The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) moved to The CFAES Wooster Campus about a year ago. We continue to provide diagnostic services and support for plant and pest-related problems for a wide range of stakeholders.

The OSU C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) received a sample of sawfly larvae from Holden Arboretum collected on a species of alder (Alnus spp.) in June 2023. The larvae were eating alder leaves when they were collected by the propagator at Holden Forests and Gardens.

Does the recent weather have you wanting to grab a book and spend some time indoors? Check out three upcoming Virtual Book Clubs this winter. Each month in January, February and March, participants will be discussing a specific book. Discussion will occur using Zoom and will last 60 minutes on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Come be part of the 2024 Ohio Woodland, Water and Wildlife Conference in Mansfield, Ohio at the Mid-Ohio Conference.

Spend the evening on January 9th with OSU Extension’s Marne Titchenell and Carrie Brown as we go on the prowl for Ohio’s owls! Join us for hot drinks and tasty treats, as we chat about owl species and ecology, then hike into the woods to call in these silent hunters. This is a family-friendly event with crafts and activities!

Now that Christmas is over, people ask “What’s the best thing to do with my greens? I know some avid gardeners and bird enthusiasts suggest taking the tree out and leave it in your yard to provide shelter for wildlife. It sounds good but there may be a problem.

Check out this new FactSheet on Ohioline, written by Illiana Moore, Research Senior Technician and Dr. Jamie Strange, Chair, both with OSU's Department of Entomology on Sphinx Moths of Ohio.

Flowering Pear Trees were put on the “Do not Sell”, Invasive Species List for the Ohio Department of Agriculture last January of 2023. The problem is the fruit!

Summary: A baldfaced hornet nest can be a wonderful conversation piece when displayed in a home or office. However, we may not yet have experienced a sufficient accumulation of freezing temperatures to kill all of the baldfaced hornets still standing guard inside their nests, particularly in southern Ohio.

Many families enjoy a “Live” tree for Christmas. The key is WATER!