New Hampshire has confirmed its first-ever spotted lanternfly detection, found in Salem this week, according to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture. The invasive insect, which feeds on and damages maple trees and grapevines wherever it establishes itself, has now spread to 19 states and Washington, D.C. since it first turned up in Pennsylvania in 2014, per New Hampshire Public Radio.
Key Points
- This is the first confirmed sighting of a spotted lanternfly anywhere in New Hampshire, spotted in Salem.
- State officials say there’s no evidence of an established population yet — this appears to be an isolated detection, not a colony.
- Neighboring Vermont also has no known established population, according to NHPR.
- Officials expect the pest will likely become established in the state eventually, even if it isn’t yet.
What’s at Risk
- Grapevines and vineyards — considered the primary economic risk.
- Maple trees, a signature New Hampshire crop and landscape tree.
- Nurseries and ornamental garden plants.
- Tree of heaven, an invasive tree species itself, which is the lanternfly’s preferred host and a key place to check for egg masses.
What to Do If You See One
- Kill it — experts recommend not letting a spotted lanternfly go, whether it’s an adult, nymph, or egg mass.
- Report the sighting to the state through NHBugs.org, including a photo and location if possible.
- Scrape off egg masses you find on trees, fences, or outdoor furniture — they look like a smear of gray putty.
- Vacuum up nymph clusters rather than trying to squash large groups by hand.
- Remove tree of heaven where you can, since it’s the species’ favored host and habitat.
Homeowners near Salem with grapevines, maples, or other favored host plants are the ones with the most reason to check regularly in the coming weeks — catching an isolated sighting early is the difference between a report and an infestation. Since first arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has spread almost entirely by hitchhiking a ride, laying its putty-colored egg masses on firewood, outdoor furniture, vehicles, and nursery stock that then gets moved from state to state without anyone noticing. That’s why officials in newly affected states like New Hampshire tend to focus early messaging less on chemical treatment and more on simply asking residents to check anything that’s recently traveled from a known infested area before it sits in a driveway or backyard.
