If you’ve spent any time outdoors this season, you may have noticed an unfamiliar insect hopping or fluttering around your trees and plants. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive pest originally from China that has made its way across much of the eastern United States. Like many invasive insects, it has no natural enemies here meaning there are no predators, parasites, or plants capable of keeping its population in check.
These pests cause damage by sucking sap from their host plants and excreting a sticky, sugar-rich substance called honeydew. The honeydew accumulates on leaves, trunks, decks, and patios, often followed by a dark sooty mold that can weaken or even kill plants. It also attracts unwanted visitors such as yellow jackets, flies, and ants, making outdoor spaces unpleasant and interfering with crop harvests.
Although spotted lanternflies can’t fly long distances, they spread easily by laying eggs on nearly any surface such as cars, firewood, outdoor furniture, or even stone. This slow but steady dispersal allows infestations to appear in new areas each year.
The Tree-of-Heaven Connection
The Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a fast-growing, invasive tree introduced from China to Philadelphia in the 1780s, has become the primary host for the spotted lanternfly. In Virginia, it’s listed as a Tier 3 noxious weed, known for its rapid spread and weak wood. Tree-of-Heaven can grow up to 80 feet tall, establishing large colonies along roadsides and disturbed areas through both seed and root growth. Because of its abundance and resilience, it provides the perfect environment for the lanternfly to thrive.
Interestingly, Tree-of-Heaven contains natural insecticidal compounds called quassinoids. The spotted lanternfly has evolved alongside this tree and can actually sequester these compounds in its body using them as a defense mechanism against native predators like birds. However, these compounds do not deter spiders or other arthropod predators.
Researchers have found that spined soldier bugs (a type of stink bug native to the same region of Asia) are among the most effective natural predators of the spotted lanternfly, capable of reducing populations across all life stages. Because of this, scientists are studying ways to harness natural biological controls while also developing a bioherbicide aimed at managing the Tree-of-Heaven population itself.
Milkweed: A Surprising Ally
In the search for sustainable control methods, scientists have turned their attention to milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Long known for its toxic milky sap and its importance as a host plant for monarch butterflies, milkweed may also offer new hope in controlling spotted lanternflies.
Recent research from Pennsylvania State University (April 2025) revealed that milkweed can kill 60–80% of spotted lanternfly nymphs within 24 hours of contact. In controlled studies, mortality was significantly higher on milkweed than on grapevines, the lanternfly’s other preferred host. The plant’s cardiac glycosides and alkaloids act as powerful toxins, slowing the insect down and eventually killing it.
While milkweed isn’t a silver-bullet solution, it can be a valuable part of an integrated pest management strategy. Planting milkweed near trees and vines where lanternflies tend to congregate—especially around maples, walnuts, hops, grapes, and fruit trees—can help deter them while also supporting local pollinators. Beyond the monarch, milkweed flowers provide nectar for butterflies and bees, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem in your yard.
If you’re looking to take action outside the traditional treatment window of June through September, when chemical control is most effective, planting milkweed can be a smart step. Even if it doesn’t completely eliminate the lanternflies, many homeowners are reporting noticeably reduced infestations over time.
Simple, Low-Cost Traps
In addition to planting, another tool that’s proving effective is the “lampshade trap.” This is a simple, low-cost device attached to the lower trunk of a host tree. Female lanternflies readily crawl into the trap to lay eggs on the flexible surface, where they can then be collected and destroyed.
Detailed instructions for building one of these traps, along with photos and a materials list, can be found through Penn State Extension at: https://www.stopslf.org/stopslf/assets/File/LST-Construction-for-SLF-Egg-Masses.pdf
Looking Ahead
Managing the spread of the spotted lanternfly is going to take persistence and creativity. From removing Tree-of-Heaven where possible, to experimenting with milkweed plantings, to using simple traps, each approach adds another layer of protection against this persistent pest.
As ongoing research continues to refine our understanding, one thing remains clear: the best defense is a combination of science, stewardship, and a little patience. With community awareness and thoughtful management, we can help slow the spread and protect our trees, crops, and outdoor spaces from further damage.
Contact Barren Tree Solutions today to learn more about treatment options available during the active treatment window (June through September) and how we can help establish a customized annual treatment plan for your property.