Spotted Lanternfly Look-Alikes in Missouri: How to Tell What You’re Seeing
Misidentifying harmless insects, or missing the real threat, can lead to unnecessary worry or delayed action. Spotted lanternflies are invasive, destructive, and confusingly similar to several common bugs. Pure Pest + Lawn helps homeowners confidently identify pests and take action quickly. You shouldn’t have to guess whether an insect is harmless or harmful. Let’s break it down.
Why Identification Matters
Spotted lanternflies don’t bite, sting, or transmit disease, but they do damage plants, gardens, and landscapes. They feed on sap, leave sticky “honeydew” that fosters mold, and weaken trees and crops. A single female can lay dozens of eggs, threatening local ecosystems.
Being able to distinguish them from look-alikes helps you avoid false alarms while keeping your property protected from the real invaders.
Do Spotted Lanternflies Bite?
The good news: spotted lanternflies do not bite, sting, or pose a threat to people or pets. Their mouthparts are made for sipping plant sap not for harming people or pets.
Common Look-Alikes and How to Spot Them
Spotted lanternflies (SLF) can easily be mistaken for several other insects, let’s walk through the most common ones:
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Nymph
Looks similar to early SLF nymphs, but with white bands on legs and antennae instead of white spots and little body spikes.
Boxelder Bug
Adults: black with red/orange stripes. Nymphs: red and black. No white spots like SLF. They also have long antennae.
Harlequin Bug & Milkweed Bug
Often colorful red, orange or black, but don’t feature the signature white spots or stout SLF body.
Giant Leopard Moth & Tiger Moth
Both have patterned wings and red underwings, but they’re moths with scaled wings and long antennae—not matching the SLF wing structure.
Cicadas & Assassin Bugs
Cicadas are much larger and have transparent wings. Assassin bugs are slender, with long legs and antennae, unlike SLF.
Visual & Behavior Cues to Help Identify SLF
SLF have short antennae, a stout head, and a distinctive shield-shaped body with symmetrical white spots. They don’t sit flat; instead, they brace themselves at an angled posture.
Bugs That Eat Spotted Lanternflies
Nature does offer some help. Research shows that spined soldier bugs, Carolina and Chinese mantises, and certain stink bugs can eat lanternflies, though relying on them for control is not a full solution.
Are Spotted Lanternflies Poisonous?
No, spotted lantern flies are not poisonous to humans or pets if touched or ingested. The real concern is environmental damage, not personal safety.
Do Lanternflies Make Noise?
Unlike cicadas or crickets, spotted lanternflies are silent. If you’re hearing chirps or buzzing, it’s likely other wildlife or insects at work.
What to Do If You Think You Have Spotted Lanternflies
Take a clear photo with something for scale (like a coin or pen).
Send it to the MU Extension Urban Entomologist, Emily Althoff, at emilyalthoff@missouri.edu.
Attaching a note with the date and GPS coordinates where the bug was found will help officials keep track of the invasive insect's activity.
FAQs
Q: Where are spotted lanternflies most common?
A: They’ve been confirmed in multiple eastern states and continue spreading—early detection is key.
Q: Are SLF eggs different from gypsy moth eggs?
A: Yes, SLF eggs look like gray, waxy putty, while gypsy moth eggs are lighter and fuzzy.
Q: Can SLF jump or fly?
A: SLF use jump-like hops. Their wings are underdeveloped in nymph stages and fully develop as adults.
