Above: The Town and state are asking for help stopping an invasive pest from devastating local vegetation. (images cropped from flyer)
Today, the Town issued a News Flash asking the community to be on alert for and report any sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly. The announcement is based on a confirmed infestation in town.
As noted in the statement, the invasive pest has been known to destroy trees. A flyer asks residents to help “stop it before it becomes established”.
The News Flash states:
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has recently confirmed an infestation of the invasive insect known as spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) or “SLF” in Southborough.
At this time, it is unknown how this invasive insect got to Southborough or the extent of the infestation but MDAR and USDA staff will be present over the next several weeks as they continue their investigation and checking trees in the area.
Please report any possible sightings and read up on the spotted lanternfly here. We are urging residents to become familiar with this invasive insect to better assist the town and state in managing this infestation to the greatest extent possible as this insect is highly invasive and can cause disruptions and devastations to many types of native and non-native plants and trees.
For more details and to report a possible infestation, click here.
To zoom in better on the images on the flyer, click here for the pdf.
If you see any of these pests, kill them first and then report them.
Yes. It is a danger to Southborough because it eats maple trees and there are vast numbers of Maples in Southborough. But ironically it has one benefit … because it’s favorite food is Ialanthus … the tall, invasive shrub / tree (also from Asia) which is also spreading rapidly throughout our town. So … it’s a mixed bag indeed.