Owning property in Georgia provides plenty of opportunity—whether you’re managing timber, cultivating crops, or simply enjoying the outdoors. But with that opportunity comes responsibility, especially when it comes to invasive species that threaten both native ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Two invaders currently affecting Georgia landowners are the Spotted Lanternfly and cogongrass. Understanding how to identify, monitor, and report these pests can help protect Georgia’s Forests.
The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a relatively new threat in Georgia, first confirmed in Fulton County in October of 2024. Native to Asia, this planthopper has made its way across the U.S., causing serious damage to vineyards, fruit trees, hardwoods, and ornamentals. While it poses no direct harm to people or pets, it feeds on plant sap and excretes a sticky substance known as honeydew, which encourages mold growth and further weakens plants. The insect can be identified at several stages: young nymphs are black with white spots, while later instars turn red with white and black markings. Adult lanternflies are about an inch long with gray wings covered in black spots, and vivid red underwings visible when flying.
If you see a Spotted Lanternfly on your property, it’s essential to act quickly. Take a photograph to document the insect, kill the insect if possible to help slow its spread, and report your sighting through the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s online portal https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/. These early reports are critical in helping researchers and agencies map infestations and deploy management strategies before the pest becomes widespread.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), on the other hand, has been a persistent problem across Georgia, particularly in the southern and southwestern counties. Cogongrass was first introduced in 1911 near Grand, Bay Alabama and then spread to Georgia sometime in the early 1990’s. This fast-spreading, highly flammable perennial grass outcompetes native plants and degrades wildlife habitat. As of April 2025, cogongrass has been found in over 78 counties, with 2176 spots totaling more than 547 acres. Presently, 1497 spots have been eradicated, 159 spots have been negative for two years and 167 spots have been negative for one year. The remaining 353 spots are classified as active.
To identify cogongrass look for features including long, narrow leaves with an off-center white midrib, rough edges, and fluffy white seed heads that appear from April to June. Cogongrass often grows in circular patches and spreads aggressively through a dense network of rhizomes.
If cogongrass appears on your property, avoid mowing or disturbing the area, as this can help the plant spread even further. Instead, contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission office to report the sighting. The GFC offers no-cost herbicide treatments to landowners, which are tailored to the severity and location of each infestation. Once a site has been treated, it is monitored annually, and only declared eradicated after three years of finding no regrowth. Your prompt reporting and cooperation can prevent the establishment of long-term infestations.
Report cogongrass: https://gatrees.org/cogongrass-in-georgia-report-it/.
Blog post by Paul McDaniel, GFC Forest Health Coordinator