ODA Asks Public to Not Plant any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been notified that several Ohio residents have received unsolicited packages in the mail containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are currently unknown and may contain invasive plant species. Similar seed packets have been received recently in several other locations across the United States.
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Authors
Amy Stone
Be Alert for Yellownecked Cats boggs.47@osu.edu Thu, 07/23/2020 - 12:50
Yellownecked caterpillars feed in groups, sometimes called "colonies," numbering 10 – 30 individuals throughout their development. The colonies tend to consume leaves one branch at a time unless populations are high and multiple colonies are feeding on many branches.
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Authors
Joe Boggs
Jim Chatfield
Friday In the Forest - Beech Leaf Disease History, Treatment and Surveys stone.91@osu.edu Thu, 07/23/2020 - 07:11
Join the Ohio Woodland Stewards Program for tomorrow's (Friday, July 24, 2020, beginning at 10:00 am) virtual program, Beech Leaf Disease History, Treatment and Surveys.
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Authors
Amy Stone
Kathy Smith
Marne Titchenell

Dog-Day Cicadas, Cicada Killers, and Other Big Stingers

Annual Dog-Day Cicadas (Neotibicen canicularis; family Cicadidae) are singing in Ohio. Curtis Young (OSU Extension, Van Wirt County) heard his first cicada on July 3. Dave Shetlar (Professor Emeritus, OSU Entomology) reported hearing his first cicada in central Ohio last Friday and I heard my first cicada song late last week in the southwest part of the state.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

First Generation Catalpa Hornworms

I came across a collection of first-generation catalpa hornworms (Ceratomia catalpae) feeding on a southern catalpa (Catalpa speciose, family Bignoniaceae)) planted in a county park in southwest Ohio. The caterpillars were 2nd instars when I found them on Monday; however, these native moth caterpillars develop rapidly.
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Authors
Joe Boggs