DEER TICK STILL OUT THERE

The main life stage found in Wisconsin during late June of the deer/black legged tick is the nymph. They are very small and easily overlooked but as you can see they are visible. On average less than 10 percent of the nymphal ticks are carrying Lyme disease but most human cases are acquired during this time of year For more information, see http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/pests/DeerTicks.htm.


Deer Tick Nymph

RED BUGS

Little red bugs are everywhere and they are the immature (nymphal state) of the boxelder bug. It is the most numerous complaint I got last week as the bright red critters crawled on houses, mulched areas and various plants. They are mainly a seed feeder and many are taking advantage of the heavy silver maple seed load that is on the ground. The dry weather is promoting large populations. For more information, see http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/GardenFacts/XHT1100.pdf.

EARWIG AND JAPANESE BEETLE TIME

The two most wide ranging damaging critters--in the garden--they European earwig and as of last week- Japanese beetle adults are now out. Earwigs feed at night and love to eat marigolds, verbena, butterfly bush, periwinkle, and the flower petals of many plants. Drench the mulch areas for best control see http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A3640.PDF.

Japanese beetles love grapes raspberries, roses, birches, lindens and about 290 other species of plants. Adults are active from late June- early September and in most cases are not breeding on the property but come flying in from lush grassy areas. Numbers are expected to be up because of the wet year in 2004. Landscape sprays including neem oil, Sevin, permethrin , cyfluthrin , bifenthrin, and lamda cyhalothrin can be used but may need to be reapplied every 5-10 days.

   
Japanese beetle (left) and damage to Potentilla (right)

BUTTERFLY PROBLEMS

This capsule is they chrysalis of a brush footed butterfly. We will not get to see the adult because a tiny parasitic wasp has killed the caterpillar inside. The tiny hole is the clue of what happened. Most insect populations have high levels of parasitism by other insects.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

This elm was hit by elm leafminer in May (the big blotches) and also the elm flea weevil that is moving.

237 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-3227

For more information contact: 
Phil Pellitteri, 608/262-6510
or e-mail Phil Pellitteri.