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Commissioner urges residents to report spotted lanternfly found in Reidsville
Summary
Commissioner Kellum alerted residents to a recent spotted lanternfly detection in Reidsville, summarized state recommendations for reporting sightings and potential agricultural impacts, and directed residents to northcarolinaagriculture.gov for photos and reporting.
Commissioner Kellum told the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners that the invasive spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Reidsville and urged residents to report sightings to state officials.
"I've had several calls and messages over the last month about a buggy issue. That is the spotted lanternfly, which was recently located in Reidsville," Kellum said. He described the insect as a threat to crops and some trees, noting "The people are not at risk from it, but they are a nuisance to agriculture, and the state has been working diligently to control their spreading."
Kellum said the N.C. Department of Agriculture's plant industry division has concentrated distribution efforts in and near Reidsville "within about a 2 mile square" and asked the public to photograph suspected insects and submit them to northcarolinaagriculture.gov for identification.
No formal action was taken by the board. Kellum framed the item as a public‑information notice to encourage reporting and awareness among farmers, gardeners and residents. He did not list any county mitigation program or funding associated with the detection.
