Rose chafer
ROSE CHAFER
If you live on sandy soil you may see the rose chafers migrate into your yard and feed on grapes, raspberries, peonies, roses and many other plants. You can spray with landscape sprays, cover plants with floating row covers, or try to trap the beetles. The rose chafer trap is again available and is being sold by Great Lakes IPM and their number is 800-235-0285. See http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/flowers/RoseChafers.htm for more information.
Earwig
EARWIGS
The half grown nymphs of the European earwig have been emerging from the soil for the past week. It is hard to predict how bad they will be. They like wet springs but also have been less of a problem the last few years. They invaded the state during the 1980‘s and it is not unusual for an invasive insect to be most problematic when they first arrive. They feed at night and can damage the flowers of many plants and also feed on the leaves of marigolds, hosta, butterfly bush and other plants. For control information see http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A3640.PDF.
Earwig damage
Eastern tent caterpillar
WORMS ON TREES
In parts of the state the white stripped EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR is crawling out of trees and looking for a place to spin a cocoon. We will not see them again until next spring and most likely will not need control. I am starting to get calls about half grown gypsy moths crawling on homes and tree trunks. We are hoping the wet weather will cause a fungus disease to slow their population. Check your oak for feeding damage if you find the caterpillars. For control see http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/gardenfacts/X1063.pdf.
Gypsy moth larvae
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