Recent News

Cyclamen Mite Damage to Green Peppers

One of my favorite ‘oddball’ samples is peppers damaged by mites. The peppers look like potatoes growing on the plant the way they are scabby and misshapened. Cyclamen mites a

When Is It Too Late To Treat For Bagworms?

For many areas in southern Iowa ("bagworm territory"), it is now too late to treat for bagworms. If the caterpillars are no longer visible and feeding, if the bags are no longer movi

Asian Longhorned Beetle Update. Beetles Found in Ohio

Earlier this summer the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, was found in Bethel, Ohio (30 miles southeast of Cincinnati). The infestation was identified after a propert

Fascination with Horntail Wasps

I am always fascinated by insects that can drill through bark to lay their eggs. One such insect is a horntail wasp. I was lucky enough to catch a female in action a few weeks ago. Y

Another 'New' Insect Pest in Iowa: European Elm Flea Weevil

How Hard are the Scale Insects?

Honey Bee Colony Losses in the U.S., Winter 2010-2011

Periodical Cicadas in Iowa in 2011

Welcome Erika to the Diagnostic Clinic!

We are pleased to welcome Erika Saalau to the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. She joined the Clinic team on May 20 as our plant pathology specialist.   Erika will be working

Bumble Bee Nest

Ticks and Alcohol

Stranger questions have been asked, but none recently. 

Mystery Bug Research at Mayo

A common phone call, message or sample involves a client who feels "bugs" are crawling on or burrowing into their skin, or that unexplained skin irritation is caused by insects they can n

Ant Management In and Around the Home

Black Vine Weevil: Unusual Accidental Invader in Iowa

The recent arrival (March 3, 2011) of a digital image of the black vine weevil (BVW) collected from a kitchen floor in Delaware County was a reminder of just how uncommon this insect pest in

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Detected in Iowa

New Pamphlet: Common Problems of Ash Trees

A new color-pamphlet is available form Iowa State University that describes and illustrates the common pests, diseases and declines of ash trees in Iowa.  With increased attention to ash tress

It looks like bur oak blight (BOB) really isn't that new

It's beginning to look like bur oak blight, or BOB for short, is a long-time resident of Iowa, and he's here to stay.

Using Row Covers to Stop Cucurbit Bacterial Wilt

Master Gardener Symposia, 2011

New Iowa Firewood Regulations

On January 1, 2011, a new regulation went into effect in Iowa requiring that anyone who sells or distributes firewood in the state must have it labeled with the county and state of origin. The county of origin means where the wood was harvested and not the mailing address of the seller. The labeling requirement applies to both packaged firewood and bulk firewood. The bulk firewood harvest location can be included on the delivery ticket. This rule applies to any length of tree that has been cut and intended for burning.