Stats

Lifespan: Annual
Size: Medium
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate forest
Range: East Asia
Movement: Hopping
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Warning Colors
Status: Common

About

A striking invasive planthopper native to China, the spotted lanternfly conceals vivid scarlet hindwings beneath dull, black-spotted gray forewings — flashing red when disturbed to startle predators. It feeds on over 70 plant species by piercing stems and secreting sticky honeydew that fosters sooty mold, and can kill grapevines and fruit trees within a few seasons.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Fulgoridae
Genus: Lycorma
Species: Lycorma delicatula