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Invasive insect found in North Carolina counties

By Woody Cain

February 11, 2026 at 1:26 PM EST

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture has confirmed an established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly in Davidson, Rowan and Caswell counties, bringing the total number of counties where the destructive pest has been found in the state to seven.

Breeding populations have been found along I- 85 and I-285 corridors through Davidson County and as far south as Salisbury in Rowan County.