MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Identity of caterpillar

Question: Hello!
I am hoping you can identify a caterpillar that I had found on my bronze fennel plant the week of June 9th 2024. I do not recognize it as a swallowtail caterpillar. In fact, I think it might be a moth caterpillar. It had built a white silky cocoon-type structure on the plant. After moving the caterpillar's "home" and it to a bug box, I noticed the caterpillar retreated most of the time into its "home". Today, however, it decided to nestle down into the lining of the bug box. In the first picture below, the measurement between the 2 peach colored dots (at about 9:30 and 10:30 o'clock) is about 2 cm. The caterpillar is about that long. Thank you for any help you can give!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2024, 6:13 PM EDT
response: Here are the two other pictures which I had difficulty sending in previous email.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 19, 2024, 12:55 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Unfortunately we are not sure what type of caterpillar this could be. There are so many various moth caterpillars and they can be difficult to identify between them. Our best advice would be to keep feeding it the fennel and see what it turns into.  Feel free to send back any cocoon or adult photos and we can try then as well.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 5:32 PM EDT
response: Hi, Emily,Thank you for getting back so quickly!  I will continue to care for the caterpillar. Hopefully, it will make it to the adult stage and hopefully it will be one of the harmless moths. Recently, I was thinking it might be a black-patched clepsis...not a good thing to have.   I will send cocoon and adult photos if I am able to get any.   Thanks, again!    Sincerely, Cathy

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 19, 2024, 5:50 PM EDT
response: Although that moth's caterpillar does look similar to the one in your photos, the host plant listing for that species does not include carrot-family members like fennel. Either way, it is a native species of moth, and fennel does not have serious caterpillar pests (aside from gardeners who consider the Black Swallowtail caterpillars nuisance pests when they are abundant).  Cocoon photos will not be distinctive enough, especially since Maryland is home to over 2,700 species of moth documented in the state. (There are only about 160 butterfly species, with just a handful of those being swallowtails.) The adult might have distinctive wing patterns to be identifiable, but we can see what emerges. Science-based ID apps like iNaturalist can also help identify adult insects.  Miri
Something eating my veggies

Question: I am a month into my vegetable garden and have something feasting on the leaves. Attached are k pictures of beans and peppers. Please let me know what you think it is and how to control it. I usually try to be organic but lost a good deal of produce last year to pests so I may choose a non organic solution.

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied June 19, 2024, 9:29 AM EDT
response: Hi Polly,  It might be earwigs? Especially if you're not seeing anything munching. They tend to feed at night.  What you can do is a couple things: 1) wet down and roll up some newspaper and put it in the garden overnight. The next morning, unroll the newspaper and see what you find. Earwigs are attracted to dark, moist areas. 2) use a small cup of oil (any type, any flavor) and bury it so just the lip is sticking up over the edge of the soil - the earwigs will find the oil and drown. This is like a beer trap for slugs.  Insecticides are generally not needed. Consider using some mulch around your plants - like lawn clippings - this may help deter some insect damage and also promote soil moisture and less weeds.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 8:29 PM EDT
response: I didn’t find earwigs. It’s now affecting my roses and my huge raspberry patch, I’m afraid I will loose everything. I have attached more photos. The only insect I see are grasshoppers. Please help, I am frantic. Is there someone that could come out and look at things for a fee. I am willing to treat with a heavy duty insecticide if you think that would help. Thank you.   On 06/19/2024 7:29 AM MDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied June 28, 2024, 9:35 AM EDT
response: Hi Polly,  I believe there are a couple insects. The first is grasshoppers - and we're seeing them all over Larimer County. There is not much you can do at this point. Using insecticides isn't the best solution because grasshoppers are so mobile and they need to actually come in contact with the insects - as such, you could harm/kill beneficial pollinators because so much is flowering in the landscape.  For grasshoppers, cover/net desirable plants. This can include your raspberries and veggies. You can do row netting to prevent feeding. However, understanding there will be some damage is important - it's not practical to cover everything in the landscape.  The roses look like they were chewed by rose slugs/rose sawfly. These insects have come and gone, so control isn't warranted. You can prune off the most affected leaves. They are also chlorotic, so this is a sign of over or underwatering.   For all plants, clear the grass and weeds below them and add mulch - perhaps grass or leave mulch in the garden and wood mulch in the landscape.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 7:06 PM EDT
response: Thank you!  On 06/28/2024 7:35 AM MDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Flower in Howard County Park

Question: Would you please identify this flowering plant found near a thicket of mixed milkweed and wild raspberries.

