As is typical this time of the year, caseload has been high at the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab and is expected to remain high for another 4-6 weeks. A summary of recent fruit crop insects submitted to the IDL can be found below:

Spotted wing Drosophila: A number of recent cherry and raspberry samples contained high populations of spotted wing Drosophila. These cases came from across the state.

Codling moth: I’ve now seen a number of apples damaged by codling moth. Most of these cases have come in from the southern half of Wisconsin from homeowners and backyard fruit growers that had done little in terms of preventative management.

Plum curculio: Like codling moth, lots of plum curculio damage has been noted at the diagnostic lab recently. This has primarily been from the southern half of Wisconsin. Affected fruits have included apples, pears, plums, and peaches.

Stink bugs: Late instar stink bug nymphs (juveniles) are being reported in parts of southern Wisconsin. Adults are commonly spotted in late summer and into the fall. Species recently submitted to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab include our native “brown” stink bugs (Euschistus spp.), the green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris), and the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys).

Social wasps and “secondary” scavengers: As is typical this time of the year, social wasps (paper wasps, yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets) are reaching peak colony size and can be spotted in orchards, vineyard, and other fruit crop settings. These insects will scavenge upon readily available sugars from fruits that have been compromised (e.g., physical injury, disease, insect damage, etc.). In addition, reports of sap & picnic beetles, fruit flies, multicolored Asian lady beetles, and other scavengers are on the rise.

Reminder about diagnostic support from the IDL: Growers and consultants in need of insect diagnostic services are always welcome to submit a sample to the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab. Lab services are provided free of charge. You can find additional information about the IDL here: insectlab.russell.wisc.edu

This article was posted in Insects and tagged Insect Diagnostic Lab, insects, PJ Liesch.