Invasive Insect Spotted In West Haven

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

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported Monday that a single live adult spotted lanternfly was detected in West Haven while multiple live adults were found in Greenwich.

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.

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

Officials said that while the spotted lanternfly in West Haven may be “a single import due to travel from out of state, 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 are urging the public to report any potential sightings of the invasive pest to ReportSLF@ct.gov. A photograph submission with any report is encouraged.