Tree of Heaven has produced its seed pods. Now is a great time to scout and identify its location. And remember, Tree of Heaven is a preferred host of Spotted Lanternfly.

Check out this week's Turf Team Times (TTT) that was recorded on Friday, August 5, 2022. Contributors included: Dr. David Shetlar; Todd Hicks; Dr. David Gardner; and Dr. Ed Nangle. 

Check out this week's OSU Turfgrass Times and learn more about the internship opportunities in Ohio, nationally and internally for OSU students and a fellowship opportunity too.

I was unaware of the existence of the Grass Lace Bug (Leptodictya plana, family Tingidae) until I found a damaging infestation late last week in southwest Ohio on ‘Little Bunny’ dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides, family Poaceae). The normally dark green blades had a bleached-out appearance with some blades turning brown.

Kelleys Island State Park Campground and Kelleys Island Field Station host Science Saturdays. Last Saturday, July 30th, 2022, the topic was Spotted Lanternfly presented by The Ohio State University Erie County Extension.

While opening the Redbud Leaffolder (Fascista cercerisella) nests that were the subject of the previous BYGL Alert, I made an unusual discovery. Nestled inside one of the folded leaves was a type of cricket that I’d never seen before. A notable characteristic was its extremely long antennae that appeared to wrap around the cricket’s body.

The unusual damage caused by first-generation Redbud Leaffolders on their namesake host is becoming evident in southwest Ohio. Thus far, populations of this native moth appear to be sporadic and highly localized. However, population densities and distribution may change with the appearances of the second and third generations.

The nests of first-generation Mimosa Webworm (Homadaula anisocentra, family Galacticidae) are now becoming evident on honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) in southwest Ohio. Honeylocust is considered the alternate host of this non-native moth in much of the U.S. However, it’s the primary host in Ohio where mimosa trees (a.k.a. silk trees) (Albizia julibrissin) are rare.

Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea, family Erebidae) nests are becoming noticeable in southwest Ohio. Their arrival seemed to be unusually late this season until close inspections revealed the nests are housing the red-headed biotype. But more on that later.