Invasive pest confirmed in Georgia. ‘Report it and kill it,’ experts warn & here’s why

A new invasive bug has been reported in Georgia and if it sticks around much longer, it could be a “serious threat” to the state.

According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, there has been a confirmed sighting of a Spotted Lanternfly in Fulton County Georgia. The Spotted Lanternfly is an “invasive planthopper,” and while the first sighting was in Pennsylvania in 2014, the species has now spread to 17 states.

So, what does the fly look like and what should you do if you see one? Here’s what to know:

What does the Spotted Lanternfly look like?

According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Spotted Lanternfly is around one inch long and one half inch wide. As far as coloring, the APHIS reported that the bugs “have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear” and “their hind wings are scarlet with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear.”

What states have had Spotted Lanternfly sightings?

The invasive fly was most recently seen in Fulton County, Georgia, in October 2024, but it was first seen in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. Other states that have had sightings include Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and West Virginia.

Why is the invasive Spotted Lanternfly dangerous?

Although the Spotted Lanternfly is not harmful to humans, it “poses a serious risk” to agriculture.

The APHIS said that the spotted lanternfly can lay eggs just about anywhere, such as on fences, trees, bricks, grills, stones, equipment and vehicles. However, it’s what happens once they hatch that gets dangerous to the state’s agriculture. Once they hatch, the lanternfly will be a nymph with a black body and white spots before changing into a black and red moth-like creature with spots.

When they begin feeding on plants, the spotted lanternfly leaves behind a “sticky, oozing residue called honeydew” that attracts other insects, causes mold, ultimately harming the plant. You may be able to tell if a plant has been infected by an “intense, rotten smell,” which indicates that the honeydew has fermented.

The Spotted Lanternfly particularly likes to feed on apple trees and grape vines, which hinders or kills fruit production. The fly also has been known to destroy habitats for bats, birds, reptiles and more, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What should you do if you see a Spotted Lanternfly?

“We urge anyone who sees the Spotted Lanternfly in their area to document it, report it and kill it. Controlling the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly is our best strategy for safeguarding Georgia’s agriculture industry, and we are asking for the public’s help in this effort,” said Georgia Agriculture commissioner Tyler Harper.

Specifically, Georgia Department of Agriculture urges residents to do the following if they see a Spotted Lanternfly:

1. Take a clear picture of the pest.

2. Kill it.

3. Report your sighting using our online reporting tool at https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/.

The APHIS also has the following tips for keeping the pests away:

• Regular Checks: Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on trunks and stems.

• Close Car Windows: Spotted lanternflies and their nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees in a quarantine zone.

• Check Your Vehicle: Before leaving a parking lot or work site, inspect vehicles for eggs or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.

• Winter Prep: When preparing for winter, check your outdoor items for egg masses, including items you may bring indoors.

• Destroy Eggs: Look for egg masses in your trees (in particular, tree-of-heaven), bricks, stones, and other smooth surfaces. If you find eggs, smash them and scrape them into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them. Then, zip the bag shut and dispose of it in the trash.

Have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.

Chelsea Madden

The Telegraph

Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.