Invasive Pest Attacking Trees, Plants In MA

The spotted lanternfly first showed up in Massachusetts four years ago and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The invasive species from Asia's main host plant is the tree-of-heaven but is not choosy, attacking trees, shrubs and vines, according to Massachusetts Natural Resources Collaborations.

The sap-feeding pest "has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including grapes and wine, apples, peaches, and maple syrup," Massachusetts Natural Resources Collaborations said on its website.

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The spotted lanternfly first appeared in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 but spread to 18 states within the next decade.

The spotted lanternfly has been spotted across the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural resources, which maintains a map that shows where the insect has been spotted.

To slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly across the state, Massachusetts Natural Resources provided this link to report sightings of the insect.

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