🚨 Garden Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly Invades Virginia Gardens

If you've spotted a colorful insect with black spots and bright red underwings fluttering through your garden, you may be witnessing one of Virginia’s most unwanted visitors: the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).

Originally from Asia, this invasive pest has made its way to several counties in Virginia—and it’s not just a pretty face. The spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to gardens, trees, vineyards, and crops across the state. While it may not kill plants immediately, its feeding habits weaken them over time and leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew, which promotes mold growth and attracts other pests.

🐞 Why Gardeners Should Care

Spotted lanternflies feed on over 70 plant species, including beloved favorites like:

• Grapevines

• Maples

• Hops

• Stone fruits (like peaches and plums)

• Herbs and vegetables

  
  

Even ornamental plants and shade trees can suffer damage, impacting both aesthetics and plant health.

🔎 How to Identify Them

• Nymphs (Spring to Early Summer): Black with white spots; later red and black with white spots

• Adults (Mid to Late Summer): Gray wings with black dots and brilliant red hind wings

  
  

🧨 What You Can Do

• Squash them on sight. Really. Every single one counts.

• Scrape and destroy eggs. Look for gray, mud-like egg masses on trees, walls, and patio furniture.

• Report sightings. Especially if you’re outside a known infestation zone. Report to: www.vdacs.virginia.gov

  
  

🌿 Gardeners vs. Lanternfly: Every Action Counts

At Holmes Run Community Garden and gardens across Virginia, we’re encouraging all members to stay vigilant. The sooner we act, the better chance we have at protecting our green spaces from this destructive invader.

Have you seen a lanternfly in your garden? Snap a photo, report it, and help us spread awareness—not the bug!