🦟 An alarming invasion

Happy Monday, Columbus!

🌧️ Today's weather: Rainy. Finally! Temperatures will top out in the low 80s.

🎵 Sounds like: "Singin' in the Rain" by Gene Kelly.

✈ Situational awareness: We're in the Twin Cities through Wednesday for a retreat with our Axios Local colleagues from across the country.

• But don't worry, we'll still be in your inboxes every morning.

Today's newsletter is 778 words — a 3-minute read.

They're about an inch long and half an inch wide with colorful wings and dark spots — and they're a growing threat to Ohio's ecosystem.

Why it matters: The spotted lanternfly is a highly invasive insect from Asia that feeds on and damages trees, grapevines and other plants.

The latest: Lanternfly sightings have "increased dramatically" in 2024, Ohio Department of Agriculture spokesperson Jessi Starkey tells Axios.

• So far this month, nearly 5,000 online reports have been filed.
• That's more than double the reports in September 2023 (nearly 2,000), the busiest month of all of last year.

Threat level: Though not directly harmful to humans, spotted lanternflies can cause wilting, leaf curling, dieback and other diseases in plants.

• They also excrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which can produce a mold that damages plants.
• A large number can "greatly impact the viticulture, tree fruit, nursery, and timber industries," per Cleveland Metroparks.

Zoom in: The insects have been spotted in Ohio since 2020 and numerous infestations are concentrated in Columbus and other urban centers.

• Franklin County is among 12 "quarantined" counties, meaning certain agricultural and timber companies must have outward shipments inspected to ensure they are free of insects.
• Officials even asked state fairgoers to help squish them at the fairgrounds in July.

Context: Our region's extreme drought is exacerbating the problem, OSU extension educator Amy Stone told WCMH-TV.

• "If you've got insects that are feeding, stressing that plant, and they're also stressed because of the drought, is that going to put some plants over the edge?"

What's next: Slowing lanternfly spread is the state's current strategy as researchers work to develop "control tools" to disrupt mating season, Starkey says.

How to help: Inspect lawn furniture, gardening tools and firewood for spotted lanternflies.

• They lay egg masses this time of year, which you can destroy by squishing, scraping into soapy water, or treating with horticultural oil.
• A few insects can be swatted or stomped — which many of you told us you've already done. Good work!

Yes, but: If you suspect an infestation, contact ODA Plant Pest Control at plantpest@agri.ohio.gov or 614-728-6400.

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👋 Alissa here. After Hilltop restaurant Ding Ho recently went viral on a food blogger's TikTok, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Catch up quick: The Cantonese eatery opened in 1956. It's one of two local restaurants (along with Wing's in Bexley) credited with popularizing Wor Sue Gai, a boneless chicken dish.

• Owners of both restaurants say their ancestors worked at a former Bexley restaurant where the dish was invented in the early 1900s.

Fun fact: "Ding Ho" translates to "the best" in English.

Dig in: The TikTok video shows how the dish is made by simmering whole chickens that are deboned, breaded and fried.

• The chicken is topped with nuts, scallions and a homemade gravy, then served on a bed of lettuce with fried rice.

💭 My thought bubble: After trying the dish for the first time, there's no mistaking that it's Midwestern. The meal is Chinese comfort food at a fair price ($10.25)

• The savory gravy confused and surprised my palate, as I usually opt for tangy dishes like sweet and sour chicken.
• It would fit just fine alongside mashed potatoes instead of fried rice.

Best bites: Another highlight was the wonton soup ($3.75) with generous portions of pork, and the restaurant is also known for its thick, crispy egg rolls ($2.75).

Stop by: Noon-7pm Sunday, 11am-7pm Monday and 11am-9pm Tuesday-Saturday, 120 Phillipi Road.

Instagram is launching Teen Accounts in September, with built-in protections limiting who can contact teens and the content they can see. Plus, only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.

The impact: More protections for teens, and peace of mind for parents.

Learn more.

👋 Hi there! Holly Moore, executive editor for Axios Local, here.

This week, 115 Axios employees from 30 cities across the U.S. are meeting in Minneapolis for our annual Local team retreat, including Alissa and Tyler.

Why it matters: Getting together allows us to share best practices, setting the foundation for our continued growth as we aim to prove that our model for local news is sustainable nationwide.

Between the lines: Axios Local launched four years ago, with 13 reporters covering five cities. We don't intend to waste our head start.

• With a newsroom that stretches from Seattle to Miami, in-person time is incredibly valuable.
• This week allows us to peel away from Zoom meetings and other distractions and focus on how our product best serves you.

👀 What's next: Watch for more Axios Local cities in 2025.

The bottom line: Thank you for allowing us the time and space to do this.

• As a subscriber, you are part of the vanguard of our local news revolution, and we couldn't do it without you.

If you have feedback on your newsletter or want to brag on your reporting team, feel free to reach out at any time: holly.moore@axios.com.

Starting in September, Instagram Teen Accounts have automatic protections for who can contact teens and the content they can see. Plus, only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.

What this means: Built-in protections for teens, and peace of mind for parents.

Learn more.

Thanks to Tyler Buchanan for editing today's newsletter.

Our picks:

🛍️ Tyler enjoyed his weekend trip to the Mall of America!

🎁 Alissa suddenly wants to watch "Jingle All the Way" even though it's only September.

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