White Pine Weevil - Received a sample of WPW from white pine. WPW will feed and develop on white pine, Norway spruce and a few other species of conifers. Look for dead tops in trees and associated weevil larvae under the bark of the terminal leader.
Bark Beetle samples keep coming in to the Lab. Bark beetles will attack dead and dying trees and prefer the twigs. Look for small shotholes on the twigs and the beetles tunnels under the bark. Cut off the dead branch or tree and destroy or remove the infested wood from the site. Treat remaining trees of the same species with Lindane or Dursban if they are stressed. See:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/barkbeet.html
Hickory Leaf Stem Gall Aphid - Look for 1/4 - 1/2" galls on the petiole and stem of hickory. This gall can be serious for new trees but will not harm older established trees. Homeowners will still be concerned about the twigs that fall from the tree. See the fact sheet in the 3-ring binder.
See:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/hickleaf.html
Northern Masked Chafers will start appearing this week following rains. They are small June beetles with black pronotum giving them a "masked" appearance.
Thrips also still very common, associated with dead flowers.
Gnats - I get many calls on annoying gnats in the yard flying into faces and causing general upset to the local inhabitants. The gnats are usually of five kinds: #1 are Midges (Chironomidae) which do not bite but are common near any water or low lying area. There is no good larval control because they can come from a wide area and applying pesticides to water is restricted. The best controls are to: avoid outdoor lighting in the yard just after sunset, wearing of broad brimmed hats, avoiding times of day when the gnats are out, and increasing air flow and wind around the house. Yard and garden foggers will probably give some temporary control.
European hornet - Queen European hornets and other yellowjackets are establishing new nests now and frequently get into houses. Each individual queen will start an individual nest that will eventually have up to several hundred workers.
See my lab homepage: