NJ Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #243 rescinding EO#107 which requires employers to accommodate tele-work options for employees, and also lifts indoor mask mandates and 6ft social distancing requirements for vaccinated employees working indoors in businesses not open to public. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has provided a summary of the changes that may impact agriculture operations. The full text of his letter is attached here.
Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition
Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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June 1, 2021 Tim Waller
Nursery – Pest Scouting Guide for June, Boxwood blight advisory, survey requests
BOXWOOD BLIGHT
There is an immediate potential for boxwood blight June 4/5th throughout NJ.
Preventative / protective fungicide applications should be initiated and continued in high value crops
Boxwood Blight risk-model information, considerations, and links:
| Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 6/1/2021 | ||||||||
| Region | Location | CODE | 1-Jun | 2-Jun | 3-Jun | 4-Jun | 5-Jun | 6-Jun |
| Southern | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | Very Low | Very Low | Low | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Low |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | Low | Very Low | Low | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Low |
| Northern | High Point | NJ59 | Very Low | Very Low | Low | Infection Risk | High Risk | Low |
| Please check your local boxwood blight risk here (click here and type in your area code – select closest station) | ||||||||
Wednesday 5/4/21 -PPA Post regarding boxwood blight activity (click here)
- 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)
NURSERY PEST SCOUTING GUIDE – JUNE
Please download and print this pest scouting guide resource: (click on the link and then print):
To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-day information”
| Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 6/1/2021 | ||||||
| Region | Location | 1-Jun | 1-Jul | 1-Aug | 1-Sep | 1-Oct |
| Southern | Upper Deerfield (NJ50) | 590 | 1283 | 2125 | 2910 | 3456 |
| Central | Howell / Freehold (NJ10) | 438 | 1078 | 1873 | 2607 | 3085 |
| Northern | High Point (NJ59) | 353 | 837 | 1444 | 1999 | 2305 |
| Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG) | ||||||
| Nursery Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges | (500-1300 GDD50) | |||||
| CROP TYPE | Common Name | Scientific Name | GDD Min (50F) | GDD Max (95F) | Reference | Developmental / Target Stage |
| Many | Spotted Lantern Fly | Lycorma delicatula | 250 | 1000 | PA Dept. Ag | 1st-4th Instar (nymphs) – control target |
| Conifer | European pine shoot moth | Rhyacionia buoliana | 480 | 710 | 5 | Larvae Treatment |
| Malus, Prunus, many | Peach Tree Borer | Synanthedon sp. | 500 | 600 | RU | Adults – emerge (1st treatment both types) |
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron Borer | Synanthedon rhododendri | 509 | 696 | RU | Adults emerge |
| Many | Redheaded flea beetle | Systena frontalis | 517 | 1028 | Unv. Del | Adults – feeding / laying eggs |
| Many | Cottony camellia / taxus scale | Pulvinaria floccifera | 520 | – | 6 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Birch | Birch Leafminer | Fenusa pusilla | 530 | 700 | RU | Larvae (2nd generation) |
| Oak | Oak blotch leafminers | Cameraria spp. ; Tisheria spp. | 533 | 912 | 5 | Typical treatment window |
| Maple | Greenstriped mapleworm | Dryocampa rubicunda | 533 | 1645 | 5 | Control target |
| Conifer | Arborvitae Leafminer | Argyresthia thuiella | 533 | 700 | RU | Adults (egg laying) – larvae treatments |
| Euonymus | Euonymus Scale | Unaspis euonymil | 533 | 820 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Conifer | Balsam gall midge | Paradiplosis tumifex | 550 | 700 | 4 | Galls apparent |
| Conifer | Juniper scale | Carulaspis juniperi | 550 | 700 | 7 | Egg hatch |
| Malus, Prunus, many | Greater peach tree borer | Synanthedon exitiosa | 575 | 710 | 4 | Adult emergence |
| Conifer | Cryptomeria scale | Aspidiotus cryptomeriae | 600 | 800 | 3 | First crawler emergence |
| Conifer | Cooley spruce gall adelgid | Adelges cooleyi | 600 | 1000 | 7 | Nymphs active – Douglas fir (control target) |
| Conifer | Bagworm | Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis | 600 | 900 | RU | Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW |
| Conifer | Cryptomeria scale | Aspidiotus cryptomeriae | 600 | 800 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Elm | Elm leaf beetle | Xanthogaleruca luteola | 600 | 1300 | 7 | Larvae (2nd generation) |
| Conifer | Spruce budscale | Physokermes hemicryphus | 700 | 1150 | 4 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Many | White prunicola scale | Psedaulacaspis prunicola | 707 | 1151 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Conifer | Juniper scale | Carulaspis juniperi | 707 | 1260 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Many | Calico scale | Eulecanium cerasorum | 714 | – | 6 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Conifer | Striped pine scale | Toumeyella pini | 750 | 800 | 4 | Egg hatch |
