Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) spotted on Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in Ohio Erie Canal Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

The Complicated Relationship Between Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven

Like two star-crossed companions reunited over time and space, Tree of Heaven (ToH) and Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) made their separate journeys from Asia to North America.

ToH was first brought to Philadelphia in 1784 and was available in nurseries by 1840, used in the failed American Sericulture attempt and touted as a durable ornamental plant capable of surviving in harsh urban conditions. In fact, so resilient is this tree that it has been capable of growing in the harshest conditions, tolerating cement dust, coal tar fumes and acid mine drainage sites. It thrives in disturbed soil although it does not grow particularly well in shade, making it common in urban areas, along roadways and in early successional forests. It is allelopathic, containing the phytotoxin ailanthone in all parts of the plant and it readily resprouts when cut down. These characteristics along with the foul odor of its flowers and leaves caused it to lose popularity as an ornamental. However, its spread was already well underway, and it now covers most of the United States with the exception of the Upper Great Plains Region. It's an invasive that's targeted for control measures, although the attributes that make it competitive also make it difficult to eradicate.

Tree of Heaven

[Image credit: Missouri Department of Conservation]

SLF was first spotted in Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014 in a forested area near a building stone company, where it is believed that an egg mass hitchhiked on the side of an imported stone block. It has since spread to 17 states, including Ohio. It is a planthopper that feeds on a wide variety of woody plants. It uses its stylet to pierce and extract sugars from the phloem layer below the bark, in the process, excreting large quantities of honeydew. Besides robbing the plant of vital nutrients, the honeydew attracts ants and wasps, and promotes the growth of sooty mold. It is a threat to agriculture, especially tender fruit trees, grape vines, and hops, with potential economic consequences. Yet, its preferred host is ToH. SLF that feed on ToH have higher survival rates and produce more eggs so it seems that widespread control of ToH is an important part of limiting the spread of SLF.

Spotted Lanternfly Life Cycle Summary

[Image credit: Colleen Witkowski]

The situation becomes more complex in heavily infested areas. When SLF are actively feeding on ToH in these areas, removal may cause SLF to seek host plants among more desirable species. In these cases, ToH may be used to trap or monitor SLF. They may also be treated with pesticides during nonflowering periods to target SLF while sparing pollinators.

You can help by being able to identify ToH and SLF throughout its lifecycle. Right now, SLF are in their nymphal stages called instars (illustrated above). If you come across SLF, take a quality photo, and then REPORT IT:

Call the Plant Pest Control Section of the Ohio Department of Agriculture:

(614) 728-6400 or email plantpest@agri.ohio.gov

OR

Report via mobile app:  EDDMapS Great Lakes Early Detection Network

After taking your photo, if it's possible, squish it, smash it or stomp it.

Regards, 

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator 

Euclid Creek Fish Sampling Event

WVP Volunteers Register Here

Sat, Jul 13, 2024, Euclid Creek Reservation

(M) Training: Water Chemistry

Sat, Jun 29, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center's Laboratory, West Creek Reservation

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jun 30, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Bear Parking Lot, Brookside Reservation

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 7, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Wildwood, Euclid Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Tue, Jul 9, 6- 8 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation

(L) Euclid Creek Fish Sampling

Sat, Jul 13, two sessions: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 - 4 p.m. @ Upper Highland Picnic Area, Euclid Creek Reservation

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 14, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Tue, Jul 19, 9- 11a.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation

(M) Work Session: Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring

Tue, Jul 23 (Rain Date: Fri July 26), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @   Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation 

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public.  Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

In the weeds at the WVP Green Infrastructure Gardening Series

Jun 16, 2024, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(S) Chagrin River Watershed Partners River Canoe Float

Sat, Jun 29, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. @ Chagrin River in Eastlake

Tour the Chagrin River in Eastlake to learn about the importance of water quality.

More Details Here  

(S) Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District Rain Garden Maintenance Mondays

Mon, Jul 1,1 - 4 p.m. @ Wiley Park 

What are you doing on Monday? Want to help maintain some rain gardens?

Of course you do! Can't make it this Monday, no worries, we're doing this thru October!!

