Spotted Lanternfly In VA: How To Spot This Invasive Pest In Your Trees

VIRGINIA — Spotted lanternflies are out in full force in Virginia this summer, but how easy is it to spot the destructive planthoppers once they lay claim to your favorite backyard tree?

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species native to eastern Asia, was first found in Virginia in 2018 in Frederick County. It has since spread to Albemarle, Augusta, Carroll, Clarke, Page, Prince William, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren and Wythe Counties, as well as the cities of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester.

Adult insects have polka-dotted forewings and bold red underwings, giving them a distinctive appearance. Although it has the allure of a butterfly, the insect’s looks are deceiving.

Davey Tree Expert Company arborist Lou Meyer recently took a stroll through Patuxent River State Park and shared with WTOP what Virginians should look for to identify the pest.

Voracious eaters, spotted lanternflies feed on about 100 plant and tree species, including economically important crops such as grapevines, apple orchards, hops ornamental landscape plants, along with multiple tree species.

During his walk with WTOP, Meyer pointed out an ailanthus tree, also known as the tree of heaven, covered in the spotted insects.

“They love feeding on the sugars, the carbohydrates, that the tree is producing,” Meyer told WTOP.

While feeding on plants, spotted lanternflies secrete a liquid known as honeydew. The liquid can develop an intense, rotten odor as it ferments and causes black, sooty mold, which can cover leaves and inhibit photosynthesis. Sooty mold can also cover manmade structures and be difficult to remove.

Meyer told WTOP the honeydew comes from a spotted lanternfly's wings when they're spread.

“On a heavily infested tree, it looks like it’s raining on a clear day,” Meyer said.

Now through September, spotted lanternflies take on the distinct red coloration and grow to about an inch long and one-half inch wide. In the adult stage, you may not see the flash of red until they take flight. While resting, the grayish forewings with black spots cover the colorful hindwings.

While experts often urge people who see spotted lanternflies to destroy them, Meyer said native birds are also discovering how tasty they are.

“Now they’re starting to eat them, so nature is starting to find more of a balance,” Meyer told WTOP.

In Virginia, the Department of Agriculture issued a quarantine for the counties and cities where the spotted lanternfly is present. The purpose of the quarantine is to stop the spread of the pest to other counties.

A quarantine means that any businesses in the affected counties are required to get a permit from the state to move items including lanternflies, dead or live trees, outdoor construction or industrial materials, outdoor household items, and more.

Spotted lanternfly sightings outside of the quarantine area should be reported to the state through this online form.