Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

April 6, 2021

Eastern Tent Caterpillar: The Landscape Harbinger of Spring

Throughout much of NJ during this week, the growing degree days (GDD) will be increasing consistently. By the end of the week, many areas will exceed 90 GDD, which means the eastern tent caterpillars will begin to hatch. Not all eggs will hatch at once since a staggered hatching period will potentially increase survival rates if the weather happens to cool again.

The photographs of the eastern tent caterpillar’s life cycle included in this blog were all taken during the spring of 2016 at the same site in Freehold, NJ. They are placed in chronological order covering a time span of 10 weeks from 1st egg hatch on 3/23/16 to late pupation on 6/2/16. In 2016, central NJ experienced a relatively warm early spring that enabled the speedy first hatching.

Date: 3/23/16 (No hatch). Do you see it? One inch long Tent Cat egg mass overwinters encircling 2-3 year old twigs. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Date: 3/23/16 (No Hatch). Close-up of the Tent Cat egg mass. It has the appearance & feel of styrofoam. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
March 29, 2021

Nursery Pest Scouting Guide: 60-150 Growing Degree-days & Boxwood Blight Information

Pest Scouting:

Please print or download the two resources of this post (click on them): 

The information provided in the downloads gives scouting ranges (in growing degree days, base 50F) for specific insect pests harming nursery crop production and maintenance. Additionally, forecasting predictions (GDD50 accumulation) for calendar dates of multiple regions of New Jersey (S,N,C) are provided.

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Scouting Ranges:

  • This document supports scouting, it does not replace it. Keeping good notes on pest development will help dial in scouting and treatment efforts at your local level.
  • It is important to note that these GDD50 are not exact, rather provide a range of GDD and subsequent calendar dates that can be used to scout for, and treat for, insect pests.
  • The pests listed here will be listed again in future scouting range announcements as they undergo further developmental life stages or are vulnerable to management options.
  • If you need more information, OR you are regularly seeing specific pest development stages at growing degree-days different than those listed here, please contact Tim Waller at twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

GREAT RESOURCE from Steve Rettke: “Landscape Pest Notes: Some Early Spring Insects/Mites”

 

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 3/29/2021
Region Location April 1st May 1st June 1st July 1st August 1st
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 75 185 591 1269 2111
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 61 142 490 1111 1906
Northern High Point (NJ59) 24 30 242 695 1301
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges  (60-150 GDD50) 
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis 69 157 RU Spring hatch
Conifer Eastern pine shoot borer Eucosma gloriola 75 200 4 1st adults active
Malus, Prunus, many Eastern tent caterpillar Malacosoma americanum 90 190 2 Larvae treatment before tents apparent
Many Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar 90 448 RU Larvae treatment (early instars)
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 90 180 4 1st adults active – Douglas fir
Conifer Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 100 150 4 Stem mothers present (control target)
Conifer Pine engraver (Ips bark beetle) Ips spp. 100 150 4 1st adults active
Conifer European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 100 195 4 1st larvae active
Pieris Andromeda lace bug Stephanitis takeyai 115 279 RU Nymphs (1st generation)
Azalea Azalea lace bug Stephanitis pyrioides 118 372 RU Nymphs (1st generation)
Conifer Larch casebearer Coleophora laricella 120 150 4 Egg hatch
Conifer Nantucket pine tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana 121 448 RU 1st generation egg hatch
Birch Birch leafminer Fenusa pusilla 123 290 RU Adults – egg laying
Many Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar 145 200 4 Egg hatch, 1st larvae
Holly Holly leaf miner Phytomyza ilicis 147 265 RU Adults – egg laying
Many Cankerworms, inch-worms, loopers (many) 148 290 2 Larvae treatment
Lilac, ash, privet, many Lilac / Ash Borer Podosesia syringae 148 299 2 Adult flight
Yews, Rhododendrons, many Black Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus 148 400 2 Pupation / Adult emergence
Dogwood, many Dogwood Borer Synanthedon scitula 148 700 2 Adult activity
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 150 175 4 1st egg hatch
Conifer Spruce needleminer Endothenia albolineana 150 200 4 1st larvae active
Conifer Balsam gall midge Paradiplosis tumifex 150 300 4 Adults laying eggs
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
4 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects

 

Boxwood Blight risk-model information, considerations, and links:

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/29/2021
Region Location CODE 29-Mar 30-Mar 31-Mar 1-Apr 2-Apr
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Please check your local boxwood blight risk at (https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app)

 

Considerations:

Become a Boxwood Blight Advocate to receive quarterly updates (through the Horticultural Research Institution)

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
March 28, 2021

Landscape Pest Notes: Some Early Spring Insects/Mites

The accumulation of heat units (Growing Degree Days (GDD)) is increasing rapidly across many areas of New Jersey as we soon enter into the early weeks of April. If past histories or present-day monitoring indicate the need for interventions, then the best control windows for an increasing number of insect/mite pests are beginning to occur. The following is an incomplete listing of a handful of some of our early season landscape pests that may need to be scouted & possibly controlled. The insect/mite pests included here are: Hemlock Rust Mites; White Pine Weevils; Native Holly Leafminers; European Pine Sawflies; Honeylocust Spider Mites; White Pine Aphids; and Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgids.

