Graphic with a blue sign with coins, coffee cup, and crumpled papert. Graphic text reads: A Sidewalk in NYC

How are the colors of these insects supposed to help protect them from predators?

Graphic with text that reads: Camouflage, blending into the habitat
Graphic with text that reads: Mimicry, blending like other animals
Graphic with text that reads: Startle, surprising predators!
Nope. Try again!
You got it!

Startle

This spotted lanternfly has dull colors on its front wings. They’re grayish tan with black spots. When it’s at home in tropical Asia, they help it blend into the background. But its back wings are bright red. When it opens them, boom! The mini master of disguise startles its natural predators. 

In New York City, the spotted lanternfly is far from its natural habitat. The bright red doesn’t startle human New Yorkers. And people don’t usually eat lanternflies, so the red doesn’t warn us about their bad taste. It just makes the lanternfly easier for people to see.

Like any other species, spotted lanternflies are simply trying to survive. But here in North America, they eat crops such as apples and grapes. They also produce a sugary fluid that can cause plants to become moldy and diseased. Farmers and gardeners need to protect their plants from these harmful invaders. 

Even though spotted lanternflies don’t taste great, there are lots of them. And predators need to eat. Some native New York species have started to take advantage of this new food source. Vespidae wasps sting the spotted lanternflies, break off their yucky-tasting wings, and gobble up the rest. Bats are feasting on spotted lanternflies too.

Conservation status? Spotted lanternflies have been well established in New York State since 2018. They are considered an invasive species there.

Discover another mini master of disguise.

Graphic button of a sign with leaves surrounding it. Text reads: Tropical Forest in South Asia
Graphic button of a sign with orchids and leaves surrounding it. Text reads: Tropical Forest in Southeast Asia
Graphic button of a sign with colorful flowers surrounding it. Text reads: Flower Garden in North America
Credits
Credits:

Lanternfly, @Pond5; All illustrations, Zack Faust/@AMNH