From the UMass Extension Service
Additional Spotted Lanternfly Population Detected in Worcester County
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced that a small stand of trees was found to be infested in Shrewsbury, MA (Worcester County) with the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula; SLF) earlier in January by MDAR surveyors. This is the second detection of a population of this insect in Massachusetts, following confirmation of SLF in the city of Fitchburg, MA in 2021. For a map of these locations: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/SLF_Detections_Map.jpg
What to do?
Remain vigilant and report any suspected spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts to: https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx
Now is the time to search for spotted lanternfly egg masses (see image below), which are the overwintering life stage of this insect. Egg masses can be found on almost any flat surface–not only host plants, but also outdoor furniture, fencing, stone, recreational vehicles, and a multitude of other items.
The image below of egg masses is from an existing population in New Haven County, CT (not the population recently detected in Shrewsbury, MA) and is provided for identification purposes. For images of all of the life stages of SLF, including egg masses, visit: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/SLFChecklistForResidents.pdf
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