Overall caseload at the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab has increased dramatically over the last two weeks and has nearly reached full “summer” levels.  A summary of recent fruit crop insects reported to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab can be found below:

Eastern Tent Caterpillar: Reports of eastern tent caterpillar continue to come into the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab from around the state.  This species should be readily visible now with larger silken tents present.   

Gypsy Moth: I’ve had a distinct increase in reports of gypsy moth caterpillars and their damage over the last two weeks.  Most of the reports have come from south-central Wisconsin.  Recent reports indicate that caterpillars are approximately ½ – ¾ inch long in many areas and are at a size where damage starts to become much more noticeable.

Humped Green Fruitworm & Speckled Green Fruitworm: I continue to see scattered reports from around Wisconsin.  In many cases, caterpillars have been approximately an inch long.

Cigar Casebearer Caterpillars: These species is more of a curiosity than a threat to tree fruit.  I recently had a case from north-central Wisconsin on apple.

Green Pug Moth Caterpillar: This is an occasional/minor pest of tree fruit.  I recently had a confirmed report from northcentral Wisconsin and a suspected case from Door County (pending examination of specimens).

Pearleaf Blister Mite: I’ve had a few reports of foliar damage caused by pearleaf blister mites from southcentral and central Wisconsin.

Azalea Bark Scale: I had a sample this last week from a backyard blueberry grower in southcentral Wisconsin.  Azalea bark scale is an occasional pest of blueberries.  These scale insects are covered with a whitish, cottony coating.

European Snout Beetle (Phyllobius oblongus): In the last two weeks, I’ve had hand a handful of cases from around Wisconsin, mostly from the northern half of the state.  This species of broad-nosed weevil is common and widespread.  They can nibble on a very wide range of broadleaf trees and shrubs, including fruit and nut trees.  Damage is generally minimal/cosmetic.

Click Beetles: Adult click beetles are occasional/minor fruit pests.  Feeding can occur on both foliage and/or blossoms but is usually not an economic threat.  I recently had a report of blossom feeding on an apple tree in north-central Wisconsin. 

Currant Spanworm: These brightly-colored black, white, and yellow inchworm caterpillars occasionally pop up and defoliate currants and gooseberries.  I recently had a report from southcentral Wisconsin of currant bushed with complete defoliation.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Parts of Wisconsin with a history of BMSB continue to see adult activity.  In particular, I continue to get reports of BMSB adults from south central and southeastern Wisconsin.  Also noteworthy was a recent first detection of BMSB from Pierce County.

This article was posted in Insects and tagged azalea bark scale, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, cigar casebearer caterpillars, click beetles, currant spanworm, eastern tent caterpillar, European Snout Beetle, green pug moth caterpillar, gypsy moth, humped green fruitworm, Insect Diagnostic Lab, pearleaf blister mite, speckled green fruitworm.