Public Encouraged To Report Lanternfly, Box Tree Moth Sightings

BOSTON—In recognition of National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is reminding residents to observe and report any sightings of invasive species that they might find.

NISAW, which runs from February 26 to March 3, calls attention to invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread.

This year, MDAR is taking the opportunity to highlight the agency's work managing infestations of spotted lanternfly and box tree moth. 

"We continue to be vigilant in our efforts to manage spotted lanternfly, since we've seen the destruction this pest has caused in other states," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "With box tree moth, we're working with our partners at USDA to mitigate their spread. We thank the public for their continued assistance in reporting these and other invasive species to MDAR." 

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) feeds on the sap of over 100 plant species but causes the most serious damage to grapevines, black walnut, and the invasive tree-of-heaven. During the late summer and fall, spotted lanternflies congregate in large numbers, covering surfaces with a sticky substance called honeydew that can be a major nuisance for residents, outdoor recreation, and agritourism.  

MDAR has been at the forefront of slowing the spread of SLF as this pest continues to appear in cities and towns across the state. This winter, MDAR survey crews in the Division of Crop and Pest Services visited municipalities where SLF infestations had been confirmed over the summer, removing more than 6,000 egg masses from trees, sides of buildings, vehicles, and many other surfaces. The crews destroy egg masses within easy reach, using plastic scraper cards, and use paint scrapers on long poles to reach egg masses that are high up in the trees. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has assisted in removing SLF egg masses in some Western Massachusetts locations.

MDAR has also been working with USDA to monitor for box tree moth, an invasive pest of boxwood shrubs, found in Massachusetts for the first time this past summer on Cape Cod. The caterpillars of this insect feed on the leaves of boxwoods and at high numbers can completely defoliate a shrub, eventually killing it. MDAR assisted USDA with their trapping and survey efforts in Barnstable and Plymouth County last summer and fall. This year, MDAR will be deploying their own traps at nurseries and sites with large plantings of boxwoods, focusing on southeastern Massachusetts as well as locations along the border with abutting states.

Anyone who encounters a suspected spotted lanternfly, box tree moth, or other invasive species should upload a photo and file a report at https://bit.ly/MAInvasive.

See where spotted lanternfly, box tree moth, and other invasive species have been found in Massachusetts using MDAR's interactive Pest Dashboard https://bit.ly/pestdashtownbytown.  

Learn more about invasive species at https://massnrc.org/pests.

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Celebrates a Bustling 2023

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:36AM / Saturday, May 11, 2024

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Director Rebecca Brien is credited with the vibrancy seen downtown, including 23 new businesses in the past year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This past year has been a "whirlwind of activity" for Downtown Pittsfield Inc., according Director Rebecca Brien.

DPI held its annual meeting at the Berkshire Museum on Thursday, touting the 17 businesses welcomed to the downtown in 2023 and six so far this year.

In preparing for the event, Brien referred to her first project with the 230-member organization for inspiration: the strategic plan.

"We envision downtown as a place that welcomes people, businesses, and events to join a diverse, vibrant, and bustling district. Our goal is to strengthen and promote our members through advocacy, collaboration, and celebration," she said.

"It was then that I realized that in this past year, with support from our partners, our board, our members, and our community, that the DPI team has been every day doing just those things"

She highlighted the recent myriad successful DPI events such as the Let It Shine! celebration of public art, the It's Alive! Halloween block party, the 10x10 Restaurant Week, and Downtown Celebrates Spring Week.

"The Heart of the Berkshire's marketing is working this year. The Love Pittsfield Downtown and Beyond guidebooks have increased to 10,000 copies being printed because we ran out and they are getting distributed throughout the county," Brien added.

"Our website is the hub for all news downtown and followers on our Facebook, Instagram, and the expanding DPI app grow every day. At this point, our weekly newsletter is so full that it may qualify as a small novel."