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April 21, 2022

Scouting for Broad Mites in the Greenhouse

Broad mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) are an extremely small species of mites that affect many ornamental crops. At this point in the season they may be active in the greenhouse and should be included in all greenhouse IPM scouting programs. Broad mites are only 0.2 mm long, which is about half the size of a two-spotted spider mite. This makes them nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye during regular routine scouting and challenging to locate, even with the use of a hand lens. They have a translucent yellow-green appearance and a short but rapid life cycle ranging from 5 to 13 days.

Broad mites under microscope  Broad mites under microscope Broad mites under microscope

Broad mites feed on new growth and emit saliva that is toxic to the plants. This results in leaf curl, stunting, and deformity that may be mistaken for herbicide damage, physiological disorders, or a fungal pathogen. Broad mites tend to favor New Guinea impatiens, Sunpatiens, and dahlia in the greenhouse this time of year, though they may also cause damage to gerbera, ivy, lantana, standard impatiens, snapdragon, verbena, begonia, and zinnia. They can spread via plant-to-plant contact and may even hitchhike on whiteflies or aphids to reach a new destination.

Broad mite damage on Sunpatiens

Broad mite damage on Sunpatiens. Notice the stunted growth and leaf curling. Photo: W. Errickson

Control can be achieved using miticides that are labeled specifically for broad mites, as some materials that are effective against two-spotted spider mites and spruce spider mites may not work as well on broad mites. Effective materials include Akari, Avid, Dormant Oil, Judo, Magus, Pylon, SanMite, Sirocco, Summer Oil, and Triact. Always follow the instructions on the label and take note of any sensitivities for use on specific plant species. Rotating chemical classes is also very important when treating broad mites because their rapid life cycle has the potential to lead to the development of resistance in a short period of time. Biological controls involving the release of predatory mites that feed on broad mites have also demonstrated success. Predatory mite species that are effective against broad mites include Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus cucumeris, and N. californicus. Broad mites can be effectively managed in the greenhouse if they are detected early and correctly identified as part of a regular IPM program.

Additional Resources

Broad Mites Fact Sheet, University of Tennessee

https://go.rutgers.edu/zg9kdzod

Broad Mites in Ornamental Crops, Michigan State University

https://go.rutgers.edu/56gic7up

Broad mites infesting plantsDealing with Broad Mite, Greenhouse Product News

https://go.rutgers.edu/6doflkwc

Broad Mite is Becoming an Increasing Problem, Greenhouse Management

https://go.rutgers.edu/1pftyvss

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April 18, 2022

Spotted Lanternfly egg hatch is coming or here now – Critical knockdown of nymphs

Spotted Lanternfly nymphs will be emerging now through the first week of May for Southern and Central New Jersey – reduce their population early in the nursery industry!

 

Through conversations with nursery operators, state inspectors (NJDOA), and internal agent communications four shade trees represent the vast majority of nursery stock with adult SLF eggs. This means we should be targeting these trees early – treating for nymphs as they emerge from the egg masses and before they move on to more tender hosts.

The vast majority of shade trees with egg masses in NJ are:

  1. Red maple – huge proportion
  2. Birch
  3. Willow
  4. Styrax

Generally, adults are laying eggs on these four nursery crops late summer/fall, then as the nymphs emerge (April/May) they move to more tender growth, often onto understory plants, weeds, hedge rows, roses (wild and cultivated), and tender herbaceous and perennial plants (May, June, early July). This means we have a very short window to target a large percentage of nymph emergence on these four crops with Contact Insecticides. Scout these areas for nymphs over the next few weeks, and be at the ready to treat immediately. 

Be ready to target nymph populations early this season with contact materials 

Once the nymphs have moved on to their favored 1st-3rd instar crops (herbaceous, perennial, roses, grapes, etc.) they will then begin to move back to these four shade trees (and other woody hosts) as 4th instars (red-coloration, mid/late July) and adults (August) that will ultimately mate and lay eggs (September/October), repeating the cycle.

Systemic materials – Generally systemics are best utilized when targeting late instars and adult populations (both born at the nursery and flying in from outside), often requiring approximately 3-4 weeks prior to anticipated insecticidal activity. In the nursery setting we may already be utilizing systemic materials to treat other insect populations, offering some level of protection from the nymphs migrating away from theses four shade trees, towards their favored feeding locations. In operations where egg masses have been abundant, treating with systemic materials, when appropriate should be considered to reduce local populations in addition to targeting nymphs with contact materials.

Penn State – Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide (click here) – Contains the most complete list of labeled systemic and contact insecticides for SLF

Note – applications during bloom for specific host crops should be avoided to protect pollinators. 

