The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is urging people to be on the lookout for an invasive species that was reported in Dallas County. 

A community member in Dallas County located two immature spotted lanternflies earlier this month. The colorful but invasive and destructive species is native to China, India and Vietnam and was accidentally introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014. 

If the species is allowed to spread further in the United States, as it has now been confirmed in 11 states, it could seriously impact the country’s grapes, orchard, nursery and logging industries. The insect  often spreads through movement of infested material or items containing eggs. 

Spotted lanternfly adults and nymphs frequently gather in large numbers on host plants and are easiest to spot at night or dusk as they migrate up and down the trunk of the plant. During the day they tend to cluster at the base of the plant or the canopy of the plant. 

If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly you can contact the Entomology and Plant Science Bureau at 515-725-1470 or email Entomology@IowaAgriculture.gov. You can also get in contact with the Dallas County Extension Office at  515-993-4281.