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 19, 2024, 9:41 AM EDT
response: That looks like it may be a type of Verbascum like this one:  https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2795 It is listed as non-native but not invasive.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much!  On Wed, Jun 19, 2024, 9:41 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 19, 2024, 12:42 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Control of Rose Sawfly Larvae

Question: We had thousands of  Sawfly Larvae on our large Lillan Gibson rose this year. I have have been fairly successful picking them off in past seasons, but their numbers were overwhelming.  Preumambly we now have thousands of the little buggers in the soil around the plant.  

Is there some treatment we can use to get at them before they emernge next spring?  Maybe diatamtious earth or some other natural treatment? I am not fond of insecticide, but could be persuaded.   

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 22, 2024, 7:55 AM EDT
response: Hi Henry, They are such a gross pain ! Hand pick and spray with insecticidal soap. I would experiment with raking around the soil underneath the plants several times after the worms are gone to see if you can disturb the eggs that were laid there. I would also try covering the ground underneath with something you think the worms might not be able to get through. If you have many bushes you might want to try a few different techniques to see what helps. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/roseslug.html#:~:text=Handpick%20larvae%20or%20clip%20off,%2C%20neem%20oil%2C%20or%20spinosad. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/sawflies I hope this helps, Sally Granath St. Louis County MG

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2024, 1:48 PM EDT
response: Thank you  Sally Granath!  I think I'll try putting down newspaper around the rose and see if that helps.     On Sat, Jun 22, 2024 at 6:55 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Crab apple tree dying

Question: Our crab apple tree blossomed this spring and looked healthy until the past couple of week. Now large sections of branches have leaves turning brown and dropping off.  What is causing this and is there anything we can do to save the tree?

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied June 18, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT
response: Apple scab is a likely culprit, caused by the wet weather this year. It will not kill the tree, it will just look bad this year. See these web pages.  https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/crabapple/

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2024, 8:03 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for the information!   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 4:53 PMTo: bdiederichs <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Crab apple tree dying (#0143534)
tickseed coreopsis won't bloom

Question: I have a wildly spreading bunch of seemingly healthy tickseed coreopsis.  The plants look really good but this is the second year that it is not blooming.  I have had it 10 years and most years it has done well.

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied June 19, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT
response: Amount of sunshine is a key factor.  They must have 6-8+ hours of sunlight.  With the crowding they may not get that.  I would thin them out.  You could also get a soil sample to determine if your soil is lacking anything. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2024, 1:54 PM EDT
response: Is it possible they have a disease?  Someone suggested Aster Yellows but the plant looks good except for the fact that the buds never open.    Thanks for your help! Susan   On Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 5:02 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied June 20, 2024, 3:02 PM EDT
response: Deformed flowers are a more common sign.  And there are usually other problems as well.  See the following website for more detailed information. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/aster-yellows
Spider ID

Question: I cannot ID this impudent beast. Found on my ground apartment wall. Photo is 5X so I could see features better

responder: Jessie, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied June 19, 2024, 4:54 PM EDT
response: Hi Carol.  Thanks for contacting the UVM Extension Master Gardener helpline.  We don’t usually id insects, but in this case, we ran it by the UVM entomologist, Dr. Margaret Skinner.  She tentatively identified the spider as a zebra jumping spider, Salticus scenicus. It is beneficial because it feeds on insects considered pests. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68901-Salticus-scenicus  Hope this helps.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2024, 7:47 AM EDT
response: Thank you. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 19, 2024, at 4:54 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿
Chestnut Tree transplant

