FLUVANNA COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Forestry groups around the area are working to remove an invasive species of plant that is the primary habitat of the spotted lanternfly. 

It's called the tree of heaven, also known as Chinese sumac. And the spotted lanternfly feasts on plants such as grapes, apples and others that are commonly grown in Central Virginia. 

The trees are easily identified and not very difficult to remove with the proper herbicides. 

“The productivity of the spotted lanternfly is best when it has access to the Tree of Heaven. So, one of the efforts to control the pest is to control the preferred host, the tree of heaven,” Extension Agent of Forestry and Natural Resources Adam Downing said. 

Those who work in agriculture should be on the lookout for this invasive tree in order to protect crops from the spotted lanternflies. For how to remove the species. go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2OkDcHhfak for more information.