Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

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Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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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 11, 2021

Resuming In-Person RCE Programming – A Guide for Attendees

Rutgers Cooperative Extension has announced the resumption of in-person programming beginning this month. Extension professionals across all program areas have the option to offer in-person programming, limited at this time to outdoor events with no more than 25 total in attendance. This includes farm and field visits, twilight meetings, and pesticide applicator recertification events. Resuming in-person events doesn’t mean that online or hybrid events will end; both are essential tools for successful RCE programming.

These RCE guidelines and expectations are for all participants to follow to attend these events:

Voluntary Participation – Participation at in-person RCE activities is completely voluntary – there is no requirement for attendance.

Health Screening Form – Attendees will be required to bring a completed RCE Health Screening Form, which can be be accessed at https://go.rutgers.edu/RCE.healthform. Once completed, please take a screenshot of the big green checkmark or print out a copy to show when you arrive before being allowed to attend.

Face Masks – Every participant will be required to wear a face mask / covering over their mouth and nose at all times. Arrive wearing your mask, and make sure to keep it in place during the entire event.

Physical Distancing – Everyone will be required to practice physical distancing, staying at least 6 feet apart.

Hygiene & Sanitation – Everyone who attends is expected to practice good hygiene habits. Participants should wash or sanitize their hands when they arrive and before they leave, and as needed throughout the activity. You are encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer to limit shared surfaces.

What to Bring With You – Food will not be provided and sharing food is not permitted. Make sure to bring your own refreshments, filled water bottle, tools/equipment, notebook and writing tool, camp chair, etc. depending on the event you’re attending.

All participants are expected to follow these rules and procedures to help make every RCE in-person event safe and enjoyable for everyone. Please be sure to check the NJAES Calendar of Events and the RCE office in your county for upcoming events.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
May 5, 2021

Nursery and Conifer Pest Scouting Guide: 250-600 GDD & Boxwood Blight Information & Request for Collaborators

Please print or download these resources (click on them): 

General Nursery Scouting (contains conifer information within range) 

