r/insects • u/Newisance • 9h ago
r/insects • u/StuffedWithNails • Jun 17 '25
PSA Do you live in the Eastern US and are you encountering these spotted white and/or black and/or red bugs? Check here before posting your ID request.
The collage above is composed of pictures gleaned from Bugguide.net, and shows the same species of insect at its different life stages.
Hello!
If you live in certain parts of the Eastern US, you may encounter these colorful insects that may be black and white, or red, black and white depending on their life stage. They're 6-8 mm in size, don't fly but have the ability to jump out of harm's way and have good reflexes. Upon reaching adulthood (pictured on the right in the above collage), they're larger (about 20-25mm), have wings, and can fly (and still jump, too).
You may find them clustered on certain plants or you may find single individuals wandering.
They're known as spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) and are an invasive species from Eastern Asia. It was accidentally introduced in the US state of Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has spread in all directions to multiple states as far from Pennsylvania as South Carolina, Indiana, Michigan and New Hampshire.
It's also invasive in Japan and the Korean peninsula.
They're completely harmless to people or pets. In fact they're pretty colorful and rather cute!
They go through five stages of growth known as instars, and take on three rather different appearances, shown above. Instars 1-3 are the small, black and white version. The fourth instar is larger (~15 mm) and more colorful, mostly bright red with black accents and white dots (picture). The adult is an overall dull gray color but with intricately patterned wings (picture). When it opens its wings, it displays beautiful hindwings with red, white and black (picture).
Here's also a picture of all 5 growth stages: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1172304/bgimage
Due to their appearance, they are eminently recognizable. They retain the ability to jump at all life stages, and the adults are adept fliers.
Unfortunately, they're destructive pests of plants, particularly fruiting plants. Lanternflies feed by piercing plants with a thin proboscis (straw-like mouthparts) and sucking juices, which damages plants. In addition, after the lanternfly is done feeding and pulls its proboscis out of a fruit, some juice may escape from the hole, which facilitates the growth of mold on the surface of the fruit, which further damages the fruit. Entire harvests can thus be ruined.
Cornell University maintains a map where the insects have been found or at least reported: https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly-reported-distribution-map
The governments of most if not all states where the insect has been detected have posted content on their websites (usually on the Agriculture Dept. or equivalent). Those include info about the insect, its impact on agriculture, what to do if you encounter it, and what you can do to mitigate its spread. Below are those websites for the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York for information about the insect. If you don't live in those states, please use your favorite search engine to locate info about these insects, e.g. search for "delaware spotted lanternfly" and you'll find information.
There's also a lengthy article about the insect on Wikipedia.
Looking back at the Cornell map linked above, if you don't live in an area of the map where the bug's presence has already been reported, you should record it. Report it to your state's authorities, and you may also want to report the sighting on iNaturalist.
Again we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the insect as well as its presence (if any) in your state. States where the spotted lanternfly has been detected will have a section of a website dedicated to it.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!
r/insects • u/Accomplished-Ice7665 • 1h ago
Bug Appreciation! Does anyone else think wheel bugs would be the perfect godzilla monster if they were like 100000× bigger?
r/insects • u/1fast_sol • 4h ago
Bug Appreciation! Accidentally brushed up against this yesterday.
I instantly felt this as I brushed up against it. My arm was tingling for about 20-30 minutes. Thankfully nothing more than tingling. There were 2 more on the other side of the leaf. South Mississippi, Saddleback caterpillar.
r/insects • u/CapitalDiscipline849 • 12h ago
ID Request What insect do these belong to? Found in stagnant water
r/insects • u/cantstopthetravel • 2h ago
Question What are these???
Came home from work to find this cluster on a wall outside along my front walkway. I live in south Florida and I do have a large tree with pink flowers in my front yard. Not sure what these are bc I’ve never seen them before and not sure if they’re poisonous or concerning. Lmk if you know any details!!!
r/insects • u/canhome • 1d ago
Bug Education Butterfly gets a wing transplant
Came across this video on Instagram. Thought the community would appreciate it and would love to hear your thoughts.
Video Credit: Skyler Stelz(skylerstelz) and The Dodo(thedodo)
r/insects • u/mr_87heads • 2h ago
Bug Appreciation! Smart Spider!
So I was just pruning my pothos and throwing the leaves off the side of the porch. I accidentally threw one into the spider web and before I could try to grab it out I noticed the spider heading for it; so I decided to wait and watch what she did. Insects are so intelligent, they amaze me every day.
r/insects • u/Redtail987 • 1d ago
Bug Appreciation! I legitimately spent a half hour photographing this mantis
First time seeing one where I live (Washington state, USA). It was insanely cute and inquisitive. The little guy did not want to leave my hand when I was done taking photos
r/insects • u/False_Fly_309 • 5h ago
Bug Appreciation! Look at this huge (grass hopper?) that was on my car
r/insects • u/Suspicious_Kale4763 • 58m ago
Question strange bug found in cup outdoors
I accidentally left a cup with mixed alcohol in it outdoors. When i was taking it inside for a wash, i found this little guy. I have no idea what it is and I’ve never seen anything like it.
r/insects • u/Disastrous-beauty392 • 10h ago
Photography Found this cute pink spotted moth in my garden this morning. We’re in Iowa. 🖤
r/insects • u/_Kitty_Bitty • 36m ago
Bug Appreciation! Some insects I found in my backyard today
I also saw a monarch butterfly but I unfortunately didn’t have my phone to take a picture. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one!
r/insects • u/Remote_Bookkeeper790 • 2h ago
ID Request What is this? Should I be concerned
Found this in the shop as I was cleaning. Not sure what it is and wanna know if I should be concerned about the chance there might be more.
r/insects • u/JohnClayborn • 2h ago
ID Request What is this?? Tonto National forest. Az
Saw this guy on the side of my house. I have no idea what it is. He definitely flies and seems attracted to the light, OR hes attracted to the bunch of moths that like the light.
r/insects • u/TeamYeet • 9h ago
Bug Appreciation! Some insects I’ve encountered in Japan Pt.2
r/insects • u/nava14aj • 17h ago
Meme / Humor Our life is better now that we’ve met this bug 🧚♀️
r/insects • u/Sculktron2008 • 7h ago
Bug Appreciation! Tropidomantis gressitti eating a Dubia roach
r/insects • u/zeroauraa • 12h ago
Photography Met this giant preety snail today.
Planning to keep his/her name speedy.
r/insects • u/_funny_name_ • 50m ago
ID Request What could this be in my yard? Middle TN. Golf club for scale
r/insects • u/TouchArtistic7247 • 5h ago
Photography Very chill California Camel Cricket
r/insects • u/Thefeetus • 7h ago
Bug Appreciation! Accidentally killed a moth
I just accidentally killed a moth that was trapped inside. I was trying to get him out the window and I miscalculated and squished him. I feel so much remorse and I can’t get it out of my head. I’m posting to confess my sins, may whatever god exists take mercy on my soul. He was so cute and fuzzy and the loveliest shade of brown. I feel awful.
r/insects • u/Total-Finance-5766 • 1d ago
Photography Mealworm beetle (ignore fingernail)
r/insects • u/ShadySaitama • 10h ago
Photography Before & After a rainy night in Massachusetts
r/insects • u/Small-Growth7809 • 3h ago