No. 10/September 1, 2022

Tips for Attracting Monarch Butterflies to Gardens and Landscapes
Last month, the migratory monarch butterfly was added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as an endangered species. IUCN is an international non-profit organization and the world’s leading authority on biodiversity. The IUCN Red List is different than the US Federal Endangered Species list managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, the migratory monarch is not on the US Federal Endangered Species list but will be re-evaluated for endangered status in the future. At this time Illinois applicators are not required to change their operations, but many are wondering what they can do to help our native monarchs.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch of Shade Trees
Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) symptoms are evident on many oaks in central Illinois. This disease causes a slow, multiyear decline and eventually death of the host tree. BLS is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which is also responsible for Pierce’s Disease in grapes and is currently causing widespread damage to the Italian olive industry.

Illinois EPA Announces Temporary Suspension of Household Hazardous Waste Collections
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has announced a temporary suspension of all Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events and locations after a fire occurred at the current disposal facility in Ohio. Illinois EPA is working with the current contractor to evaluate alternatives for disposal. Illinois EPA is suspending the scheduled one-day HHW collections planned for this fall, as well as the long-term HHW disposal facilities in Chicago, Naperville, Lake County, Rockford, and Madison County that Illinois EPA supports, until normal disposal operations can resume.