Spotted lanternfly egg masses resemble dull gray or brown mud smears, usually under 2 inches long, on trees and other outdoor surfaces. Scrape them into a sealed bag or container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill the eggs before they hatch.
Females lay egg masses from late summer through winter, with most deposited in October. Each mass can contain 30 to 50 eggs, and a female can lay two or more masses. The eggs hatch into nymphs in late spring, making the stationary masses easier to remove than mobile nymphs or winged adults.
Spotted lanternflies feed on sap from trees and other plants, leaving sticky honeydew that attracts insects such as ants, bees and wasps. The honeydew can also lead to sooty mold, which interferes with plants’ ability to produce energy for healthy growth.
