A state agency is asking for the public to help identify the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, in an attempt to stop its spread in the region.

The spotted lanternfly was first spotted in the United States in 2014 and it is an invasive sap-feeding insect from Asia. The insect’s main host plant is a tree-of-heaven, but it can also attack a variety of trees, shrubs, vines and can impact other agricultural commodities such as grapes, wine, apples, peaches and maple syrup, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MASSDARP).

Some of the key features of a spotted lanternfly include: brownish-gray forewings with black spots; when disturbed, the lanternfly will reveal bright red and white hindwings; over the winter, can appear as gray egg mass laid on any smooth surface, resembling mud.

Other plants the spotted lanternfly can attack: birch trees, lilac, maple, poplar, roses, stone fruit, sycamore and willows.

Current list of cities and towns in Massachusetts where the species has been found include Great Barrington, Ludlow, Springfield, Hadley, Boston, Sturbridge and Shrewsbury.

MASSDARP asks the public to report sighting of the spotted lanternfly: Think you’ve spotted a lanternfly? Report it here.

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