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LanternflyWatch
Adult season active — July 2026

SLF Season 2026Virginia, DC & Maryland

Adult spotted lanternflies are emerging right now across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC. The 2026 season is forecast to be the worst yet for the mid-Atlantic. Here's the complete picture — and what you can do about it.

Check Your Zip Code

Real degree-day data from Open-Meteo weather records, mapped to the Penn State SLF phenology model. Enter your zip to see what's happening in your specific area.

Your Area's SLF Status

The 2026 Forecast

📈
Northern Virginia: Forecast for heaviest infestation on record. All major counties confirmed with active adult populations.
🌡️
DC Metro: 900+ GDD base 50°F — adults are fully emerged and in peak feeding phase through August.
⚠️
Western Frontier Moving: Clarke, Warren, Fauquier, and Rappahannock counties seeing first-season adult populations this year.
🍇
Vineyard Risk: Wine country in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties faces elevated vine-damage risk in 2026.

The 2026 Season Calendar

Jan–Apr

Egg Dormancy

Egg masses overwinter. Each contains 30–50 eggs.

Action: Scrape egg masses — still viable through April
May–Jul

Nymph Season

Nymphs hatch and build to late-instar stage.

Action: Circle traps on host trees. Stomp on sight.
JulyNow

🚨 Adults Emerging

Adults beginning to emerge in DC/MD/VA corridor.

Action: Kill on sight. Set traps. Spray ToH.
Aug–Sep

Peak Adult Season

Highest adult density. Peak damage to host plants.

Action: Maximum effort. Squish, trap, spray, report.
Sep–Oct

Egg Laying Begins

Females begin laying egg masses on smooth surfaces.

Action: Keep fighting adults. Start scouting for egg masses.
Nov–Dec

Adults Die Off

Cold kills adults. Egg masses survive.

Action: Final egg mass scraping push. Share what you learned.

County-by-County Status

Current confirmed status for DC/MD/VA counties as of July 2026. Source: USDA APHIS, Virginia DGIF, Maryland MDA, iNaturalist.

Fairfax County, VA
Heavysince 2022
Arlington, VA
Heavysince 2021
Alexandria, VA
Heavysince 2022
Loudoun County, VA
Moderatesince 2024
Prince William County, VA
Moderatesince 2023
Montgomery County, MD
Heavysince 2022
Prince George's County, MD
Heavysince 2022
Washington, DC
Moderatesince 2022
Frederick County, MD
Buildingsince 2025
Howard County, MD
Buildingsince 2025
Fauquier County, VA
Buildingsince 2025
Stafford County, VA
Buildingsince 2025

This table represents confirmed-established populations, not every individual sighting. Report a new sighting →

What to Do Right Now (July 2026)

🦟

Kill on sight

Stomp or squish every adult you see. Government-sanctioned.

⭕

Set a circle trap

Passive, continuous, catches hundreds per week.

📍

Report sightings

iNaturalist. 90 seconds. Real data impact.

📬

Get the briefing

Weekly alerts personalized to your zip code.

Track the 2026 Season

Weekly degree-day updates, spread news, and action steps for DC, MD & VA.

No spam. One briefing/week during season. Unsubscribe anytime.