Massachusetts urges public to report spotted lanternfly sightings amid growing infestations in nine counties.

Massachusetts is urging residents to report spotted lanternfly sightings as the invasive pest matures from August to December, with over 50 confirmed sightings across nine counties near Springfield, Worcester, Boston, and the Rhode Island border, while Berkshire, Franklin counties, and Cape Cod remain unaffected. The insect, native to Asia, feeds on over 100 plant species including grapevines and fruit trees, causing agricultural damage through sap feeding and honeydew production. Eggs survive winter and hatch in spring. The state provides an interactive map and online reporting tool with photo submissions, along with a management guide for identification and control. A federal proposal aims to launch a national awareness campaign to help curb its spread, which began in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since reached several Northeastern states.