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Bugging Out: Lanternflies Persist in the Ohio Valley

MOUNDSVILLE -- With summer in full swing, Ohio Valley residents are likely starting to see all kinds of different bugs while spending more time outdoors and around their swimming pools.

Among those creatures is the infamous spotted lanternfly. James Watson, coordinator of the Spotted Lanternfly Program at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, said Monday the Northern Panhandle continues to see a widespread population of spotted lanternflies.

“It poses a threat to grapes and black walnut and silver maple trees,” he said.

Watson said the insect is an invasive species that is attracted to the tree of heaven, an invasive tree native to China. While squishing the bugs can be helpful, he said the most effective way to reduce populations on a larger scale is to remove as many tree of heaven trees as possible.

“It’s not a bad thing to kill them, but removing their food source is a lot more effective,” he said.

The tree of heaven spreads readily on its own and can grow quickly on neglected property. It has a tropical appearance with long branches and pointed, oblong leaves. It can reach heights of 80 feet or more.

Watson said residents also should watch for nematodes, microscopic parasites that cause beech leaf disease.

“It’s becoming problematic in the Northern Panhandle as well,” he said. “People should be aware of that.”

Watson said there is currently no guaranteed way to eliminate the parasite, though some people have had success reducing it with phosphate treatments.

Although nematodes are microscopic, the damage they cause is visible.

“The leaves are curled and deformed. The tree will eventually die,” he said.

In recent years, social media users have debated whether there has been a decline in lightning bugs since they were children. Watson said that where he lives in Marion County, W.Va., he has actually noticed an increase.

“All insect populations ebb and flow -- they populate and decrease,” he said. “In one town they might have a lot, and in another locale they don’t have as many.”

He said several factors can affect lightning bug populations. For example, light pollution can disrupt mating rituals and make the insects more difficult for people to see.