Late Season Insects: Outdoor Invaders and other Creatures Around the Yard

Transcription

1 Late Season Insects: Outdoor Invaders and other Creatures Around the Yard PJ Liesch UW 1

2 Outdoor Invaders Live outside during warmer months Source varies for each species Seek sheltered overwintering site in the fall Rock piles, hollow logs, beneath bark of dead trees Homes, sheds, farm buildings, etc. Harmless to people/pets/property Won t bite, don t spread diseases, don t damage structures 2

3 Management of Outdoor Invaders Important clues: Setting in the landscape Case history Weather patterns 3

4 Management of Outdoor Invaders Exclusion Critical step! Seal up cracks on exterior of building Insecticides Surface treatment (helps prevent adults from entering) Especially south and west sides of buildings Dust insecticides into cracks where adults might enter Not worth it for insects that have already snuck in Sanitation Best option once insects have gotten indoors Vacuum, sweep, etc. 4

5 True Bugs: Order Hemiptera Simple Metamorphosis Often plant feeders 1. Box Elder Bugs 2. Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs 3. Western Conifer Seed Bugs 4. Hackberry Psyllids 5. Anthocorids (Pirate Bugs) 6. Ambush Bugs 5

6 Boisea trivittata ~1/2 long Red and black body Outdoor Invader Box Elder Bugs 6

7 Box Elder Bugs: Sources Outdoor source: boxelders, silver maples Two generations per year Invade buildings in the fall; looking for overwintering sites Can become active during warm spells; attracted to light at windows Can be active on cool days on southern facing walls 7

8 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys ~1/2+ long Invasive pest from Asia Got in to US in mid 90 s Can attack wide variety of plants outdoors Outdoor invader 8

9 Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs First WI Find: : 30+ cases 2016: 30+ cases Can breed in Wisconsin (observed 2016) 9

10 Western Conifer Seed Bugs Leptoglossus occidentalis ~3/4 long Brownish body, white zig-zag on wings Outdoor Invader 10

11 Western Conifer Seed Bugs: Sources Outdoor source (Conifers) Insignificant damage to trees Invade buildings in the fall; looking for overwintering sites Large size makes them easier to exclude Tend to be a minor pest compared to to Asian lady beetles, box elder bugs 11

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13 Kissing Bug 13

14 Hackyberry Psyllids Pachypsylla species ~1/8 long Grayish body, white banding on wings Resemble miniature cicadas Outdoor Invader Case history & exclusion are key 14

15 Anthocorids Minute Pirate Bugs (Orius species) Bites during Indian Summer 15

16 Ambush Bugs Jagged Ambush Bugs (Phymata sp.) Common on flowers (esp. goldenrod) Ambush predators ~1/4 long; black and pale colored 16

17 Beetles in the Fall Order Coleoptera Complete metamorphosis Some species can fly can show up at homes Late Season Beetle Pests 1. Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle 2. Foreign Grain Beetle 3. Miscellaneous beetles from firewood 17

18 Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles Harmonia axyridis ~1/4 long Usually orange, but highly variable Stereotypical ladybug 18

19 MALB Biology Beneficial Insect: Biological control Predators of aphids & other insects Pest Give other lady beetles a bad name Invade in large numbers in fall; nuisance factor Capable of biting Reflex bleeding; staining Potential to disrupt ventilation 19

20 MALB 20

21 Ahasverus advena ~1/16 long Small brownish beetle Two bumps behind head Foreign Grain Beetles (and other Fungus Beetles) 21

22 Fungal feeders Foreign Grain Beetles Can be a pest of stored grains (i.e., musty grains) Suddenly appear in newly-constructed homes Moisture on framing causes a small amount of fungal growth If in an older house, could indicate a moisture issue 22

23 Foreign Grain Beetles: Management No fungus No fungus beetles Tend to clear up on their own over time Drier air, use of furnace in fall and winter dry out wall voids AC/Dehumidifier may hasten the drying-out process If heavy/persistent infestation: dust formulation for wall voids 23

24 Firewood Insects Longhorned Beetles Wood Wasps 24

25 1 pairs wings (adults) True Flies: Order Diptera Complete Metamorphosis Late Season Fly Pests 1. Cluster Flies 2. Face Flies 3. Fungus Gnats (Occasional) 25

26 Cluster Flies Pollenia rudis ~1/4 long Dark gray body Thorax covered in fine, golden hairs Red Eyes 26

27 Outdoor source Cluster Flies: Sources Larvae are parasites of earthworms Invade buildings in the fall (September); looking for overwintering sites Can become active during warm spells; attracted to light at windows Attics and upper floors 27

28 Musca autumnalis ~1/4 long Face Flies Very similar to house fly (Musca domestica) Dark gray body, yellowish abdomen ( ) 4 dark stripes on thorax Red Eyes 28

29 Face Flies: Sources Outdoor source (primarily rural areas) Larvae only develop in fresh manure (manure management?) Invade buildings in late summer/fall; looking for overwintering sites Can become active during warm spells; attracted to light at windows Attics and upper floors 29

30 Fungus Gnats ~1/8 long Variable coloration (often dark) Wing veins unique Long antennae Delicate-looking 30

31 Fungus Gnats: Sources Indoor or outdoor sources Seen in fall when potted plants brought indoors Fungus feeders Require moisture + organic material Top Locations: Indoor plants (overwatering!) Plumbing leak Bird feces New homes (residual moisture; similar to foreign grain beetle) 31

32 Yellowjackets, Hornets, Paper Wasps Yellowjackets: Vespula sp. Bald-Faced Hornet: Dolichovespula maculata Paper Wasps: Polistes sp. ~1/2-3/4 long Black & yellow or black & white Typical wasp appearance Shape and location of nest helps with identification 32

33 Yellowjackets 33

34 Bald Faced Hornets 34

35 Paper Wasps 35

36 Wasp : Management Annual colonies; don t reuse nest from year-to-year Colonies typically die out on their own in October Avoidance: possible to avoid area until colony dies out? Exclusion: useful for preventing nesting activity next year Insecticides: Aerosols/liquids for exposed nests Dusts for inaccessible nests (ground, wall void, soffit, etc.) 36

37 Cross Orb Weaver Marbled Orb Weaver Shamrock Orb Weaver Orb-Weaver Spiders 37

38 Questions? Patrick (PJ) Liesch IDL Website: labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/ Blog Website: labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/blog/ 38