Fireflies (family Lampyridae, order Coleoptera) are drifting over fields and landscapes in Ohio. Numbers tend to climb through June peaking in July. Ohio is home to around 25 species. Not all of them produce bioluminescence.

High temperatures might have you inside a little more this week. With that time indoors, be sure to check out the latest two editions of the OSU Turfgrass Team Times - recordings from June 10, 2024 and June 14, 2024.

This is “National Pollinator Week” (June 17 – 24). The non-profit “Pollinator Partnership” conceived the idea in 2007 to encourage groups and communities to hold celebrations and awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of pollinators. That same year, the U.S. Senate designated the third week of June to be the official celebratory week for the recognition of pollinators.

Shrub roses (Rosa spp.) in southwest Ohio are struggling with several issues. One of the most obvious problems is Rose Rust which is also unusual. Historically, rose rust has been rare in Ohio and more common in the coastal regions of the U.S.

Because Magnolia X brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird' is a prized plant for my wife in the Drapescape, I keep a watchful eye on its performance.  Unfortunately, this year the frosty weather nipped it as the butter-yellow flowers were emerging; therefore, the floral display merely rated a so-so glance, rather than the typical stunning WOW!   As I was mowing around it, I got a close up, face full of leaves allowing me to note the holey havoc wreaked on its leaves. 

 

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A "beautifully-written" little calligrapher beetle.

Three members of the order Hemiptera (True Bugs) are stomping around Ohio right now. Boxelder Bugs are appearing in home landscapes. Western Conifer Seed Bugs are appearing on developing conifer cones, and Magnolia Leaf-Footed Bugs are appearing on the seed pods of their namesake host.

Shingle Oak is a unique tree that diverges from traditional oaks you may think of in the landscape. Learn more...

Jumping oak galls are caused by a very tiny, native, stingless wasp (Neuroterus sp.) which lays eggs in leaf buds. As the leaf develops, pinhead-size galls, also referred to as abnormal plant growths, form on the undersides of the leaves. Each round, button-like gall contains one wasp larva.

Check out the latest updates on all things turfgrass. Thank you OSU's Turf Team for sharing this regular update.