ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the first detection of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula or SLF) was made in Fulton County, Georgia on Oct. 22, 2024, and confirmed by USDA APHIS on Nov. 14, 2024. The first confirmed detection of the Spotted Lanternfly was made in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has spread to 17 states, including Tennessee and North Carolina.
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that poses a serious risk to agricultural commodities, according to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
“The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to our state’s No. 1 industry, has been detected for the first time in Georgia,” Harper said. “We urge anyone who sees the Spotted Lanternfly in their area to document it, report it and kill it. Controlling the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly is our best strategy for safeguarding Georgia’s agriculture industry, and we are asking for the public’s help in this effort.”
To combat this threat, Georgians are encouraged to take immediate action if they spot a SLF:
- Take a clear picture of the pest.
- Kill it.
- Report your sighting using the online reporting tool at https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/.
Residents seeking professional treatment options: The GDA offers lists of licensed pesticide professionals who can provide assistance with applications.