By Shelby Carroll

N.C. Cooperative Extension

Rowan County has confirmed the presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF), a destructive pest first detected in North Carolina in 2022. Native to Asia, the insect was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has spread rapidly along the East Coast, hitchhiking on vehicles, firewood and outdoor materials. Its arrival in Rowan County raises concerns for agriculture, forestry and landscapes. The spotted lanternfly feeds on the sap of more than 70 plant species, including grapes, apples, peaches, maples and other hardwoods. Heavy feeding weakens plants, causes oozing wounds, and promotes sooty mold growth, which can further damage crops and ornamental plants.

The insect has one generation per year and

See Full Page