The Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Northern Shenandoah Valley Agriculture and Natural Resources team reported that Spotted Lanternfly nymphs have begun their seasonal hatching from egg masses across the region.

Spotted Lanternflies are a very serious pest that damages grapes, peaches, hops and a variety of other crops.

They also have been reported around the home on ornamentals and other landscape features.

Spotted Lanternflies first emerged in the area in January of 2018 and are now considered established in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

If you find a Spotted Lanternfly, kill it on the spot.

Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page and Warren Counties remain under quarantine and businesses within the area must obtain a permit from the VDACS and inspect all articles to make sure they do not contain any life stage of spotted lantern fly that could spread to un-infested areas.

To learn about the Spotted Lanternfly Treatment Program, click here.

To learn more about quarantined counties, click here.