PURCELLVILLE, Va., August 11, 2021 — Join the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee at the Chapman DeMary Trail on Sunday, August 29 at 1 p.m. to learn about the spotted lanternfly. These invasive insects attack grapes, hops, pines, stone fruits, hardwoods, and 70 other plants! Beth Sastre, Commercial Horticulturist with the Loudoun Extension Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension will share information about how to identify these invasive insects, what to do if you find them, and how you can help slow their damaging spread. Register online to attend.
According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, spotted lanternflies are native to China. They are planthoppers that are great at jumping and very effective at hitchhiking on vehicles. They have been spotted as close as Winchester, Virginia. Though they don’t sting or bite humans or pets, they damage many varieties of fruit and hardwood trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists the following that are at risk from the spotted lanternfly: almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, hops, maple trees, nectarines, oak trees, peaches, pine trees, plums, poplar trees, sycamore trees, walnut trees, and willow trees. Many efforts are underway to educate people about the insect and how to help control it.
The Chapman DeMary Trail is a 10-acre area considered to be the last stand of old-growth forest in the Town of Purcellville. It runs along the South Fork Catoctin Creek, part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The area is open to the public for environmental recreation, exploration, and education. The Town of Purcellville holds the conservation easement for this privately-owned property. The entrance and parking for the Chapman DeMary Trail is behind the building at 205 East Hirst Road in Purcellville.
Learn more on the Monthly Nature Walks page in the Events and Activities section of the Town of Purcellville’s website at www.PurcellvilleVa.gov.
