Fungus Disease Affects Grub

Those are not jaws coming out of this white grub but a fungus disease called Cordyseps. It will kill the grub and send up a mushroom-like fruiting body--kind of like an insect form of morels. There are forms of this fungus used as drugs to help in organ transplants and also taken to enhance athletic performance. This picture was taken by Vijai Panian, UWEX Ag Agent in Washburn County .

Sawfly Time

There are little green sawflies eating roses, columbine, azaleas and mungo pine. They are different species but their color and small size prevents people from recognizing the problem early enough. Now is the time to check these plants and spray with insecticidal soap other landscape sprays. For more information on pine sawflies see http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A3180.PDF.

European pine sawfly

Ants in the Lawn

There are two common species of ants that make mounds in the lawn. The small red ants are Lasius sp. (cornfield ants) and the medium sized large mound builders are Formica (field ants). Field ants never come indoors and occasionally come in to feed on sweet foods. To get rid of the nest you must drench the insecticide deep enough to kill the queen. This may take up to a gallon of dilute insecticide. For more information on controlling ants see http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/M1166.html.

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.