Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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July 1, 2013

Cool Season Mites Fade, As Warm Season Mites Surge

As would be predicted, observations during the past few weeks within nurseries located in central & southern NJ have shown reduced activities of both the spruce spider mites & southern red spider mites. These common cool season mite pests feed predominately on conifers & broadleaf evergreens, respectfully. During the hot summer months, both of these spider mite species enter into a dormant stage. Alternatively, the two-spotted spider mite & several more host specific shade tree spider mites (e.g., maple spider mites, oak spider mites, honeylocust spider mites & European red mites) are common warm season mite species and are now rapidly laying eggs & building populations.

Spider Mite, Egg & Pine Needle Stomates

Spider Mite (0.5 mm), Egg & Pine Needle Stomates         Photo: Cornell University Press

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf
July 1, 2013

The Last Word in Leaf Spots

Oh no! Not more leaf spot posts! This is the last one for now, I promise. First thing first, we had a nice sample from a perennial ryegrass baseball field that was submitted for dollar spot diagnosis, which it had, but it was also covered with leaf lesions caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. Sabrina thought it would be nice to share a photo with you.

Leaf spots caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana on perennial ryegrass leaves. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL

Leaf spots caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana on perennial ryegrass leaves. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab Tagged With:
June 27, 2013

Annual Bluegrass Weevil Adults Emerging: What Now?

Annual Bluegrass Weevil

Annual Bluegrass Weevil
Photo: B. McGraw

Adults of the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) spring generation have started to emerge in significant numbers over the last few days at Rutgers Hortfarm 2 in New Brunswick and at golf courses in North Jersey. Peak densities of new ABW adults should occur throughout the central and northern New Jersey and the NY metropolitan area over the next 1-2 weeks.

These spring-generation adults mate and will start laying eggs quickly. The resulting second generation is present predominantly as large larvae around late July-early August, when additional damage — usually less severe than spring damage — may occur. The second generation pupates in August and starts emerging as adults around mid-August.

Areas where significant adult densities are observed (directly, in clippings, with soap irritant, or by vacuum sampling) in late June-early July may need to be treated. However, overuse of insecticides, particularly of pyrethroids, is likely to lead to the development of pesticide-resistant ABW populations. To avoid this highly undesirable scenario insecticides should be applied only where and when necessary and pyrethroids should be used no more than once per year. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Turf
June 24, 2013

On Ag Updates: Heat Stress Prevention

This week’s forecast is for temperatures in the 90’s with high humidity. Agricultural worker safety is important to agricultural employers. Ag Agent Michelle Infante-Casella outlines some tips on preventing worker illness during hot weather on the Ag Updates Blog.
Heat Stress Prevention

Filed Under: Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
June 21, 2013

Red Leaf Spot… or not?

Red leaf spot of creeping bentgrass is a poorly understood leaf spot disease in turfgrass. Almost all golf course superintendents think they have it at one point or another, but nobody ever really does.

Red leaf spot on creeping bentgrass. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

Red leaf spot on creeping bentgrass putting green. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Turf Tagged With:
June 19, 2013

Bagworm Caterpillar Egg Hatch Concluding

The common Bagworm Caterpillar (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) has undergone egg hatch throughout much of the state during the past few weeks (GDD = 600-900).  The early instar stages during the month of June can easily be overlooked. For the first few weeks after hatch, the smaller Bagworms do not produce conspicuous feeding symptoms. However, for best control results these early instars should be targeted. Although the potential hosts of the Bagworm are large, they are generally of most concern on evergreen conifers.

Unhatched Bagworm Eggs in Female Sack

Unhatched Bagworm Eggs in Female Sack
Photo by Steven K. Rettke of RCE

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf