Boxelder Bugs
Though not really harmful to plants, box elder bugs become a nuisance when coming indoors in fall. This factsheet describes the life cycle and habits of box elder bugs.
Insects
Controlling Carpenter Ants
Large black ants in your home may be carpenter ants. This helpful publication will help you identify and control these household pests.
Trichopoda pennipes, Parasitoid of Squash Bug
There are all kinds of flies in the Midwest. One interesting species is a medium-sized black and orange tachinid fly that develops in a number of true bugs, including squash bug. Although not really common, you may have this in your garden and not even know it! To learn more about this parasitoid, read this article…
Cucumber Beetles
In late summer and fall, cucumber beetles are common visitors to squash and cucumber flowers. They eat the petals, and sometimes the plant foliage. To learn more about these beetles, read this article…
Northern Masked Chafer
A potentially serious insect pest of turfgrass, Masked Chafer has only been found in a few counties in southern Wisconsin. Learn how to be on the lookout for this pest in this publication.
Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae
The nemesis of almost everyone who tries to grow squash in the Midwest, squash vine borer is a difficult problem to control. The larvae of this day-flying moth tunnel in the stems of zucchini, winter squash and pumpkin, causing the plants to wilt and frequently die. To learn more about this native insect pest, read this article…
Ground Beetles (Carabidae)
There are all kinds of beetles found in gardens. One common type are the ground beetles, which as the name suggests, are typically found under leaves or debris, in cracks in the soil, or running along the ground. Most of these are predators, consuming all sorts of other insects including pests. Learn more about these beneficial insects in this article…
Earwigs
Many people are repulsed by the sight of an earwig and its intimidating back end. But those pinchers are mostly just for show, and these insects won’t harm people. They are primarily scavengers feeding at night, but they will eat some living plants and may cause damage at times. To learn more about these “icky” insects, read this article…
White-lined Sphinx Moth, Hyles lineata
The white-lined sphinx is a common moth that occurs throughout most of North America. To learn more about this charismatic moth – and its immature stage that just might be living in your garden – read this article…
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
You’ve probably noticed elongated, orange beetles roaming about on flowers lately. These goldenrod soldier beetles are the most common species of soldier beetle in our area. They are common at this time of year, feeding on pollen and maybe the occasional small insect. Read this article to find out more about these insects…
Mighty Mites
Did you know that there are mites that eat other mites? Barely visible to the naked eye, these little predators help keep spider mites and other pests in check. Read on to learn more about this fascinating world of tiny predatory mites…
Robber Flies (Asilidae)
Have you ever noticed a medium-to large, hairy fly perched on a rock or leaf and wondered what it might be? There’s a whole family of these distinctive flies that get the common name of robber fly from their manner of ferociously pouncing on their prey. Read this article to learn more about these interesting insects…
