Dog-Day Cicadas Are Still Singing, but Cicada Killer Wasps Aren’t Fans

Full side view of the dog-day cicada showing the black eyes & dark green body coloration plus the clear wings with green veins. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

They Get No Respect:

For at least the past 7-8 weeks, the annual “dog-day” cicadas (Neotibicen canicularis) have been heard singing throughout many NJ locations.They tend to get little respect or media attention & could be called the “weak sister” of the far more publicised periodical cicada species that were present this past spring. The annual cicadas species have less dense populations & their lifecycles are usually 2-3 years compared to the 13-17 years for the periodical cicada species. However, the dog-day cicada emergence is not synchronized, therefore some will emerge every year. Like periodical cicadas, the dog-day males also sing to females to attract a mate. However, the dog-day cicada “electric buzz-saw” screams are not synchronized & even though each individual male is loud, they are not nearly as deafening nor continuous as the noise produced by periodical cicadas. Each male sings for only about 15 seconds & when their numbers in an area are relatively sparse, there is typically many intermittent periods of silence. When populations are more dense, then there may be a continuous non-synchronized buzzing sound that emanates throughout an area.

[Read more…]

Register now for NJNLA Summer Plant Symposium – New Date – Sept. 21st – 9am-4:30pm – in cooperation with RCE

POSTPONED UNTIL 9/21/2021

Looking for educational content and multiple forms of recertification credits?  

Click here for program information and to register

This year, NJNLA’s Summer Plant Symposium will be at Fernbrook Farms’ outdoor tented area – September 2nd – (9am -3pm with optional credit bearing tour until 4:30pm) – IN-PERSON – Following all CDC guidelines 

Speakers are Steve Rettke and Bruce Crawford (Rutgers University), Randi V. Wilfert Eckel, Richard A. McCoy, and Keynote Speaker Dr. Douglas Tallamy 

Multiple types of credits available:

TALK CREDITS:

  • NJ Pest: Core – 2, 3A – 4, 3B – 2, 8C – 4, PP2 – 4
  • PA Pest: PC – 4, 06 – 4, 18 – 4, 23 – 4
  • ProFACT (Fertilizer): 2 Credits
  • LTE/LTCO: 2.5 Credits
  • NJUCF: 4 Credits
  • ISA: 5 Credits
  • APLD: 5 Credits
  • CNLP: 1 Design, 1 Plants, 2 Environment, 1 Professional
  • NALP: 5 Credits

OPTIONAL TOUR CREDITS (after main event):

  • NJ Pest: 3A – 2, 10 – 2, PP2 – 2
  • LTE/LTCO: .5 Credits
  • NJUCF: 1 Credits
  • ISA: 1.5 Credits
  • APLD: .75 Credit
  • CNLP: .5 Environment, 1 Professional
  • NALP: 1 Credit

 

NJDEP has extended 100% online pesticide credits (CEUs) for applicators with recertification periods ending Oct. 31 2021 and now 2022

NJDEP has extended 100% online pesticide recertification credits (CEUs) for applicators with 5-year recertification periods ending Oct. 31 2021 AND now 2022 (NOTE: if your recertification periods ends in 2023 or beyond, you will still be held to only acquiring 25% of your recertification credits via online means, as of now).

Update from the  NJDEP’s PCP website (click here for more information)

“Based on the current COVID 19 public health emergency, the Department has extended an interim policy allowing 100% online CEUs for remaining credits to accommodate for applicators whose 5-year recertification cycle ends October 31, 2021 and 2022. To verify if you are eligible, please click HERE.

Numerous online CEU courses are available and the Department continues to work directly with course providers to maintain an adequate number of online courses and CEUs while ensuring providers adhere to minimal online modality standards including student ID verification and class monitoring. For a list of available online CEU courses and providers, please click HERE.

