
This informal report by the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology is a commentary on insects, diseases, and curiosities division staff encounter on a week-to-week basis. Comments and questions about this report are welcome and can be sent to your respective Inspector.
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Inspector Territories
Eric Biddinger (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
Fall is the time that social bee and wasp nests are at their largest population and are most likely to be noticed. I frequently get questions about hives found in buildings or trees and the potential for people to get stung. I often start with these three questions.
First, what kind of insect is it? A cicada killer, while large and intimidating, is quite non-threatening. German yellowjackets or bald-faced hornets, on the other hand, have a mean streak and become quite aggressive when the hive is disturbed. If you need assistance identifying a bee or wasp, please contact your nursery inspector or county Purdue Extension office.
Secondly, where is the nest? For hives high up in trees or in infrequently traveled places on a property, it may be best to simply avoid them. In contrast, a ground nest next to a frequently used sidewalk or a hive next to a front door is a recipe for someone to get stung and may need to be dealt with. Hives inside structures also need to be carefully considered for potential structural damage.
Finally, if you decide to eradicate the nest, is this a DIY job or should you hire a professional? There are several pesticide products available to homeowners. If you use one of these products, read and follow label directions. Very large hives or structural nests may require specialized tools or expertise. Consult with a pest control operator for your best options.
Purdue Extension Social Bees and Wasps Publication
Purdue Extension Solitary Bees and Wasps Publication
Kristy Stultz (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
As we’re all wrapping up regular inspections, there aren’t usually a lot of new things to report, but I came across two items I can’t recall seeing previously, so I thought I’d share.
First is white prunicola scale (Pseudaulacaspis prunicola) as confirmed by Purdue. This is a non-native hard-shell scale making control a little more difficult. The elongated white scale is the males while the females are round. In this picture it appears the female covers are left are from a previous generation. They are identical in appearance to white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona). These two species can actually be differentiated only by a scale expert. P. pentagona is a more southern species where it can have at least three generations a year.
Treatment for both species is the same. While there are natural predators, high populations will likely need more intensive management. Using systemic chemical applications for pests like these needs to be done very cautiously. When a species is insect-pollinated, systemic chemical application, if done at the wrong time, can cause harm to pollinators. As we always say, the label is the law. Read it. Follow it and ensure the timing of application is done to control the problem with the least amount of auxiliary damage.
I also wanted to share a little pic of a Carolina mantid. I don’t see them very often so I spent a little extra time with them during my inspection.
Lastly, remember spotted lanternfly is on the move. Now is a great time to find adults and maybe even some freshly laid egg masses. If you think you’ve spotted SLF in Indiana, we’ve got lots of ways to report it. You can use our online reporting tool, call 866-NO-EXOTIC, or pop us an email
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Angela Rust (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
I’m including photos of a few things found at the end of the inspection season this year.
Ren Hall (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
A couple photos from inspections last week.

The Washington County Extension Board Annual Meeting & 4-H Recognition Banquet is Monday, October 21 at Cornerstone Hall (1500 RC Morris Dr., Salem) at 6:30 pm.
The evening will feature a delicious buffet, 4-H volunteer and youth awards, Extension Board recognition, and Purdue Extension updates.
Donations will be collected to assist Washington County’s Purdue CARET members.
Reservations are required by Monday, October 14, 2024 to Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601.
This event is made possible by generous sponsors.

The 2024 Area 2 Pesticide Applicator Program is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in three locations. RSVP’s are appreciated by Friday, November 8, 2024, but not required.
Clark County Community Building (9608 Highway 62, Charlestown) from 9:00-11:00 am. RSVP to
Washington County Fairgrounds 4-H Building (118 N. Fair St., Salem) from 1:00-3:00 pm. RSVP to
Purdue Extension – Harrison County Office (247 Atwood St., Corydon) from 6:00-8:00 pm. RSVP to
Topics at all three locations:
Cover Crops & Soil Nutrition in a Corn & Soybeans with Introduction to Transitioning to Organic – Ashley Adair, Purdue Organic Ag. Specialist.
Update on Weed Control in Corn & Soybeans – Bill Johnson, Purdue Weed Science Specialist.
Worker Protection Standards/Regulatory Topic – Local Extension Educator
The program and Private Applicator (PARP) credits are free thanks to sponsorship from the Indiana Corn Marking Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance. Commercial applicator credits (1, 11, 14 & RT) are available. Participants receive credit for attending one program.

Free soil sampling program available for Indiana farmers
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 23, 2024) — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations. The program, titled Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program, is open now for applicants through Nov. 1, 2024.
“Soil health is incredibly important, and our farmers remain diligent in protecting and enhancing their farms’ soil properties,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “One way to enhance soil health is to identify nutrient levels via soil sampling. Unfortunately, this can be another expense farmers cannot afford, so we are thankful that with the help of our partners, farmers can sign up to have their soil sampled and tested at no cost.”
ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principle of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The 4R framework incorporates using the “Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place” to achieve cropping system goals. The program focuses on soil sampling and testing because it is a key component, and first step, of developing a plan for nutrient management.
Soil sampling provides an assessment of the soil’s fertility which can be used for making fertilizer application recommendations, assessing available nutrients over time, increase farmer profitability and enhance environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss. This project was developed to help further Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts.
“Farmers bottom lines are tighter than ever, so this free program will be welcomed again with open arms,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb. “Last year’s free soil sampling program was so successful we had to close program sign-ups sooner than anticipated to ensure we had enough available resources, so we are beyond excited to bring this program back to Hoosier farmers this fall.”
This program includes row crop, pasture, hay and specialty crop fields located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin. Eligible landowners will be prioritized by acreage enrolled (i.e., 100 acres or less), fields that have never been soil sampled and fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e., within the last 4 years). Further prioritization may be implemented based on ISDA’s workload capacity. This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns. Interested farmers can sign-up online at ISDA’s website or by reaching out to
Sign-ups begin Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, and ISDA is accepting registrations until Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. To sign up, or if you have any questions, please contact Ophelia Davis at 317-232-0305 or
This program is meant to demonstrate the importance of soil sampling and the valuable information it can provide. This program is not meant to act or replace an operation’s existing soil testing schedule. This program was made possible thanks to ISDA, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA),Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) members, farmers and crop advisors.

The Washington County Sheep Association will hold its 18th annual Midwest Hair Sheep Sale on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. EDT at the Washington County Fairgrounds located at 118 E. Market St. in Salem. Sheep will be penned and ready for viewing by 11 a.m.
Thirty-one rams, 88 ewes, 1 pen of ewes, and 2 flocks from Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia are consigned. Breeds include registered and commercial Katahdins, Dorpers and White Dorpers. A complete listing of consignments is available at: https://extension.purdue.edu/county/washington/index.html.
For more information, contact the Washington County Sheep Association: Aaron Walker, 812-620-3356; Jason Webster, 812-752-5700, or Purdue Extension – Washington County, 812-883-4601.
Anyone wanting to start a flock, add to their flock, or learn more about the hair sheep industry is encouraged to attend this sale.
The Washington County Sheep Association will have concessions available at the sale.
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