Inspecting plant

As our landscapes start  to “wake-up” with warming temperatures, the insect & mite pests will begin activity. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Person spraying for pests

When monitoring indicates controls are warranted, then pesticides can prevent early spring pests from building-up. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
March 23, 2021

Control of Nuisance Fungi in Landscape Mulch

Overview:

When used properly, mulches and composts can improve soils and provide many beneficial effects to plant health and vigor. Undesirable nuisance fungi, however, may also occur when different types of mulches or composts are used under certain conditions. Some of the more common examples of these nuisance fungi include the shotgun or artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus), slime molds (Physarum), stink horns (Mutinus), bird’s nest fungi (Crucibularium), toadstool mushrooms, and several plant pathogens. Although these nuisance fungi are mostly natural decomposers of organic matter and most of them are harmless, this blog discusses how the various nuisance fungi sometimes associated with mulches and composts can be controlled or minimized.

Organic mulch

Organic landscape mulches & composts under certain conditions can promote nuisance fungi. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Stone mulch

Although stone mulch will certainly eliminate any growth of nuisance fungi, it does not benefit plant health. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
March 22, 2021

Nursery Pest Scouting Guide: 25-60 Growing Degree-days (Southern NJ will hit approx. 45 GDD by Friday)

Please print or download the two resources of this post (click on them): 

The information provided in the downloads gives early season scouting ranges (in growing degree days, base 50F) for specific insect pests harming nursery crop production and maintenance. Additionally, forecasting predictions (GDD50 accumulation) for calendar dates of multiple regions of New Jersey (S,N,C) are provided.

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Scouting Ranges:

  • This document supports scouting, it does not replace it. Keeping good notes on pest development will help dial in scouting and treatment efforts at your local level.
  • It is important to note that these GDD50 are not exact, rather provide a range of GDD and subsequent calendar dates that can be used to scout for, and treat for, insect pests.
  • The pests listed here will be listed again in future scouting range announcements as they undergo further developmental life stages or are vulnerable to management options.
  • If you need more information, OR you are regularly seeing specific pest development stages at growing degree-days different than those listed here, please contact Tim Waller at twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of
NJ – Region Location March 1st April 1st May 1st June 1st July 1st
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 0 48 157 564 1241
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 0 26 107 455 1076
Northern High Point (NJ59) 0 5 11 224 676
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges  (25-60 GDD50) 
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 25 100 3 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Northern pine weevil Pissodes approximatus 25 100 4 1st adults active
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 25 100 3 1st larvae active
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 25 120 3 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 25 220 4 1st adults active
Shade trees European fruit lecanium Parthenolecanium corni 35 145 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Many, evergreen Euonymus scale Unaspis euonymi 35 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 35 145 1 Hatched larvae
Conifer Fletcher scale Parthenolecanium fletcheri 35 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer European pine shoot moth / borer Rhyacionia buoiana 50 220 4 1st larvae active
Maples Maple bladdergall mite Vasates quadripedes 58 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Honeylocust Honeylocust plant bug Diaphnocoris chlorionis 58 246 2 Nympths / adults active
Conifer Pine tortoise scale Toumeyela parvicornis 58 148 2 Cralwer activity
Conifer Pine bark adelgid Pineus strobi 58 618 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 60 100 4 Egg hatch
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
4 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery

 

(Please note: we will be providing pest GDD ranges regularly throughout the season for our green industries)

 

Important notes about growing degree-day models:

  1. These models do not replace scouting. They should guide scouting efforts and pest management programs, once the vulnerable life stage or economic threshold of a pest is recorded. Observations at a local level for specific pests is critical to IPM efforts and further refinement of degree-day-based predictions.
  2. GDD50 values for pest development are not exact, rather they should be viewed as a range. 
  3. The growing degree-day model (GDD50) is general by design. Some insect pests have specific formulas for their growth and development (some examples here). However, the GDD50 model is useful for many pests and plant species.
  4. Many GDD50 target values were developed in other parts of the country and should be ‘ground truthed’ at a local level. Blind applications of pesticides, without truthing pest development, may not deliver desired outcomes.
Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
March 18, 2021

Early Season Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting List Using Growing Degree-days (base 50F)

Please print or download the two resources of this post (click on them): 

The information provided in the downloads gives early season scouting ranges (in growing degree days, base 50F) for specific insect pests harming conifer and Christmas tree production and maintenance. Additionally, forecasting predictions (GDD50 accumulation) for calendar dates of multiple regions of New Jersey (S,N,C) are provided.

