throughout Nassau County and much of Suffolk County as of 2026. The population spread from initial introduction sites in New Jersey and Rockland County through New York City and onto Long Island. Nassau County has documented populations countywide, and Suffolk County populations are concentrated in the western and central areas.

Will spotted lanternfly kill my trees on Long Island?

Spotted lanternfly rarely kills established, healthy hardwood trees outright, but it can weaken them over multiple seasons of heavy feeding, making them more susceptible to disease. Young trees and grape vines are more vulnerable. Fruit trees can suffer significant crop loss. Ornamental maples and other landscape trees can be stressed but usually survive with proper care and professional treatment when needed.

Spotted Lanternfly on Long Island: 2026 Control Guide

The spotted lanternfly is now well-established across Nassau and Suffolk County. Learn how to identify egg masses and nymphs in spring, which plants are at risk, and what property owners can do to limit damage.

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in New York State in 2020 and has since established populations throughout Long Island, the boroughs, and the Hudson Valley. By spring 2026, it is one of the most visible invasive insects in Nassau and Suffolk County. Understanding when and how it appears, what damage it causes, and what property owners can do is essential for anyone maintaining a landscape on Long Island or in the outer boroughs.

Spotted Lanternfly Identification

Adult spotted lanternflies are approximately one inch long. At rest, the forewings are grayish-tan with black spots and a brick-red tip bordered by black-and-white blocks. When disturbed, they reveal bright red hindwings — the flash pattern responsible for most homeowner sightings. Egg masses are laid in fall and appear as brownish, waxy, putty-like patches on tree bark, stone walls, outdoor furniture, and vehicles. They are frequently mistaken for mud or dried sap.

Nymphs emerge in late April through May. Early instars are black with white spots; fourth-instar nymphs become red with white spots before adults emerge in July. All life stages feed on host plants.

Host Plants and Damage

Spotted lanternflies feed by piercing plant tissue and sucking phloem sap. They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew that coats surfaces below infested plants and promotes sooty mold growth. The primary host on Long Island is tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is common along roadsides, rail corridors, and vacant lots across Nassau and Suffolk County.

However, spotted lanternflies also feed on grapes, apples, peaches, cherries, maples, oaks, walnut, birch, and willow. For Long Island homeowners with fruit trees or ornamental maples near wooded edges, summer feeding pressure can be significant.

Seasonal Activity Calendar for Long Island

November to March: Egg masses on surfaces. This is the best time to scrape and destroy eggs before they hatch.
April to May: Nymphs emerge. Black with white spots initially; check low-growing plants and tree trunks.
June: Later instars and early adults. Red-spotted nymphs are conspicuous on host plants.
July to November: Adult season. Peak feeding, honeydew production, and damage occur. Adults congregate heavily on host plants in fall.
October to November: Mating and egg-laying. Females lay egg masses on any flat surface before dying in the first hard frost.

What Property Owners Can Do

Scrape egg masses: From October through April, scrape any egg masses into a bag with rubbing alcohol to kill them. A single egg mass contains 30 to 50 eggs. This is the highest-impact action a homeowner can take during winter and early spring.
Remove tree of heaven: Eliminating Ailanthus altissima from your property reduces lanternfly pressure significantly. Removal typically requires herbicide treatment at the stump by a licensed applicator.
Protect high-value plants: Circle traps can capture nymphs before they feed. Adhesive bands on tree trunks trap nymphs during spring migration upward.
Professional treatment: Licensed pest management professionals can apply systemic insecticides to high-value ornamental trees and shrubs to protect them from lanternfly feeding during the active season.

Reporting on Long Island

Nassau and Suffolk County residents are encouraged to report new sightings to the NYS DEC. Confirmed populations are widespread across both counties, but reporting helps track expansion and prioritizes state response resources. For professional assessment of spotted lanternfly pressure on your Long Island property, call Control Exterminating at (212) 696-4164.