ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The spotted lanternfly is spreading in North Carolina.
It was first confirmed in the state in 2022. Since then, established populations have been documented in Forsyth, Guilford, Rockingham and Caldwell counties. The invasive insect was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014.
“It’s important that we’re monitoring, scouting for this pest and doing everything we can to prevent its establishment in our area,” said Luke Owen, commercial horticulture agent with Buncombe County Cooperative Extension…