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Look for
Early Fall Color
B. Rosie Lerner,
Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Purdue University
 Just
as sure as you try to predict the weather, it is likely to change.
But going out on a limb, I predict that we will have an early fall
regarding color display this year. Not a very risky prediction,
considering that many plants already are starting to display their
fall colors! And to go even farther out on that limb, I'll predict
that the colors won't be as brilliant as perhaps they were in some
other years.
So why would the colors
be early and a bit duller than usual? Certainly, some of the reason
why plants display fall colors has to do with the genetic makeup
of the plant. That doesn't change from year to year. But the timing
and intensity of fall colors do vary, depending on factors such
as availability of soil moisture and plant nutrients, as well as
environmental signals such as temperature, sunlight, and length
of day. The droughty conditions experienced over much of the summer
are likely to have decreased the amount of fall color pigment.
Full
Story, http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agcom/newscolumns/archives
/YGnews/2002/September/020905YG.html
Woollybears
and Winter
Timothy J.
Gibb Ph.D., Extension Entomologist, Purdue University
 Woollybears,
also known as woollyworms, are the hairy caterpillars that can be
seen scurrying across the road in front of cars at this time of
year. They are about 2 inches in length and vary in color from tans
to dark brown or even a combination of both, depending on the species.
The caterpillars usually remain unnoticed during most of the summer
months even though they go through two generations. The adult moth
is usually white or yellow with black specks on its wings. It lays
eggs on the undersides of the leaves of trees, shrubs and weeds
by the sides of the road where the caterpillars feed.
Full
Story, http://www.extension.purdue.edu/gardentips/insects/woollyworms.html
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