The Invasive Bug Michigan Wants You to Kill Has Reached Another County

We’ve talked about spotted lanternflies before, and it looks like they’re gaining ground in Michigan. This is the bug you always hear people telling you to squish if you see one.

State officials confirmed spotted lanternflies have now turned up in Berrien County, and they recently found a new population in Washtenaw County, too. That brings the total to eight Michigan counties.

Where Have Spotted Lanternflies Been Found in Michigan?

Sebastian Schuster on Unsplash

So far, they’ve been confirmed in Berrien, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Genesee County isn’t on that list, at least for now.

See Also: Michigan’s First Deer Harvest Numbers of 2026 Revealed

The bugs aren’t dangerous to people or pets, so you don't have to worry about that. The problem is that large numbers of them can stress plants and damage crops. Berrien County is a major grape-growing area, which makes the new discovery there a particular concern.

What Should You Do If You Find a Spotted Lanternfly in Michigan?

If you spot one here in Genesee County, snap a clear photo and make a note of where you found it. Report it through the state’s Eyes in the Field tool, then squish that sucker.

If you’re in one of the eight counties where they’ve already been confirmed, you can skip the report. Just squish it.