Rutgers NJAES Wine Grape Extension, in association with Penn State Extension Grape and Wine Team, is calling on those who own, operate, or manage a farm or vineyard in the New Jersey region to participate in a survey that aims to track the spread and severity of nymph and adult spotted lanternfly populations during the 2023 season. The data collected will provide insights into the distribution patterns of both nymph and adult SLF within and outside vineyards, enabling growers and researchers to better understand this invasive pest’s potential impact on agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic region. [Read more…]
Christmas Trees Edition
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Seasonal pest alerts and news about insects, diseases, and weeds impacting Christmas Tree production including Commercial Ag Updates (meetings and marketing); and Pesticide Program updates from the Rutgers Pest Management Office News Blog.
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Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
May 27, 2023 Steven K. Rettke
Beware of Cryptomeria Scales on True Firs within Christmas Tree Farms
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, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
Chlorotic banding & mottling symptoms produced by Cryptomeria scales on Fraser fir (Photo: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
May 24, 2023 Tim Waller
Get ready for bagworms…NOW
Days-old bagworm = critical management target – T. Waller – RCE
Bagworms should begin hatching NOW through – 4 weeks in NJ, beginning in the southern regions. Now is an optimal time to get this pest on your radar and prepare materials or approaches to attack first/second instar caterpillars. The control window for this pest is typically between 600-900 GDD50 when they begin to hatch and become airborne, i.e. the “ballooning” phase. It is important to check for egg-hatch prior to applications for greatest chemical efficacy, and to continue scouting as they often hatch and develop at asynchronous rates.
It is critical to target these insects EARLY!
Bagworm management – mechanical: If eggs have not hatched: hand-remove sacs/bags. Typically female/egg filled sacs are higher in the canopy so keep that in mind while scouting. This removes the problem from the field or landscape.
Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis), spinosad , bifenthrin ), cyfluthrin, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, cyclaniliprole + flonicamid, Lambda-cyhalothrin, cyantraniliprole, Indoxacarb. NOTE – Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments. Follow label exactly.
IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE MATERIALS (Rotate between IRAC groups)
DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.
| BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 5/24/23) | ||||||
| Crop type | Common Name | Scientific Name | GDD Min (50F) | GDD Max (95F) | Reference | Developmental / Target Stage |
| Conifer mostly, many minor hosts | Bagworm | Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis | 600 | 900 | RU | Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW |
| Region | Location | Station | Date (600 GDD) | Date (900 GDD) | *Treatment window | *Bagworm Hatch – Predictions only, SCOUTING is critical! Treat as soon as larvae detected. |
| South | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | 31-May | 14-Jun | 14 days | |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | 9-Jun | 23-Jun | 14 days | |
| North | High Point | NJ59 | 15-Jun | 2-July | 17 days | |
Please download and print the Rutgers Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide or Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting Guide and refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days (GDD)” for additional information. (See pest scouting guides for complete list of references – cited within lists below)
Please SHARE what you SEE!! If you see a pest, disease, otherwise interesting or troublesome issue please report it to the Working Group by following the QR Code on the front of the Pest Scouting Guides or by filling out this reporting form.
May 17, 2023 Tim Waller
Application for Cost-Share Grant Funding for Installation of Deer Fencing on UNPRESERVED Farmland – Out NOW
“The NJDA Deer Fencing Program makes cost-sharing funding available for the installation of deer fencing on unpreserved farms. The program is conducted in accordance with N.J.S.A 4:40-6.1.”
Please click here for the full application, eligibility, and other important information
Timing is important if considering this program. NJDA began accepting applications on 5/15/23.
Conifer Pest and Disease Update 5/15/2023
In this edition:
- Insects – Pest Scouting with growing degree-days (250-600 GDD50)
- Scales
- Mites
- Diseases
- Needle casts (Rhabdocline and Swiss needlecasts – Douglas fir, & Rhizosphaera – spruces)
- Phytophthora
- Soil fertility – resources
Please click “read more” below to get updates on pests, diseases, and other important resources for the week of 5/15/2023.
April 13, 2023 Pat Hastings
EPA Establishes First Pesticide Tolerance for Hemp
[EPA Pesticide Update posted April 13, 2023]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established the first pesticide tolerance for hemp. This tolerance is for the pesticide ethalfluralin. After a robust human health risk assessment, on April 10th, EPA issued a final tolerance rule that established the maximum amount of ethalfluralin residues allowed to remain in or on hemp […]
