Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

* Dave Shetlar noted that overwintered EUROPEAN PINE SAWFLY (Neodiprion sertifer) eggs have hatched in central Ohio. The caterpillar-like sawfly larvae have bulbous, shiny-black head capsules and their grayish-green bodies have faint grayish-white longitudinal lines. First instar larvae are too small to consume entire needles. They feed along the needle's edge producing clusters of curled, straw-colored needles. Later instars consume entire needles. Hosts include Scotch, mugo, red, jack, Table Mountain and Swiss mountain pine. White and Austrian pines are occasional hosts. All instars feed in colonies making them easy to control by knocking them off into a bucket of soapy water or onto the ground to be dispatched using the "sawfly two-step dance."

* Joe Boggs reported that droopy leaves caused by the depredations of the BUCKEYE PETIOLE BORER (Proteoteras aesculana) are appearing on buckeye trees in southern Ohio. Larvae of this tiny moth bore into leaf petioles causing new leaves to droop, shrivel, and turn dark green to black. Symptoms may superficially resemble frost or freeze damage. Look for a slight swelling and a small hole in the petioles of affected leaves. Small quantities of sawdust-like frass may hang from the hole. Damage may appear conspicuous; however, the insect seldom causes significant leaf loss, so no chemical control recommendations are currently available. Hand-picking and destroying infested leaves now will reduce the number of moths available for producing a second generation.

* Curtis Young reported observing late instar MOSQUITO LARVAE in a temporary pool of water that had accumulated under the roots of an up-rooted tree. A hundred or more larvae were present in the pool as well as cast pupal skins from emerged adults. New, blood-thirsty adult females are expected in the near future. Treatment of pools such as these with BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) could help reduce adult populations in the area.

* BOXWOOD PSYLIDS are active in most areas of Ohio. It may be too late to stop the leaf cupping damage that occurs as a result of the psylid activity. However, foliar insecticide treatments with acephate or imidacloprid in the most northern parts of the state may limit the amount of cupping that occurs. It is too late for imidacloprid soil drenches to stop leaf cupping this year.

* Bees are making the scene and making some scream. CARPENTER BEES are foraging at spring flowers and establishing territories for nesting sites. Close observations reveal new holes being chewed into boards on houses, out-buildings, railings and other wooden structures. These large bees cause a lot of excitement around their nesting sites, but rarely sting. The other bees causing concern are GROUND DWELLING BEES (Andrenids and Anthophorids). New "colonies" of these bees are being established in preferred soils. Sometimes these colonies are located in high human traffic areas (playgrounds, backyards, etc.). Some people have been stung as a result, but most of the time, these bees are relatively docile and will simply fly around people who wander into their nesting area.