(July 10, 2025) Last week, we began receiving reports of seeing the very first 4th instar nymphs of the year, and I have also began making my own observations while out in the county. The key identifiable characteristic that you will see is the color change from black with white spots, to red with black and white markings. The next stage that we will see will be the adults. Adult SLF have strong legs for jumping, just like the immatures, but also have wings, making them in more mobile.
If you have been lucky enough not to have encountered SLF yet, we are encouraging residents to become familiar with this non-native invasive insect - the spotted lanternfly (SLF), and look for the pest in their own landscapes or places they frequent.
*This photo illustrates multiple generations - nymphs and adults.
Here is some resources that can be helpful to grow your SLF knowledge:
Tree of Heaven Tree Identification
Tree of Heaven is the SLFs favorite host. Here is a link about this non-native invasive plant.
https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/whitley/2023/08/identifying-tree-of-heaven.html
Host Plant Information
The spotted lanternfly has been reported feeding on over 103 species of plants, according to new research (Barringer and Ciafre, 2020) and when including not only plants on which the insect feeds, but also those that it will lay egg masses on, this number rises to 172.
https://academic.oup.com/view-large/208802769
SLF and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)
https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/slf
ODA's SLF Management Guide for Ohioans
https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/slf-bmp
Ohio Pest Reporter, ODA
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/1b36dd2cf09e4be0a79776a6104ce1dc
*Reporting infestations is no longer needed in Lucas County or any county that is currently quarantined, since we know that the insect is present in our county. Please refer to the ODA quarantine map below:
Great Lakes Early Detection Network Reporting App
https://apps.bugwood.org/apps/gledn/
*Reporting infestations is no longer needed in Lucas County, since we know that the insect is present in our county.
SLF Management for Homeowners
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide
SLF Management for Landscape Professionals
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-landscape-professionals
SLF Traps
https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-build-a-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap
If you have a question, or need additional information about SLF, please reach out to your local county Extension office. In Lucas County you can contact Amy Stone, an Extension Educator, at stone.91@osu.edu or 419-574-0986, or the Horticulture Hotline on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am - 1 pm at 419-578-6783.