Our peas had aphids too, and we don't even have to discuss the cutworms again. I haven't seen a squash bug yet (knock on wood) but have had three JBs, though that was a couple of weeks ago and I haven't seen any more since then.

Do you have your JB trap or traps out yet?

We do have lots of lady bugs, and not too many potato bugs, but they are not on the potatoes--they're on everything else since I planted the potatoes over 100' west of where they were last year and the CPBs cannot find them. I've seen a few green lacewings and some parasitic wasps, but only 1 assassin beetle so far.

We do have billions of spider mites, just like we did last year, and much earlier in the season than we used to see them in such vast numbers.

Grasshoppers are starting to worry me. On our property, their numners still are small, but at two different properties last week, I saw huge numbers of them. I'm worried they're headed our way.

Grasshoppers and spider mites are almost impossible to control in hot, dry years, so I am afraid it is going to be a really tough summer. No rain fell today and there's not much chance of any rain falling in the next 7 days. I am dreading the start of summer and the onset of the "real" heat.

NO, Not Japanese Beetles this early! Yikes!