Mobile App Gamified Spotted Lanternfly Extermination
A new application turns the fight against invasive spotted lanternflies into a competitive squad-based challenge.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Bird Watching
Live Poll
Do you believe residents should actively participate in local efforts to eliminate invasive insect species?
Steve Daily has launched a mobile app called SPOTTED! that tracks and gamifies the extermination of invasive spotted lanternflies. The platform encourages users to compete in squads to curb the spread of the insects.
Why it matters
Environmental authorities urge citizens to destroy spotted lanternflies, as the invasive species damages agriculture and ecosystems across 17 states. This app aims to transform essential control efforts into an engaging, educational activity.
As of October 2, 2026, the SPOTTED! app recorded more than 23,000 kills among its 1,300 registered users. The invasive species has been established in 17 states since its initial 2014 arrival in Pennsylvania.
The players
Steve Daily
Steve Daily is the developer behind the SPOTTED! mobile application.
The details
Users participate by marking individual kills within the application to earn digital badges and climb the leaderboards against rival groups. The app also serves as an educational tool, offering users details on the life cycle and origin of the spotted lanternfly.
Timeline
2014: Spotted lanternflies were first discovered in Pennsylvania.
2021: The insects were confirmed in Rhode Island.
August 2026: New Hampshire recorded its first sightings of the invasive species.
October 2, 2026: The total number of recorded lanternfly kills surpassed 23,000.
Culture Shift
This app reflects a growing societal trend of using gamification to mobilize public participation in citizen science and environmental conservation. It marks a departure from passive observation, instead incentivizing direct physical intervention to address invasive species outbreaks.
Users can download the app to track their own extermination efforts and join local squads to compete against others. By participating, individuals contribute to a digital log that tracks the presence and removal of these insects in their own communities.
The takeaway
Gamification offers a unique way to turn tedious environmental control tasks into a community competition. Users should continue to follow official local guidance alongside app activities to ensure their methods align with state conservation goals.
Further reading
Learn more about local environmental monitoring by visiting the Bird Watching section.
More information
Track your progress and learn about the initiative on the SPOTTED! lanternfly killing game website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Connecticut Public.
Live Poll
Do you believe residents should actively participate in local efforts to eliminate invasive insect species?
