June Pests

[Ron Scott]

 
RE:  SOME COMMON JUNE PESTS
 
Gypsy moth outbreaks have made the news in parts of the Lower Peninsula, but there are some other common and regular June pests that might be of interest. 
 
Maple petiole borer hits sugar and Norway maples.  Fresh green leaves on the lawn is a good sign.  Wind-torn leaves have the petiole base visible.  The borer "released" leaves haven't this little foot.  See photo below. 
 
Soon, maple tar spot disease will illustrate many residential maples, especially Norway maples.  Generally not a tree health problem, but it can draw queries from curious homeowners. 
 
The spring tent caterpillars are out and about..  There are several species, including the eastern tent caterpillar, the webworms, cankerworms, and the ugly nest caterpillar.  These guys don't typically cause a lot of mortality.  A reminder . . . forest tent caterpillars don't form webs. 
 
There's also been a few outbreaks of spruce budworm, here and there. 
 
One could go on and on and on.  There are lots of Internet resources.  The UPTREEID website contains many of the common forest tree pests. 
 
MSU has a nice bulletin about common oak defoliators, for those with oak concerns.