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Interestingly, we have found that SLF females prefer to lay eggs near other SLF egg masses, so you will often see SLF egg masses clumped together. Currently, we are trying to determine which substrates they prefer to lay on the most. SLF prefer to lay egg masses in protected areas such as the undersides of tree limbs, picnic tables, and other outdoor surfaces that are horizontal or angled toward the ground. Read more about other management strategies for SLF at Spotted Lanternfly Management Resources. Continued management strategies on nymphs and adults next year, such as tree traps, may be necessary. Keep in mind that each egg mass killed can remove up to 50 SLF from next year's generation, but you are unlikely to get them all. We do not recommend using ladders or climbing trees to get to the unreachable distance. Note that these numbers were taken from maples between 30-40 feet high and may differ for other tree species or different sized trees. It is important to keep in mind that you will not be able to reach all of the egg masses deposited on a tree in fact, on average less than 2% of the egg masses laid on a tree are at a reachable distance (0-10ft) on the tree, leaving 98% of the egg masses above reach. Often, the hosts preferred by SLF in the late season is red maple, silver maple, and willows - this is an excellent place to start looking for egg masses! However, SLF will also lay eggs on trees they do not heavily feed on, including black cherry and pine trees. Locating the Egg Massesįemale SLF will lay their eggs in a variety of places, most commonly on trees next to their feeding site. Spotted lanternfly females prefer to lay eggs next to already existing egg masses. If these are present, the egg mass is old and nymphs have already hatched from it.Ī wooden post abundant with spotted lanternfly egg masses. These emergence holes are a perfect oval at the top of each egg. Additionally, each egg mass is equipped with a top 'hatch door' that nymphs use to escape out of in the spring. After the eggs hatch in the spring, the remnants of the egg mass weather even more, making the covering often disappear altogether. The covering fades with time and while it is often still present in the spring, it may look dry and cracked. Photo Heather Leach.Įgg mass cases that were laid up to 2 years ago can still be found on trees and other structures – the easiest way to distinguish a fresh egg mass from an old one is to (1) check for the presence of the covering on the top of the egg mass and (2) check for the presence of emergence holes. Variations in spotted lanternfly egg masses including color (yellow, gray, brown) and covering.

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Egg masses that have not been laid by the female will not hatch – if you kill an adult female SLF that is full of eggs, you need not do more! We have found that egg masses without a covering have a 10% lower hatch rate on average, though they can still hatch. Some egg masses do not get covered, often because the female SLF was disturbed by outside factors such as humans, other SLF, or potential predators. After a few hours, the substance becomes duller and dries to a darker grey/brown color. When this substance is first deposited, it is white and glossy. After the female lays the eggs, she covers them with a substance believed to help them survive winter conditions and protect them from predation. Eggs within the egg mass can vary in color from a yellow to brown. Rows can vary in length, with some being longer than others in the same egg mass. SLF egg masses are usually about 1.5 inches long and colored brown/grey however there can be a lot of variation among them! All egg masses contain rows of small eggs, roughly the size of a sharpened pencil point. However, there are a few things you should know before you proceed to squash and scrape! Identifying Egg Masses These egg masses are the only stationary stage of the SLF, making them an easy target for removal. Each egg mass contains an average of 30-50 eggs, and an individual female can lay at least 2 egg masses. These egg masses survive winter and hatch into SLF nymphs in the spring.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) egg masses are laid in the late summer and into the early winter, with the majority of egg mass deposition occurring in October.