Foreign Grain Beetle
FUNGUS BEETLES ARE BACK
In late summer and early fall, I always see samples of
a tiny reddish brown beetle called a foreign grain beetle. They feed on
mold and organic matter and are often attracted to new constructions.
They are small enough to get through most screening and can be seen flying
around inside. We speculate the high moisture levels from green lumber
may grow small amounts of mildew in the walls. The insects are harmless
and will disappear one the heating season starts. For more information
click on foreign grain beetle at http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/insectid/in_kit/index.html.
Bark beetle feeding
HICKORY BARK BEETLE ADULT FEEDING
I have seen cases of hickory leaves falling and they
have broken off at the base of the petiole. If you look closely, something
has been chewing and tunneling in the tissue. This is feeding by the adult
hickory bark beetle. This insect attacks stressed trees and many of the
dead hickories from this year were weakened by the drought and killed
from bark beetle activity. Look for small round holes in trunks or trails
under bark.
Hickory Bark Beetle
Yellow jacket and ground nest
GERMAN YELLOW JACKET NUMBERS DOWN
The heavy rains and cool weather has meant few problems
with yellow jackets at picnics.
That does not bean there are not nests out there. If you have a ground
nest or a nest in your siding, the best way to treat is with a dust, not
sprays. See http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3732.html.
Ground nest
No See Ums
NO SEE UMS
These tiny gnats, along with mosquitoes, were collected in a mosquito trap. We do not have a lot of problems with no-see-ums in the state, but if you live next to a pond or swamp you may find these small blood feeding biting flies. They are big enough to see and do most of their feeding at dusk when wind speeds are low.
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