Caterpillars and Wasps: “Connecting the Dots”

Hydrangea Leaftier
Participants in the OGIA/OSU Extension Diagnostic Walkabout held this past Monday in Cincinnati Parks’ T. M. Berry International Friendship Park observed the handiwork of our native Hydrangea Leaftier Moth caterpillars. The moth’s caterpillars appear to feed exclusively on our native Smooth Hydrangea, as well as varieties and cultivars.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Roseslugged Roses

Roseslug
“Bleached” leaves are appearing on landscape roses in southwest Ohio. Unfortunately, I only need to walk to the end of my driveway to see the damage on ‘Knock Out’ roses.
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Authors
Joe Boggs
April in Review: What Came Through the Clinic Doors rotondo.11@osu.edu Mon, 05/04/2026 - 15:11
April was an active month at the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, with a wide range of plant health issues observed across ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. Conifer samples were especially common, alongside recurring pest issues on boxwood. We also diagnosed several fungal and bacterial diseases in fruit and vegetable crops, as well as mite and bacterial problems in cut flowers.
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Authors
Francesca Rotondo

Rows of Holes in Tree Bark

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers are traveling through Ohio on their way to their nesting grounds. The sapsuckers mark their passage through our state with rows of holes drilled into trees, which may pose a diagnostic challenge to the uninitiated. Although they look like simple holes, there's more to them than meets the eye.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Frost warning this weekend for parts of Ohio. Will it hurt my plants? The answer is Yes, No and Maybe!

apple tree in bloom
Frost warnings have been issued for parts of Ohio this weekend, May 1st and 2nd 2026, according to the National Weather Service with chilly temperatures in the low 30’s for Friday night, especially North-central Ohio. Will this hurt my plants?
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Authors
Thomas deHaas
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