Spotted Lanternfly inMartinsburg, WVSPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Berkeley County confirmed SLF in 2017, making Martinsburg one of the earliest confirmed West Virginia locations and a longtime heavy infestation zone. The Eastern Panhandle hub sits at the convergence of I-81 and the MARC Brunswick commuter rail line to DC and Baltimore — making Martinsburg a primary vector for SLF movement between West Virginia and the DC metropolitan infestation zone. The historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad heritage district's disturbed rail corridor soils are classic Tree of Heaven colonization habitat. Rapid DC exurban growth has dramatically increased commuter vehicle traffic through Berkeley County, accelerating SLF spread in both directions.
Where it's showing up
Key Neighborhoods
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots
MARC commuter rail to DC/Baltimore (major transport vector for SLF egg masses)
Active zone
I-81 corridor (primary freight highway through Eastern Panhandle)
Active zone
Opequon Creek watershed (natural TOH habitat along creek banks)
Active zone
Historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad junction (disturbed rail corridor TOH)
Active zone
DC exurb development corridors (rapidly expanding suburban vehicle traffic)
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Martinsburg, WV
The MARC Brunswick commuter rail line running from Martinsburg to Washington DC and Baltimore is one of the most significant SLF transport vectors in the mid-Atlantic region — commuters traveling daily between Martinsburg's heavy infestation zone and DC/Baltimore carry egg masses on vehicles and outdoor gear. The historic B&O Railroad heritage district has dense Tree of Heaven colonization in disturbed rail corridor soils — a textbook TOH establishment pattern. I-81 highway corridor margins have established TOH populations running the length of the Eastern Panhandle. Opequon Creek watershed provides natural riparian TOH habitat through Berkeley County. Martinsburg's rapid growth as a DC exurb has added tens of thousands of new commuter vehicles cycling between the WV infestation zone and the DC metro area annually.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Martinsburg, WV
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Martinsburg, WV maps the invasion front. Report directly to West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Report Now →Squish on Sight
See a spotted lanternfly? Kill it immediately — it is legal and encouraged in all states. Learn the best kill methods.
Full Fight Guide →Map ToH in Your Block
Tree of Heaven removal cuts off SLF food supply. Add ToH sightings to the community map to guide removal efforts.
View Sighting Map →Statewide resources
Full West Virginia State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full West Virginia guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Martinsburg, WV. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Martinsburg, WV.
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