Invasive insect quarantine expanded throughout Mahoning Valley
RENOLDSBURG, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Agriculture on Thursday expanded its quarantine area for the spotted lanternfly to include six additional counties in northeast and northwest Ohio, including Trumbull County. Mahoning and Trumbull Counties were already in the quarantine zone.
The expansion aims to slow the spread of invasive insects, which pose a significant threat to the state's agricultural industry.
Joining Trumbull County under the updated quarantine are Wood, Seneca, Summit, Portage, and Carroll counties.
The quarantine restricts the movement of certain products, such as trees and nursery stock, out of the designated counties without a compliance agreement, permit, or inspection certificate. Producers shipping these items to non-regulated areas must have their stock inspected and obtain certification confirming the absence of the spotted lanternfly.
The ODA is urging businesses needing assistance with shipment certification to contact its Plant Pest Control Section.
The expanded quarantine follows the discovery of new spotted lanternfly infestations reported through the ODA's online Ohio Plant Pest Reporter. The agency continues to encourage the public to report any sightings of the insect in counties not currently under quarantine. Identification guides and life cycle images are available online. Homeowners seeking treatment methods for spotted lanternfly on their property can consult the ODA's management guide.
"The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is known to cause harm to Ohio’s agricultural industry," said ODA Director Brian Baldridge in a statement. "We appreciate community members stepping up to report this insect when it is found."
Native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly is a pest that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, and apples. The insect is a particular concern for Ohio's grape and wine industry, which contributes over $6 billion annually to the state's economy. The tree of heaven, an invasive tree species, serves as the primary host for the spotted lanternfly.
The ODA will also begin treating spotted lanternfly infestations in Franklin and Hamilton counties this spring. The pest was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely arriving through imported goods. The first confirmed sighting in Ohi
