Virginia Beach Master Gardeners

Have you ever considered becoming a Virginia Beach Master Gardener? Orientation sessions will be held in one month. More info at https://www.vbmg.org/join https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2Fp_O0zb2DY

Virginia Beach Master Gardener - 2026 Orientation Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

You might have heard of these highly invasive insects! If not, let us introduce you to the spotted lanternfly. They're spreading throughout the commonwealth and you'll probably encounter them soon enough.

Here's a handy pocket guide you can use for IDing spotted lanterflies. ✨ We sized it for your smart phone, so save it to your phone photos. ✨

A pub on SLF control in the home garden: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ento-586/ento-586.html

Image text:
Spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, arrived in Virginia in 2018 and continues to spread across the state. This invasive pest strongly prefers feeding on tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, but it also feeds on many other plants. SLF is a pest of grapes and can be a nuisance around residences.
Identification tip: Check Tree of heaven, grapes, maple, and near-by plants and structures
Egg Mass: Found September-April | Actual size: 25-35 mm or 1 to 1-1/2 inch long
Early Stage Nymph: Found April to June | Actual size: 4-9 mm or 3/16 to 3/8 inch long
Late Stage Nymph: Found June to September | Actual size: 16–19 mm or 5/8 to 3/4 inch long
Adult: Found September to November | Actual size: 25 mm or 1 in long with wings folded
Preferred host species: Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima
Panicles of yellowish flowers
11-41 leaflets leaves 12-36”
Samaras - yellowish or brown
Stems - Stout and hairless, numerous bundle scars, large triangle-shaped leaf scars
Images: SLF eggs, numphs, adults, Eric Day, Virginia Tech; Tree-of-Heaven: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

A group of Va. Beach Master Gardeners enjoying Lynnhaven River NOW's Native Garden Tour this morning. It featured 5 private gardens (2 owned by Master Gardeners) and 2 community pollinator gardens.
Plant more natives to help our pollinators, birds, and other wildlife!
LRNow