Spotted lanternfly egg season is here. What Massachusetts wants you to do

The adult spotted lanternflies will soon be gone, but the next generation is already waiting on tree trunks, fences and patio furniture across the state.

In a Sept. 9, 2026 release, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said the invasive planthopper has been confirmed in more than 145 cities and towns, in every region except Cape Cod and the Islands. Females start laying eggs in September, and the state is asking residents to destroy any egg masses they can reach through the fall and winter.

What to look for

MDAR describes the egg masses as flat, gray or beige patches roughly an inch long that often resemble a smear of dried mud. They can turn up on almost any flat outdoor surface. WWLP-22News reported last fall that, according to MDAR, egg laying continues into late November and the eggs survive the winter.

Your checklist

• Scrape and destroy egg masses within reach on bark, fences, stone, firewood and outdoor equipment.
• Inspect your vehicle before leaving an infested area so you don't carry hitchhikers to a new town.
• Manage host plants. The state lists the invasive tree-of-heaven as the pest's favorite host; grapevines, hops and fruit trees are also targets.
• Check the map before reporting. In heavily infested places such as Springfield, Worcester and Attleboro, reports are optional. In a town not yet on the state's distribution map, take a photo and file a report at mass.gov/slf.

MDAR also publishes a management guide for homeowners in infested areas, available in English and 10 other languages on mass.gov.