Spotted Lanternfly in Massachusetts: What Property Owners Should Know
Spotted lanternfly is now a Massachusetts pest as well as other states. Established populations are now present in multiple Massachusetts communities, and they continue to spread. For homeowners, finding spotted lanternfly does not necessarily mean a valuable tree is in immediate danger or needs to be treated. But knowing what to look for and when an infestation may warrant attention can help protect the health of your landscape.
Is the spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts?
Yes. Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has become established in Massachusetts. MDAR reported more than 50 affected cities and towns in nine counties in August 2025, and the infestation has continued expanding.The insect is native to Asia and was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds by piercing plant tissue and drawing out sap and other plant fluids. Although spotted lanternfly can feed on more than 100 plant species, tree-of-heaven (**Ailanthus altissima**) is one of its preferred hosts. It can also be found on the following:
Tree trunks and branches
Stone, brick, and outdoor furniture
Firewood
Vehicles and trailers
Pallets, crates, and equipment
Lawn items, grills, and play structures
That means a spotted lanternfly does not need to fly from one town to another to spread. It can ride along unnoticed.
What Does Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?
Spotted Lanternfly change as they grow. Young nymphs are small, black insects covered with distinct white spots.
As they mature, they develop bright red coloring along with their black-and-white markings. Adults are approximately an inch long, with grayish forewings covered in black spots. When their wings open, bright red hindwings become visible. In Massachusetts, adults generally begin appearing in late summer and remain active until frost. UMass Extension reported that the final red nymph stage was already present in Massachusetts by late July 2026, with adult activity expected to follow.
Life stage | What to look for | When people often notice it |
Egg mass | Grayish, mud-like patch that can dry and crack | Fall through spring |
Early nymph | Small, black body with white spots | Late spring and early summer |
Later nymph | Red and black body with white spots | Summer |
Adult | Gray spotted wings, red hind wings visible when open | Mid-summer through fall |
If you are unsure, treat it as suspicious and report it. A clear photo is much more useful than a guess.
What Trees Does Spotted Lanternfly Affect?
Spotted lanternfly feeds by piercing plants and sucking sap. It has a wide host range, which means it can feed on many plants. It is especially associated with tree-of-heaven, an invasive tree that grows along roadsides, rail lines, disturbed ground, and property edges.
It may also feed on plants such as grapevines, maples, walnuts, and other hardwoods. The main concern is not that one insect will kill a healthy tree overnight. The concern is repeated feeding, large numbers of insects, and the stress they can place on plants, and farms. However, simply cutting down tree-of-heaven isn't necessarily the solution. The species can aggressively resprout from its root system when improperly removed. MDAR recommends an appropriate herbicide strategy when tree-of-heaven removal is undertaken and notes that removing host trees alone is unlikely to permanently eliminate spotted lanternfly from a property. The level of concern varies significantly by plant species and the severity of the infestation.
What Are the Signs of a Spotted Lanternfly Infestation?
Spotted lanternflies produce a sticky waste called honeydew. Honeydew can coat leaves, decks, cars, patio furniture, and anything below where the insects are feeding. A black fungus called sooty mold can grow on that sticky surface.
That can lead to:
Sticky outdoor surfaces
Blackened leaves or objects below infested trees
Increased wasp, hornet, or ant activity near the honeydew
Stress on host plants
Added cost and monitoring for growers and property owners
If a tree suddenly seems unusually sticky, develops blackened surfaces beneath its canopy, or attracts concentrated insect activity, it may be worth taking a closer look.
Will Spotted Lanternfly Kill My Tree?
For most mature landscape trees, probably not by itself.
That's an important distinction. Spotted Lanternfly can kill grapevines and small tree saplings but generally presents a much smaller risk to mature trees.
Spotted Lanternfly are known as plant stressors: heavy feeding can weaken plants and may contribute to greater damage when a tree is already dealing with drought, disease, other insects, or environmental stress. That means finding a few lanternflies on a mature tree does not automatically mean the tree needs pesticide treatment. The condition and species of the tree, number of lanternflies present, amount of feeding activity, honeydew production, and other stresses on the plant all matter when deciding whether management is appropriate.
Should Spotted Lanternfly Be Treated?
