“Junebugs”

Some parts of the state are seeing lots of June beetles in the evening. Adults will feed on oak, birch, and other trees during the evening and can defoliate the plants. You can use sprays containing Sevin, permethrin, or benthrin if needed. These insects have 2-3 year life cycles and we find that areas that have high adults will often have turf problems with white grubs the following year.

Species of June beetles

A new problem on black ash

These crinkled leaves are caused by the cotton ash psyllid, Psyllopsis discrepans . It attacks black and Manchurian Ash. It was found for the first time in the state on a tree in Hudson , Wisconsin . For more information see http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-Nov0105.html.

Nuisance weevils

We have a number of root-feeding weevils from Europe that have shown up in the last 20 years in the state. Many do not even have common names like this species, Trachyphloeus aristatus, that was found crawling in large numbers around the foundation of a home. They do no damage but can be a problem. For control information see http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/pests/ControlWeevils.htm.

Yellow eggs

Not all eggs are bad This yellow cluster is from a lady beetle. Notice the small aphids in the close up. When you find high aphid numbers you will also find signs of beneficial insect activity.

Lady beetle eggs

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.