This brings the total number of North Carolina counties with established populations to seven.
DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — The invasive spotted lanternfly, a destructive insect that feeds on fruit trees, grapes and more than 100 other plants, has been found in Davidson, Rowan and Caswell counties, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.
This brings the total number of North Carolina counties with established populations to seven.
Officials found breeding populations along the I-85 and I-285 corridors in Davidson County and as far south as Salisbury in Rowan County. These likely came from infestations in Forsyth and Guilford counties. In Caswell County, lanternflies were spotted in Pelham, which connects to infestations in Danville, Virginia, as well as Reidsville and Winston-Salem.
“NCDA&CS has increased statewide checks since the pest first appeared in Kernersville in 2022,” said Dr. Bill Foote, director of the Plant Industry Division. “That led to new findings in Caldwell and Rockingham counties in spring 2025, and now Caswell, Davidson and Rowan.”
The spotted lanternfly spreads quickly because it has few natural predators in the U.S. It often travels on vehicles, trailers, and outdoor equipment. Its eggs, laid in autumn, survive winter and hatch in spring, sometimes in new locations.
“This pest is a serious threat to North Carolina’s grape and wine industries,” Foote said. “It can also damage fruit trees, maples and other common plants, and large populations become a nuisance quickly.”
Residents can help stop the spread. “Spotted lanternflies like to feed in treetops but can land on vehicles,” said Amy Michael, entomological programs manager. “Check yourself, your car or truck, and equipment for insects or egg masses. Removing them now can save a lot of problems later.”
NCDA&CS is treating infested areas from April through October, prioritizing commercial properties and lots under development. Surveys will continue year-round to find any new populations. Residents seeking advice should contact their local Cooperative Extension Office at https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center/.
Anyone who sees a spotted lanternfly or egg mass in North Carolina should report it with a photo at https://www.ncagr.gov/SLF.
