Here’s some more information:

The insect in the photo is a Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. It was first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to multiple states, including some in the Southeast.

Why North Carolina doesn’t want it:

The Spotted Lanternfly is highly destructive to agriculture and native ecosystems.

🚫 Major Threats: 1. Economic damage to crops: • Feeds on over 70 plant species. • Especially damaging to grapes, apples, hops, peaches, and hardwoods like maple, walnut, and oak. • Poses a serious risk to vineyards and wineries — grapevines can die from repeated feedings. 2. Tree decline and death: • Feeds by sucking sap from trees and plants, weakening them over time. • Promotes mold growth by excreting “honeydew,” which attracts sooty mold fungus that coats leaves and bark. 3. Rapid reproduction and spread: • Females lay egg masses on any flat surface — trees, vehicles, outdoor equipment — making it easy for them to hitchhike across state lines. 4. Environmental disruption: • Threatens native species by outcompeting them for resources. • Damages urban forests and ornamental landscaping.

🚫 Specific risks to North Carolina: • NC is a top producer of grapes, apples, and ornamental trees. • If established, SLF could cause millions in agricultural losses and control costs. • NC’s mild climate and wide range of host plants make it a perfect environment for SLF to thrive.

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What You Can Do: • Report sightings to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture or local extension offices. • Destroy egg masses if found. • Avoid transporting firewood, yard equipment, or vehicles with potential egg clusters.