Ohio issues statewide spotted lanternfly quarantine
A statewide quarantine for the spotted lanternfly has been issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA).
Previously, 18 Ohio counties had been under quarantine for the invasive insect, including Trumbull, Columbiana and Mahoning counties. Under the new quarantine, trees and nursery plants may not be moved out of the state without a compliance agreement, permit, or inspection certificate, according to a release from the ODA. Any producers who ship products to non-regulated areas will also have to have their shipments inspected; each load will be required to have a certificate confirming the products do not have spotted lanternflies.
The ODA advises any businesses that need help certifying shipments that may be at risk of spreading the lanternflies reach out to the department's Plant Pest Control Section.
"The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is known to cause harm to Ohio's agricultural industry," ODA Director Brian Baldridge said in a statement. "ODA is committed to protecting and preserving our plant life, and plant health experts are working with nurseries and wineries to reduce the negative impact of spotted lanternflies."
The insect is originally native to Asia, where it fed on the tree sap of another invasive species called the "tree of heaven;" this tree is a common host for lanternflies. They have continued to feed on tree sap since being introduced into the U.S., stunting tree growth and harming native plants. The insects have been blamed for millions of dollars lost in the logging industry.
Spotted lanternflies were first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia in 2014.
ODA cites specific concerns for the grape and wine industry in Ohio, which they say contributes over $6 billion to the state's economy annually.
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