Spotted Lanternfly inRappahannock County, VASPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Rappahannock County is one of Virginia's most rural and sparsely populated counties — nestled in the Shenandoah foothills between the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont — confirmed for spotted lanternfly in 2024. The county's small farming operations, orchards, and agritourism destinations face SLF threat as populations advance from Culpeper and Fauquier counties through river corridors and mountain passes. Sperryville, the gateway to Skyline Drive's Thornton Gap entrance, sees significant tourist traffic from the established mid-Atlantic infestation zones, creating ongoing introduction risk for this otherwise isolated rural community.
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots in Rappahannock County, VA
Washington Town (county seat)
Active zone
Sperryville gateway to Skyline Drive
Active zone
Flint Hill and US-522 corridor
Active zone
Amissville and Rappahannock River headwaters
Active zone
Chester Gap and Blue Ridge foothills
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Rappahannock County, VA
Tree of Heaven is present along US-522 road margins, Chester Gap, and the Rappahannock River headwater corridors through Rappahannock County, connecting SLF populations from Culpeper and Fauquier counties into the Blue Ridge foothills. The Sperryville gateway area and Thornton Gap approach roads are priority monitoring zones, as tourist traffic from heavily infested Northern Virginia and DC brings ongoing SLF introduction pressure. Ailanthus colonization along the Hazel River and Rush River drainages extends potential SLF habitat deep into this rural county's agricultural interior.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Rappahannock County, VA
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Rappahannock County, VA maps the invasion front. Report directly to Virginia DCR.
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 Virginia State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full Virginia guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Rappahannock County, VA. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Rappahannock County, VA.
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