Ohio issues statewide quarantine to stop spread of spotted lanternflies
State targets plant nurseries as invasive insects threaten vineyards and crops
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The Ohio Department of Agriculture has issued a statewide quarantine to stop the spread of spotted lanternflies.
Adult spotted lanternflies are red, white, and black with spots. During winter, the insects are in their egg stage, but the Ohio Department of Agriculture said it is still possible to unknowingly help them spread to new areas.
“Check your vehicle because these spotted lanternflies will kind of hitchhike a ride on your vehicle and that’s one way they have spread,” said Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Quarantine targets nursery industry
Baldridge said the quarantine mainly impacts plant nurseries.
“So you know we’re already inspecting with a lot of our nursery industry, but this will bring it to the next level of making sure that, you know, we’re not part of the problem as far as, you know, they continue to expand here in the United States,” Baldridge said.
Ohio vineyards at risk
Baldridge said Ohio is at risk because spotted lanternflies destroy crops, particularly vineyards.
“Ohio has about 1,500 acres of grapes,” Baldridge said. “So our vineyards here, they’re very susceptible. They actually attack and will latch on and really suck out that, you know, the nutrients inside of a plant. So, they’ll pull out the sap and make it very devastating for a plant to continue to live.”
Previously, the Ohio Department of Agriculture asked residents to report spotted lanternfly sightings. The department said reports are no longer encouraged because the insects have spread so much.
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