Caseload at the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab has been very high over the last two weeks.  A summary of fruit crop pests recently submitted to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab can be found below:

Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica): Japanese beetle activity remains high in many parts of Wisconsin.  Growers can expect this pest to remain active for another month or longer and should continue to monitor fruit crops.

Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea): This pest is active statewide and can attack a wide range of landscape and fruit trees.  This insect constructs large, conspicuous silken tents towards the ends of branches, which allow for easy scouting and management.

Apple and Thorn Skeletonizer (Choreutis pariana): A report of this pest recently came in from northeastern Wisconsin.  The caterpillars create brownish damaged patches on leaves and leave behind copious amounts of dark frass amongst fine silken webbing on foliage. 

Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris): Reports of juvenile green stink bugs have recently come in from a number of locations around the state.  Nymphs often have abdominal stripes with black and red on the thorax, which is very different than the entirely green adults.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys): Reports of brown marmorated stink bugs continue to come in from southcentral and southeastern Wisconsin.  Reports include egg masses from Dane, Waukesha and Rock Counties, reports of nymphs (1st – 4^th instars), and occasional adults.  Growers with a history of BMSB in their area should be on alert for this pest.

Pearleaf Blister Mite (Eriophyes pyri): Several cases of pearleaf blister mite have recently been submitted to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab from southern Wisconsin.

This article was posted in Insects and tagged apple and thorn skeletonizer, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Fall Webworms, green stink bug, Insect Diagnostic Lab, insects, Japanese Beetles, pearleaf blister mite.