Spotted lanternfly spotted in Ohio

You might have heard of the spotted lanternfly. You might have visited a state like Pennsylvania and seen it. You might have read that the spotted lanternfly has been found close to home in Ohio. You might have even seen one. What should I do when I find them? Let's begin with "What is the spotted lanternfly"? It's an invasive treehopper that arrived from Asia to an area around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2012. Since then, it has spread to neighboring states. Spotted lanternfly is not a great flyer but an excellent hitchhiker. It is found on another invasive tree from Asia, Tree of Heaven, which reseeds itself and can be found in disturbed areas and along railroad tracks. Infestation spread seems to follow rail lines and highways. The first question people ask is "Do they bite?" The answer is absolutely not, so don't be alarmed. The spotted lanternfly only feeds on the sap of trees and shrubs and will not hurt people. The downside is that they feed from nearly 70 different host plants. Their favorite tree is the Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, a tree native to Asia and an invasive species in Ohio. A major concern is that their second favorite host is grape vines, followed by fruit trees, which is bad news for local vineyards and orchards. I — in conjunction with The Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Department of Agriculture and The United States Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection — have been monitoring the movement and infestations of the spotted lanternfly. A delineation survey conducted three years ago revealed infestations along the Norfolk and Southern railway tracks from Vermilion all the way through Sandusky to western Erie County line at Sandusky Bay. Initially, people living along the tracks were the first to see the bug. In our area, the infestation levels have risen to a point where many people are finding them. Remember, they don't bite, so don't be alarmed if you see them. Today, it's common to see them through much of Sandusky, Huron, Vermilion and Port Clinton and in the surrounding region. Vineyards and fruit growers are keeping a keen eye to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly. At this point, none have reported spotted lanternfly, but it is just a matter of time. For the local homeowner, the biggest concern is, because they feed on sap, they produce honeydew, a sticky substance that they excrete. This can fall on lower leaves of plants and produce sooty mold, a black substance, as well as attract ants and bees. If you find a spotted lanternfly in any stage of development, what can you do? Even though it is a beautiful insect, you should squash it. Nymphs start as black with white spots then turn into red with white spots until reaching the adult stage. Recently, our office assistant took a picture of an adult spotted lanternfly she found on the handicap button at the Erie County Services Center where the OSU Extension Office is located. Yes, she squashed it. In the meantime, ODA recommends the following management guidelines from their website: Managing nymphs and adult spotted lanternfly Spotted lanternflies are susceptible to several management methods. Use the least severe tactic that will give acceptable levels of control. • When populations are low, acceptable control may be achieved by swatting or stomping nymphs and adults when you see them. • Removing favored spotted lanternfly hosts, some of which are invasive themselves — Tree of Heaven and grapevine, for instance — can result in a reduction in spotted lanternfly populations on your property. • The use of lower toxicity insecticides, such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps, can provide control of nymphs and adults with little residual activity. These products would likely need to be reapplied throughout the season. • Contact insecticides such as bifenthrin, carbaryl and malathion may be used as spot treatments against SLF nymphs and adults. Repeating treatments may be necessary. • As we approach fall, adults will begin to lay egg masses. They look like a patch of Silly Putty stuck to a tree branch, trunk, metal, or stone surface. The egg masses can be scraped off. Managing SLF egg masses The Ohio Department of Agriculture has the following guidelines: • Egg masses may be destroyed prior to nymphs emerging, resulting in a reduction in nymphs the following season. • Egg masses may be squashed, popping the individual eggs within the masses. • Scraping egg masses with a knife or edge of a credit card into soapy water, dish soap works, or rubbing alcohol will kill the eggs. • Egg masses may be treated with horticultural oils during the winter months or before bud break in the spring. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for the spotted lanternfly. If you see them, squash them. And don't be alarmed, they will not hurt you.