The annual campaign to reduce damage caused by spotted lanternflies kicked off Saturday with teams of volunteers fanning out around Loudoun County to locate and destroy their eggs.
In its third year, the initiative—a combined effort of the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance, Visit Loudoun, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy—is expected to draw the support of more than 1,000 volunteers over three weekends and to keep millions of eggs from hatching.
The invasive insects, which were first discovered in Pennsylvania a decade ago, suck the sap out of trees and other plants, damaging them. An invasive plant, the Tree of Heaven, is a favorite food source, but spotted lantern flies also damage grape vines, maples and other saplings.
Speaking to volunteers gathered at Ida Lee Park on Saturday morning, Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance founder Mike Littman said there are instances where wineries have lost half their production because of damage the insects cause to vines…