VDACS needs your help monitoring invasive species

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is asking residents to report invasive species using its online reporting tool.

VDACS monitors threats including the Spotted Lanternfly, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Imported Fire Ant, Yellow-Legged
Hornet, and several noxious weeds.

The tool customizes questions based on the pest you’re reporting.

While photos can’t be uploaded with the form, officials recommend taking one in case it’s requested later.

Reports should only be submitted for sightings within Virginia.

When in doubt, VDACS encourages residents to go ahead and file a report.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Box Tree Moth quarantine

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has announced a Box Tree Moth quarantine for Clarke and Frederick counties and the City of Winchester.

Box tree moth is an invasive insect that poses a serious threat to boxwood plants.

Its caterpillars feed aggressively and can completely strip plants of their leaves, eventually killing them.

The pest is native to East Asia and was first detected in the United States in New York in 2021.

Inspectors first found box tree moth at several sites in the areas in July and August of this year.

All known sites were treated during the summer and fall.

Follow-up surveys show the moth has continued to spread and is now established in the region.

The quarantine is intended to slow the movement of the insect into new areas.

It restricts the transport of boxwood plants out of the quarantined locations unless a permit or compliance agreement is obtained from VDACS.

These agreements let businesses self-certify plants by inspecting for box tree moth, monitoring traps, applying treatments, and notifying recipients when shipping outside the quarantine zone.

Permits and agreements are available at no cost.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected box tree moth damage using VDACS’ Invasive Species Reporting Tool.

More information is available through the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The VDACS reports an invasive insect in Clarke and Loudoun County

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) reports a new invasive insect has been found in Clarke and Loudoun Counites.

The Box Tree Moth has been found and confirmed in at least 4 different sites in both counties.

The caterpillar stage of the moth can completely defoliate host plants if left unchecked.

The Box Tree Moth has been known to severely damage or kill boxwood plants if left untreated.

The VDACS has already surveyed the area of infestation with additional studies to be conducted.

There are tools for both detection and reporting infestation of any invasive species available here.

Identification and additional information on the new species is available from the VDACS here.

Early detection and treatment is the best way to protect and prevent damage to native plants.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Help Virginia STOMP the spread!

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

The first adult Spotted Lanternflies of the season have been spotted in Virginia , with early sightings confirmed in Richmond and Lynchburg just last week.

These invasive pests are back, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is asking for your help to Stop the Spread.

Spotted Lanternflies pose a serious threat to Virginia’s agriculture, especially to trees and vines like grapevines and hardwoods.

They feed on sap, weaken plants, and can significantly damage crops and native ecosystems.

The best way to help is simple.

If you see one, STOMP it, and then report it.

Report What You See VDACS provides an Invasive Species Reporting Tool to make it easy for Virginia residents to report sightings of Spotted Lanternflies or other invasive species.

How It Works:

  • The reporting tool asks pest-specific questions to gather key information.
  • Although you can’t submit a photo through the form, you should take a clear picture of the pest. VDACS may contact you to request it later.
  • Submitting your contact information is optional, but helpful if follow-up is needed.

This tool is only for sightings within Virginia.

Other Invasive Species VDACS Monitors:

  • Spotted Lanternfly
  • Imported Fire Ant
  • Asian Longhorned Beetle
  •  Box Tree Moth
  •  Northern Giant Hornet (a.k.a. Asian Giant Hornet)
  • Yellow-Legged Hornet ï‚· Tier 1 Noxious Weeds
  •  Tier 2 Noxious Weeds
    View full noxious weed lists

Help Protect Virginia!

Every report helps scientists and agricultural professionals track the spread of these destructive pests.

Even if you’re unsure what species you saw, please report it.

VDACS staff will review and determine next steps.

Note: All information submitted is considered public record under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

Let’s keep Virginia’s landscapes healthy, see it, stomp it, and report it!

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Food production boost in Winchester and Shenandoah County

Governor Youngkin today announced infrastructure grant awards totaling over $497,000 to boost local food production and agricultural across Virginia.

The announcement comes during Virginia Agriculture Week and highlights the administration’s commitment to strengthening local food systems and supporting the Commonwealth’s largest private industry, agriculture.

Among the grant recipients are the City of Winchester and Shenandoah County, both receiving funding to expand vital food-related infrastructure:

  • City of Winchester – $47,900
    The Winchester Economic Development Authority will use the funding to construct a new commissary kitchen, offering much-needed space for food entrepreneurs lacking commercial kitchen access. The facility will help strengthen the local food system and expand opportunities for value-added Virginia agricultural products.
  • Shenandoah County – $50,000
    Funding will support the renovation of an existing space in New Market into a commercial kitchen. The facility will provide room for multiple vendors and include a new roaster to support the growth of Crazy Fox Coffee, a local business.

Grants are awarded on a reimbursable basis and primarily support capital improvements such as commercial kitchens, food hubs, farmers markets, and value-added processing facilities.

Matching contributions from localities and partners further amplify the impact of these investments.

Applications open for Beehive Distribution Program

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is now accepting applications for the Beehive Distribution Program through September 6th.

Virginia residents over 18 years old can apply for free equipment for assembling new beehives and recipients will be chosen at random from qualifying applications received during the time frame.

As outlined in the program, recipients must assemble the beehive and fill it with a colony of honeybees within one year of receiving the equipment.

The VDACS does not provide bees, personal safety supplies, or honey processing equipment.

Individual residents may apply for up to three beehive units per fiscal year.

Multiple individuals residing in the same house may apply for beehives, but no more than three will be distributed per household.

A link to more information or to apply is available here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Spotted Lanternflies return to region

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.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.