Articles

Rain Barrels

What is a rain barrel? A rain barrel can be any large container designed to collect rain water. Typically, rain barrels are placed at the bottom of downspouts in order to collect rain as it runs off of a roof. For every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet of roof, about 600 […]

Dead Man’s Fingers

Dead man’s fingers is the name of a mushroom-like fungal growth that can be found at the base of dead or dying trees and shrubs, as well as wood objects. Learn about this distinctive fungus in this factsheet.

Cicada Killer Wasps

Cicada killer wasps are common in the southern part of Wisconsin. These non-aggressive wasps feed on cicadas. Learn more in this factsheet.

Four-Lined Plant Bug

Four-linied plant bug attacks a wide variety of herbaceous and woody plants. Learn to identify and manage this pest in this factsheet.

Leafminers (vegetables)

Karen Delahaut, UW-Madison, Fresh Market Vegetable Program Revised: 1/5/2005 Item number: XHT1044 Leafminers are insects that feed on the tissue between the upper and lower epidermal layers of leaves. Leafminers can be serious problem on vegetables that are harvested for their foliage (e.g., spinach or chard). Leafminers can be the larval stages of flies, moths, […]

Pear Slug (Pear Sawfly)

Pear slugs are not true slugs, but are larva of the pear sawfly. They damge many kinds of ornamental and fruit trees. This factsheet describes appearance, damage and control.

Periodical Cicadas

Every 17 years, Wisconsin experiences a massive emergence of periodical cicadas. These insects are generally harmless, but can be quite loud. Adult females can cause some damage to young plants through their egg-laying activities. Learn about the life cycle of cicadas and their management in this factsheet.

Black Vine Weevil

Both the adult and larva of the black vine weevil feed on over 100 species of woody and herbaceous plant roots. Learn to identify and manage black vine weevil in this factsheet.

Cucumber Beetle

Striped and spotted cucumber beetles are common pests of vine crops that can cause damage to roots, leaves, flowers and fruits, leading to reduced yield. Learn more in this factsheet.

Tobacco Rattle

Tobacco rattle is a common and potentially serious viral disease that affects a variety of herbaceous ornamentals as well as vegetables. Learn about symptoms and management in this factsheet.

Corky Ringspot

Corky ringspot (aka spraing) is a viral disease of potato that can cause severe loss due to a reduction in tuber quality. It can also affect other vegetables, herbaceous ornamentals, and weeds. Learn more in this factsheet.

Cabbage Looper

Karen Delahaut, UW-Madison Fresh Market Vegetable Program Revised: 8/19/2010 Item number: XHT1029 The cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) is a lepidopteran insect and an important pest of cole crops in Wisconsin. All cole crops, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and rutabaga, are susceptible to attack by this insect. In addition, cabbage loopers will also attack […]