Spotted lanternflies confirmed in Cincinnati. How to identify, report the invasive species
An invasive, destructive pest has been found again in Cincinnati.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed on Wednesday that spotted lanternfly nymphs have begun to emerge in the Cincinnati area this week.
Spotted lanternflies first reached Eastern Ohio in 2020. Under Ohio law, they are designated destructive plant pests. In the past, they have been found in the following counties: Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Muskingum, and Ottawa.
Here's what you should know.
What are spotted lanternflies?
According to the Buckeye Yard and Garden Online, the spotted lanternfly is a "non-native, invasive planthopper" that has been confirmed to be found in 12 Ohio counties: Belmont, Muskingum, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Columbiana, Mahoning, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Lucas.
Spotted lanternflies feed on the sap of trees, vines, and perennials such as fruit trees, hops, maple, willow, and walnut. However, the species favors the Tree of Heaven and wild and cultivated grapes.
Nymphs are juvenile spotted lanternflies, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nymphs are strong jumpers and may be found on various plants around their hatch location.
Where did spotted lanternflies come from?
The invasive species are native to Asia but first appeared in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely brought over by imported woody plants, wood products, and other goods.
Established spotted lanternfly populations have been found in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia.
What do spotted lanternflies look like?
Spotted lanternfly nymphs are approximately one-quarter of an inch long and may be mistaken for ticks. They are typically black with white spots.
An adult spotted lanternfly is approximately one inch long and half an inch wide. They typically have black bodies, red and grey wings, and black markings. The spotted lanternfly enters the adult moth stage during the late summer and fall. During this stage, the species usually has black bodies and brightly colored wings.
Have spotted lanternflies been found in Cincinnati?
The Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed the first sighting and egg hatch of spotted lanternfly nymphs in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 24. Nymphs were collected on young Trees of Heaven, one of the species' preferred host plants.
Why are spotted lanternflies bad?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly can cause damage, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and dieback to trees, crops, vines, and other plants.
When spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete honeydew, a sugary substance that can encourage the growth of sooty black mold. This mold is harmless to people but can damage plants. Due to nymph feeding patterns, honeydew may be found on nearby plants and other surfaces through the spring, which could attract other insects, such as wasps and butterflies.
The USDA says spotted lanternflies decimate almonds, apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, grapes, hops, and hardwoods such as oak, walnut, and poplar.
Research has shown that insects will likely find Ohio's weather ideal and become established.
How to check for spotted lanternflies
The USDA recommends checking outdoor items for spotted lanternfly egg masses, including any items you may bring indoors during the winter. If you find egg masses, scrape them into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, then zip the bag shut and properly dispose of them.
Look for egg masses on trees and outdoor plants, especially at dusk or at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on trunks and stems. Also, make sure to check car doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs, as spotted lanternflies are also known to enter vehicles.
How to report spotted lanternflies in Ohio
If you suspect a spotted lanternfly infestation, take a picture or collect a sample and report the finding to the ODA Plant Pest Control using the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter.