27 July 2025on
On a walk at Herrs Island back channel this week (Millvale side) I was on my usual route down the boat ramp when a bug dropped on me. It was red, black and white like the ones pictured above. Ewww! The Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) tree above me was crawling with red nymph spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula).
Below the tree I found a mob swarming on a retaining wall.
And they didn’t sit still. Creepy crawly horrors!
Swarm of red nymph spotted lanternflies, Pittsburgh, 25 July 2025
This week must have been the peak of red nymphs at the Allegheny River Trail for I saw only 5 winged adults.
Imagine when all those nymphs turn into adults. Clearly the worst is yet to come along with more summer horror films.
Carry a fly-swatter. Satisfies the urge to destroy, very nicely.
I’ve seen a few winged adults — which I immediately squish if I can — and not quite as many nymphs as I remember from the past 2 years. But one bit of good news is that I’ve heard reports of birds EATING them! Yes! It may have taken about 3 years but our local birds are starting to recognize those things as food!