Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
Photo: Adult spotted lantern fly. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) threatens fruit crops like grapes, peaches, and hops. It also threatens numerous tree species, such as pine, oak, walnut, and maple. However, its preferred host is another invasive species: tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). SLF is an insect native to East Asia. In 2016, it was discovered in southeast Pennsylvania. It was confirmed in Virginia in January 2018. If you think you have found SLF, collect a specimen or take photos and notify Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Report Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia
Virginia Cooperative Extention Spotted Lanterfly Fact Sheet >>
United State Department of Agriculture Fact Sheet >>
Adult SLF with wings folded. Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
SLF nymph stage with red patches and white spots. Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
SLF early nymph stage with white spots only. Red patches develop in a later stage. Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org