By Karen Menard 

Just like something that flew right out of a scene in an Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Lanternflies!” have descended on Toledo---bouncing into us, scurrying up saplings, and fluttering across our yards. These brightly colored insects from a foreign land have made themselves known, converging upon us en masse, now being “spotted” most everywhere.  

They’ve already tasted what our landscapes have to offer, remaining very close to places that will supply an abundance of their favorite palate pleasers like Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), grapevine, fruit trees, black walnut, willow, and many others.

And, so, it really all comes down to the best sap that’s on tap.  These bugs don’t have chewing mouthparts, but sport a sucking appendage, similar to a straw used to sip the most delectable plant juice brews.  As more sap is swigged, the plant exhibits a stress response that can weaken it over time. 

Their most favorite libation, however, is intensely guzzled from the exotic, tree of heaven, which exudes an interesting potion. The sap of this invasive tree is toxic and strongly odorous, but craved by the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). In fact, it’s very common to discover the little beasts in varying stages of their lifecycles, hitched to parts of this plant.  

In all of its wild splendor, we could say that they are in a sense, out “painting the town red,”—or should we say, the “trees” red?” through their collective presence in many of the areas where this plant is found. 

Metroparks is actively working to continue eradicating Tree of Heaven at park locations in order to help decrease the presence of lanternflies. 

What can you do to help? Check your property for the presence of Tree of Heaven and remove it if found. Click Here for identification details.

Egg masses adhered to trees or other objects can also be scraped away during the winter months to help reduce populations. In support of this effort, Metroparks will be posting some upcoming volunteer opportunities related to egg mass eradication in our parks. Click Here to apply or for contact information.

Additionally, homemade traps can be crafted and placed on trees in the spring. Click Here for details.  

For general information and current status on the Spotted Lanternfly, Click Here for details.

Did You Know?
Spotted Lanternflies excrete a sticky, sugar-rich substance called honeydew that ends up on the foliage, promoting the growth of a harmful, fungus called sooty mold.  Vehicles parked nearby infestations can also experience a sticky residue covering the exterior.

Photos: Adult SLF (Shutterstock); Tree of Heaven with seeds (Dreamstime); SLF nymphs on Tree of Heaven (Karen Menard)