Arlington residents should expect a couple more seasons of spotted lanternfly infestations before the invasive species’ numbers start to decline.
Birds, bats and perhaps even a specialized type of wasp will likely help to thin the ranks of the lanternflies, which have been damaging native trees and plants since they became a common sight in Arlington around summer 2024.
One of Arlington’s least favorite insects is back for the spring, as invasive as ever.
Spotted lanternflies have begun hatching after their annual winter die-off and are currently in their nymph stage, Alonso Abugattas, Natural Resources Manager for Arlington County, informed ARLnow.
Many Arlington residents are getting their first glimpse of the spotted lanternfly within the county’s borders this month.
The quickly propagating invasive insect has recently been spotted in various parts of Arlington, including in Ballston and along Langston Blvd, after several years of anticipation. That follows a few sightings late last summer.
