Invasive Insects Spotted In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — An invasive insect with the potential to severely impact Connecticut's farm crops has been found in both Greenwich and West Haven, according to officials.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported Monday that "multiple" live adult spotted lanternflies were found in Greenwich. A "single live adult" was also detected in West Haven, officials said. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive sap-feeding planthopper that is native to China, India and Vietnam. It was discovered in the United States in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

"[The insect] attacks many hosts and has the potential to severely impact Connecticut's farm crops, particularly apples, grapes, and hops, as well as a number of tree species like maple," according to a news release from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

Adults can often be found congregating on tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus), willows and other trees in the fall and will lay egg masses on trees and almost any nearby surface, officials said. It has also been reported in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia.

Officials said the spotted lanternfly in West Haven may be "a single import due to travel from out of state," however there is "a population in Greenwich, and surveys in the immediate areas of both detections will be conducted."

Single adults were detected in Farmington in 2018 and Southbury in 2019.

"Early detection is important for the protection of Connecticut businesses and agriculture," officials said.

Officials urge residents to report any potential sightings of the invasive pest to ReportSLF@ct.gov. Photographs with any submission are encouraged.