Question: I recently transplanted a chestnut tree that was too close to the house. Have been watering it daily. It appeared to be doing well, but now I’m noticing browning of some of the leaves mostly towards the top of the tree. Any advice?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 19, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT
response: Hi Sandy, I'm not at all sure what is causing the browning on the leaf margins.  My first guess would be transplant shock. It's going to take the tree some time to replace all the fine roots and get itself established.  You might contact Bert Cregg (<personal data hidden>).  He is a woody plant physiologist and may have some other ideas. I know I planted a chestnut tree on my property in Clinton County.  That Clinton County clay was not good - chestnuts like sandy soil.  My tree declined for a couple of years, then died.  Hopefully you have a better site! Deb

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 21, 2024, 1:56 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Deb, for your answer. Will give the tree some time and hope for the best!Sent from my iPhone On Jun 19, 2024, at 1:12 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿
Oak tree type

Question: We transplanted this oak sapling in our yard and are having trouble identifying the type of oak that it is. Would you know?

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied July 12, 2024, 3:28 PM EDT
response: Hi Kate,  It appears to be a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). But if it was a seedling or naturally occurring, many of the oaks freely hybridize with each other. But there at least a bur oak parent.  These can be very large trees - so hopefully it has space to grow. They are beautiful trees and can be very majestic. Enjoy!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 15, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT
response: Dear Dr. O’Connor,   Thank you very much for your reply! There is a large bur oak like this across the street and we were hoping ours would get that big, but it did not survive the heat. Can you recommend a nice species of oak that will get large (~30-50 feet tall and wide) for an unshaded yard in Boulder? I read that chinkapin oaks are native and may do well in the sun. We will plant this fall perhaps.   Best regards, Kate       From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 1:29 PM To: Kate Remley <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Oak tree type (#0143462)

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied July 15, 2024, 6:14 PM EDT
response: Hi Kate,  Chinkapin isn't native to Colorado, but it is native to North America. It's an excellent tree and one that has done extremely well in the Front Range.  Other oaks to consider: Texas red oak, Shumard oak, and swamp white oak.   You may also consider contacting the City of Boulder Forestry office, as they may have other recommendations. There are two aliments affecting oak - drippy blight and kermes scale. They may have options of oaks that are less prone to these issues. https://bouldercolorado.gov/government/departments/forestry

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much!  On Jul 15, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:    ﻿
Redbird in a tree dying

Question: I have a red bird in a tree that seems to be dying standby stand. It will wilt from the top to the bottom. It had a foot and I treated it for a aphids . There are no signs of insects on the plant or around the base or in the dirt. Could it be water? I have had this plant for several years and have not changed my watering habits. Any suggestions?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 19, 2024, 4:04 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon! Is it just one part of the plant that is wilting like that or the entire plant? It looks like it is something with the vascular system - maybe damage to the base of that plant or the stem? I would suggest removing that section of the plant and see if there is any damage around the root system. Has there been soil disturbance at all? Thanks so much! Rachel

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 7:51 PM EDT
response: Hi Rachel, thank you for the reply, but I do not think that is the issue. The ground has not been disturbed and it is slowly dying standby stem I can remove the wilted stand, but it’s eventually taking the whole plant. Any other thoughts?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 21, 2024, 11:37 AM EDT
response: Can you send me more photos of the base of the plant? Has anything else in the area changed? Some other ideas could be an insect, root issue or something burrowing under the plant? Are you noticing any signs of those? Thanks!Rachel

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 21, 2024, 10:05 PM EDT
response: Hi Rachel, Here are a few more photos. You see healthy branches, and dying branches every day healthy branch starts wilting. There are no signs of bugs like I stated previously I have treated it for Aphids which I’ve never had that issue before. There are no signs of bugs on the plant or at the surface by the roots I dug slightly around to see if I see any type of grub. I think I’m going to dig it up and really see what’s at the bottom. I have nothing to lose at this point. The plant is slowly dying. I think that’s the only way I am going to really figure this out unfortunately, I will lose the plant one way or the other. Thank you for any all your help. Let me know if you have any other ideas.
Apparent Sawfly Infestation on Hybiscus

Question: Hello! Can you tell by the photos whether we have a sawfly infestation on our hybiscus? If yes, is there anything we can apply, like diatomaceous earth, or is it strictly leaf removal and pick off the larvae? Thanks!

