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Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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June 23, 2021

Some Key Soft Scale Pests in the Landscape

Soft Scale Species Controls (June & July): Compared to armored scales, the soft scales are relatively easy to suppress with either contact sprays or systemic treatments. Some of the common landscape soft scale species in NJ include calico, Fletcher, Indian wax, cottony maple, cottony camellia, spruce bud, European fruit lecanium, pine tortoise, striped pine, magnolia, & tulip tree. Although large soft scale adult females are more difficult to control, the immature nymphs are often vulnerable to sprays when good coverage is achieved. However, there are some species that have proven to be more challenging to control. Two good examples include the calico scale & Indian wax scale species. Horticultural oil sprays are often recommended to control immature scale nymphs, but sometimes against the calico & Indian wax species the efficacies are less consistent. This blog will first review soft scale management options & then show photographs & discuss the life cycles of the following soft scale species with crawlers emerging during June & July: (1) Indian wax, (2) calico, (3) cottony camellia, (4) spruce bud, & (5) Fletcher.

Drawing of a soft scale feeding on woody bark. All soft scale species suck sap from phloem vascular tissues. (Drawing Credit: John Davidson, University of Maryland)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
June 23, 2021

COVID Delta Variant and NJ Agriculture

As the farming season progresses so does concern for the increased prevalence of the COVID Delta variant in the region.  We asked Don Schaffner, Extension Specialist, about the Delta variant and if we should be concerned about it.  If you or your farm workers are in need of a vaccine please email njfarmvax@njaes.rutgers.edu and an Extension team member will assist you with finding local vaccination locations and/or determine if an on-farm vaccine clinic is possible for your workers.  If you have questions about the vaccine visit the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Vaccine Education for Growers website for information in multiple languages.

Meredith Melendez: Are we seeing an increase in cases of the COVID Delta variant in New Jersey or the region?

Don Schaffner: Yes. According to CDC, Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) had only 3.1% of all infections due to the Delta variant for the week ending 5/22/21. This percentage had jumped to 17.7% week for the week ending 6/5/21. There are not further updates at this time.

Also according to the CDC in NJ 3.4% all infections were due to the Delta variant for the week ending 5/22/21. No further New Jersey specific updates are available at this time.

MM: How is the Delta variant different than the COVID cases we saw over the past year?

DS: There are a number of reasons why there is increased concern over the Delta variant. Epidemiological data shows that the variant has increased transmissibility (i.e. it is more easily spread from person to person) than the original strain. Estimates indicate that it is about 60% more transmissible. This means that for every one person infected by the original virus, on average for the same conditions the Delta variant would spread to about 1.6 people.

One of the ways of combating the virus once someone is infected is with monoclonal antibody treatments. There is evidence that the Delta variant is more resistant to this important treatment.

There is also evidence that the Delta virus is not as readily neutralized by post-vaccination sera. Sera contain the antibodies in people that are vaccinated.

MM: Are the Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines as effective against the Delta variant?

DS: Yes.  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine appears to be about 60% effective against the delta variant. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are about 88% effective after the second dose (vs. over 90% for other variants). So while the vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant, it is still much better to be vaccinated than not.

MM: Why should someone get vaccinated now if they haven’t already?

DS: Unvaccinated individuals are vulnerable to all variants of the virus. These variants arise through the natural evolution when the virus replicates inside a sick person. Since the vaccines can stop some people from getting infected, the more people that are vaccinated the better control we will have over these variants and stop new variants from evolving.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Vegetable Crops
June 10, 2021

Be Proactive, Keep Youth Safe on the Farm

How often do you say this: “do as I say, not as I do”?

The farm can be a fun, engaging, and nostalgic place to raise children; however, life on the farm comes with inherent risks that require certain precautions to make the farm a safe place for kids. The curious nature of children makes this especially difficult, as they often exhibit a lack of fear or a clear understanding of danger. According to the Children’s Safety Network, 42% of fatal injuries to youth on U.S. farms involve machinery and motor vehicles (e.g. tractors, ATVs, etc.) while another 16% of fatal injuries are due to drowning. As the school year comes to a close and your own children and grandchildren spend more time on the farm, use your actions and attitude to establish safety as a priority.

In addition to being a positive role model, make time to identify hazards around the farm and implement changes to improve safety. We have included some of these hazardous “hot spots” in the table below, along with recommendations for injury prevention.

Hazards for Children Recommendations to Prevent Injury
Workshops, chemical and grain storage areas Install gates, doors, or other locking systems to keep children out

Explain the meaning of warning signs around the farm

Clean and dispose of empty chemical containers

Establish designated safe play areas
Machinery and equipment Equipment should be turned off, disengaged, and inaccessible

Leave front end loaders and similar equipment in the down position

Lock vehicle cabs after use

Keep vehicle keys out of reach of children

Never allow children to play around machinery

Never allow children (or anyone) to be an extra rider on a tractor
Livestock Pens Only allow children to work with livestock under adult supervision

Secure livestock pens so children cannot wander into the area

 

If you’re looking for fun ways to talk with children about farm safety, check out this farm safety activity book created by the National Child Safety Council. The book includes games, puzzles, crafts, and more on a wide array of topics from livestock and tractor safety to first aid.

For more details on age-specific hazards, protective measures, and appropriate tasks for youth check out our NJAES factsheet titled “Farm Safety Tips for Children”.

Source: Brennan, M.F. and Brumfield, R.B. “FS937: Farm Safety Tips for Children.” Rutgers University, March 1999. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS937. Accessed on 10 June 2021.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
June 8, 2021

Needs Assessment Survey for RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farm Training Program

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Training Program-RU Ready to Farm is looking for input from beginner farmers on what types of subjects they would like to see covered. The 2022 season of RU Ready to Farm will feature in person workshops that are open to the general beginner farmer community, and the focus and content of these workshops will be designed according to community need and interest. If you have been farming for fewer than 10 years and would like to contribute to the development of this workshop series, the survey can be found here: RU Ready to Farm Needs Assessment. 

For more information about the RU Ready to Farm program, visit: https://rubeginnerfarmer.rutgers.edu/

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
June 3, 2021

NJ Secretary of Ag Fisher Addresses Governor’s Executive Order #243

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.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
June 1, 2021

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 

Please answer a few questions if you would like to be included in a statewide Phytophthora in Conifer Nurseries sampling project 

Redheaded Flea beetle NJ specific survey: 

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, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,