| Turf | Hairy cinch bug | Blissus leucopterus | 765 | 870 | RU | 1st generation (50% – 2nd instar) |
| Oak, hickory, birch, many | Oak leacanium scale | Parthenolecanium quercifex | 789 | – | 6 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Rhododendron | Azalea Lacebug | Stephanitis pyrioides | 802 | 1029 | RU | Eggs / Nymphs 3rd Generation |
| Many, shadetrees | Cottony maple scale | Pulvinaria innumerabilis | 802 | 1265 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) – control target |
| Oaks | Oak spider mites | Oligonychus bicolor | 802 | 1265 | RU | All Stages |
| Many | Roundheaded appletree borer | Saperda candida | 802 | 1129 | RU | Adults |
| Oaks | Golden oak scale | Asterolecanium variolosum | 802 | 1266 | 5 | Egg hatch |
| Acer | Cottony maple leaf scale | Pulvinaria acericola | 802 | 1265 | 5 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Maples | Japanese maple scale | Lopholeucaspis japonica | 829 | – | 6 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Elm | European elm scale | Gossyparia spuria | 831 | 1388 | 6,2 | Crawlers (1st generation) |
| Mimosa, Honeylocust | Mimosa webworm | Homadaula anisocentra | 880 | – | RU | Larvae (1st generation) |
| Turf | Bluegrass billbug | Sphenophorus parvulus | 884 | 1003 | RU | Larvae 20% |
| Turf | N. Masked chafer | Cyclocephala borealis | 898 | 905 | RU | 1st adults |
| Honeylocust | Honeylocust mite | Eotetranychus multidigituli | 912 | 1514 | 2 | All Stages |
| Honeylocust | Honeylocust spider mite | Platytetranychus multidigituli | 912 | 1514 | 5 | Typical treatment window |
| Shade trees | European fruit lecanium | Parthenolecanium corni | 932 | 1645 | 6,RU | Crawlers – control target |
| Many | Japanese beetle | Popillia japonica | 950 | 2150 | 7 | Adult emergence and feeding |
| Conifer | Pine tortoise scale | Toumeyella parvicornis | 1000 | 1200 | 4 | Egg hatch ends, last of crawlers |
| Ash | Emerald ash borer | Agrilus planipennis | 1000 | 1200 | 4 | Peak adult activity |
| Many | Redheaded flea beetle | Systena frontalis | 1028 | 1570 | Unv. Del | 2nd generation of un-hatched eggs |
| Yew, many conifers | Fletcher Scale (Yew) | Parthenolecanium fletcheri | 1029 | 1388 | RU | Crawlers (1st generation) – control target |
| Locust | Locust leafminer | Odontota dorsalis | 1029 | 1388 | RU | Adults |
| Juglandaceae | Walnut Caterpillar | Datana integerrima | 1029 | 1514 | 2 | Larvae Treatment |
| 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 |
| Conifer | Northern pine weevil | Pissodes nemorensis | 1200 | 1400 | 4 | 2nd generation adults active |
| 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 |
| Boxwood | Boxwood leafminer | Monoarthropalpus flavus | 1200 | 1400 | 5 | Larvae Treatment |
| Conifer | Pine Needle Scale | Chionaspis pinifoliae | 1250 | 1350 | 7 | Crawlers (2nd generation) |
| Rhododendron | Azalea whitefly | Pealius azaleae | 1250 | 1500 | 5 | Adults/nymphs |
| Many | Lacebugs ( on hawthorn) | Corythucha cydoniae | 1266 | 1544 | RU | Nymphs / adults |
| Many | Leafhoppers | Species within Cicadellidae | 1266 | 1544 | RU | Nymphs / adults |
| Many | Fall webworm | Hyphantria cunea | 1266 | 1795 | 2 | Caterpillars present – larvae treatment |
| Privet | Privet rust mite | Aculus ligustri | 1266 | 1515 | 5 | Second typical treatment window |
| Many | Two spotted spider mite | Tetranychus urticae | 1300 | 2000 | RU | Nymphs / adults |
| Conifer | Cooley spruce gall adelgid | Adelges cooleyi | 600 | 1000 | 7 | Nymphs active – Douglas fir (control target) |
| 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 | |||||
| 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) | |||||
| Compiled 6-1-2021 – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu | ||||||
SURVEY REQUESTS
Phytophthora sampling project – grower collaborators wanted
Redheaded Flea beetle NJ specific survey:
Contact – Timothy J. Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information
May 31, 2021 Steven K. Rettke
Some Key Armored Scales & Crawler Emergence
A Large-Scale Dilemma:
Drawing shows a shrinking female armored scale laying eggs. Waxy covers of each of the 3-instars are pushed above the other. Crawlers emerge from the female cover through the one-way flap. (Drawing Credit: John Davidson, Univ. of MD)
Undoubtedly many arborists, landscapers, nurserymen, and golf course superintendents would agree that effectively controlling scale insects is one of the more frustrating pest management challenges encountered. Of the half-dozen major families of scale insects common in the urban landscape, the armored scales are the most troublesome. With their protective waxy covering, armored scales are considerably less susceptible to various insecticide spray treatments.
