JAPANESE BEETLE
Check your roses. It is Japanese beetle time. This insect will feed on over 300 species of plants and trees. Among the favorites include: roses, grapes, raspberries, lindens, redbud, birches, and crabapples. They will be flying into yards for the next 5-7 weeks. Plants need to be protected with floating row covers. Systemics such as imidacloprid can be used on woody plants. Various garden sprays can be used but because they only last 3-7 days, will need to be reapplied until we are out of the beetle season. See http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/gardenfacts/X1062.pdf for details.
ICHNEUMONID WASP
Another insect that looks frightening is this ichneumonid wasp. The female uses the long stinger to insert eggs into trees that are infested with horntails. The wasp larva is a parasite of these wood boring insects. The 4-inch long stinger is really an egg-laying device and is harmless. Sometimes you see the female wasp that has gotten stuck and died and are hanging from tree trunks or limbs.
MALE STAG BEETLE
This scary looking beetle is a male stag beetle. They are close relatives of the June beetle and can be seen attracted to lights at night. Stag beetles are not dangerous and in fact, the jaws are more for show. Males will push each other around for a chance to court a female. Grubs are found in rotting wood stumps. This is one of the larger beetles in Wisconsin.
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