Spotted Lanternfly inShelby County, TNSPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Shelby County, anchoring the Memphis metro along the Mississippi River, is the most populous county in Tennessee and one of the nation's most critical freight crossroads. Memphis serves as the FedEx global hub, hosts one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, and sits at the confluence of I-40, I-55, and I-240 — all major SLF spread corridors. The Mississippi River crossing connects Tennessee to Arkansas and Missouri, while BNSF and CN railroad lines converge in Memphis's vast rail yards. Though SLF has not yet been confirmed locally, Shelby County entered the watch zone in 2024 given its role as a freight superhub and its proximity to confirmed populations advancing through Kentucky. The region's warm climate and dense Tree of Heaven in post-industrial areas and river bottoms make it highly susceptible to rapid establishment once introductions occur.
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots in Shelby County, TN
Downtown Memphis
Active zone
Midtown
Active zone
East Memphis
Active zone
Bartlett
Active zone
Collierville
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Shelby County, TN
Tree of Heaven is abundant along I-40, I-55, and I-240 interstate rights-of-way through Shelby County, with dense populations in the Mississippi River bottomlands and riverbank corridors. Post-industrial sites in downtown Memphis, Midtown, and the South Memphis warehouse district support extensive Ailanthus stands. Railroad corridors serving the massive BNSF and CN rail yards west of downtown, along with the Wolf River Greenway corridor, represent the primary ToH habitat that could accelerate SLF establishment once the pest arrives via the county's freight networks.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Shelby County, TN
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Shelby 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 Shelby County, TN. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Shelby County, TN.
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