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Spotted lanternfly populations have spread farther and appeared in greater numbers across Ohio this season.

Public involvement, such as scraping egg masses, has played a significant role in managing the infestation.

Experts warn that the infestation is expected to worsen in Ohio before it improves.

Frostbite was the bitter end for many spotted lanternflies this month as cold weather finally settled into Ohio. But even as the adults die off, the impact of the invasive insects was hard to miss this season. And experts say the worst may still be ahead.

From growing quarantine zones to thick clusters on trees in metro parks, Ohio has been besieged by the spotted lanternfly season since the insect arrived in 2020.

Official end-of-year counts are not yet available, acco

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