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Cleveland Metroparks ACACIA STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES

Tue, Jul 9; 9:30 am - 12 pm @ Acacia Reservation Trailhead

Come join Natural Resource staff at Acacia reservation in stewardship activities and assist with ongoing restoration work. Activities may include invasive species removal, deer fence maintenance, or young tree cage maintenance. All tools and work gloves will be provided. Pants and sturdy shoes are required (no shorts or sandals please), long sleeve shirts are preferred as most of the work will be off trail.

More Information and Details Here 

(S) Cuyahoga Soil & Water District Conservation Cruise

Thu, Jul 11, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. @ E. 9th St. 

Join Cuyahoga SWCD as they celebrate 75 years of locally-lead conservation by touring the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie on the Goodtime III! 

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Summit Metroparks Evening River Walk 

Fri, Jul 12, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Oxbow Area 

Join a naturalist on this 1.2-mile hike overlooking the Cuyahoga River discussing why this is such an important waterway for wildlife and for us. 

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Ohio Sea Grant Freshwater Science: Advancing Storm water with Green Infrastructure

Tue, July 16, 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Online 

Join Sarah Orlando, Dr. Scott Hardy, and Ryan Winston in the discussion of new research for storm water management at Great Lakes Marinas with Green Infrastructure. 

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Cuyahoga Soil & Water District: Teachers on the Estuary

Tue, Jul 16, - Thursday, July 18, @ Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

Join Cuyahoga SWCD and teachers from across the county for this one of a kind training! Spend three days and two nights at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve on the shores of Lake Erie.

Price: $35   

More Details and Registration Here  

(S) Doan Brook Gorge Native Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal

Sat, Jul 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Fairhill Partners

The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership is hosting a native tree planting and invasive plant removal work day. This is to help improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. 

More Details Here

(S) Doan Brook Upper Lake Hike

Sat, Jul 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Upper Lake Dam Historical Marker

The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership is hosting an immersive experience to explore the biodiversity, geological features, and history of the area. 

More Details Here 

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

Sign up here

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.

Eastern Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America. While the norm for these completely aquatic amphibians is to reach a length between one and two feet, some have been found to be near 30 inches! And they're native to Ohio with Jefferson County pretty much being 'Hellbender Central'. But the animal's numbers have been declining across its entire range. Check out the article below to learn about the only high school in Ohio involved in working to rebuild the population of this endangered species.

[Photo Credit: USDA]

Those High Schoolers and Their Hellbenders | Read on

Meet the Ohio Man Searching for the State's Biggest Trees | Read on or listen here

Scientists Use Mayflies and Walleye as Indicators of Lake Erie's Health | Read on and watch video here

Couple Finds $100,000 While Magnet Fishing in New York City | Read on

As Bans Spread, Fluoride in Drinking Water Divides Communities Across the U.S. | Read on

Environmental Scientist I

Wildlands Engineering, Charlotte, NC | Apply Here

Watershed Volunteer Program Assistant

Cleveland Metroparks - Parma, OH | Apply Here

NOWCorps Natural Resources Technician (2 positions available)

Parma OH (West Creek) and Willoughby, OH (North Chagrin) | Apply Here

All openings for 2024-2025 NOWCorps positions can be found if you page down at this link

Wetland Delineator (Northeast)

Edge Engineering & Science | Apply Here

Private Lands Biologist

Virginia Tech - Kentucky | Apply Here

Staff Fluvial Geomorphologist - Delaware

Water Resources Engineer - Delaware

Aquatic Restoration Staff Scientist

(Geomorphologist, Ecologist, Biologist - Oregon | Apply Here (All)

Inter-Fluve

Interim Executive Director

Director of Operations and Projects

New River Conservancy - West Jefferson, NC | Apply Here (Both)

Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector

Coyle SWPPP Professionals, Ohio locations | Apply Here

Storm Water Specialist

Stark Soil & Water Conservation District - Massillon, OH | Apply Here

Director of Water Resources

Environmental Design Group - Cleveland, OH | Apply Here

Aquatic Resources Field Technician

Trout Unlimited - Fully Remote MI | Apply Here

Natural Resource and Outreach Specialist

West Creek Conservancy - Parma, OH | Apply Here

Stream Restoration Tech - Seasonal

Trout Unlimited - Bartow, West VA | Apply Here

Wetland Restoration Research Technician

Kent State Department of Biological Sciences - Kent, OH | Apply Here