Based on this interim policy, license recertification dates will not be extended. The Department anticipates that those licenses expiring in 2023 and beyond will be held to the standard maximum of 25% online training CEUs, however further policy adjustments will be considered based on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Nursery – Pest Scouting Guide for August – Reminders – Need a few more nurseries for Phytophthora sampling

NURSERY PEST SCOUTING GUIDE – August (1300-2200 GDD50)

Please download and print the pest scouting guide resource (printable version of the information below for your desk or truck) –(click on the link and then print)

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 8/4/2021
Region Location 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 2145 2931 3477 3682
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 1896 2630 3109 3249
Northern High Point (NJ59) 1490 2045 2352 2384
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

(Same material as downloads)

Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges  (1600-3000 GDD50) 
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 1570 1860 Udel. 2nd generation egg hatch
Many Two-banded Japanese weevil Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus 1644 2271 RU Adults
Willow Willow twig aphids Lachnus spp. 1644 2271 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Juniper webworm Dichomeris marginella 1645 1917 RU Larvae Treatment
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1700 RU Prophylactic 2nd generation treatments
Conifer Cryptomeria scale Aspidiotus cryptomeriae 1750 2130 RU, 4 Crawlers emerge (2nd generation)
Many Obscure scale Melanaspis obscura 1774 6 Egg hatch / crawler
Oaks Oak skeletonizer Bucculatrix ainsliella 1798 2155 RU Larvae
Conifer Arborvitae leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 1800 2200 RU Larvae Treatment (3rd generation)
Mimosa, Honeylocust Mimosa webworm Homadaula anisocentra 1800 2100 RU Larvae (2nd generation)
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 1850 1950 RU Galls open (Spruce)
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 1878 2318 Udel. 2nd generation Adults feeding
Turf Hairy chinch bug  Blissus leucopterus 1903 2160 RU Second generation- 50%- 2nd instars
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1917 2033 RU Nymphs
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 1917 2154 5 Treatment window (adult flight-1700 GDD)
Mainly Oaks Orangestriped oakworm Anisota senatoria 1917 6 Egg hatch – early instars
Conifer White pine aphid Cinara strobi 1991 2271 RU Adults
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 2032 2150 5 Adults/nymphs (3rd generation)
Maple Sugar maple borer Glycobius speciosus 2032 2375 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Maskell scale lepidosaphes pallia 2035 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Mainly Tulip Tulip tree scale Toumeyella liriodendri 2037 2629 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Mainly Magnolia Magnolia scale Neolecanium cornuparvum 2155 2800 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 2235 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Locust Locust borer Magacyllene robiniae 2271 2805 5 Typical treatment window
Poplar and Willow Poplar and willow borer  Crytorhynchus lapathi 2271 2806 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Spruce spider mite  Oligonychus ununguis 2375 2806 5 Typical treatment window – fall activity
Many Southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis 2500 2700 5 Typical treatment window
Maple Japanese maple scale Lopholeucaspis japonica 2508 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Yew, many conifers Fletcher Scale (Yew) Parthenolecanium fletcheri 2515 2800 RU Fall control of overwintering stage
Conifer Elongate hemlock scale  Fiorinia externa 2515 2625 RU Typical treatment window – fall activity
Hardwoods Fall webworm Hyphantria cunea 2793 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 2800 3000 3 Fall control of overwintering stage
Conifer Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 2800 3000 3 Fall control of overwintering stage
Note: Growing degree-day values utilize daily average air temperatures with a minimum temperature threshold (a.k.a. ‘base’) of 50F = GDD50 (max. temp. threshold set at 95F). These values are accumulated from a biofix date, such as January or March 1st in the NE USA. Provided GDD50 are scouting ranges and should be truthed. References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape 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
Daily GDD50 =                                                                                                  (Max + Min temp.) / 2 – 50 (min temp. threshold) 6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)-evolving GDD ranges
Compiled 8-04-2021 – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 


Redheaded flea beetle considerations:

Adults should be surfacing any day in the southern regions of the state. However, in two sentinel plot locations I have yet to see second generation adults as of 8/3/2021.

Contact materials aimed at managing developing larvae (especially growth regulators) may be particularly useful at this time. Contact materials or fast acting systemics should be used to target adults in the next few days to weeks. The use of long lasting systemics should also be considered to protect foliage from the next generations adults (if a third generation occurs) and again late season to guard from first generation adults in the 2022 spring season.

