Concord Warns About Potential Invasive Insect

CONCORD, MA — Concordians need to be extra vigilant about their foliage as officials warn that nursery stock from parts of Pennsylvania infested with an invasive insect may have been shipped to the town.

Stock potentially infested with the Spotted Lanternfly was potentially shipped to Concord. Spotted lanternfly is an invasive sap-feeding insect from Asia that was first found in the United States in 2014.

While the main host plant of this pest is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), spotted lanternfly attacks a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, and has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including apples, peaches, grapes/wine, and maple syrup.

The State's initial investigations did not find any evidence that SLF has become established in Concord. However, we are asking the Concord community to report any possible sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly and to remain vigilant.