COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio beekeepers say the taste of local honey is beginning to change as the invasive spotted lanternfly spreads deeper into the state. The pest, first detected in Franklin County this year, is expected to push into Pickaway County and other parts of southern Ohio, affecting honey producers and consumers alike.
The change stems from the lanternfly’s sugary excretion, known as “honeydew.” While the sticky substance can stress plants and even coat outdoor surfaces with sooty mold, honeybees eagerly collect it when their natural food sources decline in late summer and fall.
Some beekeepers, like Ohio’s own Libhart, have even avoided feeding their bees supplemental food in the fall thanks to the abundance of lanternfly honeydew. “It’s a silver lining to the pest,” Libhart said.
But the impact goes beyond convenience. Honey made from lanternfly honeydew has a noticeably different flavor, often described as earthy and smoky — a sharp contrast to the light, floral taste Ohio honey lovers are used to.
Early studies suggest this new type of honey may carry unexpected benefits. Researchers have found that honey produced from lanternfly honeydew can inhibit the growth of bacteria such as MRSA and E. coli, in some cases outperforming manuka honey — the variety currently approved by the FDA for wound treatment. While the research remains limited, the findings point to potential medicinal uses.
For now, however, Ohioans should expect their honey jars to taste a little different as the invasive lanternfly continues to spread. Experts agree that the pest is here to stay — and with it, a new chapter in Ohio’s beekeeping and honey production.
