The caseload at the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab (IDL) has remained high over the last two weeks.  Reports of fruit crop insect activity submitted to the IDL from the last two weeks are summarized below:

Japanese beetles: Japanese beetle activity has been strong over the last two weeks with reports of activity coming in from across the state.  For many years, the far northern parts of Wisconsin have been relatively free of this non-native pest, but Japanese beetle adults were recently spotted in Bayfield County and in far northern Oneida county approximately half a mile south of the Vilas county border.  Japanese beetle activity is typically high into early September, meaning that fruit growers will need to monitor this pest for at least another month.   

Rose chafers: Rose chafer activity appears to have subsided for the year with reports dropping off over the last two weeks. 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: BMSB nymphs continue to be reported in Dane county.  Growers should keep an eye out for the tick-like juvenile stages of BMSB in their orchards, field and vineyards—especially if they have a history of BMSB in their area.

Plum Curculio: Several recent samples of apples and stone fruit from southcentral and southeastern Wisconsin have shown the characteristic crescent-shaped scars of the plum curculio.  

Codling Moth: A sample consisting of codling moth larvae and pupae found beneath a trunk covering recently came in from southwestern Wisconsin.  This is a good reminder that wrapping trunks with corrugated cardboard to concentrate larvae and pupae over the winter can be a component of an overall IPM program in orchards. 

Pearslug Sawfly:  A few scattered cases of the pearslug sawfly came in to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab over the last two weeks from around the state.

This article was posted in Apples, Berries and tagged BMSB, Codling Moth, Japanese Beetles, SWD.