OHIO — Yes, the spotted lanternfly can be pretty to look at with its brilliant red hue and spots. But this beautiful insect is actually damaging for the environment.
The spotted lanternfly is extremely harmful for crops. They feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, which can cause plants to die. Additionally, they excrete a substance called honeydue that promotes mold growth, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The National Phenology Network's recent spotted lanternfly forecast projects the insect to return to the Buckeye State soon, with eggs hatching next month and adult emergence happening soon after.
As officials prepare for their arrival, they're warning Ohioans that if they see one, they need to squash it and report it. Ohioans can report them by clicking here.
Squishing the bug will help prevent the insect from laying eggs, and reporting it will make officials aware of which areas are seeing the most and track them.
Spotted lanternflies can spread quickling, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. They can't fly, but they can jump and climb onto things. They tend to cling to cars the most, and they're able to stay on them up to 60 mph — this allows them to spread to many areas faster than normal.
In addition to squishing the bugs themselves, ODA also recommends killing the egg masses they lay. The masses look like brown mud on tree bark. Residents can do this by scraping off the eggs, putting them in soapy water and then disposing of them.
