Virginia lifts failed quarantine for spotted lanternfly

Efforts to quarantine spotted lanternflies in Virginia have been deemed ineffective.

The state’s Department of Agriculture repealed the quarantine last month after efforts to slow the pest failed. The quarantine was established back in 2019 when the pest was first detected in Frederick County.

Sixty-seven Virginia localities now face the pest which feeds on grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees.

Spotted lanternflies have also been found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and Connecticut.

Related Stories
Fewer DEF-related shutdowns could mean more uptime during planting and harvest seasons.
New Nebraska wildfires near containment, but damages still mount for ranchers across the region.
Rising fertilizer costs tied to tariffs are tightening margins for U.S. wheat growers, according to new data from the National Association of Wheat Growers.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen highlights the legal challenges surrounding stray voltage, a recent court decision, and what it means for agricultural producers.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shared a behind-the-scenes look at the journey as part of what’s being called the “Great American Egg Road Trip.”