Invasive Spotted Lanternflies Thrive in US Urban Areas

Scientists uncover how the Asian pest adapted to cities, enabling rapid spread across Northeast

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect from Asia, have been rapidly spreading across the Northeastern United States since first arriving around 2014. Researchers have now discovered that the insects adapted to thrive in urban environments in their native China, which has allowed them to easily transition to cities in the US and proliferate despite low genetic diversity from a single introduction.

Why it matters

The spotted lanternfly poses a major threat to trees, orchards, and vineyards in the Northeast, as the insects feed on sap and excrete a sugary substance that can suffocate and damage plants. Their rapid spread has prompted calls for aggressive management efforts to curb further invasion.

The details

Genetic analysis shows the spotted lanternflies adapted to urban conditions like heat, pollution, and pesticides in Shanghai, China, before arriving in the US. Researchers believe the insects were likely transported in a shipment of stone from South Korea. Despite low genetic diversity, the lanternflies have been able to "take over" new ecosystems in the Northeast due to their adaptations. The insects can hitch rides on trains, ferries, and even human backpacks, allowing them to spread quickly.

  • Around 2014, the spotted lanternflies first arrived in the US.
  • In August 2023, spotted lanternflies were photographed on the Hudson River in New York.

The players

Kristen Winchell

An associate professor of biology at New York University who co-authored a paper on the spotted lanternfly's adaptations.

Fallon Meng

A doctoral candidate at NYU's Department of Biology who discussed the likely origin of the lanternflies' introduction to the US.

Tree of Heaven

An invasive species in the US that is native to Asia and the preferred host tree for spotted lanternflies.

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What they’re saying

“They were adapting to thrive in urban environments in the native range, and that primed them then to be successful in whatever the next urban environment they landed in.”

— Kristen Winchell, Associate Professor of Biology, New York University (ABC News)

“The loss of genetic diversity in this population, which should theoretically constrain any sort of adaptation or variation in traits in the invasive environment, should possibly limit their spread.”

— Kristen Winchell, Associate Professor of Biology, New York University (ABC News)

What’s next

Researchers expect the spotted lanternflies to continue spreading west toward Chicago, and say invasive management efforts in cities may be necessary to curb their further expansion.

The takeaway

The spotted lanternfly's ability to adapt to urban environments in its native China has enabled it to rapidly proliferate across the Northeastern US, despite low genetic diversity, highlighting the threat invasive species can pose when they find favorable conditions in new ecosystems.