–by Frannie Miller
Brown Recluse – This spider is a brown recluse, but is exhibiting a color shift (usually they have a darker colored abdomen). This can be caused by the diet the spider ate or due to where it is living (notice the lighter colored background). If you are interested in learning more about their life cycle, biology, and feeding habits a good resource can be found at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3133.pdf
–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd
We are seeing damage on elm (Ulmus spp.) trees caused by the larvae and adults of the European elm flea weevil (Orchestes alni). Larvae are cream-colored, legless (Figure 1), and located in the mines of leaves. Adults are 3 mm (0.11 inches) in length, red-brown, with black spots or markings on the abdomen or wing covers (Figure 2).
Fig 1. European elm flea weevil larva (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Fig 2. Adult European elm flea weevil (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
The mouthpart is shaped-like a snout (Figure 3)
Fig 3. European elm flea weevil adult (note the snout-like mouth) (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
since they are weevils and the hind legs are thickened and enlarged, which allows the adults to jump when disturbed. Adults are initially active in May, and after mating, females lay eggs in the large mid-veins of new leaves. Larvae hatch from eggs and tunnel through the leaf as they feed, creating serpentine-like mines that enlarge as larvae mature (Figure 4).
Fig 4. Serpentine mines created by European elm flea weevil larvae (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Larvae eventually transition into a pupal stage, and then adults emerge in May through June. Adults primarily feed on leaf undersides creating small holes on young leaves (Figure 5).
Fig 5. Feeding damage caused by European elm flea weevil adult (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Feeding damage caused by larvae and adults will not kill an elm tree; however, extensive feeding damage may ruin the aesthetic appearance. Adults overwinter under loose bark and in leaf litter located under previously infested trees. There is one generation per year in Kansas. Nearly all elm species are susceptible to feeding by the European elm flea weevil; especially Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) and certain elm hybrids with Asian parentage.
Management of European elm flea weevil involves maintaining tree health by implementing proper watering, mulching, pruning, and fertilizing practices Insecticides can be used to minimize damage; however, insecticides are difficult to apply to large trees. Contact insecticides must be applied May through June to suppress adult populations. Be sure to read the insecticide label carefully to ensure that “weevils” are listed. Thorough coverage of leaf undersides is important because adults tend to feed on the undersides of leaves. If damage is not extensive, especially on large trees, then there is no reason to apply insecticides.
–by Frannie Miller
–by Frannie Miller
Allium – This is an allium. Allium is a genus of plants, which include cultivated onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks etc. This version is cultivated as a flowering plant and will produce a purple, globe-shaped flower. Alliums also attract bees and butterflies to your spring garden.
–by Frannie Miller
Did you know that May 10 is National Clean Up Your Room Day? A national holiday might help to motivate us to clean, but I am using it as a reminder that cockroaches, ants, mice and other pests thrive in cluttered spaces. It is important to do your part in helping to prevent pests.
Good sanitation goes a long way in preventing pests from living inside your home. Pests occur in our space because we provide them with food and shelter. Clutter, cardboard, and protected spaces provide an environment for pests to eat, sleep and reproduce. Clutter, such as dirty clothes, old newspapers, food wrappers etc. found in a messy room provide a wealth of possibilities for pests. The clutter can even hide signs of the presence of the pest. I know how easy it is to accumulate items, which can contribute to the problem of clutter. Just picking up and putting away one item each day could make a big difference.
Use this date as a reminder to use these integrated pest management strategies to help discourage pests from becoming a problem in your home.
–by Frannie Miller
–by Frannie Miller
Praying Mantis Egg Case – This is an ootheca or egg case of a praying mantis. They typically lay their eggs in late summer or fall, and the young develop inside during the winter months. A total of 100 to 200 tiny praying mantises can hatch from an egg case similar to the one pictured.
–b
y Frannie Miller
–by Frannie Miller
Jumping Spider – This is the Bold Jumper also known as the Daring Jumping Spider. They are relatively small, compact hunting spiders. They exhibit iridescent chelicerae (see the green coloring). These spiders tend to hunt during the day. More information about common spider families in Kansas can be found by visiting: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/ep125.pdf
— by Raymond Cloyd
Praying mantid adults are 3 to 4 inches (76 to 102 mm) long, elongated, slow-moving generalist insect predators that wait for prey with their upraised front legs (Figure 1).
Fig 1. Praying Mantid with Front Legs Upraised (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
They eat “anything” they can grab onto with their raptorial front legs including: flies, crickets, moths (Figure 2),
Fig 2. A Praying Mantid Eating a Moth (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
butterflies, wasps, and caterpillars. In addition, praying mantids will feed on honey bees entering and leaving hives. Praying mantid females lay between 200 and 300 eggs that are covered by a hardened, Styrofoam-like egg case or ootheca produced by the female. The egg cases can be found on branches (Figure 3),
Fig 3. Praying Mantid Egg Case on Branch (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
stems, walls, fences, sides of houses (Figure 4),
Fig 4. Praying Mantid Egg Case Attached To Side of House (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
and eaves. Egg cases may be present from November through April. Nymphs hatch (eclose) from eggs in three to 10 weeks depending on temperature. Nymphs that emerge in spring resemble miniature adults (Figure 5).
Fig 5. Praying Mantid Nymphs That Have Emerged From Egg Case (Auth–Josh’s Frogs)
However, not all the nymphs will survive to become adults because they are susceptible to predation by vertebrates (birds, toads, and lizards) and predacious insects. Praying mantids overwinter as eggs.
Egg cases can vary in size and shape depending on species. The egg case of the Carolina mantid, Stagmomantis carolina, is tan to light-brown, about 1.0 inch (25 mm) long, rectangular or elongated, rounded at the top and bottom, and there is a distinct white to gray band that extends down the center of the egg case (Figure 6).
Fig 6. Egg Case of The Carolina Mantid (Auth–The Amazing Plant Project)
The egg case of the Chinese mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, is light-brown, approximately 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) long, half-domed shaped, with one end tapered (Figure 7).
Fig 7. Egg Case of Chinese Mantid on Branch (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Egg cases can be purchased from garden centers, nurseries, or mail order sources (Figure 8). Most egg cases for sale are associated with the Chinese mantid, which is not native to North America; however, the species has become naturalized in most regions. The purchase of praying mantid egg cases is not recommended because praying mantids will not effectively regulate most insect pest populations or will not kill enough insect pests to prevent damage. Nonetheless, having praying mantids in the garden provides an educational opportunity for people to observe nature in action!
Fig 8. Product Containing Egg Cases of The Chinese Mantid (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Well, how can I collect and preserve praying mantid egg cases? You can remove the egg case, bring them into the home, and place into a glass jar with a lid that has least 10 small air holes. The warm temperatures inside the home will cause the nymphs to hatch from eggs in four to six weeks. You can delay egg hatch by placing the egg cases into a refrigerator and remove one to two months before you want the eggs to hatch. This will ensure that nymphs are released when the weather is warm so there is no risk of exposure to cold temperatures. The nymphs that emerge will be very hungry. Therefore, immediately release them into the garden, as long as they will not be exposed to freezing temperatures. However, if the nymphs are not released promptly or provided with a food source, they will eat each other (cannibalism) leaving just one large nymph that will not eat for a month.
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