lanternfly

noun

lan·​tern·​fly ˈlan-tərn-ˌflī 

variants or less commonly lantern fly

plural lanternflies also lantern flies

: any of several large brightly marked winged hemipteran insects (family Fulgoridae) that often resemble moths or small butterflies and usually possess an elongated hollow projection on the head

The lanternflies often have beautifully colored and patterned wings, and the front of their heads is often expanded into a large bulb or snout. Because of their brilliant colors, it used to be thought that they glowed in the dark, hence their common name. They don't glow, but they can be extraordinarily beautiful.

—California Academy of Sciences

especially : spotted lanternfly

By now, most residents of central and eastern Pennsylvania are familiar with lanternflies, an invasive pest that was discovered in Berks County in 2014. It took a few years, but the lanternflies not only moved from the original site to outside Pennsylvania's borders, where they have now been identified in 11 other states, but raised their profile significantly by converging on city and suburban neighborhoods in droves.

—Paul Vigna

Examples of lanternfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, lanternfly females and nymphs gather in massive swarms, called aggregations, that are not clearly tied to mating—so the typical pest-control method of disrupting reproduction is difficult to apply. —Claire Marie Porter, Scientific American, 25 June 2024

While native to southeast Asia, one lanternfly has become invasive in the eastern United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Fall and winter is the perfect time to check tree trunks and other hard surfaces for lanternfly eggs. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2024

Seven states have instituted quarantine programs to limit cross-border transportation of lanternfly eggs and live insects. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 July 2024

The spotted lanternfly has now infested some 17 states, according to a map by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, with the center of its population across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 1 July 2024

As troublesome as the spotted lanternfly can be in cities and suburbs, an infestation in California wine country could become an agricultural disaster. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 15 June 2024

The spotted lanternfly can swarm and take out big swaths of crops. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly can cause damage, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and dieback to trees, crops, vines, and other plants. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lanternfly

• spotted lanternfly

Kids Definition

lantern fly

noun

: any of several large brightly marked insects that are related to the cicadas and aphids and have the front of the head lengthened into a hollow structure