Why Spotted Lanternflies Spread So Fast
Researchers found that US cities are vectors for the spread of invasive pests that thrive in dense human environments.
Swarms of spotted lanternflies pose threats to trees and other vegetation.
Photographer: arlutz73/iStockphoto via Getty Images
In the northeastern US, neighborhood group chats are abuzz with the latest seasonal concern: Black bugs with white spots are re-appearing to pose a grave threat to local trees. In the coming months, these nymphs will mature into adults with dazzling red-patterned wings nestled under a second translucent layer. But their beauty belies the threat they pose.
Spotted lanternflies sap the life out of more than 70 plant species, making them highly destructive to crops and vegetation. Turns out, the insects are some of the most successful city dwellers; their population increased fivefold annually after their arrival in North America from parts of Asia in 2014. And recent research documents how cities are driving their spread.