Muskingum among a dozen counties under quarantine as spotted lanternfly begins breeding

A dozen Ohio counties, including Muskingum, remain under quarantine for the spotted lanternfly as the invasive species enters its breeding season.

Here's what you need to know to fight the spread.

Spotted lanternfly continues to spread across Ohio

In August, the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed several new spotted lanternfly infestations across the state, including Columbus and Toledo.

As a result, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning and Muskingum counties were added to the spotted lanternfly regulated area.

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Ohio counties are quarantined for the spotted lanternfly, and what that means

The following counties are under quarantine for the spotted lanternfly, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture:

• Belmont
• Columbiana
• Cuyahoga
• Erie
• Franklin
• Hamilton
• Jefferson
• Lorain
• Lucas
• Mahoning
• Muskingum
• Ottawa

Because the spotted lanternfly is designated a destructive plant pest, Ohio law increases inspections and restricts movement of certain items from infested counties in Ohio and other states into non-infested Ohio counties, according to the department of agriculture.

Regulated articles include, but are not limited to:

• The spotted lanternfly in any living stage of development
• Live or dead trees, nursery stock, firewood, logs, perennial plants, garden plants, agricultural produce
• Other products or articles, or means of conveyance that may carry spotted lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly entering breeding season

The spotted lanternfly is currently preparing the next generation. The insects lay eggs from October through December, per the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The egg masses -- which are small and gray, and protected by a waxy coating -- are placed in sheltered areas of trees, buildings, firewood, outdoor furniture, lawn equipment and rocks.

Lanternfly nymphs start hatching in April and grow through four nymph stages before emerging as adults in late June. The adults are then active through December.

If you see it, smash it! How the spotted lanternfly is hatching eggs all over the map

Do lanternflies die in the winter?

Yes. Most spotted lanternfly adults freeze to death in the winter, according to the Penn State Extension , while their eggs survive.

Methods to control the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species

If you see spotted lanternflies or their eggs, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has several recommendations on how to kill them:

• Egg masses: These can be destroyed before they hatch by scraping them with a knife, or edge of a credit card, into soapy water or rubbing alcohol to kill the eggs. The masses can also be treated with horticultural oils during the winter, or before the plants start sprouting in spring.
• Nymphs and adults: If there are only a few, they can be swatted or crushed. If the infestation calls for an insecticide, lower toxicity ones such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps can provide control with little residual effects. Contact insecticides such as bifenthrin, carbaryl and malathion may be used as spot treatments. Or, systemic insecticide treatments with dinotefuran or imidacloprid can be used as trunk sprays, trunk injections or soil drenches depending on the label. Also, removing spotted lanternfly host plants -- some of which are invasive themselves, like the tree of heaven -- can help reduce populations.

Some insecticides may need to be applied by certified personnel, per the agriculture department, or require specialized equipment. Also, pesticides will kill beneficial insects, such as pollinators. Do not apply when trees or shrubs are in bloom or if nearby flowering plants may absorb the insecticide.

How to report a spotted lanternfly

If you suspect a spotted lanternfly outside a quarantined county, take a photograph and report the finding to the ODA Plant Pest Control using the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter . Lanternflies found in or around known infestations do not need to be reported.

Where did the spotted lanternfly come from? Its origin, diet and damage

The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, was first spotted in North America in 2016, in Pennsylvania, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources . It was first identified in Ohio in 2020, per the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The insects feed on a variety of plants, causing them to wilt and die back, and making them susceptible to damage from outside factors, such as mold. They're particularly fond of the tree of heaven, also an invasive species, as well as grapes and hops, according to ODNR.

The spotted lanternfly also produces a sticky, sugary substance known as honeydew that attracts ants, flies and wasps. The honeydew is also colonized by a fungus called sooty mold, which can ruin grape and hop crops.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Muskingum among a dozen counties under quarantine as spotted lanternfly begins breeding