Knowing what you're dealing with is critical to being a pest management professional. Choose a category below for detailed species information and recommendations on products and training. And if you need extra advice, reach out to your Veseris representative at any time.
The spotted lanternfly, despite its name, is not a fly but a type of planthopper native to China. Its preferred host is the tree of heaven, or Ailanthus, but it isn't picky—it can damage over 173 types of crops and ornamental plants. In its native habitat, parasitic wasps keep its population in check. However, in the United States, where it first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has become an invasive menace, spreading rapidly to 13 surrounding states. Interestingly, both tree of heaven and the spotted lanternfly are considered invasive species in several states, though they did not arrive together. Tree of heaven was introduced to the United States in 1784 as an ornamental plant.