 

Additional information: 

We are collectively trying to avoid crippling load-by-load phytosanitary inspections: 

WE as an industry are in this together, in order to safeguard our industry please do the following:

  1. SLF Training Permits for hang-tags (click here) are required for each company driver who delivers your plants out-of-state. This training is relatively simple and you can also obtain Training materials to educate your employees (click here)
  2. Scout every plant for ANY SLF life stages – from dead adults to egg masses. REMOVE life stage prior to shipment and train employees to know the various appearances of SLF egg masses. Use this guide – SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download) (print and hang up / distribute to personnel)

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
April 14, 2022

Nursery Pest Updates and Scouting next two weeks – initiate Red-headed flea beetle systemics now for Central and Southern NJ

This post covers three topics:

  1. Control and timing of applications for Red-headed flea beetle (RHFB) – Systemic materials should be used now to target emerging adults in May. 
    1. Please refer to this resource for timing and material selection: RHFB timeline using GDD, material selection, print-out ready (click here)
    2. Combination of resources from Danny Lauderdale (NC State), Brian Kunkel (UDel.), Tim Waller (RU)
  2. Seasonal reminders:
    1. Protectant, broad-spectrum ‘cover-sprays’ should be initiated ASAP or as plastic is removed / crops can be accessed
    2. SLF egg masses: We are all in this together should be remembered when it comes to checking loads for SLF.
      1. SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download, hang up for employees)
      2. Refer to this post “Don’t let Spotted Lanternfly Impact Spring Shipping” for additional information 
  3. Pest Scouting for 100-200 Growing Degree-days (approx. next two weeks in Southern and Central NJ). 
    1. Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days” for additional information 

Growing degree-days as  4/12/22 (~Next two weeks)

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 4/13/2022 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.
Region Location Station 13-Apr 1-May 1-Jun
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 116 236 660
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 114 200 553
North High Point NJ59 35 67 313
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer Pine engraver (Ips bark beetle) Ips spp. 100 150 4 1st adults active
Conifer Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 100 150 4 Stem mothers present (control target)
Conifer European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 100 195 4 1st larvae active
Andromeda 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
Elm, Service berry Woolly elm aphid Eriosoma americana 121 246 2 (6) Control target
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
Yews, Rhododendrons, many Black Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus 148 400 2 Pupation / Adult emergence
Lilac, ash, privet, many Lilac / Ash Borer Podosesia syringae 148 299 2 Adult flight
Dogwood, many Dogwood Borer Synanthedon scitula 148 700 2 Adult activity
Conifer Hemlock woolly adelgid Adelges tsugae 150 150 RU Eggs and 10% hatch
Conifer Spruce needleminer Endothenia albolineana 150 200 4 1st larvae active
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 150 175 4 1st egg hatch
Conifer Balsam gall midge Paradiplosis tumifex 150 300 4 Adults laying eggs
Witchhazel, River birch Spiny witchhazel gall aphid Hamamelistes spinosus 171 – 6 Control target
Birch Birch Leafminer Fenusa pusilla 175 215 4 1st adults active
Birch Birch leafminer Fenusa pusilla 190 290 RU Larvae (1st generation)
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 190 363 RU Immatures/Adults
Rhododendron Rhododendron gall midge Clinodiplosis rhododendri 192 363 RU Larvae
Honeylocust Honeylocust pod gall midge Dasineura gleditchiae 192 229 RU Larvae
Privet Privet thrips Dendrothrips ornatus 192 618 2 Typical treatment window
Holly *Native holly leafminer Phytomyza ilicicola 192 298 2 Egg hatch
Holly Holly leafminer Phytomyza ilicis 192 290 RU Egg hatch
Willows, Cottonwood, Poplar Imported willow leaf beetle Plagiodera versicolora 192 448 RU Larvae/Adults
Larch Larch sawfly Pristophora erichsonii 192 299 2 Typical treatment window
Andromeda Andromeda lacebug Stephanitis takeyai 192 303 RU Adults
Rhododendron Rhododendron borer Synanthedon rhododendri 192 298 2 Typical treatment window
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 200 310 4 1st galls visible – Spruce
Spruce Spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana 200 300 5 Larvae
Conifer Douglas fir needle midge Contarinia pseudotsugae 200 400 3 Adults emerge from soil
Lilac, ash, privet, many Lilac / Ash Borer Podosesia syringae 200 299 RU Adults – 1st Treatment
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape IPM Notes
Daily GDD50 =                                                                                                             (Max + Min temp.) / 2 – 50 (min temp. threshold)                             (Simple average growing degree-day, min. 50F, max 95F) 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
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)-evolving GDD ranges
Compiled by – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Please Download these resources: (The scouting guide is for you to print and keep on hand…these are just updates)

Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF (note this contains conifer pests as well)

Conifer Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF

Contact if seeing insects at different times: twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu (or call the Cumberland County Extension Office – 856-451-2800)

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April 12, 2022

Pest Counts & Action Thresholds in the Greenhouse

Scouting Methods & Options:

There are essentially three options available when scouting your greenhouse crops for insect/mite pests. 1- No scouting performed with pesticides being applied on a calendar timetable. 2- Simply scouting for pest existence  with pesticides applied when presence is observed. 3- Scouting crop and making pesticide application decisions based on pest counts and action thresholds. The third option is part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that has been promoted throughout the green industry the past few decades.

