Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

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

Early Season Pest Scouting 0-25 Growing Degree-days (Pest GDD list and forecasting)

Please download or print the two resources of this post (click on them): 

How to use this pest scouting / growing degree-day (GDD50) information:

The information provided in the downloads give early season scouting ranges (in growing degree days) for specific insect pests. Additionally, forecasting predictions (GDD50 accumulation) per calendar date for multiple regions of New Jersey (S,N,C).

(Please note: we will be providing pest GDD ranges regularly throughout the season for our green industries)

Scouting Ranges (please download / print above resources):

  • It is important to note that these GDD50 are not exact, rather provide a range of GDD and subsequent calendar dates that can be used to scout for, and treat for, insect pests.
  • The pests listed here will be listed again in future scouting range announcements as they undergo further developmental life stages or are vulnerable to management options.
Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges Starting (0-25 GDD50)
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer Conifer rust mites Eriophyidae 7 22 4 Overwintering eggs hatch
Pomes, Stone fruit European red mite Panonychus ulmi 7 58 2 1st adults active
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 7 58 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
Deciduous Oystershell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Deciduous, Yew Cottony camellia / taxus scale Pulvinaria floccifera 7 91 5 Spring control of overwintering stage
Many Southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis 7 91 5 Overwintering eggs hatch
Conifer Taxus mealybug Dysmicoccus wistariae 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Oaks Kermes oak scales Kermes spp. 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Elongate hemlock scale Fiorinia externa 7 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Many Aphids Aphidoidea 7 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 7 121 RU Overwintering eggs hatch
Oaks Golden oak scale Asterolecanium variolosum 7 121 5 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Pales weevil Hylobius pales 7 121 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
Magnoliaceae Tuliptree scale Toumeyella liriodendri 12 121 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Rhododendron, Azalea Azalea lacebug Stephanitis pyrioides 18 372 RU Spring control of overwintering stage
White and Scotch Pine White pine aphid Cinara strobi 22 91 RU Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Pine bark adelgid Pineus strobi 22 58 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Magnoliaceae Magnolia scale Neolecanium cornuparvum 22 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Spruce bud scale Physokermes piceae 22 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Juniper scale Carulaspis juniperi 22 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 25 100 3 spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 25 100 3 1st larvae
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 25 120 3 Spring control of overwintering stage
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
4 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf

 

Forecasting (please download / print above resources):

  • The forecasting can help you know what to scout for and when to have materials ready if treatment is required.
  • In the printable resource; look at the date on the bottom of the graph and follow that to the GDD shown to get a better understanding of GDD accumulation at calendar dates. These models change constantly as they are reliant on weather patterns but are still extremely beneficial.
  • Site specific GDD50 models, like those shown in the printable resource can be obtained at USPEST.ORG
  • NEWA-Cornell also have great degree-day models and maps that are useful for regional and specific GDD information
  • Please review Tim Waller’s previous post on utilizing growing degree-day calculators
NJ – Location Station Code GDD-Today GDD-3/19 (next Friday)
Upper Deerfield NJ50 9 19
Howell NJ10 6 16
High Point NJ59 0 4
*predicted

 Contact Tim Waller (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu) for more information.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
March 8, 2021

EPA Releases Testing Data Showing PFAS Contamination from Fluorinated Containers

        [U.S. EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sent this bulletin at 03/05/2021 01:58 PM EST] Note: This EPA OPP Update has been forwarded to all New Jersey Mosquito Control Agencies.  As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursues its mission to protect human health and the environment, addressing risks […]
Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 5, 2021

IPM vs. PHC: Is There a Difference?

History

During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was an approach to field crop management that farmers increasingly began to practice in the United States. It took barely a decade for farm agriculture to fully realize the problems associated with the over-reliance on pesticides when controlling pests. The classic example of the overuse of the chlorinated hydrocarbon (DDT) immediately comes to mind. Despite the astonishing success that synthetic pesticides usually have at killing pests, some have failed with disastrous results. This especially has occurred when the same material was used repeatedly over extended periods of time. For this reason, the IPM approach became necessary for US farmers managing extensive row crops. Approximately 20-25 years after farmers began implementing IPM methods, the landscaping or “green industry” started to gradually incorporate IPM methods into their service programs.

Tractor tilling a field

US Agriculture initially began to practice IPM with extensive row crop farming more than 60 years ago. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Sign denoting GMOs

The use of GMO’s with crops such as Round-Up Ready soybeans & corn is certainly an IPM tactic, but emerging complications are a concern. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
March 5, 2021

Value-Added Producer Grants in New Jersey

Grant.gov applications are due by April 29, 2021 and
paper applications must be postmarked by May 4, 2021

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program administered by the USDA’s Rural Development Agency (RD), helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , ,
March 5, 2021

Covid Update From Secretary of Agriculture

March 5, 2021

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Dear Farm Owner/Operator:

On March 1, 2021 Governor Murphy announced that farmworkers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15, 2021.

We understand that the ag community is anxious to have everyone on their farm vaccinated as soon as possible, especially since some of you already have workers in the field.

Here is how the vaccination program will roll out over the next week:

  • The Department of Health (DOH) will send out a vaccine Q&A.
  • A brief survey will be included in that email that will help them with supply and delivery planning. Survey questions will include:
  • Business location
  • Contact person for scheduling vaccinations
  • Number of workers to be vaccinated
  • Logistic considerations

 

Once you receive the survey, please fill it out and return it as directed to the DOH.

A Health official will follow up with your contact person to schedule vaccinations either on your farm or at a standing location.

 

Sincerely,

Douglas H. Fisher

Secretary

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 4, 2021

Upcoming ornamental meetings, webinars, and Boxwood Blight resources

Virtual education opportunities and digital resources update.

Virtual Meetings:

NJLCA – University 2021 (online)

NJNLA – Total Pro (online)

2021 –Rutgers– Central Jersey Turf & Ornamentals Institute (online)

2021 –Rutgers– 30th Anniversary Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium (online)

FREE-Webinars:

HRI tHrive Series (all taught by international experts):

  • Seeing Red? – Problems with and management options for redheaded flea beetles in nurseries
  • International Boxwood Blight Series: Germany – A 15-Year Love-Hate Relationship
  • Plant Benefits or Features – Which Cue is More Effective?

Boxwood Blight Resources

Please contact Timothy J. Waller with any questions: twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf