Devastating Pest Infestation Found In Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY, MA — The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that may pose a major risk to local plants, has established an infestation in Shrewsbury.

This is the second established infestation in the state, according to the state Department of Agricultural Resources. The state confirmed the first established infestation in Fitchburg in September.

The invasive pests sometimes find their way into homes and gardens through plants and shrubs sold at local nurseries, according to the Westborough Conservation Commission. The bugs especially like to infest tree species including walnut and tree of heaven, and grape vines, state officials have said.

The lanternfly lays eggs in the spring on the sides of trees, and often look like tree bark. Lanternfly nymphs usually hatch by the end of June.

Spotted lantern flies, originally found across Asia, have been moving into the U.S. in recent years, and devastating native plants, trees and crops in the process. In Pennsylvania, officials estimate the pest could cost the agriculture industry some $325 million.

“Spotted lanternfly is a tricky pest to deal with, because it can be so challenging to detect before it becomes established,” state Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux said in a May news release. “With the potential impact of this pest on grape and hop growers, as well as pick-your-own orchards and other parts of the agritourism industry, we are asking anyone with newly planted trees to check them for signs of SLF and to report it if they find it, so that we can limit the spread of this pest in our state.”

Outside Sudbury, the lanternfly has been seen in Milford, Sudbury, Northborough, Concord and Norwood.

If you've seen a spotted lanternfly, you can report it to state officials here.