If You See This Insect, Eliminate It Right Away!

I’ve never been an insect lover.

In fact, I believe most of us can agree that some insects are fascinating and beautiful, but others can scare you. Then there are those that are just plain dangerous – not only to us but also to our crops, plants, and sometimes animals.

When I run into a bug, I usually ignore it. I have no business harming any living being unless it has a valid purpose.

But with lucerne or Lycorma delicatula, things take a significant turn.

An insect is a lantern. You might want to get rid of it the moment you see it. And believe me, I’ve encountered these bugs in my backyard on occasion. Their unusual and colorful wings made them look almost beautiful as she collected them on my favorite maple tree. However, this insect is dangerous, so don’t let its beauty fool you.

Lanterns: What are they?

Lantern, despite its cute name, is a serious nuisance. Originating in China, it was first spotted in the US in Pennsylvania in 2014. It has since caused ecological and agricultural damage as it has spread to several states. However, alfalfa is not just the business of commercial growers; Gardeners like myself are also negatively affected.

The damage they cause

Lanterns eat the sap of many different types of plants and trees. In addition to weakening the plant, this feeding process can cause sooty mold to multiply because of the sticky, sweet material called honeydew that the plant secretes. By preventing photosynthesis, this fungus kills the plant, essentially suffocating it. As the mold grew, I saw that the once bright leaves of my maple tree had dulled and darkened.

The appearance of a lantern

To stop the spread of the lantern, it is essential to recognize them. Adults measure about half an inch in width and one inch in length. Their gray wings with black markings on the front and a mixture of red and black areas hidden underneath give them a distinctive appearance.

Their striking red underwings create a striking color display in flight. Nymphs are young animals that are black with white spots and turn red before they mature.

Feeding procedure

The lamprey pierces the plant to obtain sap with a long, needle-like mouthpiece. This method of feeding is particularly dangerous because it allows the insect to effectively drain the life energy of the plant by directly accessing its nutrient pathways.

I was fascinated and horrified to see them operate on my plants.

Initial observation

In Pennsylvania, lanterns were first discovered in the United States. They most likely came from Asia with lots of stones or other objects. Since they were discovered, they have traveled across states, mostly along the East Coast, but as they find suitable conditions and host plants, their range is expanding.

How should the lantern be handled?

You should get rid of any lanterns you observe. It may sound serious, but reducing the number of these insects is essential due to the serious damage they can cause.

Adults or nymphs can be crushed directly.

How to get rid of alfalfa eggs

Destroying alfalfa eggs before they hatch is a useful population control strategy. Often found on smooth surfaces such as tree bark, rocks, or even outdoor furniture, the egg masses resemble patches of gray mud. If an egg mass appears, it can be scraped off and placed in a bag with hand sanitizer or alcohol to kill the egg.

The experience of handling the lanterns opened my eyes. It taught me that sometimes stronger measures against specific insects are needed to save the larger ecology. Be aware of the damage lanterns can cause and take appropriate action if you see any. It’s a small action that can help save a lot of trees and plants in your community and possibly prevent them from spreading to other areas. For those of us who are aware of this problem, it is our responsibility to successfully manage it and contribute to the continued health and prosperity of our environment.

Manipulating the lanterns opened my eyes. At first, I might be tempted to overlook these insects because of their conspicuous appearance, but the damage they cause to plants and trees is too significant to ignore. It is essential for everyone to understand the destructive nature of these pests, especially as they continue to spread across the country. Their ability to weaken trees, damage crops and create an environment for the growth of harmful fungi is not something we can afford to overlook. 

By taking proactive steps such as destroying eggs and outright disposal of adults or nymphs, we can all help minimize the spread of lampreys and protect our local ecosystems. Although it may seem like a small action, every effort we make to eradicate these pests contributes to the health of our gardens, parks, and forests. 

For those of us who are aware of the problem, this is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. As much as we like to let nature take its course, sometimes intervention is necessary to prevent long-term damage. I have learned that our collective efforts to manage these pests can make a big difference in preserving the natural beauty and sustainability of our environment. If we all do our part, we can help ensure that future generations do not have to face the consequences of uncontrolled lamprey i