Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses found in Amherst, Ohio in Winter of 2022.

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Egg masses of Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula,

 

eggs masses

 

 

 

on Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima,

 

tree of heaven

 

 

were discovered by an arborist during the week of February 14.

 

 

Ohio Department of Agriculture inspected the trees the week of February 21st. A formal announcement was made by ODA in early March 2022. So, what can YOU do? Scout!

 

 

Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive pest and commonly found to infest Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima.

 

toh

 

 

 

In addition, the insect’s 2nd favorite host is grapes which is bad news for vineyards in Ohio.

 

grapevines

 

 

 

As of this article, infestations have been found in Jefferson County, Cuyahoga County and Lorain County.

 

All 3 of these infestations were found on Tree of Heaven that were growing along railroad tracks.

 

toh railroad

 

 

Infestation was first discovered in the United States near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The insect is a great hitchhiker on railroad cars and trucks. Adults can hop on a train that is idle,

 

idle traincars

 

 

 

 

and then transported to other locations.

 

engine

 

 

 

Adults can hop off the train then lay eggs on typically Tree of Heaven

 

toh bud scar

 

 

but also on Mulberry, Morus alba.

 

mulberry

 

 

 

 

The eggs are laid in the fall and stay dormant until they hatch in the spring.

 

eggs 4

 

 

 

The first instar is black measures around ¼”.

 

instar1

 

 

 

The 4th instar is red with white spots and measures around a half inch.

 

instar4

 

 

 

The adults can range from an inch to 1 ½ inches.

 

slf adult

 

 

 

 

These insects to not bite or pose a threat to people.

 

slf in hand

 

 

 

 

They do consume large amounts for sap from the phloem tissue causing the plant to look like it is bleeding.

 

bleed

 

 

 

 

In addition, the sap that is consumed and then discarded can drip on lower leaves of the plant in the for of honeydew and can produce sooty mold. Note the ants on the stem searching out honeydew.

 

soot

 

 

 

 

So, what can you do?

  1. Locate Tree of Heaven and scout it once a week.

 

Video to locate Tree of Heaven ID

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-je2sxVIXc&t=29s

 

 

  1.  Load the Great Lakes Early Detection Network App on your Smart Phone

 

Video on how to load GLEDN App

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9lik8X-Fs

 

 

  1. Scout for Spotted Lanternfly

Video about Spotted Lanternfly ID

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2i3HTd_65M

 

 

  1. Report findings to GLEDN on the App or to the Ohio Department of Agriculture

 

ODA Link here:

https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/slf

click on Report an Infestation

 

 

Together, we can Slow the Spread!