ODA Awards Grants To Help Stop Spread Of Two Invasive Species

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is launching a new grant program to mitigate the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) and its host, the invasive tree of heaven. Seven organizations have been awarded funding to support local efforts to control SLF populations and remove trees of heaven in affected areas.

The recipients and awarded amounts are:

• Put-In-Bay Township Park District ($1,150)
• City of Perrysburg ($15,000)
• Cleveland MetroParks ($5,148)
• City of Parma ($15,000)
• City of Steubenville ($10,000)
• Ohio Exposition Center and State Fairgrounds ($3,895)
• Great Parks of Hamilton County ($15,000)

"We're always thinking proactively to help farmers and all Ohioans," said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. "This is a new approach to back organizations that are dedicated to protecting Ohio's natural resources. These grants are a way to foster more protective measures where these pests have been found."

Projects funded through the grant may include:

• Removal of trees of heaven
• Herbicide treatment to prevent regrowth
• Targeted insecticide treatments to for SLF
• Egg mass identification and removal
• Community engagement activities to help control the pest

State and local government agencies, parks systems, and non-profit organizations with experience in invasive plant or pest management were invited to apply. Funding was made available under a cooperative agreement with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Plant Protection and Quarantine.

SLF, native to Asia, was first detected in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 2020 and has since spread to additional areas across the state. The insect poses a serious threat to grapes, hops, stone fruits, and other economically significant crops.

SLF primarily feeds on the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), an invasive plant species not native to Ohio. The tree of heaven grows in a variety of environments, including along transportation corridors such as railroads and highways, which are known pathways for the spread of SLF. The plant also produces compounds that suppress the growth of nearby vegetation, limiting its competition.

Removing trees of heaven helps limit suitable habitat for SLF while also benefitting native ecosystems.

Because SLF is now established in parts of Ohio and active management efforts are underway, ODA is no longer encouraging reports of individual sightings from the public. Recommendations on treatment methods for SLF on private property can be found in ODA's Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide.