Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia
Spotted lanternfly, a serious pest of grapes, continues to spread in Virginia. Check this map to see if spotted lanternfly has been reported in your location. There is no need to report spotted lanternfly if you are in a location where it is already known.
In addition to grapes, spotted lanternfly is found on a wide range of ornamental plants around the home and in the landscape. In large numbers, spotted lanternfly can be a nuisance pest around the home. Control information for homeowners can be found in the Resources section below.
Early, immature stages of the spotted lanternfly are wingless and black and have white spots that develop to red patches.
Clockwise from top left: Adult showing hind wings, adult with folded wings, early black and white nymphs. full grown nymphs showing red, and egg masses.
SLF egg masses are 1-1.5" long and ½-¾" wide, shiny and grayish-brown in color when fresh. They weather to a flat gray-brown color with age.
Spotted lanternfly continues to spread in Virginia. Check this link to see if it’s been found in your location. There is no need to report spotted lanternfly if you are in an infested location.
https://www.ento.vt.edu/4-H_Entomology/SpottedLanternfly.html
If you are in a location not under quarantine, without a known infestation indicated on the map:
- Take a photo or collect the suspect Spotted Lanternfly and contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Find your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office on this webpage.
Identification
- Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly Identification and Reporting in Virginia
- Possible Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Look-alikes in Virginia
- Possible Spotted Lanternfly Immature Look-alikes in Virginia
- Possible Spotted Lanternfly Adult Look-alikes in Virginia
Biology
- Lifecycle Calendar
- Detailed fact sheet on the life cycle and control of the spotted lanternfly
- UDSA information on the Spotted Lanternfly
Control
- Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly in Yards and Landscapes
- Residential Control for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) in Virginia
- Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly on Christmas Tree Farms
- Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia Vineyards: Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
- Control and Utilization of the Tree-of-Heaven by the Virginia Department of Forestry. http://www.dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/Control-and-Utilization-of-Tree-of-Heaven-2019-03_pub.pdf
- Tree of Heaven identification
- Invasive Plant Species: Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima)
The Virginia Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine was repealed in March 2025. However, some states still maintain spotted lanternfly quarantines and may require businesses shipping from Virginia to have a valid spotted lanternfly permit. Permits can be obtained through Pennsylvania's Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training for Businesses Program. Existing Virginia permits are no longer valid now that the Virginia Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine was repealed. Contact the Plant Industry Services at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for more information on how to acquire a spotted lanternfly permit.
- Control de la Mosca Linterna con Manchas (Spotted Lanternfly- SLF) en Hogares de Virginia
- Mosca Linterna con Manchas (Spotted Lanternfly) en Viñedos de Virginia: Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
- Ciclo de Vida en Virginia de Spotted Lanternfly (Mosca de Alas Manchadas)
- Alerta de plagas, Mosca linterna con manchas (Lycorma delicatula)
USDA Alerta de Plagas: Mosca Linterna con Manchas
