Those gray, mud-like smears showing up on tree bark, fences, and outdoor furniture this fall may be spotted lanternfly egg masses. They are easy to overlook until you know what to look for.
Adult lanternflies lay eggs from late September into winter, and each mass can hold 30 to 50 eggs that hatch in spring. The insects feed heavily on tree of heaven, maples, and black walnut, and their sticky honeydew leaves black sooty mold on landscaping below.
Scraping egg masses into a bag of rubbing alcohol is a simple way to cut down next year's numbers. Both Maryland and Virginia ask residents to destroy the masses they find.
Removing tree of heaven, the insect's favorite host, is one of the most effective long term steps a property owner can take, and it clears out an invasive tree that crowds out healthier ones. Our crews can identify tree of heaven, which is often confused with native sumac and black walnut.
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A close, authentic photo of a spotted lanternfly egg mass on bark, or a tree of heaven stand on a local property. Real local photos preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Scrape Lanternfly Eggs This Fall" or "Spot the Egg Masses Before Spring"