(WSET) — All quarantines and reporting requirements have been lifted regarding the spotted lanternfly, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
VDACS announced that the spotted lanternfly is now widespread throughout Roanoke County and the state of Virginia. Because of this, all quarantines and reporting requirements related to this invasive pest have been lifted.
According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, spotted lanternfly undergoes the following life stages:
- Egg Stage: Eggs are laid in masses and covered with a waxy substance.
- Nymph Stage: Nymphs hatch from eggs and go through four instars, starting as black with white spots and eventually becoming red with black and white spots.
- Adult Stage: Adults are about 1 inch long, with gray wings and distinctive black spots. Their hind wings are red with black spots.
The nymphs currently present in our area are in the early stages, characterized by their black color and white spots.
Below are recommendations from Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology on ways to control and limit the spread of the spotted lanternfly…