The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a striking, invasive planthopper species first detected in the United States in 2014. Easily recognizable by its vibrant red, black, and white markings, the insect has spread quickly across affected regions. As new insects arrive, people naturally wonder about the potential hazards they might present to homes, landscapes, and personal well-being. This rapid spread and public unfamiliarity have fueled many misconceptions about how this insect interacts with people.
The Truth About Lanternfly Interactions
The most direct answer regarding human safety is that Spotted Lanternflies do not bite, sting, or carry pathogens harmful to people or pets. They lack the biological mechanisms necessary to inflict injury on a mammal, posing no direct physical threat. If a person feels a slight prick or probing sensation, it is likely an accidental action. Their mouthparts are not designed to pierce mammalian skin, and there is no evidence suggesting the Spotted Lanternfly is toxic or venomous.
How Lanternflies Actually Feed
Spotted Lanternflies are planthoppers belonging to the insect Order Hemiptera, which includes cicadas and aphids. Like other members of this group, they possess a specialized piercing-sucking proboscis. This rigid, straw-like structure is designed exclusively for penetrating plant tissue to access internal fluids.
The proboscis allows the insect to bore into the bark, stems, or leaves of plants to reach the phloem, which carries sugary sap. Their feeding is passive, relying on the plant’s vascular pressure to push the sap into their mouthparts. This mechanism makes them entirely incapable of breaking the surface of human skin. They feed on a wide variety of plants, preferring the invasive Tree of Heaven, as well as species like grapevines and maples.
Understanding the Nuisance, Not the Threat
Since the Spotted Lanternfly poses no direct threat, public alarm stems from the significant environmental and property nuisance it creates. The insect consumes large volumes of plant sap, resulting in the excretion of liquid waste called honeydew. This sticky, sugary honeydew falls onto surfaces, coating decks, cars, and plants. The residue acts as a growth medium for sooty mold, a black fungus that is unsightly and can inhibit photosynthesis. The sheer numbers of the insects also contribute to distress, as they congregate in large swarms on trees and structures, disrupting outdoor activities.