These GDD estimates and corresponding calendars are evolving as we continue to learn more about this pest. If you have high populations please contact Tim Waller so we can continue to adapt our recommendations in NJ.  Email: twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Please refer to this updated RHFB timeline printout for your desk or truck (as of 842021) (CLICK HERE)

 


SURVEY REQUESTS

WE NEED A FEW MORE FARMS!! Please answer a few questions if you would like to be included in a statewide Phytophthora in Conifer Nurseries sampling project 

Please fill out this brief survey if you are experiencing damages due to Redheaded flea beetle (RHFB)

Contact – Timothy J. Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information

Summer Pests on Oaks: Oak Sawflies, Oak Spider Mites & Oak Lace Bugs

This Rutgers Plant & Pest Advisory blog will review a few of the landscape summer pests specific to mostly oak trees (Quercus). The scarlet oak sawfly will be discussed first, followed by the oak spider mite & finally the oak lace bug. All three pest species have multiple generations during the summer months & therefore can be observed throughout most of the season. None of the pest species are usually considered to be life-threatening to oak hosts but they can cause significant & undesirable aesthetic injuries. However, it could be stated that these pests may have bark, but they have little bite. Therefore, with large oak trees the spraying of many gallons of pesticides would not be justified.

Spraying many gallons of a pesticide against most pests on a large oak as shown above is rarely justified. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

[Read more…]

Nursery – Pest Scouting Guide for July – BWB and RHFB Reminders

NURSERY PEST SCOUTING GUIDE – JULY (1300-2200 GDD50)

Please download and print the pest scouting guide resources (printable version of the information below for your desk or truck) –(click on the link and then print)

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this postObtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 7/1/2021
Region Location 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 1303 2145 2931 3477 3682
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 1102 1896 2630 3109 3249
Northern High Point (NJ59) 884 1490 2045 2352 2384
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

(Same material as downloads)

Nursery Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges  (1300-2200 GDD50) 
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Japanese beetle  Popillia japonica 950 2150 5 Adults emerge and feed
Turf Bluegrass billbug Sphenophorus parvulus 1094 1217 RU Larvae (40%)
Many Indian wax scale Ceroplastes ceriferus 1145 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Many Oriental Beetle Anomala orientalis 1147 6 Adult emergence
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1150 1388 5 2nd generation targeted treatments
Dogwood Dogwood sawfly Macremphytus tarsatus 1151 1500 RU Larvae Treatment
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1151 1514 RU Nymphs / adults
Boxwood Boxwood leafminer  Monoarthropalpus flavus 1200 1400 5 Larvae Treatment
Conifer Northern pine weevil Pissodes nemorensis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer Pales weevil Hylobius pales 1200 1400 4 Adults 2nd generation
Conifer Pine root collar weevil  Hylobius radicis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 1250 1500 5 Adults/nymphs (2nd generation)
Turf Bluegrass sod webworm Parapediasia teterrella 1250 1920 RU Larvae
Birch Birch Skeletonizer Bucculatrix canadensisella 1266 1580 5 Typical treatment window
Shade trees European fruit lecanium Parthenolecanium corni 1266 1645 5 Crawlers
Many Fall webworm Hyphantria cunea 1266 1795 2 Caterpillars present – larvae treatment
Many Lacebugs ( on hawthorn) Corythucha cydoniae 1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Leafhoppers Species within Cicadellidae  1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Privet Privet rust mite Aculus ligustri 1266 1515 5 Second typical treatment window
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 1290 1917 3 Crawlers emerge (2nd generation)
Many Two spotted spider mite  Tetranychus urticae 1300 2000 RU Nymphs / adults
Turf N. Masked chafer Cyclocephala borealis 1377 1579 RU Adults (90%)
Conifer Hemlock scale Abgrallaspis ithacae 1388 2154 5 Typical treatment window
Lilac Lilac leafminer  Caloptilia syringella 1388 1644 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 1500 1775 RU Adults/nymphs (Douglas Fir)
Malus, Prunus, many Peachtree borer Synanthedon sp. 1500 1800 RU Larvae Treatment
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 1500 4 Hyaline crawlers = treatment timing
Conifer Nantucket tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana 1514 1917 RU Adults 2nd generation
Many Roundheaded apple tree borer Saperda candida 1514 1798 5 Typical treatment window
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 1570 1860 Udel. 2nd generation egg hatch
Many Japanese beetle  Popillia japonica 1590 1925 RU Adults (90%)
Many White prunicola scale Pseudaulacaspis prunicola 1637 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Conifer Rust-mites  Nalepella and Setoptus spp. 1644 2030 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Two-banded Japanese weevil Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus 1644 2271 RU Adults
Willow Willow twig aphids Lachnus spp. 1644 2271 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Juniper webworm Dichomeris marginella 1645 1917 RU Larvae Treatment
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1700 RU Continued 2nd generation treatments
Conifer Cryptomeria scale Aspidiotus cryptomeriae 1750 2130 RU, 4 Crawlers emerge (2nd generation)
Many Obscure scale Melanaspis obscura 1774 6 Egg hatch / crawler
Oaks Oak skeletonizer Bucculatrix ainsliella 1798 2155 RU Larvae
Conifer Arborvitae leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 1800 2200 RU Larvae Treatment (3rd generation)
Mimosa, Honeylocust Mimosa webworm Homadaula anisocentra  1800 2100 RU Larvae (2nd generation)
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 1850 1950 RU Galls open (Spruce)
Turf Hairy chinch bug  Blissus leucopterus 1903 2160 RU Second generation- 50%- 2nd instars
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1917 2033 RU Nymphs
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 1917 2154 5 Treatment window (adult flight-1700 GDD)
Mainly Oaks Orangestriped oakworm Anisota senatoria 1917 6 Egg hatch – early instars
Conifer White pine aphid Cinara strobi 1991 2271 RU Adults
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 2032 2150 5 Adults/nymphs (3rd generation)
Maple Sugar maple borer Glycobius speciosus 2032 2375 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Maskell scale lepidosaphes pallia 2035 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Mainly Tulip Tulip tree scale Toumeyella liriodendri  2037 2629 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Mainly Magnolia Magnolia scale Neolecanium cornuparvum 2155 2800 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Locust Locust borer Magacyllene robiniae 2271 2805 5 Typical treatment window
Poplar and Willow Poplar and willow borer  Crytorhynchus lapathi 2271 2806 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Spruce spider mite  Oligonychus ununguis 2375 2806 5 Typical treatment window
Note: Growing degree-day values utilize daily average air temperatures with a minimum temperature threshold (a.k.a. ‘base’) of 50F = GDD50 (max. temp. threshold set at 95F). These values are accumulated from a biofix date, such as January or March 1st in the NE USA. Provided GDD50 are scouting ranges and should be truthed. References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape 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
Daily GDD50 =                                                                                                  (Max + Min temp.) / 2 – 50 (min temp. threshold) 6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)-evolving GDD ranges
Compiled 7-6-2021 – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu  

