The most recent Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) cooperative response update was distributed on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, and was used as the single source for this article.

The delimiting surveys are being performed in the village of Bethel and throughout Tate Township in Clermont County in southwest Ohio. This survey work consists of visual surveys of all host trees within a given radius of the initial find. As of July 20, 2011, the following numbers pertain to the delimiting survey activities: the number of ALB infested trees confirmed - 363; the number of trees surveyed on July 19, 2011 - 381; total number of trees surveyed since July 5, 2011 - 10,150; 3.58% of trees surveyed are infested; and the number of square-miles under regulation remains the same - 56.

Key messages being communicated by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) include: residents in the ALB regulated area established for Tate Township within Clermont County cannot move firewood or wood debris outside of the regulated area and outside of East Fork State Park; residents are discouraged from moving firewood and wood debris inside the regulated area; residents can report suspected ALB by calling 1-855-252-6450 end_of_the_skype_highlightingor by going online to http://www.BeetleBusters.info; and residents can also call to report any movement of firewood or wood debris within or outside of the regulated area over the past 5 years.

Regardless of the approach that will be taken to address the ALB infestation in Tate Township, USDA/APHIS wants to assure area homeowners that they will not incur costs for the removals of infested trees by the state or federal government.

ALONG CAME A SPIDER.

There are over 600 species of spiders found in Ohio and most feed on insects. Ohioans may be surprised at the large number of spiders living in their landscaping when heavy morning dews reveal the gossamer creations of these important predators. A few of the more obvious webs currently being seen in landscapes in southwest Ohio are those created by FUNNEL WEAVERS (Family: Agelenidae); SHEETWEB WEAVERS (Family: Linyphiidae); and ORBWEAVERS (Family: Araneidae).

Funnel weavers produce large, flat, sheet-like webs spun across grass, under rocks or boards, or over the branches of shrubs such as yews and junipers. The webs slope gently towards a narrow funnel or tube where the spider resides, awaiting its next victim. The spiders are medium-sized and resemble small wolf spiders. Funnel webs may measure more than 1' across and can become very evident when covered by dew, or when they snare dust during droughty conditions.

Sheetweb weavers construct several types of webs depending upon the spider species. Some species spin flat or slightly curved webs that overlay vegetation and rival the sizes of webs spun by funnel weavers. However, there is no funnel in the web. The spiders hide beneath one edge of the web, or in plant foliage along the edge of the web, to await their prey.

One of the more interesting sheetweb weavers appearing on plants in the southwest part of the state is known as the BOWL AND DOILY WEAVER (Frontinella communis). This spider constructs a distinctly bowl-shaped web suspended from plant stems by a crisscrossing array of silk threads and anchored below by interweaving threads. Flying insects drop into the web-bowl after bouncing in pin-ball fashion off the interlacing silk threads used to suspend the web. Of course, when they drop into the web-bowl, they fall into the "arms" (and fangs!) of the awaiting spider!

Orb weavers create circular webs, as their common name describes. Web construction involves sticky and non-sticky silk. Non-sticky silk is used for "radial threads" which radiate from a central point in a bicycle spoke-like pattern. The non-sticky silk is also used for "frame threads" which encircle the web like a bicycle wheel to hold the radial threads in place and to attach the web to support structures such as plant stems or grass blades. "Spiral threads" are composed of sticky silk arranged in a spiral pattern emanating from the center of the web; it's sticky silk that captures the spider's prey. Orb webs range in size from more than 1' to only a few inches in diameter, depending upon the spider species. Joe Boggs noted that his lawn was covered by orb webs measuring 2-3" in diameter.

Although there are several insecticides labeled for spider control, this is not a recommended practice. Homeowners are urged to practice restraint, appreciation, and understanding. Spiders are very important in reducing insect pest populations; they provide a great service free-of-charge by reducing the need for controlling more significant pests.

BYGL reports are usually focused on plant nasties. However, this week Joe Boggs reported observing one of the most beautiful beetles found in Ohio. The beetle lacks a common name, but is generally referred to as the "DOGBANE BEETLE" because it primarily feeds on dogbane. The beetle's scientific name is Chrysochus auratus, which loosely translates to mean "made of gold."

SQUISHED SQUASH.

Several BYGLers reported that gardeners in Ohio are starting to experience the handiwork of SQUASH VINE BORERS (Melittia cucurbitae). Caterpillars of this moth bore into the stalks of squash, pumpkins, and gourds to feed on the inner tissues causing vines to weaken, and collapse. Heavy infestations can cause lush, full, healthy-looking plants to rapidly wilt, and die.

The moth belongs to the family Sesiidae which is the clearwinged moths. Clearwinged moths are so named because many species lack scales on their wings. They mimic wasps both in the membranous appearance of their wings and the shape of their bodies. However, squash vine borer moths only slightly resemble wasps. Their front wings are covered in dark metallic-green scales, and only their hind wings are clear. The moth's thorax is greenish-black, and their abdomen is a flamboyant reddish-orange topped with a dorsal row of black dots. There is typically only one generation of this moth per season in Ohio; however, occasionally a partial second generation may occur in the southern part of the state. Adults fly during the day, and they may be observed from early-June through early-August.

Management strategies to minimize the overall impact of this insect include: catching and killing moths that are resting on leaves in the afternoon before they lay eggs; hand-picking the dull red eggs from main stems before they hatch; wrapping stems in strips of old nylon to prevent egg laying; and excavating larvae from infested stems then burying the stem nodes to produce new plants. Plants may also be protected by covering them with cloth "row covers" that are available at many garden centers. Of course, covering the plants will also exclude pollinators which means gardeners must hand pollinate flowers.