đź’ˇ Are Spotted Lanternflies Attracted to Lights at Night?
🌙 Do Spotted Lanternflies Swarm Porch Lights?
No. Spotted lanternflies are not strongly attracted to artificial lights the way moths or beetles are.
Unlike many nocturnal insects, SLFs are diurnal (day-active). They spend most of their time feeding on tree sap, mating, or laying eggs during daylight—especially in mid-morning to late afternoon.
However, in some rare cases, homeowners have reported mild clustering around porch lights or bright storefront signs during peak season. But this behavior is inconsistent and not reliable for trapping.
🕯️ What the Research Shows
Entomologists from Penn State and the USDA confirm:
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SLFs do not exhibit phototaxis (movement toward light) in a meaningful way.
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They are not considered light-trappable.
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Sticky traps and tree-based intercept methods remain the most effective.
So no—your porch light isn’t attracting them.
âś… Best Ways to Attract and Trap SLFs (That Actually Work)
| Method | Effective? | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Tree band traps | âś… Yes | Intercepts nymphs and adults as they climb trees |
| FOBA-style cage traps | âś… Yes | Prevents bycatch, maximizes SLF catch |
| Light traps | ❌ No | SLFs aren't light-sensitive like moths |
| UV bug zappers | ❌ No | Not effective for SLFs—wrong attractant profile |
🧠FAQ: Nighttime SLF Questions
Q: Can I catch SLFs with bug zappers?
A: No. SLFs don’t respond to UV like typical insects. Zappers won’t reduce their population.
Q: Why do I sometimes see them under porch lights?
A: It may be coincidence or warmth-related resting, not actual attraction. You’ll rarely see clusters like with other pests.
Q: Should I leave my lights off at night to deter SLFs?
A: It won’t make a difference—SLFs are not targeting your lights.
🔍 When Are SLFs Most Active?
| Stage | Time of Day |
|---|---|
| Nymphs | Morning–Late Afternoon |
| Adults | Morning–Evening (before sunset) |
| Nighttime | Largely inactive (resting) |
If you want to trap effectively, do so during the day, when SLFs are moving between feeding sites.
🔚 Bottom Line
Spotted lanternflies aren’t coming for your lights—they’re coming for your trees.
Focus on:
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Scraping egg masses in fall/winter
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Trapping nymphs in spring/summer
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Using wildlife-safe tree traps like FOBA
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Reporting sightings to your local ag office
Don’t waste time or money on light-based deterrents or zappers—they simply won’t work for SLFs.