Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry (DPI) has confirmed the presence of spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, for the first time in South Carolina. The invasive insect was detected in the cities of Greenville and Seneca in July.
Although the spotted lanternfly poses no direct threat to humans or animals, its presence raises concerns for South Carolina’s agriculture and forestry sectors. The insect has become a significant threat, particularly to the wine, fruit and ornamental plant industries.
“The fact that spotted lanternfly egg masses are most frequently transported on train cars means it was only a matter of time before we detected them in South Carolina,” Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert said. “It is also going to make it a challenge to manage for them, as reintroduction risk remains high. The Insect and Disease Lab at the South Carolina Forestry Commission is working closely with Clemson Extension and the Department of Plant Industry to monitor the outbreak to help prevent ecological and economic damages.”
Spotted lanternfly is a strikingly colored insect native to Southeast Asia, where it has never been reported as a pest. In 2006 it was reported in Korea as a pest of fruit crops, particularly grapes. In 2014 it was reported in Pennsylvania and has spread to at least 17 other states, including nearby Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. It is unusual in the distinction that it is one of very few fulgorid insects that is reported to be a pest. This has primarily been an agricultural pest, hitting grapes particularly hard. Feeding damage can cause the vine to die back. It is also reported to feed on a number of trees and cause weeping wounds, but it is not clear yet how this impacts tree health and probably depends on the species.
Officials urge South Carolinians to remain vigilant, inspect vehicles and outdoor equipment and report any sightings to www.clemson.edu/invasives.
For more information on spotted lanternfly, including hosts, signs and symptoms and life cycle, please visit https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SpottedLanternfly.pdf.