Lawn and Garden

The National Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Eradication Program Scores a “Win”

By: Joe Boggs, OSU Extension

Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) (Anoplophora glabripennis) is potentially the most devastating non-native pest to have ever arrived in North America.  The beetle kills trees belonging to 12 genera in 9 plant families.  This includes Acer (all maple species); Aesculus (horsechestnuts and buckeyes); Ulmus (elms); Salix (willows); Betula (birches); Platanus (Sycamore/Planetrees); Populus (Poplars); Albizia (Mimosa); Cercidiphyllum (Katsura); Fraxinus (ashes); Koelreuteria (goldenraintree); and Sorbus (mountainash). Continue reading The National Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Eradication Program Scores a “Win” →

Be Alert to Bagworms

By: Joe Boggs, Assistant Professor, OSU Extension

Overwintered common bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) eggs are hatching in southwest Ohio.  The 1st instar caterpillars are very small with their bags measuring around 1/8″ in length.

The overwintering eggs have a low-temperature survival threshold and there was speculation that the late-January Polar Vortex would put the kibosh on bagworm populations.  However, based on what I’ve observed thus far, this did not appear to have happened; at least in southwest Ohio. Continue reading Be Alert to Bagworms →

From Across the Field – Yard Work Ahead

Hopefully everyone had a good holiday with friends and family. I traveled to southern Ohio for the weekend and I can report that it is not any warmer or drier in the opposite corner of the state. Had the weather been fit I’m sure would have been building fence or putting in a new seeding of hay instead of watching basketball. It’s tough to do but we have to remind ourselves that it is only the first week of April and there is still plenty of time to finish preparations for field and yard work. As long as soil temperatures are at or near 50 degrees there is no need to be in too big of a rush. Continue reading From Across the Field – Yard Work Ahead →