The spotted lanternfly, an invasive sap-sucking insect, has established another hub in Massachusetts, marking Wellesley as its ninth base in the state according to the WCVB news.

The spotted lanternfly was initially identified in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since intricately damaged trees and woody plants by sucking their sap. According to Boston 25 News, the pests target not only the invasive tree of heaven, but also grapevines, hops, and fruit trees, thus posing a significant risk to local agriculture.

Despite to demure impact of a single lanternfly, their swarming behavior during mating seasons pose a significant concern for communities. As made known by WCVB, the insects have infiltrated Holyoke, Awawam, Springfield, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Fitchburg, Southborough, Wellesley, and Weston.

The MDAR has confirmed lanternfly infestation near Carisbrooke Reservation in Wellesley. Although the spotted lanternfly neither bites nor sting, they pose problems for the local residents by swarming in large numbers and secreting sticky honeydew as reported by Boston 25 News.

Seen in more than forty other Massachusetts communities, there are concerning indications of this insect's potential to thrive in the region. While adult lanternflies typically perish after the first intense frost of the season, their eggs survive the winter and hatch in May as indicated by the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project.

MDAR is calling for Massachusetts residents to stay vigilant for spotted lanternflies and report any sightings or specimens to authorities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gives similar guidelines, advising to document and report infestations before attempting extermination.