Redheaded flea beetle considerations:

Adults are mating and laying eggs in southern NJ. Contact material applications are still viable to target adults now (if found scouting) but will also be useful when treating larvae prior to emergence from the soil/growing media in a few weeks time. The use of systemics should also be considered to protect foliage from the next generations adults and again late season to guard from first generation adults in the 2022 spring season.

NOTE: The majority of RHFB I have personally observed have been seen later in the evening, especially if the foliage is wet. I have also isolated an anthracnose pathogen (Colletotrichum sp.) from what appeared to be damaged leaves. Thus a complete fungicide – insecticide program needs to be in place if this is a high value crop for your business.

Refer to this chart for material and timing considerations (GDD50 forecasts updated 7/6/2021) – CLICK HERE


Boxwood blight considerations: 

Preventative applications should continue in high value plantings. As with the vast majority of foliar diseases, overhead irrigation plays a major role in reducing the staying power and efficacy of fungicides. Overhead irrigation or rain events also play a critical role in pathogen dispersal and ease of entry by these pathogens into plant tissues. Anything you can do to reduce/limit overhead irrigation in virtually all crops will aid in reducing the overall disease pressure that your plants experience.

Boxwood Blight Risk Model (CLICK HERE) – In 30 seconds you can have a better idea of boxwood blight (and other pathogen) activity in your immediate area!

    • (click on the link – input area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table) 

Great new resources by Steve Rettke

Mimosa Webworm Activity Begins

Some Key Soft Scale Pests in the Landscape


SURVEY REQUESTS

Please answer a few questions if you would like to be included in a statewide Phytophthora in Conifer Nurseries sampling project 

Please fill out this brief survey if you are experiencing damages due to Redheaded flea beetle (RHFB)

Contact – Timothy J. Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information