We received word from Virginia late last week that the Spotted Lanternfly now has an established population in Carroll County, VA, just north of Surry County and the Yadkin Valley. The effects of a Spotted Lanternfly infestation can be detrimental to the North Carolina wine and grape industry. Finding and reacting immediately to this pest will be the only chance we have at control.
Below is the text of a memo from Amy Michael, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Coordinator. and a poster showing the life stages of the Spotted Lanternfly.
This video about the Spotted Lanternfly was created for the North Carolina Winegrowers Assn virtual conference earlier this year:
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If you see or suspect that you see a Spotted Lanternfly, please take a picture and submit it in an email to
badbug@ncagr.gov or you can call the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 919-707-3730.
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Memorandum from NCDA&CS:
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Plant Industry Division would like to issue a warning to all North Carolina vineyards regarding the increased likelihood of transmission of the highly destructive Spotted Lanternfly from infested states to North Carolina.
This invasive insect threatens production of both Old World and New World grapes as well as tourism associated with your operation. Feeding can reduce sugar content in fruit and can kill vines by weakening their ability to survive freezing temperatures. In heavily infested areas, untreated vineyards can be completely destroyed in three years. Adult Spotted Lanternfly tend to swarm mid-September to mid-October, which can lead to restricted treatment options prior to harvest. Swarms of Spotted Lanternfly are also an incredible nuisance to guests and can
reduce enjoyability of outdoor events (e.g. weddings) that your venue may host. Furthermore, Spotted Lanternfly can lay eggs on any flat surface, including the vehicles of visitors to your property. Since your vineyard is likely going to receive visitors from infested states, you should be extra diligent in inspecting all areas for Spotted Lanternfly.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has most recently detected an established population of Spotted Lanternfly in Carroll County, VA, bordering Surry County, NC. This is in addition to Prince William, Shenandoah, Page counties, the cities of Lynchburg and Winchester, and the quarantined Frederick, Clarke, and Warren counties. Additional states with established Spotted Lanternfly populations include: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. New infestations are being found regularly so adjacent states to those listed above could potentially carry Spotted Lanternfly as well.
It is imperative that we keep this pest out of North Carolina and early detection is critical. If you see Spotted Lanternfly or suspect that you see Spotted Lanternfly please take a picture and submit it in an email to badbug@ncagr.gov or you can call the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 919-707-3730. We have also developed Preparedness Kits for grape growers and can be reached in the same manner if you would like to request these for yourself and other outreach materials for your staff and/ or guests.
