WV Dept. of Agriculture seeks public help eradicating spotted lanternfly [Video]

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is asking people to be on the lookout for the invasive spotted lanternfly and its favorite host plant as the hatching season begins.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive bug from Asia that damages plants leaving a sticky mold wherever it goes. They can currently be found in 13 West Virginia counties.

James Watson from the WV Department of Agriculture says it’s a hitchhiking bug and travelers need to be wary of them attaching to cars.

“So the spotted lanternfly first will be hatching out in the next 2 or 3 weeks in the infected areas of West Virginia, those will be small black insects with white spots,” said Watson.

The spotted lanternfly will be reaching maturity by mid-summer. The nymphs we may be seeing soon are black with white spots later turning red. Eggs masses grow in grayish putty-like patches.

Its favorite host is …