Quarantine for invasive Spotted Lanternfly ends in Virginia
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – A quarantine established in 2019 to slow the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly has officially been repealed on March 27.
The Spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that feeds on plants like grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. They typically feed in large numbers and excrete a fluid that damages plants.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) made the announcement on Thursday, and the change removes all regulatory requirements restricting intrastate movement of the spotted lanternfly, as well as anything capable of moving the insect in Virginia.
However, interstate movement of spotted lanternfly or articles capable of moving the spotted lanternfly may still be regulated by the importing state.
Get ready to stomp! Spotted lanternflies are about to reappear in Virginia
The areas of Albemarle, Augusta, Carroll, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Prince William, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester were under spotted lanternfly quarantine.
The quarantine was first created in 2019 in Frederick County and the city of Winchester in an attempt to slow the spread to uninfected regions of the Commonwealth. The quarantine was then expanded to 12 additional counties and ten cities as the invasive species population grew across the state.
VDACS has determined that the quarantine is no longer effective, and as of March 2025, sixty-seven cities and counties have reported a persistent reproducing population of the spotted lanternfly.
Businesses transporting products capable of carrying the insect to other states or other countries with import restrictions will need to obtain or maintain their existing spotted lanternfly permit, establish a compliance agreement, or request a phytosanitary certificate.
VDACS will continue to monitor spotted lanternfly spread to uninfested areas, and the agency encourages the public to continue to submit reports through VDACS' Office of Plant Industry Services Invasive Species Reporting Tool. Please visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-spotted-lanternfly.shtml for more information or contact the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services at (804) 786-3515.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
CODI Alert: Missing Person
Salem, Va (WFXR) — Virginia State Police have put out a CODI alert on behalf of the Salem Police Department, for 14-year-old Keirnan Toy Kazuhiki Terry. Terry is a white male, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black Nike sweatpants, a black hoodie with a white graphic on the back, and a black beanie. His hair is currently cut short. Police say he was last seen at 2:20p.m. in the 500 block of Yorkshire Street in Salem, leaving the location on foot. VSP say his disappearance poses a 'credible threat to his health and safety.' Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salem Police Department at (540) 375-3078 (24 hour dispatch), or visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Martinsville man charged after allegedly found asleep with teenager in car
HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Henry County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of a man after allegedly being found asleep with a teenage girl in a car late in Collinsville on May 31. The sheriff said that a deputy who was patrolling the area near 2400 Virginia Avenue allegedly witnessed a suspicious red Dodge Charger with the engine running behind the AutoZone store around 5:08 a.m. on Saturday. The deputy approached the Charger and allegedly saw a man in the driver's seat, as well as a 14-year-old girl in the passenger seat, according to the sheriff. Both occupants appeared to be sleeping. The man was allegedly shirtless, and the teenage girl appeared to be unclothed, with 'several open containers of alcoholic beverages visible inside the vehicle,' the sheriff said. Infant found safe in Franklin County While investigating, it was allegedly determined that the man, who was later identified as 33-year-old Roniticus Lamar Wilson of Martinsville, and the teenage girl, knew each other and 'had been attempting to engage in a romantic relationship.' Roniticus Lamar Wilson has been arrested and charged with the following: Carnal Knowledge of a Child in violation of (Virginia Code § 18.2-63) Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Virginia Code § 18.2-371) Wilson is currently being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond. The Henry County Sheriff said the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding the incident, please contact the Henry County Sheriff's Office at 276-638-8751. You can also leave an anonymous tip with contact CrimeStoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The CrimeStoppers program offers rewards of up to $2,500.00 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in criminal activity. The reward amount is determined based on the nature of the crime and the value of the information provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Warm Wednesday, showers possible Thursday
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — High pressure will keep Southwest and Central Virginia dry on Wednesday. Daily rain chances are expected through the beginning of next week. Wednesday will start mostly clear and cool with morning temperatures in the 50s. Cloud cover will gradually increase during the afternoon hours. It will still be warm for the day with highs in the upper 70s and 80s. Some haziness is anticipated as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts southward. However, the smoke is not expected to make a large impact on air quality in Southwest and Central Virginia. A Moderate air quality index is in place for the area. If you are unusually sensitive to smoke and air pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shortening the amount of time you are active outside. In the tropics, an area of low pressure will develop around the coastal Southeastern U.S. over the next few days before moving off toward the northeast. If the system remains offshore, it may gain some tropical characteristics. However, any potential system would likely be weak and short-lived. If this low-pressure system treks further inland, it may increase rain chances on Thursday. Southwest and Central Virginia can expect widely-scattered rain showers and variably cloudy skies. Rumbles of thunder are possible, but severe weather is not anticipated. Highs will be in the upper 70s and lower 80s. However, more cloud cover could result in cooler conditions. A frontal system will approach the region toward the end of the week. Isolated showers and storms are possible Friday afternoon, with the best chance along and west of the Blue Ridge. Rain coverage will increase on Saturday as the front draws closer; scattered showers and storms will be possible area-wide. A few storms may pack a punch, potentially becoming strong to severe. A few showers may linger into Sunday. Otherwise, the warm weather pattern will continue. For the weekend, highs will be in the upper 70s and 80s under a mix of sun and clouds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
