The invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) has recently been confirmed in both Hampden and Worcester Counties in Holyoke, Agawam, and Southborough, MA. These finds represent three new established populations of the insect, which are in addition to those known previously in Fitchburg, Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Springfield, MA. Click here for an updated map of these locations from the MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).
Spotted lanternflies feed on many plant species, including grapes and tree-of-heaven. Both the adult and immature life stages of the spotted lanternfly use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on their host plants. They remove massive quantities of host plant fluid and excrete it as a liquid excrement known as honeydew. Spotted lanternfly is considered to be a plant stressor, which when combined with other biotic or abiotic plant stresses, may contribute to significant damage to their host plants. However, some hosts (grapes, tree-of-heaven, maple, black walnut) may be at more risk than others. Feeding damage can also result in yield loss or quality reduction of agricultural crops.
It remains important to report spotted lanternfly if you see it in Massachusetts to the MA Department of Agricultural Resources at https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx.
For more information about spotted lanternfly management for professionals from UMass Extension, visit: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/spotted-lanternfly-management. More information for homeowners is also available from MDAR's Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide for Homeowners in Infested Areas.
