University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Late Season Insects: Outdoor Invaders and
other Creatures Around the Yard
PJ Liesch UW Insect Diagnostic Lab
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Management of Outdoor “Invaders” § Important clues:
§ Setting in the landscape § Case history § Weather patterns
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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.
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Box Elder Bugs § Boisea trivittata § ~1/2” long § Red and black body § Outdoor Invader
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs § First WI Find: 2010
§ 2015: 30+ cases § 2016: 30+ cases
§ Can breed in Wisconsin (observed 2016)
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Western Conifer Seed Bugs § Leptoglossus occidentalis § ~3/4” long § Brownish body, white “zig-zag” on wings § Outdoor Invader
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Hackyberry Psyllids § Pachypsylla species § ~1/8” long § Grayish body, white banding on wings § Resemble miniature cicadas § Outdoor Invader § Case history & exclusion are key
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Anthocorids Minute Pirate Bugs (Orius species)
Bites during “Indian Summer”
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Ambush Bugs § Jagged Ambush Bugs (Phymata sp.) § Common on flowers (esp. goldenrod) § Ambush predators § ~1/4” long; black and pale colored
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles
§ Harmonia axyridis § ~1/4” long § Usually orange, but highly variable § Stereotypical “ladybug”
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Foreign Grain Beetles (and other Fungus Beetles)
§ Ahasverus advena § ~1/16” long § Small brownish beetle § Two bumps behind head
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Foreign Grain Beetles § Fungal feeders § 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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Firewood Insects Longhorned
Beetles
Wood Wasps
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
§ 1 pairs wings (adults)
§ Complete Metamorphosis
Late Season Fly Pests
1. Cluster Flies 2. Face Flies 3. Fungus Gnats (Occasional)
True Flies: Order Diptera
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Cluster Flies § Pollenia rudis § ~1/4” long § Dark gray body § Thorax covered in fine, golden hairs § Red Eyes
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Cluster Flies: Sources § Outdoor source § 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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Face Flies § Musca autumnalis § ~1/4” long § Very similar to house fly (Musca domestica) § Dark gray body, yellowish abdomen (♂) § 4 dark stripes on thorax § Red Eyes
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Fungus Gnats § ~1/8” long § Variable coloration (often dark) § Wing veins unique § Long antennae § Delicate-looking
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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)
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
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.)
www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/wasp-and-bee-control/
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Orb-Weaver Spiders § Cross Orb Weaver § Marbled Orb Weaver § Shamrock Orb Weaver
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Questions?
Patrick (PJ) Liesch [email protected]
IDL Website: labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/
Blog Website: labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/blog/
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