BYGL readers may recall that I’ve been posting Alerts about the Scarlet Oak Sawfly (Caliroa quercuscoccineae (Dyar)) for years. Despite this sawfly's common name, the larvae may be found feeding on a wide range of oaks belonging to both the white and red oak groups.

Earlier today, September 2, 2021, the Ohio Department of Agriculture announced a population of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has been found on the east side of Cleveland. The information in this alert is from the announcement that ODA distributed today.

 

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was notified of the initial discovery by a tree care professional on August 26, 2021.

 

ODA Plant...

On August 19, 2021, WSDA announced during an AGH webinar that the second AGH nest discovered in the U.S. was found in the base of a dead alder tree in a rural area in Whatcom County just east of Blaine, WA. The site was about one-quarter mile from the Canadian border. Last week, the WSDA announced that the nest had been destroyed.

OSU Extension county offices across the state are receiving e-mails and phone calls about Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, family Noctuidae) causing substantial injury to turfgrass. Thus far, it appears that fall armyworm is the dominant culprit rather than Yellowstriped Armyworm (S. ornithogalli) and Common Armyworm (Mythimna convecta).

Jumping spiders get their name from their ability to leap long distances with a single bound. These small spiders use their jumping talent to travel great distances, evade enemies, and pounce on prey which is often much larger than these diminutive spiders. They are the terriers of the spider world.

There are over 600 species of spiders found in Ohio and most feed almost exclusively on insects. The spiders that are currently dominating (draping over?) landscapes are the Sheetweb Weavers (family Linyphiidae) and Funnel Weavers (family Agelenidae)

There are several native shrubs available that are not commonly thought of when renovating a landscape. They can offer additional interests and attract pollinators at different times of the year. Consider adding one or two…...or all!

Each week, we spend some time "behind the BYGL-scene" doing some in-servicing ourselves. We gather virtually reporting what we are seeing, what has us stumped, and talking all things horticulture. Here is a quick summary of what we have been observing and receiving questions about. 

Last season, I posted a BYGL Alert titled, “Antlions Roar Again!” [Sept. 25, 2020] in which I described finding a large group of pit-trapping antlions (Myrmeleon immaculatus, family Myrmeleontidae) in southwest Ohio. I lamented that the last time I saw a sizable collection of these fascinating sit-and-wait predators in Greater Cincinnati was in 2017.

While temperatures are still hot and it feels like we are in the heat of the summer, now is the time to begin planning and implementing practices for a lawn renovation in the upcoming weeks. Last year during the pandemic, Dr. Zane Raudenbush, formally of OSU's Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) created a video series to walk you through a lawn renovation.