Invasive Spotted Lanternfly

Subject: Bug
Location: Northeastern United States (Pennsylvania)
January 27, 2017 4:39 pm
I took this picture on my way to an appointment. I have looked through numerous books and haven’t been able to find out what it is.
Signature: -Future Scientist

Dear Future Scientist,
If you were searching guidebooks of native species, you would not find this Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, a species native to China.  Though we immediately recognized it, the reason is that we have received submissions for years from Korea where it has been introduced and where it is sometimes called a White Cicada.  We were not aware it had been found in North America, and according to BugGuide:  “Confirmed in Berks County, PA, in Sept. 2014.”  BugGuide also recommends:  “SIGHTING REPORTS WANTED: Entomologists are working to delimit the current population and discover any new infestations of this potentially destructive species. If you have seen this insect, please report your sighting using one of the methods provided on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.”  Since it is the middle of winter, we suspect this is not a recent sighting for you.