spotted lanternfly
noun
variants
or less commonly spotted lantern fly
plural spotted lanternflies also spotted lantern flies
: a hemipteran insect (Lycorma delicatula) of Asia and especially China that has grayish-brown forewings with black spots and red hind wings with black spots and that has been introduced to the United States where it is considered an invasive (see invasive entry 1 sense 1a) species and agricultural pest
… the spotted lanternfly was first seen in the United States nearly a decade ago, when it was found at a Pennsylvania landscaping company that imported stones from abroad.—
Asmaa Elkeurti
Asmaa ElkeurtiIn areas of the Northeast where the colorful but invasive spotted lanternfly is emerging, killing season has arrived. The next generation of crop-destroying pest has hatched in 16 states across the northeastern U.S. The invasive bugs can wreak havoc on plants and trees and could eventually threaten the American wine industry …—Janet Loehrke
Janet LoehrkeExamples of spotted lanternfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Established spotted lanternfly populations have been found in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
For more information on how to prevent or treat lanternfly infestations, visit the Department of Agriculture’ spotted lanternfly guide.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
For a recent study in Ecosphere, Fuller and her team pitted dogs against humans at finding spotted lanternfly eggs in various scenarios.
—Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 14 Mar. 2025
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Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
For more information on how to prevent or treat lanternfly infestations, visit the Department of Agriculture’ spotted lanternfly guide.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
For a recent study in Ecosphere, Fuller and her team pitted dogs against humans at finding spotted lanternfly eggs in various scenarios.
—Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotted lanternfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotted%20lanternfly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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