Not every spotted lanternfly sighting needs to lead to treatment. A chemical treatment is recommended where heavy infestations occur and there are no other effective management options. As Plant Health Care Experts, we consider the size of the population, the plants involved, previous spotted lanternfly activity, and whether vulnerable or high-value plants are actually at risk before deciding to treat.The goal should be to determine whether treatment is warranted, rather than treating simply because the insect is present.
What should you do if you find one?
If you think you found a spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts, the basic steps are straightforward.
Take a photo first
Before killing or moving the insect, take a clear picture if you can do so safely. Try to include:
The top of the insect
The side of the insect if possible
The plant, tree, or object where it was found
A size reference, such as a coin, key, or leaf
A photo helps state officials confirm whether it is actually spotted lanternfly. Send it to our office if you'd like more information.
Note the exact location
Write down where you found it. A street address, park name, trail area, business location, or GPS pin can help. If it was on a vehicle, shipment, firewood pile, or outdoor item that recently moved, note that too.
The location matters because it helps officials understand whether it may be an isolated hitchhiker or part of a larger local population.
Kill it if you can
If you can safely kill the insect, do it. Squash it, capture it in a container, or place it in a sealed bag. Do not release it somewhere else.
For egg masses, scrape them into a bag or container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. The goal is to destroy the eggs, not knock them onto the ground where some may survive.
Report it to MDAR
In Massachusetts, suspicious spotted lanternfly finds should be reported to MDAR.
Include the photo, location, date, and any details about what the insect was found on. If you cannot access a form, look for current Massachusetts state guidance on invasive pest reporting.
Do not transport it
This is the part people often overlook. After a sighting, check the surrounding area before moving items. Look over vehicles, trailers, outdoor furniture, firewood, plant material, and equipment.
A single adult insect is a concern. Egg masses are an even greater concern because they can be moved quietly and hatch later.
How can you check your yard or property?
Start with the places spotted lanternflies are most likely to be found. You do not need to inspect every inch of your property every day. A focused check is more useful.
Look at:
Tree trunks and lower branches
Tree-of-heaven if it is present
Grapevines and ornamental vines
Outdoor furniture and stored items
Deck railings, fences, sheds, and stone walls
Vehicles, trailers, and campers
Firewood stacks
Items that recently came from another area
Move slowly and look for both insects and egg masses. Adults may jump or fly when disturbed. Nymphs may cluster on stems, branches, or smooth surfaces.
Learn tree-of-heaven if you can
Tree-of-heaven is a common host plant. It is also invasive, so identifying it can help with more than one landscape issue.
It often has large compound leaves with many leaflets. When crushed, the leaves may have a strong, unpleasant odor. It tends to grow quickly in disturbed areas, along fence lines, and in neglected edges of a property.
Do not cut or treat major trees without a plan. Tree-of-heaven can spread aggressively when cut improperly. If you suspect you have it and want it removed, consider getting guidance from a qualified arborist, invasive plant specialist, or local extension resource.
Be careful with sticky traps
Some people use sticky bands around trees to catch nymphs. These can also catch birds, small mammals, butterflies, and other insects if used incorrectly.
If traps are used, they should be protected with a wildlife barrier or cage. Follow current best practices from state or extension sources. A trap that harms wildlife creates a new problem while trying to solve another one.
Think twice before spraying
Spotted lanternfly can be frustrating, especially if adults gather in large numbers. That does not mean every sighting needs pesticide.
Improper spraying can harm pollinators, beneficial insects, pets, and nearby plants. It can also waste time and money if the target insect is moving in from nearby untreated areas.
If treatment seems necessary, contact a licensed professional or follow state and label guidance carefully. Never apply a pesticide in a way that is not listed on the label.
Keep an Eye on Your Trees
Spotted lanternfly has become part of Massachusetts' changing pest landscape, but its presence doesn't need to cause panic. Recognizing the insect, watching for signs of heavy activity, and understanding which trees are actually at risk are the most important first steps. If you're seeing spotted lanternflies, sticky honeydew, sooty mold, unusual insect activity, or simply aren't sure what's happening with a tree on your property, a Harrison McPhee arborist can evaluate the tree and help determine whether any action is needed.
