Insect Highlights

Insect Highlights for the Week of April 4, 2001

photo of egg mass

Gypsy Moth Egg Masses
As you start your spring clean-up look for gypsy moth egg masses. These tan-colored masses will be on tree trunks, fence posts, lawn furniture and hose siding. The masses can be scraped into a pale of soapy water or sprayed with soybean oil spays. Use gloves to avoid contact with the tiny hairs on the egg masses as they can cause skin rashes. Each egg mass you destroy will prevent hundreds of gypsy moth caterpillars from developing and eating your oak tree. Pictures are of egg masses and pupae on a building.

photo of March Fly Maggots
"March Fly" Maggots
When you are removing mulch and leaf litter do not be alarmed if you find lots of crawling critters. Pictured here are "March fly" maggots. They feed on decaying organic matter and can sometimes be found in enormous numbers. The adults are dark black flies that will appear in swarms from late April through May. They are harmless, and aid in the recycling of nutrients.

photo of Honey Dew as a result of scale or aphid feeding
"Honey Dew"
Sticky houseplant leaves are often a sign of scale or aphid feeding. Large amounts of sugary plant sap called "honey dew." High numbers will cause wilting, yellow leaves and a sticky mess on floors and objects underneath the plant. Insecticidial soap sprays will control scales and aphids, but need to be used 2-3 times, with sprays about 7-10 days apart. Through coverage is needed because soap sprays will only kill the insects they contact.

Return to Entomology Home Page.
URL is http://www.entomologyl.wisc.edu/diaglab/hilt4_4.html. Updated 04/05/01

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

For more information contact:
Phil Pellitteri, 608/262-6510
or e-mail pellitte@entomology.wisc.edu.

	Gypsy Moth Egg Masses As you start your spring clean-up look for gypsy moth egg masses. These tan-colored masses will be on tree trunks, fence posts, lawn furniture and hose siding. The masses can be scraped into a pale of soapy water or sprayed with soybean oil spays. Use gloves to avoid contact with the tiny hairs on the egg masses as they can cause skin rashes. Each egg mass you destroy will prevent hundreds of gypsy moth caterpillars from developing and eating your oak tree. Pictures are of egg masses and pupae on a building.
	"March Fly" Maggots When you are removing mulch and leaf litter do not be alarmed if you find lots of crawling critters. Pictured here are "March fly" maggots. They feed on decaying organic matter and can sometimes be found in enormous numbers. The adults are dark black flies that will appear in swarms from late April through May. They are harmless, and aid in the recycling of nutrients.
	"Honey Dew" Sticky houseplant leaves are often a sign of scale or aphid feeding. Large amounts of sugary plant sap called "honey dew." High numbers will cause wilting, yellow leaves and a sticky mess on floors and objects underneath the plant. Insecticidial soap sprays will control scales and aphids, but need to be used 2-3 times, with sprays about 7-10 days apart. Through coverage is needed because soap sprays will only kill the insects they contact.