Quarantine of spotted lanternfly lifted; no longer effective in preventing the spread

The spotted lanternfly infestation in Virginia has been so aggressive that the state no longer believes the quarantine in place is effective.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has repealed the quarantine effective today.

This repeal has nothing to do with any direction from the federal government, according to VDACS.

The quarantine repeal removes all regulatory requirements restricting intrastate movement in Virginia of the spotted lanternfly or articles capable of moving the spotted lanternfly. Interstate movement of spotted lanternfly or articles capable of moving the spotted lanternfly may still be regulated by the importing state.

The initial Virginia spotted lanternfly quarantine was established in 2019 for Frederick County and the city of Winchester to slow the spread of the invasive pests to other areas of the Commonwealth.

Since that time, the quarantine has been expanded to 12 counties and 10 cities to keep up with the spread of spotted lanternfly populations throughout the state. 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.

As of today, 67 Virginia cities and counties have reproducing and persistent populations of the spotted lanternfly.

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that feeds on plants like grapes, hops, stone fruits and hardwood trees. The invasive pest typically feeds in large numbers and excretes a fluid that causes damaging sooty mold which can further damage plants.

Virginia-based businesses shipping products capable of transporting invasive spotted lanternfly to states or other countries with import restrictions will need to first obtain or maintain their existing spotted lanternfly permit, establish a compliance agreement or request a phytosanitary certificate.