I've long admired yucca (Yucca spp., family Asparagaceae) but realize many do not share my enthusiasm for these agave cousins. Indeed, searching the web using "yucca" as the keyword yields almost as many websites offering advice on how to kill it as how to grow it. Perhaps the developing interest in landscape plants that require little watering will influence the point of view.

Check out this week's recording of the OSU Turfgrass Times - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-jD1P_Zxw

A recent BYGL Alert (June 17, 2021 - https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1802) has prompted some emails coming from the following counties: Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Erie, Williams, Lucas  and Wood.

 

Caterpillars are gaining in size, their appetite is increasing, and their frass is falling. Last evening, I went to check out a site in Lucas County, in Toledo's Ottawa Park. The park includes many oaks, in the turf areas, and in the wooded area between the open areas and the adjoining golf course. There is plenty of food for these hungry...

Recently, there have been reports of ill or dying birds found around Ohio and in nearby states. These birds often have swollen eyes, discharge from their eyes that may appear crusted, or a lack of clarity to the eyes. Affected birds may also exhibit neurological signs, for example their head may hang to one side then flop to the other side. What is causing it and what can you do to help?

Check out summer's first edition of the OSU's Turf Team, Turfgrass Times. This week's contributors included: Dr. David Gardner, Dr. Pamela Sherratt, Todd Hicks, and Dr. Ed Nangle.

Cottony Maple Leaf Scale (Pulvinaria acericola) was once a relatively common pest of maples in Ohio. However, this native “soft scale” virtually dropped off our radar until last year when noticeable populations were reported in the central and southwest parts of the state.

The holy handiwork of the Elm Flea Weevil (Orchestes steppensis) is evident on native, non-native, and hybrid elms in southwest Ohio. Holes in elm leaves result from the adult “snout beetles” feeding on the leaves as well as the larvae tunneling between the upper and lower leaf surfaces as leafminers.

I received a phone call yesterday from a homeowner proclaiming, “there’s corn coming up in my lawn!” I asked if the lawn was newly seeded and the caller said it was not; the lawn had been established several years ago. It’s a useful question because wheat is notorious for springing up from errant seed in straw used to cover turf seed.

Magnolia scale is a type of "soft scale" so named because the females are hidden beneath a helmet-like soft leathery covering that provides limited protection. Soft scales can be squashed! This native insect is one of the largest soft scales found in Ohio with mature females measuring as much as 1/2" in diameter. The size and overall shape of mature magnolia scale females commonly make it a poster child for soft scales.

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars are becoming evident in areas where populations are present. Citizens are reaching out to local Extension offices to identify the caterpillar and determine what is the best course of action.

 

The caterpillars are voracious feeders and as their numbers build, their appetites expand and plant foliage disappears rather quickly. While they prefer oaks, their host preferences are quite expansive. They seem to enjoy the needles of spruce, especially as larger, or later instar caterpillars.

 

Wisconsin has a "...