“Ohio Counties Quarantine Spotted Lanternfly as Breeding Season Begins”
A dozen counties in Ohio remain under quarantine as the invasive spotted lanternfly enters its breeding season. Here’s what you need to know to help combat the spread of this destructive pest.
Spotted Lanternfly’s Spread in Ohio
In August, the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed several new infestations of spotted lanternflies, particularly in Columbus and Toledo. As a result, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning, and Muskingum counties have been added to the regulated area for the spotted lanternfly.
Quarantined Counties
The following counties are currently under quarantine for the spotted lanternfly, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture:
- Belmont
- Columbiana
- Cuyahoga
- Erie
- Franklin
- Hamilton
- Jefferson
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Mahoning
- Muskingum
- Ottawa
Due to its classification as a destructive plant pest, Ohio law mandates increased inspections and restricts the movement of certain items from infested counties to non-infested ones.
Regulated Articles
Items subject to these regulations include:
- Spotted lanternflies in any living stage
- Live or dead trees, nursery stock, firewood, logs, perennial and garden plants, and agricultural produce
- Any other products or means of transport that may carry the spotted lanternfly
Breeding Season
The spotted lanternfly is preparing to lay eggs from October through December. The egg masses, small and gray with a waxy coating, can be found in sheltered areas such as trees, buildings, outdoor furniture, and rocks. Nymphs begin hatching in April, going through four stages before emerging as adults in late June, with adults active until December.
Winter Survival
While most spotted lanternfly adults freeze to death during winter, their eggs are resilient and can survive the cold.
Control Methods
To control the spotted lanternfly population, the Ohio Department of Agriculture recommends the following methods:
- Destroying Egg Masses: Scrape them off with a knife or credit card into soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Horticultural oils can also treat the masses during winter or before spring growth.
- Managing Nymphs and Adults: Small populations can be crushed, while insecticides may be necessary for larger infestations. Lower-toxicity options like horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are preferred, but contact insecticides such as bifenthrin and malathion can be used as spot treatments. Systemic insecticides, like dinotefuran or imidacloprid, can be applied as trunk sprays or soil drenches.
- Removing Host Plants: Eliminating invasive host plants like the tree of heaven can help reduce lanternfly populations.
Note that some insecticides may require certified applicators or specialized equipment and may harm beneficial insects, so care should be taken not to apply them during flowering periods.
Reporting Spotted Lanternflies
If you encounter a spotted lanternfly outside a quarantined county, take a photo and report it to the Ohio Department of Agriculture Plant Pest Control using the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter. Lanternflies found near known infestations do not need to be reported.
Origin and Impact
The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, was first identified in North America in Pennsylvania in 2016 and in Ohio in 2020. These insects feed on a variety of plants, particularly the tree of heaven, grapes, and hops, causing wilting and susceptibility to other damages. They also produce a sticky substance known as honeydew, which attracts pests and leads to the growth of sooty mold, potentially harming crops.
