Confirmed spotted lanternfly infestation found in Wilbraham

WILBRAHAM, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A confirmed infestation of the invasive spotted lanternfly has been reported in Wilbraham and the bug has now been seen in several parts of Massachusetts. Western Mass News caught up with resident Cathy Lawless, who originally reported the spotted lanternfly sighting.

“My daughter was in the kitchen, I was coming in from the sliding glass door. She said ‘Mom, you have a giant bug on your shoulder’ and blew it off, but the second I blew it off, I recognized it and said ‘Oh my gosh, that’s a spotted lanternfly,’ Lawless said.

Lawless told us she quickly reported the sighting to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and they were able to confirm an infestation of the pest in her backyard.

“They sent somebody over. She came looked into our woods, checked out tree, and she saw different stages. “She saw some eggs, a nymph, and some of the adults,” Lawless added.

Western Mass News spoke with Bob Russell, entomologist with American Pest Solutions, to learn more about the spotted lanternfly. He told us that, while the bugs aren’t a threat to humans, they’ll ruin certain plants.

“They pierce the stem and remove vital nutrients from the crops, so it can be stressed out in times of heat and cause lower yields from the fruit trees,” Russell said.

To avoid having the pests in your backyard, Russell suggested inspecting any fruit trees, vines, or plants you may have.

“The adults will die off in the winter, so check the trees for the egg masses that will be visible on the trunks of trees and remove those because those are going to reemerge in the spring,” Russell added.

You can CLICK HERE for more information about the spotted lanternfly or to report a sighting in your area.

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