Illustration of Spotted lanternfly behavior
Lycorma delicatula

This illustration shows one of the Spotted lanternfly’s favorite trees to feed on – the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). At the top left is a healthy compound leaf, while 4th instar nymphs and adults feed on the wilted and flagging leaf below it. Then we see a close-up of a feeding adult; the feeding adult with sap from the tree entering the insect and exiting as honeydew, which lands on a leaflet below; a yellow jacket is attracted to the honeydew; the leaflets exhibit a sooty mold after having been covered with honeydew.