Photo credit: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood

Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive planthopper has recently been found in Ohio. Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture found 5 live adults among trees along the Ohio River in October 2020. Ohio now becomes the 11th eastern state where the spotted lanternfly has been detected. This pest poses a threat to tree fruit and grapes, which is why early detection is critical in stopping its spread and minimizing the devastating effect it could have on our agriculture industry here in North Carolina. To help us with early detection learn more about this pest through our resource link below and read the steps you should take if you suspect you have seen a spotted lanternfly in North Carolina.

Learn More About Spotted Lanternfly Through Our NC State Extension Resource Page

If you think you have seen spotted lanternfly in North Carolina:

• Please take a photo and send it to badbug@ncagr.gov.
• When submitting a photo please include the location of the sighting, the date, and your contact information.
• Clear, close-up, focused images are the easiest to ID! If possible, add a coin, paper clip, or other small objects to the photo to indicate the size of the insect.
  

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