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Spotted Lanternflies: What Virginia Gardeners Need to Know
Introduction
This invasive pest may look striking with its bright coloring, but don’t be fooled. Since its first detection in Virginia in 2018, the spotted lanternfly (often abbreviated as SLF) has rapidly spread across the state, hitchhiking on vehicles, outdoor furniture, firewood, and even animals. For home gardeners, this insect isn’t just a nuisance; it can seriously threaten fruit trees, ornamentals, and even the beauty of your landscape. Here’s what you need to know to identify, understand, and manage this unwelcome visitor in your garden.
Understanding the Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to China but has quickly established itself in the U.S., where it has no natural predators. In Virginia, it has been reported in more than half of our counties and cities. While it’s best known for damaging grapevines and orchard crops, SLF also feeds on hardwoods like oak, walnut, pine, and maple.
SLF feeds by piercing plants and sucking out sap, weakening the host and leaving behind a sticky residue (called honeydew). This residue promotes sooty mold growth, which not only stresses plants but also makes patios, decks, and cars beneath infested trees a sticky mess.
One tree in particular, the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), is a favorite host for SLF at every stage of its life. Unfortunately, this tree is already widespread across Virginia, giving lanternflies the perfect base for expansion.
Life Stages and Identification
Knowing how to spot each stage of the lanternfly’s life cycle is key to stopping its spread:
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Egg Masses (November–April): Laid on trees, outdoor furniture, or even vehicles. They look like gray, mud-like smears that can blend in with bark or man-made surfaces.
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Early Nymphs (May–June): Small, black with white spots, and easy to confuse with other insects.
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Late Nymphs (Late June–Early July): Red and black with white spots; a step before adulthood.
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Adults (Mid-July–October): Striking insects with spotted tan wings and flashes of red underneath. They die after the first hard frost, but not before laying eggs for the next generation.
Because their bright coloring can be confused with native moths like the giant leopard moth, buck moth, or tiger moth, it’s important to double-check before taking action.
Managing Spotted Lanternfly in the Home Garden
While large-scale measures are handled by the experts, home gardeners can play a big role in slowing the spread:
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Scrape and Destroy Egg Masses: From late fall through early spring, inspect trees, fences, vehicles, and outdoor gear. Scrape egg masses into a bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.
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Remove Tree-of-Heaven: If this invasive tree is on your property, consider removing it. Just be sure to manage regrowth, as it resprouts vigorously from roots.
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Check Before You Travel: SLF often hitchhikes. Inspect your car, firewood, and outdoor equipment before moving them from infested areas.
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Use Sticky Bands with Care: Traps can catch nymphs but also harm beneficial insects, birds, and pollinators. If using them, add a protective screen to reduce bycatch.
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Report Sightings: In Virginia, suspected SLF should be reported to your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
SLF is not a pest to ignore. By knowing what to look for and taking small, consistent steps—like destroying eggs, monitoring plants, and reducing their habitat—you can help protect your grapevines, fruit trees, and ornamentals from damage.
Conclusion
Gardening in Virginia comes with plenty of rewards, and with a little vigilance, we can work together to slow the spread of spotted lanternfly. Whether you’re tending a backyard vegetable patch, growing fruit trees, or simply enjoying your shade maples, awareness is the first step to protecting the plants we love.
If you have any questions that weren’t answered or need more information, feel free to stop by and see us at either the Broad St. or Mechanicsville location. You can also give us a call or drop us an email at info@stranges.com. We’re here to help you grow better!
Connect with Strange’s:
Instagram: @StrangesRVA Facebook: @Strange’s Florist
Mechanicsville: 804-321-2200 West Broad: 804-360-2800