responder: Laura, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied June 19, 2024, 11:12 AM EDT
response: Thank you for contacting the UVM Master Gardener Helpline with your question. Your photographs were very helpful. Ann, the Director of the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, confirmed your suspicion that you have a sawfly. She recommended that you try an insecticidal soap or neem. She is not sure that diatomaceous earth would do anything.  We offer a few links that you might find helpful: University of Maryland publication entitled “Sawflies”: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/sawflies/ University of Minnesota Extension: publication entitled “Sawflies”: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/sawflies North Carolina State Extension publication entitled “Hibiscus Sawfly”: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/hibiscus-sawfly Finally, the Pacific Northwest Extension Pest Management Handbooks site has an article entitled “Landscape pests-Sawfly”: https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/common/landscape-sawfly We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 6:22 PM EDT
response: Thank you!Sent from my iPhone On Jun 19, 2024, at 11:12 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 20, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Your very welcome!
What insect is this?

Question: We've lived in a semi rural township in Stearns county for five years and have never had these bugs until a few weeks ago.  I looked through your identifying page, but didn't think I found anything that matched.  Do you have any opinion on what it might be?  Thanks for your time.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 19, 2024, 9:05 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your question. This insect is a Hairy-Backed Girdled Springtail (Orchesella cincta). If you enlarge the pic that you sent, you can observe protruding hairs along its side. Hence the name it has. I could not find any recent reports of its being found in Stearns County; it has been found in Hennepin County. Here is some information about it and more generally, springtails: http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Springtails/belted_springtail.html https://bugguide.net/node/view/2074430 https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/springtails https://vegedge.umn.edu/insect-pest-profiles/springtails https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchesella_cincta Thanks for consulting us. Please get back to us with any further, related questions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 9:28 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your reply and information!  On Wed, Jun 19, 2024, 8:05 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 19, 2024, 10:10 PM EDT
response: Glad to be of assistance.  Thanks again for using our forum.
Petunia problem

Question: My petunia was looking so good and now it looks terrible. Any ideas on how to fix it?

responder: Thank you for your question! Jean P.   Replied June 10, 2024, 9:02 PM EDT
response: Hi Angela, Often times, annuals have been growing in pots for several months by the time we purchase them and are already mature. This is not uncommon in petunias. You can give this plant a bit of a 'haircut' by cutting the stems back by about half and giving it some water soluble fertilizer. You can also give it some slow release fertilizer that will feed it for the next several months. Both can be found at many garden centers, nurseries, box stores and farm supply stores. Be sure to follow the package directions for application rate and timing of fertilizing.  This article shows how and where to cut back leggy plants.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 11, 2024, 6:25 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much. I will try this!! On Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 9:02 PM Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Thank you for your question! Jean P.   Replied June 12, 2024, 1:47 PM EDT
response: You're welcome. Good luck

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2024, 10:09 AM EDT
response: I gave my petunias a trim but they seem to be still suffering.  the stems feel hard/brittle, did I kill it? Is it fixable?   On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 1:47 PM Michigan State University <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Thank you for your question! Jean P.   Replied June 22, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT
response: Hi Angela, No, you didn't kill your petunia. It has been really, really hot in Southeast Michigan and it has only been a couple of days.  You may want to remove it from the hanging basket that it came in. Often times, those don't have enough space for all the roots. Instead of setting that white pot onto the large brown pot, go ahead and add potting mix to the brown pot. Remove the wire hangers, then invert the white pot so that the plants slide out. Set that plant mass into the filled brown pot and backfill around the plant mass with potting mix. Ensure that you have a good inch between the brown pot rim and the plant mass. That allows you to water it really really well. If you have a bit of mulch left over from your garden, you could add a couple handfuls to the top of the planter to help retain the moisture.  Also be sure to give them a water soluble fertilizer according to the package directions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT
response: Ok. Thank you for the response. I will try your repotting advice. Thanks again for your help!!  On Sat, Jun 22, 2024 at 5:12 PM Michigan State University <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Thank you for your question! Jean P.   Replied June 25, 2024, 9:41 AM EDT
response: You're very welcome.