Sawflies
Sawflies are a group insects related to wasps. The plant-feeding larvae often look like caterpillars or slugs, and large numbers cause noticeable defoliation on their hosts. Learn more about sawflies in this article…
Insects
European Chafer
An insect pest of turfgrass, European chafer beetle grubs voraciously feed on turfgrass roots and cause thinning, wilting, and irregular dead patches. This fact sheet details the life cycle and recommendations for control.
Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper native to Asia. Though not yet found in Wisconsin, SLF has potential for severe damage on a large plant host range. Learn what to watch for with this new pest.
Praying Mantids
The praying mantids are a group of insects with very characteristic front legs designed to capture and hold prey. The common name comes from the way the legs are held upright when hunting, but they don’t really have any religious affiliations. To learn more about these fascinating predators, read this article…
Common Columbine Pests: Columbine Leafminer and Columbine Sawfly
If you have columbines in your garden, you likely have seen squiggly white trails or blotches on the leaves or had the entire leaf devoured at one time. These are significant as cosmetic problems, but generally have little impact on the plant’s health. Learn more about the life cycle of the two insects that cause these problems and how to deal with them in this article…
Goldenrod Gall Fly, Eurosta solidagnis
You’ve probably seen spherical swellings on goldenrod stems at one time or another, but do you know what caused those? A type of small fly with patterned wings is responsible for the most common gall on goldenrods. To learn more about the goldenrod gall fly and how it creates those golf ball-sized growths, read this article…
Silver spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus
Skippers are a group of small butterflies with quick, darting flights. The silver spotted skipper is one of the largest skippers. This chocolate-colored butterfly is easily identified by the conspicuous white or silver spot on the underside of its hind wing that gives it the common name. Read about this common, but often overlooked butterfly, in this article…
Black swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes
If you’ve seen a large, mostly black butterfly lately, chances are it was a black swallowtail, a very common butterfly of eastern North America. The colorful caterpillars feed on many herb garden plants while the adults nectar at a variety of flowers. To learn more about this species and how to encourage it in your garden, read this article…
Beetles (Coleoptera)
The beetles are the most numerous group of insects, with both pest and beneficial species. Regardless of whether they are plant feeders, scavengers, or predators, the adults all have the first pairs of wings hardened into sheaths that cover the abdomen. To learn about some of the most common types of beetle, read this article…
Maple and Other Trees Disorder: Cottony Maple Scale
Cottony maple scale is an insect that can infest the twigs of maples and other shade trees with popcorn-sized cottony masses. This publication describes the symptoms, life cycle and management.
Deciduous Tree and Shrub Disorder: Skeletonizing by Rose Chafer
Skeletonizing of leaves of roses, raspberries, grapes and other plants may be caused by adult rose chafers. Learn to identify and manage rose chafer in this publication.
Iris Borer
Iris borer is the most serious pest of iris in Wisconsin. Iris plants attacked by iris borer will discolor, wilt, and die during late June and July. On close examination of affected plants, a pinkish-white caterpillar can be found feeding on the inside of rhizomes. This factsheet covers identification and control of this serious pest.
