Spotted Lanternfly in Ohio: What Columbus Should Know

What is the status of spotted lanternfly in Ohio?

The spotted lanternfly is a planthopper from Asia. It was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, probably arriving on imported goods, and Ohio confirmed its first population in Mingo Junction in 2020, according to Ohio State University's Buckeye Yard and Garden Line, which published ODA's announcement.

Since then, the insect has spread across the state. Before February 2026, ODA's quarantine covered 18 counties, and Franklin was among them. The statewide order replaced that list. Under it, trees and nursery stock cannot leave Ohio without a compliance agreement, permit or inspection certificate, and shipments to non-regulated areas must be inspected.

The rules in the announcement are written for nurseries and shippers who move plants across the state line. They do not describe any duty for a homeowner, but read ODA's full order if you buy or sell trees.

Do you still need to report spotted lanternfly sightings?

According to the OSU announcement of the statewide quarantine, ODA is no longer encouraging community members to report sightings of spotted lanternfly in Ohio. That is a change from earlier years, when residents used the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter and those reports helped ODA decide where to add quarantine counties.

What ODA points residents toward now is its Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, which has recommendations for property owners. Businesses that need help certifying shipments are told to contact ODA's Plant Pest Control Section. Because policy has shifted before, check the ODA website for the current wording before you act.

If you want help confirming what you found, your county OSU Extension office handles insect identification questions as part of its general service. We would rather you ask a university source than guess from a photo.

How do you recognize a spotted lanternfly?

The look changes through the year, so what you notice depends on the month. The table follows one season in Ohio.

OSU notes that most lanternflies in Ohio are in the fourth nymph stage or are adults by summer. Adults can be confused with moths at a glance, but the spotted forewings and red underwings are the giveaway.

What do old egg masses look like in winter?

OSU Extension describes egg masses as grayish and mud-like. They darken and crack with age, so a weathered one on a fence post in January can look like a patch of dried mud. Eggs are laid from late fall through the first freeze, on trees, stones, vehicles, yard furniture and other smooth surfaces.

Why does tree of heaven matter?

Tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is the spotted lanternfly's primary host according to ODA. It is a fast-growing invasive tree that sprouts in fence lines, alleys, vacant lots and along railroad tracks, which is why lanternflies often show up first near rail corridors and industrial edges. The insect feeds on many other plants too, including grapes, hops and apples.

If you have a tree you cannot identify, a county Extension office can help before you cut or treat anything. Removing the wrong tree does nothing for lanternflies, and chemical treatment of a large tree is not a casual project.

What should you check before you drive or move outdoor items?

Lanternflies spread long distances by hitchhiking. Egg masses stick to vehicles, campers, farm equipment and outdoor furniture, and OSU Extension advises checking vehicles and objects carefully before leaving a quarantine zone. With the whole state now under quarantine, the habit applies to a trip from Columbus to a state park as much as to a long haul.

1. Walk around the car, truck or trailer and look at the wheel wells, bumpers, roof rack and mirrors.
2. Check the side of any camper, grill cover or patio furniture that sat outside for a season.
3. Look on stacked stone, pavers and garden items before loading them.
4. Leave firewood where it is. OSU says never to move it, since egg masses can ride on bark.
5. Inspect the garage door and the underside of the bumper after a drive through a heavily infested area.

How do you tell lanternfly damage from other yard problems?

OSU lists weeping sap, honeydew, adults, nymphs and egg masses as the signs to watch for. A sticky film with black mold on shrubs or a deck can come from lanternflies, but aphids and scale insects leave the same sooty mold. If you cannot see lanternflies or egg masses, ask your county Extension office to identify the cause before you buy any product.

What problems do lanternflies cause at home?

The harm falls on plants more than on people. Lanternflies feed on sap and excrete a sugary liquid called honeydew, which coats leaves, decks and cars and can grow a black mold. OSU also notes that honeydew attracts wasps and hornets, so heavy infestations can bring more stinging insects to a yard.

• Honeydew and black mold on shrubs, patios, outdoor furniture and parked cars
• More wasp and hornet activity near trees where lanternflies feed
• Stress on grapevines and ornamentals in heavy populations
• Egg masses stuck to outdoor furniture, stones and vehicles

Lanternflies do not bite people or pets, and they do not infest the inside of a house. If bugs are crowding your siding in fall, that is a different problem, and our post on stink bugs and boxelder bugs in central Ohio covers it.