Get ready to stomp! Spotted lanternflies are about to reappear in Virginia

Odyssey Fields
·2 min read

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — The fight to keep the lanternfly off and away is coming back.

Spotted lanternflies that have overwintered in egg masses are about to hatch and make their debut mid-to-late April, according to Virginia Tech entomologist, Eric Day.

“The spotted lanternfly is well-established up and down the East Coast and in Virginia,” said Day, who manages the Insect Identification Lab in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Entomology. “It’s really a perfect invasive storm. We are moving from detecting and reporting it to managing it and reaching out to those who are potentially impacted.”

FILE - A smashed spotted lanternfly sits on the ground in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. The Illinois Department of Agriculture said a sighting of one of the winged adult insects was reported on Sept. 16, 2023, at an undisclosed location in the state. Department staffers visited that area and found a “moderately populated area of spotted lanternfly,” the state agency said. (AP Photo, File)

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Virginia Tech says the range to see spotted lanternflies includes the Commonwealth in the Shenandoah Valley and parts of Piedmont.

Day says the bugs are expected to spread to more counties. However, the number of lanternflies that will appear and where is anyone’s guess.

He shared that some areas of Virginia where lanternflies initially appeared have reported fewer sightings.

“Winchester saw lower numbers last year,” he said. “Eventually, native predators start to find them delicious. Also, the spotted lanternfly gets a fungal disease that takes them out. It’s possible that some natural enemies are helping to cull them.”

To help contain their population, 12 counties and 10 cities in Virginia are currently under quarantine. This means any vehicle moving goods across city and county lines must be inspected by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for lanternflies and their eggs.

Spotted lanternflies threaten crops including grapes, peaches, and hops along with about 70 tree species. This includes pine, walnut, maple, and oak trees. However, their preferred hosts are the tree of havens.

Outdoor items such as grills, fencing, kids’ playhouses, and patio furniture can also be an easy hiding place for egg masses.

Day recommends homeowners check their property for egg masses and destroy them. He says to also inspect your cars, trailers, and other equipment for spotted lanternflies before moving them to another location to avoid spreading them.

To find more homeowner tips, click here.

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