Armored scales are generally regarded by green industry plant managers as being one of the more difficult insect pests to control. The Cryptomeria scale (Aspidiotus cryptomeriae ‘Kuwana’) is an armored scale that is notorious for being especially difficult to detect because of the translucent waxy cover. The elongate hemlock scale species resembles this scale, but it has a waxy cover that is caramel brown in color. Although the hosts of Cryptomeria scale can potentially include numerous conifer species, they are most typically found on hemlocks & pines in the landscape and on true firs in production situations such as Christmas tree farms. The damage potential is especially high on true firs.

Signs of Cryptomeria scales beneath needles
(Photo: Steven K. Rettke, RCE)

Chlorotic banding & mottling symptoms produced by Cryptomeria scales on Fraser fir (Photo: Steven K. Rettke)

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Damage from previously active White Pine Weevil larvae (Pissodes strobi) has been evident for the past several weeks on Eastern white pine, Norway spruce, Siberian spruce, Colorado blue spruce, & Douglas-fir. The larvae began feeding within the terminal leaders last April. When the terminal leader is heavily infested, larvae feed side by side in a ring encircling the stem. By late spring or early summer, most White Pine Weevil larvae have pupated & emerged as adults. The terminal leader has become stunted and wilted. It is too late in the season to save the leader and it should be pruned out. To re-establish a new leader and retain the desirable Christmas tree shape read further & follow the procedures suggested.

The 2014 leader & laterals of this Eastern white pine were killed by White Pine Weevils this past spring. Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke of RCE

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Black Vine Weevil Adults Are Noctural and Cause Feeding Damage at Night. Proto Credit: Steven K. Rettke of RCE

Many landscape & nursery managers consistently state that attempting to manage the black vine weevil insect (Otiorhynchus subcatus) as one of the most problematic pests they encounter. These leaf notching weevils feed on many kinds of ornamental plants including yews, rhododendrons, azaleas, laurels, leucothoe, forsythia, euonymus, hollies, viburnum, most deciduous and evergreen shrubs, ground covers and many kinds of perennials and annuals.

Controlling Black Vine Weevil adults during the month of June will prevent egg laying during the weeks of July. This beetle only has one generation a year.

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In the New Jersey region, the late weeks of September & early weeks of October are transition periods for warm season & cool season spider mite species found in landscapes & nurseries. The spruce spider mite & the southern red spider mite are the most common cool season species & they are now “waking-up” from their summer inactive period. Alternatively, the warm season two-spotted spider mite may have stopped feeding or will soon cease. They are rapidly declining & preparing to depart the leaves of their host plants if they have not already done so.

Two-spotted spider mites that produced these stippling symptoms on burning bush this summer are now entering dormancy with the arrival of autumn
(Photo: Steven K. Rettke of RCE)

Spruce spider mites that were previously in a summer dormancy are now resuming activity again on this Frasier-fir as the autumn season arrives (Salem County Nursery)    (Photo: Steven K. Rettke of RCE)

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Magnolia Scales (Neolecanium cornuparvum) & Tuliptree Scales (Toumeyella liriodendri) are both classified within the soft scale group. However, unlike essentially all the other soft scale species they have crawler emergence in August & September instead of in June & July. This fundamental difference is important to recognize in order to time sprays & achieve best controls.

Hatched 1st instar magnolia scale crawlers knocked-off branch onto white paper. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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During the weeks of summer, the symptoms caused by Oak Lace Bugs (Corythucha arcuata) can be a concern to some landscapers & nurserymen. Often times, the infestations are most pronounced on white oaks. From a distance, the stippling of leaves from this piecing-sucking insect can produce symptoms that are similar to those from oak spider mites or classic leaf scorch. Closer inspection determines the identity of the pest.

Oak Lace Bug Severe Symptoms in Late August.  Photo by Steven Rettke of RCE

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