The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources was recently notified that nursery stock from parts of Pennsylvania infested with the invasive insect known as Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula, “SLF”) was potentially shipped to Concord and the surrounding communities. Spotted lanternfly is an invasive sap-feeding insect from Asia that was first found in the United States in 2014, in the state of Pennsylvania. While the main host plant of this pest is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), spotted lanternfly attacks a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, and has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including apples, peaches, grapes/wine, and maple syrup.

The State's initial investigations did not find any evidence that SLF has become established in Concord. However, we are asking the Concord community to report any possible sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly and to remain vigilant, information on the Spotted Lanternfly can be found here, reporting of possible sightings can be completed by clicking here.