Spotted Lanternfly

Help Slow the Spread in Virginia

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect first detected in our area in Frederick County, Virginia, in January 2018. Since that time our Extension Agent, Mark Sutphin, along with our Extension Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension, have monitored for the insect, helped with I.D., and been an integral part of the effort to stop the spread of this destructive pest.

Impact

The spotted lanternfly lays eggs on items like plants, lumber, firewood, construction materials, equipment and vehicles. This insect can have a massive impact on crops and farms. The spotted lanternfly can devastate vineyards, impact forest products and be a nuisance in the home landscape. Trucks, shipping containers, agricultural haulers and other vehicles traveling in and out of the quarantine zone will need to be permitted, inspected and possibly treated or washed. Residents, business owners, farmers, Extension Master Gardeners, and leaders must do all we can to control the spread of this species. Follow us on Facebook for weekly updates on this invasive pest. 

Quarantine and Permits

Clarke, Frederick, and Warren counties as well as the city of Winchester in Virginia are now under quarantine for spotted lanternfly. Businesses located in the quarantine area in Virginia that are shipping regulated articles outside of the quarantine area must obtain a spotted lanternfly permit. Among the regulated articles are construction materials, firewood, grills, outdoor furniture covers, lawn mowers, lumber, nursery stock, shipping containers, tarps, tile, and stone. To acquire a permit, business operators must complete an online training course before applying. There is a $6 training fee per person, but no fee for the permit, which is recognized by other states. Links to relevant training and permit documents are below. 

• Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training (cost $6)
• Spotted Lanternfly Permit Application 
• Sample Inspection Statement
• Virginia Permit Information (Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will honor a Pennsylvania Spotted Lanternfly Permit)

What You Can Do

• Report
  • Click to report spotted lanternfly findings OUTSIDE the city of Winchester and Frederick County.
  • Since the Winchester and Frederick county regions are highly infested, reporting is no longer requested or necessary.
• Late Summer and Fall
  • Look for and kill late-stage nymphs and adults.
  • 4th instar nymphs are red, black, and white and do not have wings.
  • Adults have pinkish tan wings with black spots and are yellow and black underneath. They hop and fly.
  • May be found feeding on a variety of plant material.
• Fall and Winter
  • Look for egg masses and destroy.
  • SLF lay eggs on trees and many other surfaces, such as: firewood, backyard grills, garden equipment and debris, patio furniture, waste bins, hunting stands and blinds, pallets, vehicles.
  • If egg masses are found, scrape them off the surface and destroy. A stick, credit card, screwdriver, putty or pocket knife, etc. can be used to scrape or smash egg mass. Eggs can be dropped into rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or simply crushed.
• Fact Sheets and Videos with Control Measures and Best Management Practices
  • Residential Control
  • Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly in Yards and Landscapes
  • Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly on Christmas Tree Farm
  • Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia Vineyards
  • Spotted Lanternfly Banding 2020 Video from Pennsylvania State University
  • Spotted Lanternfly Circle Trap Video from Pennsylvania State University

• Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly page. 
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences
  • Spotted Lanternfly Information 
  • Spotted Lanternfly – What Citizens Can Do
• City of Winchester’s Stop the Spotted Lanternfly page.
• Virginia Department of Forestry’s Control and Utilization of Tree-of-Heaven
• Virginia Tech’s Ailanthus and Lookalikes Tree Identification.