Bird’s Nest Fungi

Bird’s nest fungi are not harmful to plants, but grow on decomposing organic matter, such as on mulch in planting beds with damp, shady conditions. Learn more in this factsheet.

Black Spot

Black spot is a common and potentially serious leaf spot disease affecting many types of roses. Learn about symptoms and management in this factsheet.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are slow-moving, small, oval insects covered in white cottony wax. This factsheet describes the identification, biology and management of this insect pest.

Two Lined Chestnut Borer

This factsheet describes two-lined chestnut borer, which is attracked to stressed and weakened oaks and is the most important insect cause of oak mortality.

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.

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.

Bacterial Canker

Bacterial canker is a common and sometimes lethal disease of trees in the genus Prunus including cherry, plum and peach. This factsheet describes symptoms and management of bacterial canker.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is the most destructive bacterial disease affecting plants in the rose family, including apple, pear, crabapple, hawthorn, cotoneaster, mountain ash, quince, rose, pyracantha, and spirea. Learn more here.

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