Massachusetts Residents Urged to Report Spotted Lanternfly Sightings

Massachusetts officials are urging the public to report sightings of the spotted lanternfly, as the invasive species begins to mature during the fall months.

Officials have confirmed more than 50 sightings of the invasive spotted lanternfly across more than 50 communities in nine counties. According to Boston.com, these sightings have mainly occurred around Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, although some sightings have been reported near the Rhode Island border. Berkshire and Franklin counties, as well as Cape Cod, remain unaffected.

Residents are advised to check an interactive map created by the state, which logs existing reports, before submitting new sightings. Reports can be submitted with photos via an online form to aid in tracking the invasive species.

According to state officials, adult spotted lanternflies are about an inch long, with gray wings that feature black spots and red hindwings. The lanternflies mature from August to December, although their eggs survive the winter months in Massachusetts and hatchlings emerge in the spring.

While they don't pose a direct threat to humans or pets, lanternflies can severely damage agriculture by feeding on more than 100 plant species, including grapevines, small trees, fruit trees, hops, and especially the invasive tree-of-heaven.

Lanternflies produce honeydew that causes sooty mold growth, which harms plants, attracts stinging insects, and creates foul odors.

Native to China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the lanternfly was first detected in the United States in 2014 from a shipment to a business in Pennsylvania. The spotted lanternfly has now spread to several states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.

To help residents combat the spotted lanternfly, Massachusetts has published a management guide that details early detection and removal of the insects. The guide also details specific methods for identifying and controlling the pests.

Recent federal legislation has been introduced to create a national awareness campaign aimed at combating the spread of the species.