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27 Feb 2026
Featured, Learn, News, Research Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Statewide Quarantine Issued for Invasive Spotted Lanternfly

Statewide Quarantine Issued for Invasive Spotted Lanternfly

On February 17, 2026, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued a statewide quarantine for the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). As part of this quarantine, trees and nursery stock must be inspected for the insect before they are transported out of Ohio.

The spotted lanternfly was first documented in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has continued to spread across the eastern states. The insect was first detected in Ohio in 2020 and confirmed in Hamilton County in 2022. It is now considered fully established in the region.

Spotted lanternflies can spread easily because their egg masses are often laid on movable surfaces, including railroad cars, vehicles, and outdoor equipment. When these items are transported, the insects can be carried to new locations.

Because of their growing presence in the region, we expect to see more spotted lanternflies at Greenacres and throughout Indian Hill this coming summer.

What Can You Do

Residents can help reduce the spread of this invasive insect by learning to recognize and remove it at different stages of its life cycle.

      • Scrape and destroy egg masses found on trees, outdoor furniture, vehicles, or other surfaces

      • Squish nymphs or adult lanternflies when you see them

      • Check outdoor equipment and materials before moving them to another location

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is no longer asking residents to report sightings, as the insect is now established in the state.

Learn More

If you would like to learn how to identify spotted lanternflies and understand their impact on local ecosystems, visit these related Greenacres articles:

These resources provide additional information about identification, life stages, and the relationship between spotted lanternflies and the invasive Tree of Heaven, one of their preferred host plants.

14 Apr 2023
Young Tree of Heaven in Indian Hill woodlands
Idea, Learn Leonore Salvado 0 comment

Invasive Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven

Young Tree of Heaven in Indian Hill woodlands
Tree of Heaven: an invasive in North America and the preferred host plant of spotted lanternflies

Invasive Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven:
A Double Threat to Local Ecosystems

Spotted lantern fly is once again making the news since this is the time of the year when their eggs are most visible. This invasive insect species has been spreading across the United States since its first sighting in Pennsylvania in 2014. It was first detected in Ohio in 2020 and in Hamilton County in 2022, and it is now considered established in the region. As of February 17, 2026, the Ohio Department of Agriculture issued a statewide quarantine for spotted lanternfly, requiring inspection of certain plant materials before they are transported out of the state.

Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs
Spotted lanternfly nymphs begin black with white spots and develop red patches as they mature.

The spotted lanternfly is a type of planthopper, which means that it feeds on plant sap using its piercing mouthparts. They can cause significant damage to trees by feeding on their sap, which can weaken the tree, making it more susceptible to disease and other pests, and even killing it in severe cases. Nymphs feed on a wide variety of plants, including fruit crops such as apples, peaches, and grapes. As they feed, they excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold on leaves, tree bark, and outdoor surfaces such as decks and patios. One tree to keep an especially close eye on is tree of heaven, the preferred host plant for adult spotted lanternflies.

Tree of Heaven, marked by pink tags, in Indian Hill woods
Tree of Heaven (marked by pink tags): an invasive species to North America and the preferred host plant of Spotted Lanternfly

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is also an invasive species that has become problematic in many parts of the country, including Ohio. It is highly successful due to its ability to produce clones in addition to over 300,000 seeds per year. These trees are also allelopathic meaning they can secrete chemicals into the soil that inhibit the growth of surrounding native vegetation. Greenacres is currently in the process of developing in-house methods to control tree of heaven.

What can be done to address this double threat to local ecosystems? 

  • Learn to identify spotted lanternfly eggs, nymphs, and adults. Egg masses can be found from fall through spring. In May, nymphs emerge and are black with white spots before developing red patches as they mature. Adults appear in summer through fall and grow to about 1 inch long, with a black head, gray wings with black spots, and red hind wings.
  • Scrape and destroy any egg masses you find, and squish any nymphs or adult lanternflies when possible.
  • The Ohio Department of Agriculture is no longer asking residents to report sightings of spotted lanternfly, as the insect is now considered established in the region.
  • Remove or treat any tree of heaven growing on your property. This can be done using methods such as herbicides, cutting and stump treatment, or girdling. However, care should be taken not to disturb or harm other plants in the area.
  • Encourage the growth of native plant species in your garden or landscaping. Native plants are adapted to the local environment and provide food and habitat for a variety of insects, birds, and other wildlife.
  • Identification apps such as iNaturalist can also help confirm species if you are unsure whether an insect is a spotted lanternfly.

    By working together, we can help protect our local ecosystems from the negative impacts of invasive species like the spotted lanternfly and tree of heaven. With populations now established in Ohio, we expect to see more spotted lanternflies in the Greenacres and Indian Hill area in the coming years. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to Greenacres or other local organizations for advice and support. 

    The spotted lanternfly can congregate in large numbers.
    The lanternfly with its wings open.
    08 Mar 2021
    Learn Jennifer Mansfield 0 comment

    The Spotted Lanternfly

    The Spotted Lanternfly

    (Updated February 2026)

    The spotted lanternfly has become more firmly established in Ohio, with established populations in 18 counties and the species observed in several additional counties. Spotted lanternfly was first detected in Ohio in 2020 and in Hamilton County in 2022, and it is now considered established in the region. As of February 17, 2026, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued a statewide quarantine for spotted lanternfly, requiring inspection of certain trees, nursery stock, and related materials before they are transported out of the state.

    U.S. Department of Agriculture - Lance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist/USDA Photo by Lance Cheung, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Ohio Department of Agriculture is no longer asking residents to report sightings of spotted lanternfly since the insect is now considered established. However, residents are encouraged to learn to identify the insect and destroy it when possible.

        • Eggs- scrape them off the tree or other surface, double bag them and throw them away. Alcohol or hand sanitizer can also be used to kill them. Egg masses are typically found from fall through spring and may appear as gray, mud-like patches on trees, outdoor furniture, stones, or other surfaces.
        • Specimens- If you encounter nymphs or adults, they can be destroyed by squishing them. Nymphs emerge in May and are black with white spots, developing red patches as they mature. Adults appear in summer through fall and grow to about one inch long with a black head, gray wings with black spots, and bright red hind wings.
        • Identification apps such as iNaturalist can help confirm whether an insect is a spotted lanternfly.

    The following link provides additional information and control recommendations from the Ohio Department of Agriculture:

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

    (This post was originally written in March 2021)

    Traveling this summer?  Beware of unwanted hitchhikers.  The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to several eastern states and the Midwest. Lanternflies are poor fliers but can hitchhike.  Large egg masses are formed and these masses are laid on trees, wood or rusty metal (e.g. old train cars). Egg masses can also be found on vehicles, outdoor equipment, stone, or other smooth surfaces, and it is these egg masses that are often moved by human assisted spread.

    The spotted lanternfly can congregate in large numbers and preferred hosts are Tree of Heaven and grapes but spotted lanternflies have been documented on a variety of species. These phloem feeders concern fruit producers as their large numbers can cause a nuisance.  They squirt honeydew from their abdomen (which can rain down on people) and this substance promotes the growth of black sooty mold on leaves, bark, and outdoor surfaces such as decks and patios.

    If you are traveling east, do not pack up the lanterfly when you return home. Check yourself and your belongings for any tag-alongs.  Adults are the easiest to spot and are most abundant late summer through fall. With populations now established in Ohio, residents may begin seeing more lanternflies in the coming years.

    The spotted lanternfly can congregate in large numbers.
    The lanternfly with its wings open.

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