Think that pretty bug on your tree is harmless? Think again. If you ever spot a lanternfly in your yard—don’t take a photo. Take action. These invaders aren’t just annoying, they’re a fast-spreading, plant-destroying threat that could ruin your backyard before you finish your coffee.

Lanternflies: The Colorful Pest You Absolutely Need to Kill

I didn’t expect to kill anything that day. It was just a normal hot morning. I went out to water my maple tree, and there it was—resting on the bark like it owned the place. I didn’t know what it was at first. Gray wings, spotted, with a sudden flash of red underneath. Beautiful… until I Googled it.

That “cute” bug? A lanternfly. And what I learned? Burn it. Immediately.

What Is a Lanternfly and Why Is It a Huge Problem?

Don’t let the name fool you. Lanternflies don’t glow. What they do is suck the life out of trees and plants—literally. Native to China, they landed in Pennsylvania in 2014, and they’ve been wreaking havoc ever since. Now they’re spreading across the U.S., damaging fruit trees, vines, and even home gardens.

Source: Pexels

How Lanternflies Destroy Plants

Lanternflies feed by piercing plant stems and sucking sap through a straw-like mouth. While doing this, they release a sticky secretion called honeydew (not the good kind). That goo promotes black mold, suffocating leaves and stunting growth. Your backyard will go from lush to “what happened here?” in no time.

How to Identify a Lanternfly

Here’s what to look for:

Adults: About 1 inch long, gray with black dots, red underwings.

Nymphs: Start as black with white spots, turn red and black later.

Egg Masses: Gray mud-like smears on bark, furniture, fences—anywhere.

Source: Flickr

Why They’re So Creepy

Lanternflies don’t flutter around gracefully. They stick to trees like parasites, draining life in silence. Watching one feed is like watching a living gas pump. It won’t move, flinch, or fly off—just keeps sucking. You’ll want to squash it, and honestly? You should.

Where Are They Now?

Originally from Asia, these pests have now invaded most of the East Coast and are creeping westward. They thrive in warm weather and lay eggs everywhere—from bark to patio furniture. They’re not picky. That’s what makes them dangerous.

Source: Flickr

What to Do If You See One

Kill it. No guilt, no hesitation. Use a shoe, a swatter, or even your gardening trowel. Do not let it escape. They’re fast but crushable. This isn’t a “catch and release” moment—it’s pest control.

Dealing with Lanternfly Eggs

Egg masses look like gray crusty patches. Scrape them off carefully, but don’t toss them in the yard. Place them in a sealed bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them. Otherwise, you’re helping them hatch.

Source: Flickr

Quick Tip: Cutworms Are Evil Too

While you’re out there? Keep an eye out for cutworms. They gnaw through seedling stems at soil level. Use foil collars around new plants for protection. It’s annoying, but it helps.

We Didn’t Ask for This. But Here We Are.

I never wanted to be on insect patrol. But here we are. If you care about your trees, your garden, your sanity—take action. Don’t ignore them. Don’t assume someone else will handle it.

Scrape the eggs. Crush the bugs. Tell your neighbors.

We’re all in this together.