Adult spotted lanternflySightings of spotted lanternflies have been on the rise in Natick this summer based on the number of messages we’ve received and the fact that the town issued a notice about the invasive insect. Local businesses have been taking actions on their properties. The Natick Garden Club has sounded the alarm as well: “A key time to control these is now—before the female lanternflies start laying their egg masses in a few weeks.”
This quarter-sized insect has gray wings with black spots and red underwings that are visible during flight. They’re pretty pests.
According to the Commonwealth’s Department of Agricultural Resources, spotted lanternflies damage trees (like the tree of heaven) and other woody plants by sucking their sap.
You can report sightings to the state online.
Here’s a spotted lanternfly nymph we spied in Natick earlier this month.