Reddish colored crawlers of Pine Needle Scales emerging out from under female waxy covers. (Photo Credit: Ohio State Coop. Ext.)
Historically, many pesticide spray applicators fail to achieve satisfactory controls because they do not have the time or inclination to apply sprays during the scale crawler emergence periods. To complicate matters, the crawler periods for the various armored scale species are quite variable. Furthermore, the improper timing of long residual pyrethroid insecticides can virtually eliminate important parasitoid bio-control activity and hence, often encourage scale infestations. The intention of this blog is to stress the importance of properly timed treatments to achieve better management of scale insects. This is especially true when attempting to control armored scales.
Despite the complications stated above, fortunately some relatively newer insecticides have given improved abilities for scale controls. These newer materials & the life cycles of 5-armored scale species will be covered in this blog. The scales covered include: 1-Euonymus scale; 2-Cryptomeria scale; 3-Japanese maple scale; 4-White Prunicola scale; & 5-Juniper scale.
Cicadas Are Here and Fruit IPM for 5/26/21
Cicadas are Here, There and Everywhere (Depending where you are): 17 year cicadas began emergence last week. These insects while a marvel in the insect world, are also capable of doing considerable damage to young fruit trees, grape vines, and blueberry bushes. After mating they begin to deposit their eggs in slits along small diameter branches. Thin branches which are loaded with fruit weight and damaged by egg laying can break. Some growers have asked about damage and what they can do to prevent it. Most egg laying is starting this week.
May 26, 2021 Tim Waller
Immediate potential for boxwood blight in many parts of NJ over the next 4 days
Breaking- Due to the potential for rainfall and high humidity levels, there is an immediate risk of boxwood blight infections in many parts of New Jersey. Be mindful that even though we have had very little precipitation in the state as of late, we are well within the boxwood blight growth range and prior cover-sprays may have been washed off by irrigation or the interval to reapply has come due.
Preventative spray programs should continue or be initiated for high value crops or installations.
| Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/26/2021 | ||||||||
| Region | Location | CODE | 26-May | 27-May | 28-May | 29-May | 30-May | 31-May |
| Southern | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | Infection Risk | Infection Risk | Very Low | Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | Low | Infection Risk | Very Low | Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Northern | High Point | NJ59 | Very Low | Very Low | Very 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)
Fungicide options;
- You very well may have these materials already applied as ‘cover-sprays’ – But – be mindful that protectant fungicides lose efficacy the more rain/irrigation they are subjected to, and reapplication may be warranted especially if the reapplication interval has come due.
- 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.
May 25, 2021 Meredith Melendez
Keep Up the Customer Communication!
Now that the dates have been set for the lifting of the face covering requirements indoors and social distancing requirements indoors and out (May 28th) farms have decisions to make. What will you require of your customers while on your property? How will you handle customers who expect more or less when it comes to COVID protections? The CDC recommends that those not fully vaccinated should continue to socially distance themselves from others and wear a mask, but these are no longer requirements under state Executive Orders. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare your employees and customers for their experiences on your farm this season.
1. Communicate your farm policies regarding COVID protections clearly online and on the farm.
2. If you choose to no longer require masks indoors at the farm be understanding of customers who may choose to wear a mask. “Mask-free” environments are not enforceable, those who wish to wear masks must be allowed to do so.
3. When possible continue to provide order ahead and pick-up of items sold at your farm. This allows those who are unvaccinated or wary of those who are unmasked to still be able to shop at your farm.
4. Prepare your staff on how to handle disgruntled customers. Who is the right person at the farm to handle these situations? Have a plan on who and how you will respond to these situations.
5. Realize that you will not make everyone happy. The best you can do is decide what your masking and social distancing policies are, stick to them, and communicate the heck out of them.
Important dates:
May 28th – Indoor mask mandate lifted. Businesses may require customers to wear masks indoors, but it is no longer mandated. 6’ social distancing required indoors lifted. Businesses may still enforce 6’ of social distancing. This does not apply to summer camp settings with children.
June 4th – Indoor gathering limits lifted.
