Search

Did you mean
spider

Ash Spider Mite

Encyclopedia Article
Ash spider mites and webbing on tree bark.  Photo by Neric Smith.

The ash spider mite (Tetranychus homorus) can produce a peculiar sight on ash trees in the fall of the year (mid-September). The trunks of ash trees may be covered with silver webbing giving the appearance that the trees have been “wrapped with cellophane.” Under some circumstances, the webbing is so pronounced on the majority of the trees that it appears that they are shrouded in a fog.

Spider Mites on Conifers

Encyclopedia Article

Mites feed externally on conifer tree needles. They use piercing-sucking mouthparts to puncture the plant tissue and feed on the liquid within the cells. Feeding injury causes the foliage to be discolored with very tiny yellowish-green speckles. Severe damage causes “bronzing” eventual browning and needle drop. Close examination of infested foliage may reveal very fine webbing on the stems at the base of the needles.

Spider mites are tiny and difficult to see with the naked eye. A convenient detection technique is to hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and then shake or tap the branch against the paper. The mites, if present, will show up as tiny, slow-moving specks on the paper.

Spider Wasp

Encyclopedia Article

Spider wasps are common insects in Iowa that usually go unnoticed until they are encountered indoors as an accidental invader. Spider wasps are medium sized insects (approximately 1/2 inch long), slender with long spiny legs. The body is usually dark and the wings are smoky black or blue. The wasps are very active and the wings are jerked continuously as the wasp runs about on the ground searching for prey. A prominent characteristic is the curled or spiraled position of the female's antennae.

Two spotted spider mite

Encyclopedia Article
Twospotted spider mit

Spider mites are tiny and difficult to see with the naked eye.  A convenient detection technique is to hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and then shake or tap the branch against the paper.  The mites, if present, will show up as tiny, slow-moving specks on the paper.

Spruce spider mite

Encyclopedia Article

Spider mites are tiny and difficult to see with the naked eye.  A convenient detection technique is to hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and then shake or tap the branch against the paper.  The mites, if present, will show up as tiny, slow-moving specks on the paper.

Wolf and Fishing Spiders

Encyclopedia Article
Female wolf spider carrying young

Wolf spiders and fishing spiders are the largest, and also among the most common of the spiders found in Iowa. Both are outdoor species that do not usually live indoors. They are, however, an occasional "accidental invader" that will wander into houses and buildings by mistake.

Wolf spiders and fishing spiders have good vision and actively hunt and pursue prey during the day. They do not capture their food in a web as do other common spiders with poorer eye sight.

Spider Beetle

Encyclopedia Article

There are several species of spider beetles in the U.S. that infest stored products. While spider beetles are common and widespread, they are not as abundant nor well known as other household pests.

Spider beetles are generally two to five mm long, oval or cylindrical, long-legged and brown in color. Some species have a superficial resemblance to spiders and this is the source of the common name.

Spider Mites

Encyclopedia Article

Spider mites are tiny eight-legged arthropods related to the spiders and ticks. Like the spiders and the ticks mites have no antennae and no wings.  They get from place to place by crawling rather than flying.

Drought-Tolerant Annuals

Most annual flowers require consistent moisture throughout the growing season for adequate growth and bloom. However, there are a few annuals that perform well in dry weather. When other annuals suffer from a lack of moisture, these annuals will flower profusely without a significant rise in the water bill.

All of these drought-tolerant annuals will require water initially to establish a good root system. Once established, however, they require little watering. All perform best in full sun with well-drained soils.

Don't let dry weather stop you from having flowers in your garden. These annuals will tolerate the heat and drought better than we will.

Authors: 

Pests and Disease of Roses

Roses have a number of potential problems that can make them more difficult to grow.  Planting them in a good garden location and selecting a winter-hardy and naturally disease-resistant cultivar is the best way to avoid many problems.

Japanese Beetle on Rose
Japanese beetles are common insect pests on roses.

Authors: 

Pages