Spotted Lanternfly inKnox County, TNSPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Knox County, anchoring the Knoxville metro in East Tennessee, entered the SLF watch zone in 2024 as the pest pressed southward through Virginia and into the Tennessee Valley corridor. The county sits at the convergence of I-40, I-75, and I-640, making it one of the most significant transportation hubs in the Southeast — and one of the highest-risk introduction points for SLF hitching rides on vehicles and freight. Proximity to confirmed infestations in southwestern Virginia, combined with heavy commercial truck traffic flowing through Knoxville's interstate exchange, elevates the threat considerably. The University of Tennessee campus and surrounding urban core are priority surveillance zones given the dense Tree of Heaven populations established throughout the Tennessee River floodplain.
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots in Knox County, TN
Downtown Knoxville
Active zone
Powell
Active zone
Farragut
Active zone
Halls
Active zone
Corryton
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Knox County, TN
Tree of Heaven is well established along I-40, I-75, and I-640 interstate medians and right-of-way corridors throughout Knox County. The Tennessee River banks running through Knoxville support dense Ailanthus stands in disturbed riparian zones. Railroad corridors serving the Norfolk Southern and CSX lines through downtown Knoxville and post-industrial sites along the river waterfront provide additional ToH habitat that could accelerate SLF establishment once the pest arrives.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Knox County, TN
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Knox County, TN maps the invasion front. Report directly to Tennessee Dept 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 TN State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full TN guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Knox County, TN. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Knox County, TN.
One email per week. Your zip code. Your threat level. Your action plan. Know exactly what to do this week in Knox County, TN.