As Spotted Lanternflies Multiply, They Annoy Students and Threaten the Environment

Photo credit: Clara Bernstein

You’ve probably noticed the spotted lanternflies everywhere. These invasive bugs, easily recognizable by their gray and black spotted wings, open up to reveal a striking red underneath. They’ve been showing up all over the city—even right outside our own building, School Without Walls.

The spotted lanternfly is indigenous to parts of China and Vietnam. It was accidentally introduced to the United States and was first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, the species has quickly spread across several states and Washington, D.C.

Here in the U.S., the spotted lanternfly is a dangerous invasive species. Adam Vrooman, a biology and AP Environmental Science teacher, explained, “A majority of invasive species can cause detriments to the ecosystem, and particularly dynamics in food chains.”

Lanternflies are a serious problem, especially for farmers. They feed on crops, damage harvests, and throw off the balance of local ecosystems. Mr. Vrooman also encourages students to take this as a learning opportunity, especially since so many have been seeing them around school.

The real concern isn’t about human safety, but about the long-term impact these insects can have on ecosystems. Lanternflies feed on trees and crops, leaving less food for other animals and disrupting the natural environment.

This is especially harmful for farmers who depend on healthy crops and land. With no natural predators in the U.S.—like the parasitic wasps that exist in Asia—the lanternfly population can grow quickly and without control, potentially leading to even more damage in the future.

In D.C., where trees line the streets and green spaces are scattered throughout the city, the growing presence of lanternflies is hard to ignore. Students at School Without Walls have already started noticing them more frequently.

Many students see lanternflies as a serious nuisance. “I think they're disgusting, and I like to kill and smash them,” said Amity Holden (‘28). While that might sound extreme, it actually aligns with what local officials are encouraging: residents should kill lanternflies on sight to help slow their spread.

Another student, Razvan Ciobanu (‘28), said, “I have not really seen them before this year, but there seems to be more and more.” While lanternflies have been present in Maryland since 2018, multiple reports—including from WTOP—show that D.C. is seeing a major increase in sightings this year.

Lanternflies have been everywhere this summer. And while they’re fast, try to kill as many as you can. Even though they're small, they can cause big problems for D.C. if we’re not paying attention.

By staying aware and doing small things to help get rid of them, we can protect our neighborhoods, our environment, and the ecosystems we depend on.