Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Have you noticed in the landscape that the sycamores, and to a lesser degree, the plane trees are devoid of leaves? Anthracnose of Platanus species is a well known disease in our area. The disease causes leaf and shoot blight, twig cankers, and branch dieback, and has been particularly severe this spring.
Sycamore anthracnose. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
The fungus Epichloë typhina, several other species of Epichloë, and the closely related asexual species of form genus Neotyphodium, are symbionts of cool-season grasses, which are known as “endophytes.”
Intercellular hyphae of the Neotyphodium endophyte. Photo: Dr. Philip Halisky, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University
Four-lined plant bugs are tearing up in the home landscape this week. This true bug feeds on more than 250 mostly herbaceous and small woody ornamental plants. Like Jack Reacher, they are alert, quick, and difficult to detect.
Piercing-sucking mouthpart of an adult four-lined plant bug. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Red thread has been festering in turfgrass for some weeks now, but really blew up over the last few days. As long as there is plenty of moisture – light rain, heavy fogs, dew – and optimal temperatures (60ºF to- 75ºF) – the fungus that causes red thread, Laetisaria fuciformis, will tear up susceptible grasses.
Pseudosclerotia (red threads) of Isaria fuciformis are clearly evident on red thread infected fine fescue. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Leaf blister on maple? You say no way, leaf blister only gets on oak… A foliar disease that looks very much like anthracnose has appeared on area red maples in the last few days.
Maple leaf blister, caused by the fungus Taphrina carveri. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Several samples of brown ring patch found their way into the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory this week. Sometimes confused with take-all, fairy ring, or yellow patch, this relatively newly described malady of Poa annua putting greens is caused by the fungus Waitea circinata.
Brown ring patch on Poa annua. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
