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The spotted lanternfly, which hails from southeast Asia before it made its way stateside in 2014 has reportedly been found in Worcester County in recent weeks, causing concern for some in Worcester County.
Lanternflies target the sap of certain trees, including grapevines, fruit trees, and other plants, potentially devastating them.
The infestation is currently secluded to a single cluster of three trees in the area, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).
"The spotted lanternfly can have devastating impacts on Massachusetts’ agricultural industry, including on a number of farms and orchards in this part of the state that we want to protect from this pest,” MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux stated.
“Early detection and reporting is the best way to slow the spread of spotted lanternflies. Members of the public, particularly those in the Fitchburg area, have seen this pest, they are asked to report it as soon as possible.”
According to officials, if one spots a lanternfly, they should kill it, then send it to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for evaluation.
Officials noted that lanternflies pose no threat to humans, though an infestation could lead to the destruction of gardens.
The DEC noted that the insect could impact Massachusetts forests, as well as the agricultural, and tourism industries.
Nymphs are black with white spots and turn red before transitioning into adults. The black nymphs can be seen as early as April and until July. Red nymphs can be seen from July until September.
“(Spotted lanternflies) pose a significant threat to agricultural and forest health,” DEC officials said. “Adults and nymphs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species.
“This feeding by sometimes thousands of (spotted lanternfly) stresses plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. (spotted lanternfly) also excrete large amounts of sticky ‘honeydew,’ which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants.”
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