Greenhouse pest populations are measured by trapping or direct plant inspection, and both involve determining pest numbers. Counting pests and using action thresholds requires time and knowledge, but results in less pesticide use, reduced potential for insect resistance, and can improve plant quality. It is important to remember that trapping (e.g., yellow, or blue sticky cards) improves the efficiency when scouting your greenhouse but does not replace the actual inspection of individual crop plants (Fig. 1 & Fig. 2). This is particularly the case when scouting for aphids and mites.

Fig.1. Yellow or blue colored sticky traps are used to capture flying insect pests in the greenhouse. The blue traps attract the western flower thrips more effectively. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Fig. 2. The optivisor (3x) at top of photo works best when counting or viewing the insects captured on sticky traps. The other magnifiers shown (5x, 16x, 20x) are used to more closely view pests on crop plants. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Vegetable Crops
April 11, 2022

Pesticide Applicator or Dealer Storage Inventory with Cover Letter Due May 1st to Fire Department

All licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventor(ies) with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. In New Jersey, all licensed pesticide applicators and dealers who store pesticides are required per N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.5 […]
Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
April 7, 2022

April is National Sexual Harassment Awareness Month – Farm Workers at Risk

From MorningAgClips.com posting (4/7/22) <https://www.morningagclips.com/free-training-tools-available-to-address-sexual-harassment-of-farmworkers/> from 4/5/22 press release from Equitable Food Initiative <https://equitablefood.org/latest-news/free-training-tools-available-to-address-sexual-harassment-of-farmworkers/>

Free training tools available to address sexual harassment of farmworkers

Equitable Food Initiative supports awareness initiatives during Harassment Prevention Month

WASHINGTON — Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer advocacy groups, has collaborated with Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (PNASH), a part of the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, to support the development of a worksite training and toolkit, ¡Basta! Preventing Sexual Harassment in Agriculture.

April is National Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention Month, and EFI is using the time to shine a light on this important topic. Several studies have found that 75%-80% of female farmworkers have experienced sexual harassment at work, compared to 50% in non-agricultural office settings as reported by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EFI website offers statistics, facts and study citations on harassment at work, links to access the ¡Basta! Preventing Sexual Harassment toolkit, which features videos in both English and Spanish, and educational materials that can be used in workplaces (posters, shareable graphics and a detailed fact sheet). The information and resources can be found at equitablefood.org/harassment, and all are provided free of charge.

“Development of the ¡Basta! toolkit was catalyzed by female farmworkers in Eastern Washington who brought the issue of sexual harassment to PNASH,” explained Dr. Jody Early, a professor at University of Washington who worked on the project. “This is the first program created by and for agricultural stakeholders to address the prevention of sexual harassment, and we tailored it to the needs of Latino/a/x farmworkers, growers and supervisors.”

The PNASH team worked for six years and engaged more than 48 different stakeholders in the development – including farmworkers, grower associations, health care advocates, human rights organizations, state and federal agencies, farmworker rights groups, private businesses and nonprofits like Equitable Food Initiative.

“This can be a difficult topic, but it’s essential that we address it industrywide,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, director of marketing communications for EFI. “We know that harassment happens more frequently among farmworkers, we know that it goes unreported, and we know that agriculture workplaces include characteristics that make women more vulnerable to it.”

EFI’s certification program goes beyond a simple audit and introduces workforce development solutions along with training in communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving and collaboration. Third-party evaluation studies have found that the program fosters culture shifts on farms that result in respectful and trusting workplaces where women and indigenous workers report reduced harassment and discrimination.

“EFI’s mission is to improve the lives of farmworkers by bringing everyone in the system together to address the fresh produce industry’s most pressing problems,” Ruzzamenti continued. “I can’t think of a more important goal than creating safer and healthier workplaces through a zero-tolerance approach to harassment.”

About EFI
Equitable Food Initiative is a nonprofit certification and skill-building organization that seeks to increase transparency in the food supply chain and improve the lives of farmworkers through a team-based approach to training and continuous improvement practices. EFI brings together growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumers to solve the most pressing issues facing the fresh produce industry. Its unparalleled approach sets standards for labor practices, food safety and pest management while engaging workers at all levels on the farm to produce Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured® fruits and vegetables. For more information about Equitable Food Initiative, visit equitablefood.org.

View a list of EFI-certified farms at equitablefood.org/farms.

–Equitable Food Initiative

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