where are lantern flies from

Lantern flies, specifically the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), are native to parts of Asia including China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. They evolved in subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, with fossil evidence tracing their evolution back to southwest China. From their native range, they have spread to neighboring countries such as South Korea, Japan, and India, mostly through accidental introduction. In recent years, they have become invasive in places like the United States, having first been detected there in Pennsylvania in 2014. These insects were likely introduced to new regions through imported goods, such as stone shipments. The spotted lanternfly's preferred host plant is the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is itself an invasive species in many areas.