Spotted Lanternfly 'Infestation' Confirmed In North Andover

Press release from the Town of North Andover:

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) recently confirmed an infestation of the invasive insect known as spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula or “SLF”) in North Andover.

Spotted lanternfly is a pest that attacks tree-of-heaven, grapevines, maple trees, hops vines, and many other types of plants. This pest is known to impact grape/wine producers and other agricultural commodities, and can also interfere with outdoor recreation if infestations reach high levels, due to the swarming behavior of adult SLF in late summer and fall. That said, the insects themselves do not bite or sting – they are a nuisance because they gather in large numbers in areas where people are, and cover anything they are on with a sticky, sugary waste product known as honeydew.

We ask that you report any sightings of this pest. You can do this by linking (https://massnrc.org/pests/slf)

There are also guides for businesses and residents in infested areas, available here:

• Residents: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/SLFHomeownerMgmtGuide.pdf (and in other languages)
• Businesses: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/SLFChecklistForBusinesses.pdf
• Public Service Announcements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=229GTwmo_SY&list=PLmQQV2mhy-YPIfOxaa_5sR_ehsvdoB67n

This press release was produced by the Town of North Andover. The views expressed here are the author’s own.