(September 3, 2025)
We are receiving a lot of calls, emails and text messages about the spotted lanternfly (SLF). Adult SLF have strong legs for jumping, just like the immatures, but also have wings, making them in more mobile than the nymphs. It is important to note that we are still seeing some 4th instar nymphs too, but there are definately more adults.
Soon those adults will be laying eggs. It is those eggs that will overwinter, and hatch next spring. Eggs are laid in rows and clustered together and typcially covered with a waxy coating that is shiny, but ages with time and looks a lot like mud later in the winter and early spring.
If you have been lucky enough not to have encountered SLF yet, we are encouragingresidents 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.
Heck - they might even land on you!
We also receiving questions about the abundant amount of honeydew, sotty mold, and an increase of wasps, hornets and bees in a SLF infestation.
Here are 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.
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