I came across a small population of Goldenrain Tree Bugs (Jadera haematoloma) this week cavorting beneath their namesake host in a southwest Ohio landscape. The bugs do not have a common name that's been approved by the Entomological Society of America.

A beautiful floral display is underway in the Voice of America (VOA) Butler County MetroPark just off I-75 north of Cincinnati. The draw for me and apparently many others is a sea of gorgeous yellow flowers running for about 1/2 mile between the park's lake and Liberty Way; a road that borders the northern edge of the park. The display is a show-stopper!

Most hairy caterpillars do not represent a threat, but some caterpillars have hairs or bristles that are modified for defense. They can produce itchy rashes or deliver a painful venomous sting. There are good reasons to look but not touch.

Wheel bugs (Arilus cristatus) have reached the adult stage in Ohio and the big bugs are lumbering about on trees and shrubs in search of prey. The "wheel" in their name refers to a peculiar morphological feature that rises from the top of the adult bug's thorax.

I reported on mimosa webworm (Homadaula anisocentra, family Galacticidae) in early August. However, that was before the moth caterpillars started dropping from trees to spoil outdoor activities.

Two of our larger native spiders found in Ohio are orb weavers (family Araneidae) so-named because of their circular (orb) webs. The webs are intricate structures involving both sticky and non-sticky silk.

Here is today's video edition from the OSU's Turfgrass Team. Contributing members in this week's: Dr. Ed Nangle; Dr. David Gardner; Dr. David Shetlar (aka - BugDoc); Dr. Pam Sherratt; and Joe Rimelspach.

Recently, an Ohioan returned from a road trip to Pennsylvania. In addition to all the memories made, this traveler unintentionally brought back a hitch-hiker – a spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) (SLF). The individual quickly captured and ended the insect’s life before reaching out to his local Extension Educator. The suspect sample was submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) for confirmation based on the USDA protocol established to confirm non-native pests not currently established, or with limited presence in the case of Asian Longhorned beetle, in the state.

Learn what's happening with ALB. Register for the Ohio Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), "Tree Talk Tuesday."

Dodders are parasitic plants belonging to the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. They were formerly placed in the dodder family, Cuscutaceae, with only one genus in the family, Cuscuta. Depending on the reference, there are somewhere between 100 – 170 species worldwide with 13 species reportedly found in Ohio.