WESTFORD CENTER — Health officials recently announced that the invasive spotted lanternfly was seen in town, urging residents to help slow its spread.
In a statement posted to social media on Aug. 20, the Westford Health Department said “the spotted lanternfly has been seen in Westford. “It causes damage to trees and other woody plants by feeding on their sap. While the primary host plant of SLF is the invasive tree-of-heaven, researchers have found that it also targets grapevines, hops, and fruit trees, giving it the potential to become a serious agricultural pest.”
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect originally from Asia. The first case of the insect in the U.S. was in Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds on the sap of trees and other woody plants and can damage a wide range of vegetation.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the insect has now been confirmed in over 145 cities and towns across the state and has been found in every region of the state except Cape Cod and the Islands.
The insect’s primary host plant is the invasive tree-of-heaven, but spotted lanternflies also feed on over 100 types of plants. While they do not bite or sting and do not pose a direct threat to people or pets, state officials said the insect poses a major environmental and agriculture risk due to its impact on local vegetation.
According to state officials, adult lanternflies often gather in large numbers on trees and buildings in the late summer and fall. The insects produce a sticky substance called honeydew as they feed, which can coat trees, decks, vehicles and other outdoor surfaces and contribute to the growth of sooty mold.
State officials are asking residents in areas where spotted lanternflies have been found to inspect their vehicles before traveling, manage infestations on their property and watch for egg masses.
Egg masses typically appear beginning in September and can be found on trees as well as flat outdoor surfaces. They are about an inch long, gray or beige, and can resemble a smear of mud.
Residents who see spotted lanternflies outside an area already identified as infested are encouraged to take a photo and report the sighting through the state’s spotted lanternfly website. Officials also recommend checking the state’s distribution map before submitting a report.
State officials encourage residents in established infestation areas to check properties for spotted lanternflies and preferred host plants, including tree-of-heaven and grape.
Property owners can consider targeted traps, professional treatment or removal of tree-of-heaven where appropriate.
State officials are encouraging public participation, emphasizing the importance of limiting the spread of the invasive insect and protecting agricultural crops and other resources across Massachusetts.
More information, including identification guides, the state’s infestation map and instructions for reporting sightings, is available through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
