FUNGUS KILLING DISEASE

If we get as many days of wet weather as they are predicting in the next 10 days, we will see a lot of plant disease but also create the conditions that will cause an outbreak of the gypsy moth fungus killing fungus disease Entomophaga maimaiga. There was a big outbreak in 2004 and it really knocked down the population. Most fungal diseases, insects, and their relatives need high humidity to be effective.

Fungus killed larvae

LARDER BEETLES

Those black beetles that look like they are wearing a brown vest are larder beetles. They feed on high protein food including pet food, dead mice, dead insects and dried meats. If you find a number of adults in the home you need to try and find the food source for the best control. They often drop down through light fixtures so do not rule out the attic. See http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/GardenFacts/XHT1051.pdf for more information.

EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR

The mild winter has been good to the eastern tent caterpillar. I saw trees along the Wisconsin River valley with numerous tents and no leaves. See http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A2933.PDF or http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/insects/ETC/etc.htm for more information.

Young gypsy moth caterpillar

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.