Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist

08/28/2026

Has something been eating your tomatoes? It might be a hornworm caterpillar! Those white things are wasp cocoons. It's not a social wasp like you might think of when you hear the word "wasp". These are parasitoid wasps that are solitary and lay their eggs on specific arthropod hosts. The wasp larvae were inside this caterpillar feeding on it, then busted out and made these cocoons. Next, adult wasps will emerge and the caterpillar will die. Parasitoid wasps help us keep plant pests under control! Thanks to Greg Yopp for sending this great photo!

08/18/2026

A fungus that causes laurel wilt can kill a sassafras tree in just a few weeks, and it’s a disease threatening sassafras in Kentucky and other members of the laurel family across the nation. Researchers at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) are studying whether the fungus’ own natural defenses could be used to stop it.

Research UK researchers explore new way to protect trees from invasive diseases By Jordan Strickler Tuesday Laurel wilt can kill a sassafras tree in just a few weeks. UK Researchers are hoping to change that. Photo by Ellen Crocker. LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2026) — A fungus that causes laurel wilt...

08/12/2026

Number of the Day: 80,986

🪰 Field experts have submitted 80,986 flies for identification from traps in AZ, CA, NM, and TX, and so far none have been identified as New World screwworm (NWS). These ongoing monitoring and collection efforts by USDA APHIS and the states provide valuable real-time information to track the presence of sterile and wild NWS flies. Surveillance at work!

Learn more at http://Screwworm.gov

08/11/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reminding everyone that August is Tree Check Month. This is the best time of year for people to look at the trees in their yards and neighborhoods for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB)—a harmful invasive insect that can kill many types of hardwood trees.

August is Tree Check Month! 🌳
USDA-APHIS is asking everyone to take a few minutes to look for the Asian longhorned beetle - an invasive pest that can kill hardwood trees. Spotting signs early helps stop its spread. Learn what to look for and how to report it: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/alb/check-trees

08/10/2026

Come out to Raven Run on August 15 for a fun evening of critters!

This Saturday, Aug 15, 2026, join UK MGCAFE Extension (including reps from UK Entomology and Forestry) and other folks for the Critter Crawl at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 8-10:30pm. Bring a flashlight and your walking shoes to learn about nighttime insects, reptiles, birds, and other Critters! The Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club also plans to be there with telescopes and a universe of information! The event is free!

07/31/2026

"Emerald ash borer was once a topic of fervent discussion amongst entomologists, arborists, and city officials in Kentucky. When this tree devouring beetle first showed up in Kentucky back in 2009, there were federal quarantines put into place and large media blitzes focused on educating the public about this pest. But now that it’s 17 years later, it’s clear that this invasive beetle isn’t at the forefront of people’s minds. This is an issue as there are still counties in Kentucky that haven’t been infested and there are trees in counties that have been long infested that could still be candidates for protection."

Emerald ash borer was once a topic of fervent discussion amongst entomologists, arborists, and city officials in Kentucky. When this tree devouring beetle first showed up in Kentucky back in 2009, …

07/29/2026

Learn more about Spotted Lanternfly in this article from one of our extension entomologists.

Kentucky has been home to spotted lanternfly (SLF) since 2023, when it was first discovered in Gallatin County. Since then, the insect has been discovered in 17 more counties in northern Kentucky. …

07/21/2026

Check out this awesome event happening tomorrow night at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest! Join Kevin Wiener of "All Bugs Go to Kevin" Facebook group, along with Volunteer Naturalists, for an exploration into the mysterious world of moths. You must register by 4 pm today! Registration link is on the caption of the reel.