Spotted Lanternflies

What does it look like?

The lanternfly changes appearance as it grows:

• Egg masses (fall through spring): Gray, mud-like patches on trees, rocks, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and trailers.
• Young nymphs (spring): Black with white spots.
• Older nymphs (summer): Bright red with black and white markings.
• Adults (late summer through fall):
  • About 1 inch long.
  • Gray forewings with black spots.
  • Brilliant red, black, and white hindwings visible when flying.
  • Yellow abdomen with black bands.

Why are they a problem?

They don't bite people or pets, but they can seriously damage plants by feeding on sap. Also, they can overtake office buildings or sidewalks, making it very difficult to try to walk around them as they're everywhere!  And they Jump...watch out! 

Plants they commonly attack include:

• Tree-of-heaven (their preferred host tree)
• Grapevines (their favorite agricultural host)
• Maple trees
• Black walnut
• Willow
• Birch
• Fruit trees (apple, peach, cherry)
• Hops

Heavy infestations can:

• Weaken trees
• Reduce grape yields
• Kill young vines
• Leave behind sticky honeydew that promotes black sooty mold
• Attract bees and wasps

Where are they in Ohio?

Spotted lanternflies have established populations in several eastern and northeastern Ohio counties and continue to spread westward through accidental transport on vehicles, campers, landscaping materials, firewood, and outdoor equipment. New detections occur each year as they expand their range.  

Here is a current map of where the activity has been mostly established in Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past two years, sightings have become much more common in central Columbus. Based on reports from local news, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and community observations, these are the areas where they've been reported most frequently:

High numbers of sightings

• German Village – One of the best-documented locations, with adults photographed on telephone poles and street trees.
• Olde Towne East – Numerous nymphs and adults reported during the 2025 season.
• Italian Village – Residents reported "droves" of nymphs during spring and early summer.
• Short North – Multiple sightings along street trees and landscaped areas.
• Ohio State University campus – Confirmed activity around campus trees.

Other central Columbus reports

• North Linden
• Along High Street
• Scioto River corridor
• Scioto Audubon Metro Park vicinity

These areas all have mature trees and, in many cases, populations of Tree-of-heaven, the lanternfly's favorite host tree.

What about the suburbs?

They've also been reported throughout Franklin County, and because adults can fly short distances and egg masses hitchhike on cars, campers, landscaping materials, and outdoor furniture, experts expect them to continue spreading into suburbs such as:

• Dublin
• Hilliard
• Worthington
• Westerville
• Gahanna
• Upper Arlington
• New Albany
• Grove City

Most suburban populations are still smaller than those in the urban core, but sightings are increasing each year.

If you're in Columbus, where should you look?

You're most likely to find them:

• On Tree-of-heaven trees
• Maple trees
• Black walnut trees
• Grape vines
• Fence posts
• Telephone poles
• Siding and brick walls
• Patio furniture
• Cars parked outside

Adults are especially noticeable from August through October, while the small black-and-white nymphs begin appearing in May.

The interesting things about the Lanternfly, which you'll notice right away if you come up to one, is that they jump!  

They are a type of planthopper —it describes what these insects live on and how they move.

• Plant = they feed on plants by inserting a straw-like mouthpart into stems, trunks, and leaves to drink sap.
• Hopper = instead of primarily walking or flying, they make powerful jumps from one plant to another.

Why do they hop instead of fly?

Like grasshoppers, planthoppers have:

• Large, muscular hind legs
• Specialized joints that store energy like tiny springs
• The ability to launch themselves several feet in a split second

Jumping is often:

• Faster than taking off into flight
• A great way to escape predators
• More energy efficient for moving among nearby plants

Adult spotted lanternflies can certainly fly, but you'll usually notice this sequence:

1. Sit on a tree or fence.
2. Suddenly jump.
3. Glide or make a short flight.
4. Land on another tree or object.

So they're really jumpers that can also fly, rather than strong long-distance flyers.