Coming soon to our area — the spotted lanternfly

My daughter-in-law recently sent me a text with an insect picture asking me if it was one of those bugs we are to report to the state. She said it landed on her while sitting on the swing in the front yard. Well, it was one of those bugs — an adult spotted lanternfly (SLF). However, she is in Lucas County, which has a population of this invasive insect. Since it is known to be there, they no longer report finding one, but are told to limit its spread by killing it. One of my responsibilities as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for Hancock County is to investigate and monitor activities of new invasive species moving into the county. Once detected, the Extension office will cooperate with other agencies to coordinate and lead educational programs informing residents of this potential pest. Since the spotted lanternfly is expanding its range in Ohio, it would be a good time to provide an update concerning Hancock County. Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a non-native invasive insect pest to the United States. It is thought to be native to China, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan. In the United States, it was first discovered in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania. Since then, it has spread to 17 other states fanning out from its original detection site. Spotted lanternfly has the potential to cause harm to hardwood trees, grapes, stone fruits (peaches, plums) and hops. Spotted lanternfly is not a fly, but a large, sap-feeding planthopper that feeds from the phloem tissue of host plants. They have four wings and a piercing-sucking mouthpart that is used to pierce their food source and suck out the fluids. Adults measure approximately 1 inch long and ½ inch wide at rest, and 1½ to 2 inches wide with wings spread. The front wings are a translucent gray with black spots, transitioning to a black tiled pattern at the tips. The hind wings are red with patches of black and white. When at rest, the forewings lay tent-like over the body. The red coloration of the hindwing shows through, resulting in a pinkish appearance with black spots. Because of the coloration and wings some people mistakenly think they are a small butterfly. The spotted lanternfly has a one-year lifecycle. Adults lay eggs in late fall through the first freeze on hard surfaces including grills, vehicles, trailers and outdoor furniture. (I even saw one of these egg masses on an information sign at the Fredericksburg Civil War Battle site this past fall). Eggs are laid on host plants or any flat surface in clusters of 30-50 eggs arranged in 4-7 columns of aligned, seed-like eggs. These columns of eggs, measuring approximately one inch in length, are covered in a mud-like substance by the female. This coating begins as a light gray but darkens and cracks with age. First hatch begins in late April to early May. The juveniles that emerge from the eggs are called nymphs. These nymphs are about a ¼ inch long and resemble a tick with black with white spots. After the third molt, about mid-summer, nymphs will be ¾ inch long and their color will change to red with white dots and black stripes. By late summer nymphs will molt into adults. Adults will have wings and the ability to reproduce. As winged adults, they are weak flyers but prefer jumping. They move into new areas quickly by hopping onto transportation vehicles and by people who move infested materials or those containing egg masses. Adults mate in early fall and lay eggs for overwintering to start a new cycle the following spring. Nymphs feed on a wide range of plants. Adults also feed on several host plants; however, their food of choice is tree-of-heaven. SLF uses its piercing mouthparts like a straw to suck plant sap from the phloem tissue of trunks and branches of trees, shrubs, and vines. Adults and nymphs can congregate and feed in large masses frightening individuals who are not familiar with them. This feeding reduces the vigor and the overall health of the plant. Grapevine is considered the most vulnerable crop to economic losses from SLF. The loss in vigor of the vines increases susceptibility to winter injury, reduced fruit set and premature death. Feeding by SLF also create sweet sap that occurs in feeding wounds. The sap is attractive to other insects that are unwelcomed in the yard such as hornets, yellow jackets, flies, and ants. SLF also excrete a sugary waste called honeydew. Honeydew as a food source, attracts other insects to the area and promotes the growth of fungus, such as black sooty mold, which discolors plants in the landscape and makes them unattractive. Spotted lanternfly was first Ohio detection was in Jefferson County October 2020. Since then, 12 Ohio counties have been quarantined for the pest that include the major cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. However, many more will most likely be added when they update the map this fall. Quarantined counties are asked to be vigilant in not moving items that have egg masses or adults to non-infested areas. There have been a few isolated adults found in Hancock County, but I am not aware of a reproducing population; however, it is only a matter of time. Our roads connect with the major cities. A population has been detected in Fostoria, but the information has not been officially released. So, they are moving in our direction. Now is the time to become familiar with this destructive pest, scout plants, particularly tree-of-heaven, and slow its spread to new areas. If you suspect that you may have seen spotted lanternfly in the area, contact the Hancock County Extension Office at 419-422-3851 or email lentz.38@osu.edu. Ed Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator with Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County.