This afternoon, roaming around, preparing for tonight’s blog post which would have been Ironweed (Vernonia). I happened to glance at one of the leaves of the Ironweed that I was going to photograph and there was a strange looking creature that looked as if it was dressed up for a masquerade ball.

Unfortunately this gaudy being is a 4th stage nymph of a Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). It was captured and stomped upon. I’ve now notified my Cooperative Extension Agent. I’m hoping there have been no others seen here in Greene County, Virginia. According to the maps that I see, none have been reported.

As of a little more than a month ago Spotted Lanternflies have been found in 17 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

If you find one where you live notify your Cooperative Extension Office right away.

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