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 indoor tests, dogs identified the lanternfly scent correctly more than 80% of the time. —Kailey Schuyler, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 July 2025

The spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to crops and trees in the United States, despite its adorable little red wings. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 July 2025

The spotted lanternfly enters the adult moth stage during the late summer and fall. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025

The nymphs are emerging from the muddy sacks of eggs laid on plant and tree bark last year by the highly colored adult lanternfly. —Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025

The lanternfly goes through four different instars, or stages, as a nymph. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

For more information on how to prevent or treat lanternfly infestations, visit the Department of Agriculture’ spotted lanternfly guide. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Stomp the spread:How to ID and destroy the spotted lanternfly, one of Indiana's invasive species Volunteer to plant trees or pick up litter with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Keep Indianapolis Beautiful offers a variety of events and resources throughout the city. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 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