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Scouting Ranges:

  • This document supports scouting, it does not replace it. Keeping good notes on pest development will help dial in scouting and treatment efforts at your local level.
  • It is important to note that these GDD50 are not exact, rather provide a range of GDD and subsequent calendar dates that can be used to scout for, and treat for, insect pests.
  • The pests listed here will be listed again in future scouting range announcements as they undergo further developmental life stages or are vulnerable to management options.
  • If you need more information, OR you are regularly seeing specific pest development stages at growing degree-days different than those listed here, please contact Tim Waller at twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of
NJ Region Location March 1st April 1st May 1st June 1st July 1st
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 0 24 133 540 1217
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 0 14 95 443 1064
Northern High Point (NJ59) 0 1 7 220 672
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Early Season Conifer Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges Starting (0-300 GDD50)
Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer rust mites Eriophyidae 7 22 4 Overwintering eggs hatch
Eastern pine weevil Pissodes nemorensis 7 58 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
Taxus mealybug Dysmicoccus wistariae 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Cottony taxus scale Pulvinaria floccifera 7 91 6 Spring control of overwintering stage
Elongate hemlock scale Fiorinia externa 7 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 7 121 RU Overwintering eggs hatch
Pales weevil Hylobius pales 7 121 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
White pine aphid Cinara strobi 22 91 RU Spring control of overwintering stage
Pine bark adelgid Pineus strobi 22 58 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Spruce bud scale Physokermes piceae 22 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Juniper scale Carulaspis juniperi 22 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 25 100 3 spring control of overwintering stage
Northern pine weevil Pissodes approximatus 25 100 4 1st adults active
Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 25 100 3 1st larvae active
Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 25 120 3 Spring control of overwintering stage
White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 25 220 4 1st adults active
European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 35 145 1 Spring control of overwintering stage
Fletcher scale Parthenolecanium fletcheri 35 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
European pine shoot moth / borer Rhyacionia buoiana 50 220 4 1st larvae active
Pine tortoise scale Toumeyela parvicornis 58 148 2 Cralwer activity
Pine bark adelgid Pineus strobi 58 618 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 60 100 4 Egg hatch
Eastern pine shoot borer Eucosma gloriola 75 200 4 1st adults active
Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 90 180 4 1st adults active – Douglas fir
Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 100 150 4 Stem mothers present (control target)
Pine engraver (Ips bark beetle) Ips spp. 100 150 4 1st adults active
European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 100 195 4 1st larvae active
Larch casebearer Coleophora laricella 120 150 4 Egg hatch
Nantucket pine tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana 121 448 RU 1st generation egg hatch
Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar 145 200 4 Egg hatch, 1st larvae
Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 150 175 4 1st egg hatch
Spruce needleminer Endothenia albolineana 150 200 4 1st larvae active
Balsam gall midge Paradiplosis tumifex 150 300 4 Adults laying eggs
Spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana 200 300 4 1st larvae active
Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 200 310 4 1st galls visible – Spruce
Arborvitae leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 245 360 4 Larvae in mines; 1st generation
Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 250 310 4 Egg hatch, galls begin forming
Pine needle scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 298 448 4 1st generation egg hatch
Pine root collar weevil Hylobius radicis 300 350 4 1st adults active
Turpentine beetle Dendroctonus terebrans 300 350 4 Parent beetles colonizing brood material
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
4 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery

(Please note: we will be providing pest GDD ranges regularly throughout the season for our green industries)

 

Important notes about growing degree-day models:

  1. These models do not replace scouting. They should guide scouting efforts and pest management programs, once the vulnerable life stage or economic threshold of a pest is recorded. Observations at a local level for specific pests is critical to IPM efforts and further refinement of degree-day-based predictions.
  2. GDD50 values for pest development are not exact, rather they should be viewed as a range. 
  3. The growing degree-day model (GDD50) is general by design. Some insect pests have specific formulas for their growth and development (some examples here). However, the GDD50 model is useful for many pests and plant species.
  4. Many GDD50 target values were developed in other parts of the country and should be ‘ground truthed’ at a local level. Blind applications of pesticides, without truthing pest development, may not deliver desired outcomes.

 

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