EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – The spotted lanternfly was recently seen by a 22News viewer in East Longmeadow.
The spotted lanternfly, originally from Asia, has become an increasingly common sight across New England in recent years–and it’s been seen in western Massachusetts. They were first discovered in Massachusetts in 2021, and they have been widespread in the western part of the state, causing concern for residents.
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The spotted lanternfly continues to spread across western Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has reported multiple sightings of this insect.
The spotted lanternfly’s host plant is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but they also feed on sap and can damage or kill over 100 types of plants, such as grapevines, hops, and fruit trees. During mating season, it has an impact on outdoor activities where they can be found congregating on the sides of buildings, in or on vehicles, or on plants they prefer to attack.
While spotted lanternflies are harmless to humans, they are an invasive species that can cause damage to a wide range of plants and trees. They do this by extracting the sap and excreting honeydew, a sticky, sugary liquid, which can lead to fungus growing…