Invasive Spotted Lanternfly found in Springfield

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ANNOUNCED AN INVASIVE SPECIES HAS ARRIVED IN WESTERN IT’S CALLED THE SPOTTED LATTERNFLY. 22NEWS REPORTER KATE WILKINSON SPOKE WITH A LOCAL FRUIT FARMER– SHE JOINS US LIVE FROM OUR FRANKLIN TO KNOW. REPORTER: THE SPOTTED LATTERNFLY WAS FOUND IN SPRINGFIELD– AND IT PARTICULARLY SEEKS OUT FRUIT TREES. THEY CAN ARRIVE THROUGH TREES BEING THE STATE ORGANIZATION WARNING THE PEST COULD IMPACT GRAPE AND HOP GROWERS AS WELL AS PICK-YOUR- OWN ORCHARDS. I SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF CLARKDALE FRUIT FARMS IN DEERFIELD…. HE TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE INVASIVE SPECIES… WATCHING OUT FOR THE

SIGNS– AND SO SHOULD YOU. BEN CLARK OWNER, CLARKDALE FRUIT FARMS BE AWARE LOOKING AND SEEING IF YOU SEE ANYTHING STRANGE LIKE THE VERY DISTINCTIVE SPOTTED IN THE MASSES HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF REPORTER: NOT ONLY TREES– THE M-D-A-R SAID THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES COULD BE FOUND ON SIDES OF BUILDINGS AS WELL AS ON VEHICLES REPORTER: IF YOU HAVE FOUND ONE— WE’LL HAVE A LINK ON REPORT THE INVASIVE SPECIES. WORKING FOR YOU IN GREENFIELD KW 22NEWS. CIARA: THE CITY OF HOLYOKE IS