Conifer / Christmas Tree Specific Pest Scouting Guides

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 5/5/2021
Region Location 5-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 308 665 1342 2184 2970
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 208 511 1132 1926 2660
Northern High Point (NJ59) 127 315 767 1373 1928
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges (240-600 GDD50)
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 242 600 Unv. Del First control target – egg hatch / larval activity
Conifer Arborvitae leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 245 360 RU Larvae Treatments (1st generation)
Prunus American plum borer Euzophera semifuneralis 245 440 5 Adult flight, egg laying
Boxwood Boxwood mites Eurytetranychus buxi 245 600 RU All Stages
Lilac Lilac leafminer Caloptilia syringella 246 363 5 Larvae Treatments
Holly Holly leafminer Phytomyza ilicis 246 448 RU Larvae Treatment
Yew Taxus mealybug Dysmicoccus wistariae 246 618 RU Adults/Crawlers
Conifer Pine sawflies (Red-headed) Neodiprion lecontei 246 1388 RU Larvae (1st generation)
Boxwood Boxwood leafminer Monarthropalpusi flavus 249 – 6 Adult emergence
Conifer Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 250 310 5 Egg hatch, galls begin forming (not a control target)
Birch Birch Leafminer Fenusa pusilla 275 375 4 Adults laying eggs
Boxwood Boxwood Psyllid Cacopsylla busi 290 440 RU Nymphs
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 298 448 RU Crawlers (1st generation) – control target
Locust Locust leafminer Odontota dorsalis 298 533 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Pine eriophyid mites Eriophyidae 298 533 5 Typical treatment window
Malus Redbanded leafroller Argyrotaenia velutinana 298 618 5 Typical treatment window
Privet Privet Rust Mites Aculus ligustri 298 802 RU All stages
Oaks Kermes oak scale Allokermes spp. 298 912 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Pine root collar weevil Hylobius radicis 300 350 4 1st adults active
Conifer Turpentine beetle Dendroctonus terebrans 300 350 4 Parent beetles colonizing brood material
Spirea Spirea aphid Aphis spiraecola 326 – 6 Adults/nymphs
Conifer Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae 350 350 RU Eggs and 50% hatch
Malus, Prunus, many Lesser peach tree borer Synanthedon pictipes 350 375 4 Adult flight, egg laying
Rhododendron Azalea Lacebug Stephanitis pyrioides 350 646 RU Adults (1st generation)
Dogwood, apple, pecan, elm, hickory, willow Dogwood borer Synanthedon scitula 350 850 4 adults, eggs, caterpillars
Conifer Elongate Hemlock Scale Fiorinia externa 360 700 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Elm Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola 363 530 RU Larvae treatment (1st generation)
Conifer Larch casebearer Coleophora laricella 363 618 2,4 Nymphs active – typical treatment window
Many Oystershell Scale Lepidosaphes ulmi 363 707 RU Crawlers
Walnut Walnut blister mite Eriophyes erinea 363 707 5 Typical treatment window
Beech Woolly beech aphids Grylloprociphilus imbricator & Phyllaphis fagi 363 7070 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Striped pine scale Toumeyella sp. 400 500 3 Crawlers (1st generation)
Conifer Pine needle midge  Thecodiplosis brachynteroides 400 500 7 Adults (1st generation)
Conifer Pine tortoise scale Toumeyella parvicornis 400 1000 4 Crawlers
Yews, Rhododendrons, many Black Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus 400 2800 RU Adults treatment
Basswood Basswood lacebug Gargaphia tiliae 415 – 6 Adults/nymphs
MANY Fourlined plant bug Poecilocapsus lineatus 435 – 6 Egg hatch / early instars
Many Two-Spotted Mite Tetranychus urticae 437 997 RU Adults (build-up activity)
Birch Bronze Birch Borer Agrilus anxius 440 880 RU Adults (egg laying)
Boxwood Boxwood Leafminer Monarthropalpusi flavus 448 700 RU Larvae treatment
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 448 700 5 Adults/nymphs
Oak Oak skeletonizer Bucculatrix ainsliella 448 707 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Hemlock looper Lambdina fiscellaria 448 707 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Pine shoot beetle Tomicus piniperda 450 500 4 Adults emerge; begin shoot feeding – control target
Conifer Pine Chafer (Anomela Beetle) Anomala oblivia 450 600 7 Adults (1st generation)
Many Gypsy moth Lymanttria dispar 450 900 4 Caterpillar to pupation – control target missed
Juniper Maskell scale Lepidosaphes pallida 470 – 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
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 White prunicola scale Psedaulacaspis prunicola 513 – 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
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)
Conifer Arborvitae Leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 533 700 RU Adults (egg laying) – larvae treatments
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 533 820 RU Crawlers (1st 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 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 Bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis 600 900 RU Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW
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)

 

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

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/5/2021
Region Location CODE 4-May 5-May 6-May 7-May 8-May 9-May
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Low  Low  Very Low  Very 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)

 

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) 

 

Phytophthora sampling and Redheaded Flea Beetle survey requests (5-minutes to take both)

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

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
May 4, 2021

Vaccine Information Resources for Farmers

Anyone who lives or works in NJ is now eligible for a COVID vaccine at any of the vaccine megasites. No appointment needed, see walk-in hours here:
https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine

Information resources for farmers and farm workers continue to be developed by the CDC and the state of NJ. These resources are easily accessed on the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety COVID website.  This website will be updated as more resources are developed.  Available now on the website:

  • Documentation from NJDOH stating all are eligible for free COVID vaccinations regardless of immigration status
  • Megasite locations and times for walk-in COVID vaccines for anyone 16 years or older
  • COVID vaccine educational posters in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Korean, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese
  • CentraState (Freehold) walk-in vaccine clinic information – May 11th and 15th

Farmers or farm workers with questions about locating a vaccine or other vaccine information may use the email address njfarmvax@njaes.rutgers.edu for assistance.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
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.)

[Read more…]

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