Spotted Lanternfly Treatment in Westborough, MA: Late-Season Adults on a Tree of Heaven
On a chilly day in Westborough, MA, Mayer Tree Service arborist David Anderson stopped at an ailanthus (tree of heaven) covered in spotted lanternfly adults. The insects were sluggish in the cool air and blended into the bark, so they looked like bumps on the trunk. This was a good example of how spotted lanternfly treatment changes as the season moves along.
The adults were close to laying eggs, which is the last stage of their year. David explained why he chose a systemic trunk treatment instead of a foliar spray, and what that treatment can and can’t do.
If you have a tree of heaven on your property in Westborough or nearby, here is how this approach works and why the timing matters.
What You’re Seeing: Spotted Lanternfly Adults on the Trunk
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper from Asia. It feeds by piercing bark and sucking sap from the tree. It has spread through the Northeast, and it is now a concern for property owners in Massachusetts.
In the video, the adults sit in clusters on the trunk. When it’s cool they move very little, and their gray, mottled wings look a lot like bark. If you only glance at the tree, you may think the bumps are part of the tree itself.
How to recognize them
- Adults: about an inch long, with gray-tan forewings and black spots. Their hind wings show red when they open them.
- Late-season behavior: adults gather on trunks and branches as they get ready to mate and lay eggs.
- Nymphs (instars): in spring and early summer, the young are black with white spots, and later turn red, black and white.
- Egg masses: flat patches covered in a gray, putty-like coating, often on bark, stones, outdoor furniture and vehicles.
- Sticky residue: the insects excrete a sugary liquid called honeydew, which can leave a sticky film and attract sooty mold.
Why the Tree of Heaven Matters
The tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly are closely linked. Ailanthus is one of the insect’s preferred host trees, especially for adults. That is why you often find the heaviest concentrations on these trees, as in Westborough.
Tree of heaven is also an invasive species itself. It grows quickly, spreads by seed and root sprouts, and often shows up along fences, roadsides and neglected corners of a property. Its wood is relatively weak, so older or declining specimens can drop limbs.
Lanternflies are not limited to ailanthus. They also feed on other trees and plants, so a heavily infested tree of heaven can be a source of insects that move to nearby trees.
Spotted Lanternfly Adults Laying Eggs: Why Timing Matters
As David notes in the video, the adults don’t overwinter. They die off as the season ends. What carries the population into next year is the eggs.
That is why spotted lanternfly adults laying eggs is such an important point in the calendar. By the time the adults are paired up and laying, killing them won’t stop the eggs that are already on the way. The next generation hatches in spring and begins feeding.
Late-season treatment is therefore less about the adults in front of you and more about protecting the tree from next year’s nymphs.
Bifenthrin vs Systemic Treatment for Lanternfly
There are two common approaches, and they work differently. Understanding the bifenthrin vs systemic treatment for lanternfly choice helps explain why David chose what he did.
Bifenthrin foliar spray
Bifenthrin is a contact insecticide. A foliar treatment is sprayed onto leaves and branches and kills insects that touch it or feed on treated surfaces. It can be useful in-season when many insects are active and visible.
David points out that by this point in the year it may be too late for it to be worthwhile. The adults are nearly done, and a foliar treatment would not change the eggs they are about to lay.
Systemic treatment
A systemic insecticide is taken up by the tree and moves through its tissues. Insects that feed on the treated tree ingest it. That makes it a longer-lasting option than a contact spray, and it doesn’t depend on catching every insect on the surface.
Systemic Insecticide for Spotted Lanternfly: The Dinotefuran Trunk Spray
For this tree, David used a dinotefuran trunk spray. The product Mayer Tree Service uses is Safari. It is a systemic insecticide applied to the lower trunk, where the bark absorbs it and the tree distributes it.
In the video, he sprays the bottom six feet of the trunk. Here is how he described the plan:
- Apply to the lower trunk. The spray goes on the bottom six feet of the tree.
- Let the tree take it up. The material is absorbed and becomes systemic in the tree.
- Count on residual protection. David expects the treatment to last at least a year.
- Target next year’s nymphs. Any instars that feed on the tree next year are expected to be controlled.
What this treatment is not
David was clear about the limits. The treatment may not control the eggs that are laid on this tree. He also isn’t worried about killing the adults, since they will lay eggs and die regardless. The purpose is to stop the nymphs that feed on the tree next year.
This is an observation from one tree in Westborough, not a guarantee for every situation. Results depend on the tree, the site and the insect pressure. Pesticide labels and licensing requirements apply, so this is work for a trained, licensed professional.
Spotted Lanternfly Control in Massachusetts: What Property Owners Can Do
Spotted lanternfly control in Massachusetts usually works best as a combination of steps, not a single fix.
- Identify host trees. Check tree of heaven first, then other favored hosts on your property.
- Look for egg masses. Fall through early spring is a good time to check trunks, branches, stones, fences and outdoor items. Scrape them into a bag and dispose of them according to state guidance.
- Check vehicles and gear. Egg masses and insects can hitchhike, which is how lanternflies spread.
- Treat key trees. A professional can decide whether a systemic treatment makes sense for a given tree.
- Follow state guidance. Rules and reporting requests can change, so check with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Our insect control and plant health care services include evaluating which trees on a property are at risk and recommending a plan.
Prevention and Managing the Tree of Heaven
You can’t fully prevent spotted lanternfly from arriving, but you can reduce how attractive your property is to it.
- Deal with tree of heaven. Removing ailanthus takes away a favored host. Cutting alone often leads to vigorous resprouting from the roots, so it helps to plan the removal properly.
- Keep other trees healthy. Stressed trees handle feeding pressure less well. Proper watering during dry spells and sound soil care both help.
- Monitor each year. Spring nymphs and late-summer adults are the easiest times to spot activity.
If the tree is large, in poor shape or close to a house, driveway or power line, tree removal may be the more practical answer than treatment.
When to Call an Arborist
Consider a professional evaluation if you notice any of the following:
- Clusters of adults or large numbers of nymphs on one or more trees
- Egg masses on trees, fences or equipment
- Heavy honeydew, black sooty mold or branch dieback
- A tree of heaven on your property that you aren’t sure how to handle
- A valuable tree you want to protect before next spring
An arborist can confirm what you’re seeing, assess the tree’s condition and recommend whether treatment, monitoring or removal fits best.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for spotted lanternfly treatment?
It depends on the goal. In-season contact sprays target active insects, while a systemic trunk treatment works through the tree and can protect it for a longer period. A professional can help you match timing to the situation.
Will a systemic treatment kill the eggs?
Not necessarily. In this video, David said the treatment may not control the eggs. It is aimed at the nymphs that feed on the tree next year.
Do spotted lanternfly adults survive the winter?
No. Adults die at the end of the season. The population carries over as eggs, which hatch in spring.
Is the tree of heaven a problem even without lanternflies?
Yes. It is an invasive species that spreads quickly and has relatively weak wood. That’s one reason many owners choose to remove it, particularly when it is near buildings or high-use areas.
Have Your Westborough Trees Evaluated
The tree in Westborough shows how spotted lanternfly pressure builds on a favored host, and why late-season decisions look different from summer ones. A treatment that protects next year’s growth can matter more than chasing the adults that are about to die.
If you see lanternflies, egg masses or a tree of heaven on your property in Westborough or the surrounding area, Mayer Tree Service can take a look. We can identify what’s on your trees and recommend a plan that fits your property.
If you have questions about tree service or plant health care or would like an estimate, give us a call at 978-768-6999 or click here to contact us.
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