Plant-destroying spotted lanternflies are spreading around the globe, a study has warned.

The insects, which are native to China, are a pest to dozens of plants and trees.

They can trigger sap leakage, wilting, leaf curling and dieback and the US Government tells people to kill them on sight.

And a map drawn up by the Department of Agriculture has revealed regions where the bugs are at risk of spreading to next.

The UK has been designated a 'medium risk' area, along with much of Eastern Europe, while the eastern US and California are deemed to be high risk, along with parts of France, Portugal, Italy, Russia and Ukraine.

The US Department of Agriculture created a map showing which regions are at high risk of spotted lanternfly populations – the areas in red, such as the south of Australia, the eastern US, parts of Europe and South America are at the highest risk

Spotted lanternflies excrete a sugary substance called honeydew which encourages the growth of a mold which is harmful to plants

As well as damaging garden plants the lanternflies can ruin farmers' crops, too, such as almonds, apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, grapes and hops.

They also wreck hardwood trees including oaks, walnuts and poplars.

And in addition to causing physical damage, they excrete a sugary substance called honeydew which encourages a mold which is harmful to plants.

Lanternflies, which can lay 30 to 50 eggs each time they breed in the autumn, have already become a problem in some parts of the US.

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Delaware have all reported growing numbers of the critters.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tells residents on its website: 'Kill it! Squash it, smash it...just get rid of it.

'In the fall, these bugs will lay egg masses with 30-50 eggs each. These are called bad bugs for a reason, don't let them take over your county next.'

A fully grown spotted lanternfly measures approximately one inch (2.5cm) long and half an inch (1.25cm) wide without its wings extended.

Some areas of the US already have problems with lanternflies. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tells residents on its website: 'Kill it! Squash it, smash it...just get rid of it'

They are a combination of colours, with black and yellow on their bodies and grey, black, brown and red wings.

An important factor in predicting where the spotted lanternflies might appear next was measurements of the average temperature.

Places where the driest quarter of the year had a temperature range between 19°F and 45°F (-7°C and 7°C) are best suited to the bugs.

The research was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.