Stop These Hitch hikers!

Spotted lanternflies are invasive sap-feeding insects iintroduced from Asia. They are spreading in Massachusetts and have been found as far east as Haverhill, Boxford, Beverly and Topsfield. Check out if this insect has been found in your town here. If you find this insect in a town not on the map, please report it to MA Dept of Ag here.

SLOW THEIR SPREAD

Lanternflies are spread unknowingly by humans. They lay their eggs on many different man-made objectives, like wheel-well of car tires, trailers, playground equipment. So, from September to November (December if warm), check your car and equipment that's been parked in a Town with confirmed lanternfly-- especially is you're headed to Maine or New Hampshire. If you have landscaping or construction crew coming from afar, ask them to check their equipment too. Here is a video on how to check your car.

Lanternfly's host plant is the invasive Tree of Heaven. If you have Tree of Heaven on your property, consider removing it. Contact a professional-- cutting tree of heaven without herbicides will make it sprout and spread. Tree of Heaven looks like sumac or walnut, but has 11-40 leaflets, smooth edges, and unpleasant odor when crushed.

Scraping egg masses from October to April can be effective way of slowing laternfly spread as each egg mass can produce up to 50 insects. Learn how to identify lanternfly egg masses here. Lanternfly ID and look-alikes can be found here. If you want do more, check out the management guide.

Egg masses are about 1 to 1.5 inches, and can be yellow, brown, or gray. They are typically covered with a putty like substances that starts creamy white, and brown and crack over time.

IMPACT

Scientists still don't know all the possible harm lanternflies can have in our environment and economy. The focus now is to reduce its spread in orchards, where they may damage fruit tree production, especially grapes. They may also feed on a variety of trees native to New England forests, including maples-- however, thus far, laternfly popuations have been concentrated in urban and developed areas. Lanternflies don't sting and are not poisonous; however, they release a honeydew that may attract stinging insects and are messy in backyards.