Mold growing at the base of A. altissima . Large amounts of bleeding sap will accumulate on tree bases leading to growth of saprophytic fungi, or in extreme cases, thick mats of fungal growth. Photo Credit: Lawrence Barringer. 

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... susceptible trees with smooth bark; rough barked trees are rarely targeted for egg masses. In Korea, up to 3.4 egg masses per tree were observed (Lee et al. 2014). However, much higher numbers have been observed in Pennsylvania, with 197 egg masses observed on a single tree of heaven (Barringer, personal observation). Spotted lanternflies also deposited eggs on surrounding objects, including stones, fence posts, and outdoor equipment in Pennsylvania. The fact that egg masses can be found on nonplant material adds to the risk of spread. The survival of L. delicatula eggs is largely affected by winter temperatures. In the field, egg hatch rates from 60–90% are reported, with lower rates reported in laboratory studies; i.e., eggs hatched 56, 27, and 22 d after incubation at 15, 20, 25 C with hatching rates of 62, 58, and 30%, respectively (Choi et al 2012, Lee et al. 2014). Eggs usually hatch dur- ing the early hours of the day. The life cycle of L. delicatula in Pennsylvania is similar to that reported in South Korea and has been documented as follows—eggs on 13 October 2014, first instar on 12 May 2015, second instar on 3 June 2015, third instar on 24 June 2015, fourth instar on 7 July 2015, and adult on 24 July 2015. Spotted lanternfly develops through four nymphal instars. Both short- and long-range dispersal patterns have been described. Nymphs start climbing up the trees after they emerge and fall off when there is a physical obstacle or disturbance from wind or other factors and start climbing up again. This falling and ascending cycle is thought to facili- tate host selection and dispersal in this species (Kim et al. 2011a). Adults are diurnal and may disperse longer distances. Adults do not readily fly away when approached, and may be collected manually from host plants (Park et al. 2013). This species possesses specialized tarsal adhesive pads (arolia), which allow strong climbing characteristics (Frantsevich et al. 2008). Eggs are deposited in groups of 30–50 and covered in yellowish brown waxy deposits which later hardens to form an oothecum (Fig. 1). Waxy deposits disappear from emerged egg masses revealing brown, seed-like eggs. The remnants of egg masses may be observed on trees for one year or more after hatching. The first three instars have a black body and legs with white spots. The fourth instar retains the spots but has a reddish body with distinctive red wing pads (Fig. 2). The length of immature specimens collected in Pennsylvania range from 3.6–4.4 ( n 1⁄4 12), 5.1–6.4 ( n 1⁄4 10), 6.9–9.4 ( n 1⁄4 12), and 10.9–14.8 mm ( n 1⁄4 10) for first, second, third, and fourth instar, respectively. Both sexes superficially resemble a moth with a wider abdomen (Fig. 3). Adults are often confused with some moths (especially species of noctuid underwings) due to the strikingly colored hindwing and size. Fulgorids can be differentiated from other planthopper families in North America by their large size (10 mm þ ), and reticulate wing vena- tion of the hindwings and the forewings, which are often opaque and held tectiform (Bartlett et al. 2014; Fig. 4). Head and legs are dark brown to black. Forewings (tegmina) are greyish, with black spots and hind wings are banded black and white anteriorly, and deep red posteri- orly. Tips of the wings show a network of veins (reticulated). Abdomen is yellowish with incomplete black bands (Fig. 3). The male and female can be easily distinguished by size and reddish color of the postero-caudal end of the abdomen in females (Fig. 5). L. delicatula are 21–27 mm from head to the end of the folded wing; males are smaller (21–22 mm) than females (24–27 mm). Leg length varies from 15–18 mm in adult males and 18–22 mm in adult females (Frantsevich et al. 2008). Similar measurements for body length, although slightly smaller at 17–25 mm long, were reported by Barringer et al. (2015). In China, the spotted lanternfly is a reported pest of a diverse range of shrubs and trees, including tree of heaven ( A. altissima ), Chinese Mahogany ( T. sinensis ), white cedar ( Melia azedarach ), black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ), cottonwoods ( Populus spp.), willows ( Salix spp.), grapes ( Vitis spp.), and apples ( Malus spp.) (Xiao 1992, Zhang 1993). Since its arrival in Korea, this species has caused economic damage in vineyards, while large aggregations on A. altissima and other susceptible trees may create a nuisance in urban areas and roadsides (Han et al. 2008, Lee et al. 2009, Park et al. 2009). Adults and nymphs feed on phloem tissues of young stems and bark tissues with their piercing and sucking mouthparts and excrete large quantities of liquid (Ding et al. 2006). Adults and older nymphs will feed in groups, especially later in the season on preferred hosts. Extensive feeding results in oozing wounds on the trunk (Fig. 6) and wilting and death of branches. Significant honey dew and sooty mold deposits around the base of trees are also noted from feeding of this insect (Fig. 7). Signs of infestation include the presence of ants, bees, hor- nets or wasps attracted by honeydew and tree sap. In North America, at least 40 of the known hosts of L. delicatula are grown as agricultural crops or landscape plants (U.S. Department of Agriculture–National Resources Conservation Service [USDA-NRCS] 2015), although some are of limited numbers and distribution. Field reports of L. delicatula in Pennsylvania are mostly restricted to A. altissima and wild Vitis sp. (Barringer et al. 2015). Since A. altissima is invasive and widely established throughout the United States and eastern Canada, it might serve as a likely host for this insect to spread. Spotted lanternfly has also been proposed as a potential biological control agent for A. altissima in its invasive range (Ding et al. 2006). Spotted lanternfly might potentially be a nuisance in structures, as there are reports of this insect entering homes in its invasive range in Asia (Han et al. ...