Springtime temperatures keep the biological calendar moving right along. While the progression of blooms and the activity of insects aren't tied to specific dates on the calendar, but rather, it is a sequence of activity that aligns in the same order year after year.
For example, first bloom of redbud (Cercis canadensis) and the hatch of spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formally the gypsy moth, occur at the same time each year. Each biological event was monitored and growing degree day (GDD) units recorded to confirm the order and what events coincide with each other.
Seasonally, at the beginning of each month, a GDD summary is posted as a BYGL Alert, highlighting the previous months' year-to-date GDD accumulations in 21 Ohio cities.
Here are links to the 2024 GDD Summaries in BYGL:
March, https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2325
February, https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2311
January, https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2307
As new insects are incorporated into the existing biological calendar, it is important to closely monitor the insect - including egg hatch through adult activity. In addition to the insects, it is also important to observe plants too - what is approaching first bloom, in first bloom, and in full bloom. By observing both plants and insects, and checking out the GDD accumulation, we can make sure the biological calendar is spot on!
Speaking of spots - we need your help monitoring the spotted lanternfly!
If you are in an area where the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is known to exist and where egg masses are present, we are encouraging people to monitor for first hatch across the buckeye state in infested counties. You may ask - what counties have known populations? Check out the map below.