Hydrangea Leaftier Moth (Olethreutes ferriferana, family Tortricidae) caterpillars develop inside oddball “leaf-purse” structures on wild and cultivated hydrangeas.  The beautiful native moths are grouped into the non-taxonomic category “microlepidoptera” owing to their small size.

Check out the latest Turfgrass Team Times recorded on Friday, June 16, 2023.

During the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Teacher Field Day held in Hocking Hills on Thursday, we went on a walk-about in Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve. Participants found odd-ball fern-balls created by the fern leaftier moth.

Environmental conditions coupled with biological properties have conspired to make this “The Year of the Aphid” with honeydew spewed onto leaves, stems, sidewalks, cars, etc., across Ohio. There have been a number of BYGL Alerts posted thus far this season that have highlighted the unusually heavy aphid populations across a wide range of plants.

It’s sad to see more trees headed for the burn pile. Some will die a slow, painful death. Others will suffer from pruning wounds, wrong selection, but most will eventually perish!

Last summer, a neighbor asked why we don’t see Lightening Bugs anymore. This summer, there are already posts on social media asking about the lightning bugs and fireflies. Each of these concerns were about the lack of our beloved lightning bugs. Last year we ended up with beautiful displays, and there is no reason to think they're gone this year. Let's learn some more...

The lead image for this Alert of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis, family Buprestidae) adult was taken on June 1, 2023, in Butler County, OH. According to our Ohio State Phenology Calendar, 50% of adult emergence occurs when the accumulated Growing Degree Days reach 1000. As of today, the accumulated GDD for Cincinnati is 998.

While harmless, springtails can become a nuisance in and around homes under weather extremes. The recent dry spell may have lead to invasion by springtails into the moist and humid spaces they prefer, such as basements or through screens leading to alarm and annoyance.

Plants gave a collective sigh of relief after the past weekend’s gentle rain. So, what does the future have in store?

This eye catching summer blooming shrub is an attention grabber.