Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia
A potentially very serious pest of grapes, peaches, hops, and a variety of other crops, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, was detected in Frederick County, Virginia, on Jan. 10, 2018.
It is important to look for it and report any finds.
The spotted lanternfly has also been reported on a range of ornamentals around the home and in the landscape; in high numbers, the insect can become a nuisance pest to homeowners.
Early, immature stages of the spotted lanternfly are wingless and black and have white spots that develop to red patches.
At rest, the adult SLF resembles a colorful moth and shows light-brown, grayish wings with black spots held "tent-like" over its body. When the wings are open, yellow and red patches are exposed. Adult SLF are approximately 1" long and ½" wide.
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.
Do you have a specimen?
If you think that you have found a spotted lanternfly, you can take a specimen to your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.
Do you have a picture?
If you only have a picture or would rather submit a picture, please use this link: https://ask.extension.org/groups/1981/ask
* Be sure to include a street address and email address.
- Detailed fact sheet on the life cycle and control of the spotted lanternfly
- Virginia Pest Alert for Spotted Lanternfly
- Report a suspect Spotted Lanternfly
- Find your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office
- Tree of Heaven identification by Rachel Brooks
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services press release
- UDSA information on the Spotted Lanternfly
- Alerta de plagas, Mosca linterna con manchas (Lycorma delicatula)
USDA fact sheet in Spanish - Alerta de Plagas: Mosca Linterna con Manchas Lycorma delicatula
Pest alert fact sheet in Spanish - Lifecycle Calendar
- 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
- Recording of a webinar on Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia
- VT News release (June 7, 2018): "Spot the invasive spotted lanternfly at your farm or home? Report it."
Partners
- Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Virginia State University College of Agriculture
- Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station
- Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Centers
- Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
