May 21, 2021

Landscape Pest Notes: Some Late-Spring Insects (Part 2)

Since there are still over 4-weeks before the official start of summer, the accumulation of growing-degree-days (GDD) will continue to accelerate over the next several weeks. Many of our landscape insect pests will be rapidly emerging and be entering their best control windows before they potentially cause feeding symptoms. This writing contains part 2 of 2 parts of only a handful of the many late spring landscape insect pests that require monitoring. Some could more properly be called mid-spring pests, especially in southern NJ. Those included within part 2 of this blog are: Taxus mealybug; Boxwood leaf miner; Aphid species and Bronze birch borer.

Landscaped yard

The late spring weeks in the landscape means full plant leaf emergence & many flowers plus increasing insect activity. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
May 20, 2021

Landscape Pest Notes: Some Late Spring Insects (Part 1)

Since there are still nearly 5-weeks before the official start of summer, the accumulation of growing-degree-days (GDD) will continue to accelerate over the next several weeks. Many of our landscape insect pests will be rapidly emerging and be entering their best control windows before they potentially cause feeding symptoms. This writing contains part 1 of 2 parts of only a handful of the many late spring landscape insect pests that require monitoring. Some could more properly be called mid-spring pests, especially in southern NJ. Those included within part 1 of this blog are: Four-lined plant bug; Douglas-fir needle midge; Pine needle scale; & Elongate hemlock scale.

Landscaped yard

The late spring weeks in the landscape means full plant leaf emergence & many flowers plus increasing insect activity. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
May 18, 2021

It is time to put Bagworms on your radar in Southern NJ

Bagworms

Photo: Rich Buckley

Bagworms should begin hatching in the next 2-6 weeks throughout NJ, starting 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 (growing degree-days) and treatments should be in use prior to their mobile, airborne, “ballooning” phase. Check that the eggs have hatched prior to application of pesticides – as most compounds will not be effective at all if the first instar caterpillars are not present. Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments.

 

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.

Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis)(Dipel), spinosad (Entrust SC), bifenthrin (Talstar, UP-Star), cyfluthrin (Decathlon 20WP), carbaryl (Sevin SL), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn), cyclaniliprole (Sarisa), cyclaniliprole + flonicamid  (Pradia), Lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar GC), cyantraniliprole (Mainspring), Indoxacarb(Provaunt)

IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BETWEEN IRAC GROUPS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

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. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

More information on Bagworms:

Steve Rettke’s 2020 PPA Post – Bagworm caterpillars have hatched throughout most of NJ

RU Bagworm FactSheet 

Bagworms on Ornamental Landscape Plants

 

Photo Credits: Rich Buckley (Plant Diagnostics Laboratory) https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

 

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,
May 12, 2021

Recordings of Webinar – Ask the Expert: Orchard Soil Fertility and Tree Nutiriton

Please use below links for the audio and video recordings of Webinar – Ask the Expert Series -V held on May 5th. The recording includes lively discussion on various aspects of orchard soil fertility and plant nutrition, including Q &A from growers, with, Dr. Robert Crassweller from PSU; and Dr. Joseph Heckman, Dr. Megan Muehlbauer and Dr. Hemant Gohil from Rutgers NJAES. Some of the information is also applicable to other crops. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
May 4, 2021

Infection potential for Boxwood Blight in the next 48h – PROTECTANT fungicide applications should remain in effect

There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections today and tomorrow with the rain/humidity and higher temperatures

– Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately for Boxwood Blight (nursery and landscape settings) –

 

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

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/4/2021
Region Location CODE 3-May 4-May 5-May 6-May 7-May 8-May
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Low  Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Please check your local boxwood blight risk here (click here and type in your area code – select closest station)

 

  • These advisories are general in nature and change rapidly so someone from your business should be using this risk model (CLICK HERE) daily if boxwood is important to your financial stability – 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) 

Fungicides; 

  1. You very well may have these materials already applied as ‘cover-sprays’ – But – be mindful that protectant fungicides loose efficacy the more rain they are subjected to, and reapplication may be warranted.
  2. ROTATE between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC codes) whenever possible

Format: [FRAC code]: Chemical name (Trade names)

  • [M05]: Chlorothalonil (Daconil WS)
  • [M05 + 1] Chlorothalonil + Thiophanate methyl (Spectro 90WDG)
  • [11] Trifloxystrobin + [7] Fluopyram  (Broadform)
  • [11] Trifloxystrobin + [3] Triadimefon (Armada 50WDG)
  • [M03] Mancozeb
  • [12] Fludioxonil (Medallion WDG)
  • [3] Tebuconazole (Torque)

 

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. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

Resources 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , ,
April 26, 2021

Landscape Pest Notes: Some Mid-Spring Insects/Mites

As we enter the last week of April, many of our mid-spring landscape insect/mite pests continue to awaken & cause feeding symptoms on our ornamentals. This blog only talks over some of the typical mid-spring pests that plague our landscapes. Those discussed within include: Southern Red Spider Mites; Gypsy Moths; Evergreen Lace Bugs (e.g., rhododendron, azalea, & andromeda lace bugs); Nantucket Pine Tip Moth; Birch Leaf Miner; Hemlock Woolly Adelgid; Plant Leaf Galls (eriophyid mites).

Mid-Spring weeks have arrived & shade trees like this green ash have begun leaf expansion. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab