They’re Not Giant, Mutant Mosquitoes: They’re Crane Flies

Participants in the BYGL Zoom Inservice this past week reported that swarms of crane flies (order Diptera, family Tipulidae) are bellowing up from lawns in Ohio, particularly in the northern part of the state. These large mosquito-like dipterans are also buzzing porch lights and may occasionally find their way into homes to terrorize the occupants.
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Joe Boggs
Emerald Ash Borer University (EABU) - Talking More Than Just EAB stone.91@osu.edu Thu, 10/05/2023 - 21:11
Emerald Ash Borer University (EABU) is a virtual training made possible with funds from the US Forest Service, and a collaborative effort between Michigan State University, Purdue University and Ohio State University.
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Amy Stone

Pits of Doom and Despair

Pit-trapping antlions (Myrmeleon immaculatus, family Myrmeleontidae) have long been one of my favorite insects. My fascination is shared with fellow antlion enthusiast, Ron Wilson (Natorp's Nursery Outlet & Landscaping, Mason, OH), who has had a thriving private stock of antlions in his home landscape for years. He always lets me know when pits appear meaning the antlions are starting to roar.
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Joe Boggs

Armed by Nature: Thorns, Spines, and Prickles

My fellow Plant Geeks would agree, what plants lack in biceps, they make up for in some pretty remarkable adaptations including the trait of being “armed”. In many species, these plant structures play the first line of defense against threats posed by insects, mammalian browsers, and hasty gardeners, such as myself, who have recklessly forgotten to don gloves. And I would bet my pawpaw harvest that you too have been victim to this passive confrontation. Of course, I am referring to those pointy protrusions that produce temporary, yet sometimes excruciating, pain (and likely a couple of 4-...
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Carrie Brown

Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth: New Detection, What to Look For, and Management

Box Tree Moth (BTM) is a non-native pest of boxwoods. It was first confirmed in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in late June. Yesterday, the ODA announced that a BTM sighting has been confirmed in Montgomery County (Dayton Area). Coupled with the earlier detection in southwest Ohio, the two BTM sites are the southernmost in North America.
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Joe Boggs

Ponds, Wildlife, Woodlands…Oh My! Join us at the Gwynne Conservation Area, September 19-21

You are likely familiar with OSU’s Farm Science Review, a 3-day educational tradeshow that features the latest in agricultural production. But do you know that just across the road, accessible by wagons running throughout each day, is a literal playground for natural resource enthusiasts? Welcome to the Gwynne Conservation Area! The Gwynne is a 67-acre conservation area where conservation demos, talks, displays, and tours are held during Farm Science Review, September 19-21, in London, Ohio. Featuring a pond, wetland, tallgrass prairie, stream, pawpaw orchard, forage plots, and a wagon tour...
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Carrie Brown