What Effect Will a Cold Winter Have on Insect Populations This Season?:  Insects overwinter in all life stages, but the majority are in the egg or pupa stage. Cold weather usually has little effect on these stages. Those that overwinter as adults or larvae usually overwinter in protected locations. Snow cover can insulate insects and increase survival. The major cause of decreasing insect numbers is widely fluctuating temperature extremes throughout the winter. When temperatures warm, insects begin development, only to stop when temperatures again drop. Therefore, springs with false “starts” are more likely to negatively affect insect populations than a steady cold winter.

Snow cover can insulate insects & increase winter survival rates. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Springs with “false starts” can be detrimental to early hatching Eastern Tent Caterpillars. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Girdling Roots:

Many tree species can develop potentially life-threatening girdling roots, but maple species are notorious for developing them in the landscape. As offending girdling roots expand in diameter and press against the also expanding central stem, an inevitable slow decline of the tree begins. When two roots grow together or when two branches grow together, then they can graft and share conducting tissues. However, root and stem tissues cannot graft together, and detrimental effects occur when they expand into one another.

Girdling roots are rare in natural areas, but are relatively common in the urban landscape. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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During the winter dormant season, there are a significant number of potential pests of ornamentals that require monitoring. Pest populations ignored during the off season is a missed opportunity to evaluate future problems. These potential concerns can be especially pronounced on evergreen shrubs and conifers. Therefore, this winter do not make the mistake of thinking that landscape problems can be forgotten about until next spring. A little vigilance now can go a long way toward recording & possibly reducing future problems. The following is a review of some of the major pest problems that require monitoring and possible management actions during the next few months.

Winter pest monitoring can still be achieved during the off-season. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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