#environment, #nature, #wildlife
Spotted lanternflies are booming this summer throughout the D.C. region, including Fairfax County.
The species is native to East Asia, but is invasive here and is growing in number and range. Since the nymphs started maturing into adults in July, residents are spotting more of them.
A prolific appetite, lack of enough predators, and hitchhiking behavior make spotted lanternflies highly invasive, said Jules Amanita, spotted lanternfly field supervisor for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
These red-and-black polka-dotted insects are beautiful, but they’re harmful…