Spotted Lanternfly image by the National Parks Service.
Gardeners beware! The newest pest in Massachusetts is the Spotted Lanternfly. Recently discovered in Concord, Milford, and Norwood, this non-native pest has caused much agricultural damage in 26 counties in the state of Pennsylvania and has been found in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut.
Spotted Lanternfly utilizes tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is native to China but grown in the U.S., as its host plant. The insect feasts on agricultural crops such as stone fruit trees and grapes vines. It attacks hardwood trees such as Maple, Poplar and Sycamore trees and has been known to infest pine trees. Regulatory employees in the Bay State have been on the lookout for this beautiful but destructive insect for years.
If you see a spotted lanternfly, it is recommended that you kill it and report it here.
More information on this invasive insect can be found here on the DCR website.
Spotted Lanternflies. Image by Penn State Extension.