KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WV News) — West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Forestry officials are calling for preventative measures to combat the spread of the spotted lanternfly by eliminating the tree-of-heaven — two equally invasive species with the potential to cause severe economic and ecological damage.

According to the WVDA, spotted lanternflies are an invasive insect native to Vietnam, India and China. They were first detected in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in September 2014 and have since spread across many eastern states, including some counties in West Virginia.

James Watson, WVDA spotted lanternfly coordinator, said officials are concerned about a growing population that will continue to spread across the country.

Currently, spotted lanternflies are slowly crossing into West Vi

See Full Page