Spotted Lanternfly Infestation Found In Central Massachusetts

FITCHBURG, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said a small infestation of the spotted lanternfly has been discovered in Fitchburg.

The small but invasive bug can be detrimental to the environment and the MDAR is urging the public to be on the lookout for the pest, especially residents that live or work in the Fitchburg area.

The exotic insects attack trees, plants, and agricultural crops, and MDAR inspectors first discovered the sap-feeding insect in Fitchburg, a few days after spotted lanternflies were found in Rhode Island.

Spotted lanternflies are exotic insects that target plants and trees, including farm crops. They are easily identifiable by their bright red underwings, yellow markings on the abdomen, tan semi-transparent forewings, and distinctive spotted patterning. Adults are usually about an inch long, and are active from August through the first hard freeze of the year, usually in late October or early November, the Department of Environmental Management said.

MDAR officials said the infestation has been limited to a cluster around three trees.

"The spotted lanternfly can have devastating impacts on Massachusetts’ agricultural industry, including on a number of farms and orchards in this part of the state that we want to protect from this pest," said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. "Early detection and reporting is the best way to slow the spread of spotted lanternfly. Members of the public, particularly those in the Fitchburg area, have seen this pest, they are asked to report it as soon as possible."

The spotted lanternfly has been catastrophic to the environment and economy across Pennsylvania, where the threat continues to exist.

If anyone finds anything suspicious, they are asked to take a photo or collect the specimen, rather than killing it, and report the sighting using MDAR's online reporting form.

For more information, click here.

More on Patch:

• Second Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Spotted In Rhode Island
• Spotted Lanternfly Could Cost PA $325M, Thousands Of Jobs: Study
• What 30 Years Of Spotted Lanternfly Spread In PA Could Look Like
• 'Squash Every Bug': PA Expands Spotted Lanternfly Alert