Spotted Lanternflies Seen More Widely In Fairfax County: What To Know

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect that threatens plants, has been seen in more places around Fairfax County.

County government asked residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly as the county's Urban Forest Management Team has observed the invasive species in a wider area.

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect originally from Asia, first appeared in the U.S. in Pennsylvania and is now present in 14 U.S. states. The insect poses a threat by feeding on over 70 plant species. Its preferred food source is the tree-of-heaven, but officials say the insect threatens Virginia's peach, apple, grape, and wine industries. The insect can also emit a sticky substance that can cause mold growth and attract stinging insects.

In Virginia, some areas are under a quarantine, which means businesses must inspect regulated items leaving the quarantined areas so they don't have any stages of the spotted lanternfly. Clarke, Frederick, and Warren counties and the city of Winchester are considered heavily infested areas, while select counties like Prince William County and cities of Manassas and Manassas Park are under a quarantine. Fairfax County is not one of the counties under a quarantine.

The county received guidance from the Maryland Department of Agriculture that quick response can help control the numbers of the spotted lanternfly. In particular, residents will have to look out for adult spotted lanternflies, as well as egg masses that are laid starting in September through the first few hard frosts.

Spotted lanternflies are "hitchhiker" insects that spread through travel on shipments of items such as produce. Vehicles, especially parked near trees or forest edges, are also at risk of carrying spotted lanternflies.

There are different life stages of the spotted lanternfly that residents should look out for. During the summer, spotted lanternfly nymphs turn into adults, which are around 1 inch long with gray forewings covered in black dots, hind wings, with red patches and black spots and a white band. Nymphs are smaller and do not have wings, starting as black with white spots and developing red patches as they mature.

Adult spotted lanternflies typically lay eggs starting in September through the first hard frosts. Egg masses are covered in a light gray colored wax that appears like mud when dry.

Fairfax County government urges residents to check their vehicles for spotted lanternflies, scrape and smash egg masses into soapy, vacuum nymphs and adults, and report spotted lanternfly sightings to help reduce the population. Sightings can be reported through the mobile app iNaturalist, by emailing [email protected] with photos, or by calling Fairfax County's 703-324-5304.