The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive pest that was first found in the northeast in 2014 and was confirmed as found in NYC in Manhattan in the latter half of 2019. Since that initial sighting they have been found in many places in Manhattan and other boroughs, unfortunately. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the state Department of Agriculture & Markets are conducting surveys currently via inspections. It is important that people report sightings of the SLF as well as their egg masses to spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov or by filing a Spotted Lanternfly Public Report with the Department of Agriculture & Markets.
The attached fact sheet can help you identify the Spotted Lanternfly and its egg cases. All sightings should be reported, and the insects themselves should be placed in a baggie or jar to be suffocated so that a DEC or NYSDAM rep. can collect it. For egg masses, a small sample should be scraped into a zip-lock bag and sealed. The remainder of the egg mass should be put in a baggie and doused with alcohol or hand sanitizer and then discarded.
The DEC website has a plethora of information that you may find useful and interesting. Thank you for your work and vigilance.