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Carolyn Kruse

How Harmful Are Spotted Lanternflies And What Are They Doing In Boston?

Author Carolyn Kruse

As if we need something else to keep us up at night. Now, we have eco-harmful insects showing up in larger amounts around the Boston area. They are called Spotted Lanternflies. So, the question is; How harmful are spotted Lanternflies and what are they doing in Boston?

After reading an article in Time Out Boston, here’s what I’ve learned. Spotted lanternflies, also known as Lycorma delicatula (ok eww) are not new to our area. But, they are being found in more places around Boston. As the article states, “the invasive spotted lanternfly, which has been plaguing New York City all summer, made its way to the greater Boston area this week.” Apparently, an infestation was recently found in Wellesley.

What Should We Do?

Should we be worried? According to Time Out Boston, what we need to worry about is how devastating these colorful flies can be to the ecosystem and agriculture. These pesky little buggers coat everything from grapes to maple trees and over 100 hundred other plants with a gooey waste. I’m so grossed out, aren’t you? Anyway, they feed on the sap from plants leave their excrement behind and it eventually grows fungus. It’s stinky, sticky and harmful, not to mention invasive.

According to Mass.Gov, The Spotted Lanternfly is “capable of spreading quickly both on its own and through accidental transport by humans.” What to do, what to do?  If you see something, squish something, I guess that should be the mantra. At least that was suggested in the referenced above. They say the best way to help get rid of them is to kill them when you see them and also their eggs. It is recommended that you put the eggs in a trash bag, then douse them with alcohol to kill them before you throw that bag away, properly.  Check out this picture of the eggs on a tree.

Spotted lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly eggs are shown attached to a tree September 26, 2022 in New York City. T(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Here’s another photo of what these insects look like:

Invasive Species Spotted Lanternfly Permeates Across Northeast With Fears They Could Spread Further

(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

 

RELATED:

Soak In The Color: 8 Great Spots In Massachusetts For Fall Foliage

  • 1. Mount Greylock State Reservation

    30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA

    Run don’t walk to grab this view before it’s gone. I mean if you want a view, you want the highest peak, and this Western Mass gem is it. Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. It’s so massive it covers about 12,000 acres in the towns of Lanesborough, North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Williamstown and New Ashford, Massachusetts.

    Posted by Mount Greylock State Reservation on Friday, October 13, 2023

  • 2. Boston Common

    139 Tremont St. Boston 

    Here’s a great excuse to be a tourist in Boston. The foliage at Boston Common is remarkable. It should be showing it’s true colors by this weekend. The Common is filled with oak, chestnut, maple and beech trees. And what a magnificent view through the trees to the State House and it’s golden dome. Plus you can grab lunch and a drink just down the street in beautiful Beacon Hill. 

  • 3. Mount Auburn Cemetery

    580 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge

    America’s first garden cemetery comes alive in autumn (pardon the pun). There is a great variety of trees in the arboretum, and of course the maples burst with bright reds this time of year. Be sure and take in the panoramic views of Boston from their 62 foot tower in the cemetery.

     

  • 4. Beacon Hill

    Located along  the riverfront of the Charles River Esplanade to the west, and just north of the Boston Common and Public Garden is where you’ll find Beacon Hill and it’s beautiful brownstone buildings. Likely the most charming area in Boston, it’s dripping in history. Cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways make it look like something out of a movie. Acorn Street is one of the most photographed in the country. 

    See it on the top right side here:

  • 5. Blue Hills Reservation

    695 Hillside St. Milton

    This is my neck of the woods and believe me I appreciate this lovely 7,000 acre park. We are just outside of Boston, just when you hit the trails here you feel like a million miles away, deep in the woods. That is, until you reach the top and enjoy sweeping views of beautiful Boston. The best view for autumn colors is on top of Buck Hill. It’s a fairly easy hike too, about 3 miles up with trails for all levels. 

    What do you love best about hiking in the fall?

    Posted by Friends of the Blue Hills on Friday, October 6, 2023

  • 6. Noanet Woodlands

    Powisset St, Dover

    This stunning Dover park is part of the Trustees of the Reservation. There are trails that will lead you to through the areas woodlands and ponds. And Noanet Peak, which is a former mill site has some amazing views of Boston.  It’s clearly a favorite spot for furry friends.

    🍁🍂 Holly, Violet, Mo, Milo & Chlo🍂🍁 #intothewoods #training #traininghike #gratefuldog #dogtraining #dover #doverma #rescuedog #redfoxlab #bernedoodle #gordonsetter #gordon #fall #fall2022 #getout

    Posted by Gratefuldog on Thursday, October 13, 2022

  • 7. Great Brook Farm State Park and the Carlisle Cranberry Bog

    165 North Rd, Carlisle

    Great Brook Farm State Park and the Carlisle Cranberry Bog is about 19 miles northwest of Boston and the bog features 500 acres of vibrant color. Part of it is an actual working production for cranberries. There are some trails around the bog and in the woods. The mail trail, over the dike, has the most incredible views of the cranberries at harvest time and the trees  provide some fantastic leaf peeping!

    Carlisle: Great Brook Farm & Cranberry Bog - Great Runs

    A farm and a bog in a close suburb to Boston! We've combined two highlights of autumn running in one. Great Brook Farm State Park, only 25 miles from Boston, features 1,000 acres and 20 miles of wonderful trails - through meadows, woods, farmland, and bogs.

  • 8. Wompatuck State Park

    204 Union St. Hingham

    Just 25 miles south of Boston is the picturesque state park of Wompatuck, spanning 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. You can stroll through 40 miles of forest trails and take in some of the most scenic views on the south shore.

Born and raised at Country 1025. Carolyn is a concert-lovin’ country music fan. Plus, an avid New England sports fan. Count Kruser in for standup comedy, movies, and cosmos, but family is #1 for her. Wife, mother of 2- plus Zoey the dog, unpaid cook, cleaner and organizer of chaos. Kruser likes to write about country music, New England lifestyle and trending topics.

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