Massachusetts Crop and Pest Services Protect Against Invasive Species
In partnership with: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
A single invasive species could majorly affect the Massachusetts agriculture industry, including some of the state’s most valuable crops, the greenhouse and nursery commodities.
“The top priority for us right now is the spotted lanternfly,” says Jennifer Forman Orth, invasive species ecologist with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. “It’s a pest that showed up in Pennsylvania in 2014 and is spreading across the Northeast.”
Spotted lanternflies are large insects that congregate by the thousands in areas and have the potential to make grapes their host, as well as swarm fruit orchards.
“They don’t damage the orchard, but it does become challenging to the harvest as well as agritourism,” Forman Orth says.
See more: Massachusetts’ Top 10 Ag Products
Team Effort
Forman Orth is one member of a team of folks who work with MDAR’s Division of Crop and Pest Services, directed by Taryn LaScola. In addition to that team, LaScola oversees several programs in the state including apiary, pesticide and hemp programs.
“These are all regulatory programs within which we try to do outreach,” LaScola says. “In all of the programs where an inspection is involved, we always consider that public outreach because our folks are making sure people are following the rules, but they’re also providing guidance and information as well.”
One way the division connects with agricultural and environmental audiences is by attending green industry conferences – setting up tables and conducting panels to provide outreach and guidance. Additionally, they speak with Master Gardener groups, schools and libraries, as well as offer free webinars on Zoom.
See more: What’s Growing? Massachusetts Produce Calendar
On the Lookout
One of the most interactive outreach methods is their pest reporting website, massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx, and hotline, (617) 626-1779.
“It’s a place for people to go when they think they’ve seen an invasive pest,” Forman Orth says. “They can go online or call and let us know.”
There are approximately 500 reports a year, most of which turn out to be harmless.
“But we’d rather folks give us a heads up if they’re concerned,” Forman Orth says.
As for the spotted lanternfly, “It’s one of those pests where we are hoping to slow the spread, but we’re not going to be able to eradicate it. We’re working to get people to learn what it looks like and how to report it, and we’re working to slow the spread and prepare our growers and public to deal with this pest.”