Elm Zigzag Sawfly

The elm zigzag sawfly is an invasive sawfly that attacks elm trees. Populations were detected in Wisconsin for the first time in July 2024 and were quickly found in several counties across the state. In many cases, damage may be minor, but this invasive pest does have the potential to cause significant defoliation of elm trees.

Join in Community Science with the Wisconsin Wild Bee App

By: Claudio Gratton, Professor, UW-Madison Department of Entomology WiBee is a new community science smartphone app developed by the Gratton Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Using WiBee, you can help increase the research data on diverse pollinator species and can also provide growers with better pollination management recommendations and share more information about the […]

▶ Watch: How do Pesticides Affect Pollinators and Songbirds in Your Yard

By: Lynn Markham, Extension Land Use Statewide Specialist, UW-Stevens Point Maybe you’ve heard news stories about declines in pollinators and songbirds. In this video, you will learn what research studies have found about how pesticides affect pollinators and songbirds. You will also learn about what people have done to help in their yards and communities […]

▶ Watch: Pollinator Gardens: Plant Selection and Garden Care

By: Susan Carpenter, Wisconsin Native Plant Garden Curator, UW-Madison Arboretum In this video, learn how to select and care for plants to attract and support diverse pollinators in your garden all season long. This presentation emphasizes native plants and pollinators and includes sustainable gardening practices. Pollinator Gardens: Plant Selection and Garden Care (Link to YouTube) […]

Wisconsin’s Busy Bees: Getting to Know the Bees in Your Area

By: PJ Liesch, Extension Entomology Specialist, UW-Madison While bees such as honey bees and bumblebees are well-known, Wisconsin is home to nearly 500 species of bees. Most of these bees go unrecognized by the public but provide critical pollination services. In this video, you will learn about some of the commonest wild bees in the […]

Strategies for Identifying and Managing Insect Pests

By: PJ Liesch, Extension Entomology Specialist Even though insects can cause damage to our plants, not all of them are harmful. In this video, you will learn how to look for signs of insects, why identification is required, and different control options and methods. The first step in the management process of insects in yards […]

Plum Curculio

Plum curculio is one of the most common and detrimental pests of apple and other fruits in Wisconsin. Learn about the life cycle, damage patterns, and control options to effectively manage plum curculio.

European Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer

If you’ve noticed masses or writhing, dark green “caterpillars” on your pine trees this spring, you likely have an infestation of European pine sawfly.  To learn more about this pest, read this article…

Apple Maggot

If you have an apple tree in your backyard, you’ve probably found out that apple maggot likes your fruit as much as you do. Learn more about this pesky fly and what to do about it in this article…

Spotted Wing Drosophila

Spotted wing Drosophila is an invasive vinegar fly that can affect a wide variety of fruits, especially raspberries, in Wisconsin. Learn identification and management techniques in this factsheet.

Create a Butterfly Garden

Colorful butterflies can add a lot to a garden. Learn how to create a butterfly garden that will be attractive to many different types of butterflies in this article…

Japanese Beetle

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is a significant pest of landscape trees and shrubs, vegetable and fruit crops, and turfgrass. This factsheet describes the lifecycle of this beetle along with management and control options.

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