The spotted lanternfly must die.

It seems one of the few remaining facts on which we can all agree: These bugs are bad — bad for our backyards, our native ecosystem and our economy.

An invasive pest with a healthy appetite for plants like grapevines, hops and other fruit crops and trees, the spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, piercing the plant stems and tree bark, thus depleting the plant’s energy reserves and costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost agriculture.

Now, as late summer approaches and as the insects mature and multiply, the University of Delaware's resident spotted lanternfly expert Brian Kunkel, extension specialist II in Cooperative Extension, offers five important things to know about these pests:

1. They can be hard to spot — and harder to kill.

Often mistaken for ticks (as babies) or moths (as adults), the spotted lanternfly is neither. Instead, it is known as a “hopper” and grows its wings only in the adult stage.

With eggs laid from September to mid-November, the insects hatch in early spring. Their coating is black, with white polka dots, and as they grow, they split along their back and crawl out into a new life stage.

In mid-summer, they turn red (still with white polka dots), and by August, most have morphed into their winged adult stage.

But “they’re fast little suckers,” as Kunkel puts it. With eyes on the sides of their heads, they are quick to evade a fatal stomp.

Killing them is no easy feat.

If using banding tape around trees, then Kunkel recommends using narrower bands or bands with a wire mesh over them to reduce the likelihood of “collateral capture” of other small mammals and birds. He also dissuades spraying any dish soap mixture on trees, as they can burn the leaves.

As an alternative, Kunkel suggests spraying Neem oil, which can help. But the most effective solution (so far) requires systemic insecticides.

2. There’s no easy “pest management” solution… yet.

Neonicotinoids, or “systemic” insecticides, are currently the most effective tool to kill the spotted lanternfly, said Kunkel. Such products — usually sprayed around the base of a tree — can last for months and kill thousands of nuisance insects, he added.

Unfortunately, more research is needed to determine their potential impact on pollinators.

“Caution should be used near flower-producing plants,” said Kunkel, explaining that researchers are still trying to understand the full impact of neonicotinoids. “We want to limit the root uptake of these insecticides in flowering plants because residues may get into flowers, and we need to minimize bee and pollinator exposure to neonicotinoids whenever possible.”

Responsible use of systemics is therefore critical, which is why Kunkel recommends applying insecticides after trees and nearby plants have flowered.

“You want to protect pollinators, but our most effective tool right now is a systemic that has potential impacts on them,” he said. “So how do you balance that? Awareness of this challenge is a valuable tool — but it makes things more complicated.”

3. Scientists are helping rear natural predators.

One possible non-pesticide solution is to find the insect’s natural enemies.

At the USDA Beneficial Insect Research Lab, located right on campus, researchers are rearing natural enemies for exotic invasive pests. They have found foes for the stinkbug and are currently working to combat the emerald ash borer.