By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An invasive pest that was initially contained in Pennsylvania has spread to Delaware and Virginia. Its next stop is likely Ohio.

As if dealing with the emerald ash borer wasn’t enough, now there’s another invasive pest on the horizon – the spotted lanternfly. Native to China and first found in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania, this insect can suck sap from fruit crops and trees, which can weaken them and contribute to their death.

Entomologists from Ohio and Pennsylvania said the insect is still 300 miles from the Ohio state line, but they can spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses.

“If it arrives in Ohio, the spotted lanternfly has the potential to do serious damage to the grape, apple, hops and logging industries,” said Amy Stone, an educator with Ohio State University extension.

The lanternfly’s preferred meal is from the bark of Ailanthus or tree of heaven, which is typically not intentionally planted but instead grows on abandoned property and along rivers and highways.

“Compared to the spotted wing drosophila or the brown marmorated stink bug, which seize on fruit and vegetable crops, the spotted lanternfly has a more limited palate, so it likely would not do as much damage,” said Celeste Welty, an extension entomologist.

“Everybody’s fear is any new invasive pest will be like those two. But it seems to me it’s not as much of a threat.”

They’re preparing for the worst to the north, too. Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell has been keeping tabs on the lanternfly's movement west.

“The spotted lanternfly isn’t here – yet,” Russell said, assuring that it will invade Michigan. “We’ve heard about it, yes, and in fact we’re looking for it. We’ve taken a look at a pest distribution map and we learned it’s in eastern Pennsylvania and heading west.

“It’s a very easily recognizable bug because it’s big and unique-looking. It won’t go unnoticed very long.”

Russell said tree fruit growers in his state are already battling two invasive pests: the spotted wing drosophila and the brown marmorated stink bug. “The spotted wing drosophila is having the biggest impact on our fruit industry as of now,” he explained. “It’s kicking our cherry industry right in the butt.

“The marmorated stink bug was first discovered here in 2010 and has since spread into the Upper Peninsula. We’re just starting to see the damage in our tree fruit industry, mainly with our apples. This pest has devastated tree fruit in Virginia and Pennsylvania.”

The lanternfly is easy to spot, as the adult bug is about 1 inch long and, with its wings extended, about 2 inches wide.

Experts say all that can be done to stem the spread of lanternflies is to stay watchful for their presence and any damage they may inflict. On trees, they key in on the bark, particularly at the base of the tree.

Lanternflies can cause a plant to ooze or weep and to have a fermented odor. They can also cause sooty mold or a buildup of sticky fluid on plants on the ground beneath infested plants.

Anyone spotting the lanternfly is asked to contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6201 or the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development at 800-292-3939.