Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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June 8, 2020

Bagworms will be hatching very soon and need attention

This advisory has three topics: (1) Bagworm hatch, (2) boxwood blight activity, and (3) NJNLA online pesticide credit course availability.

Bagworm hanging from a branch

Photo: Rich Buckley

Bagworms

Photo: Rich Buckley

(1) Bagworms

Bagworms (and many other caterpillars) will be hatching any day now, and should be managed very soon. Bagworms should be targeted during egg hatch through first/second instar caterpillars, typically between 600-900 GDD50 (growing degree-days) prior to their airborne “ballooning” phase. Check that the eggs have hatched prior to application of pesticides as most compounds will not be effective at all if the first instar caterpillars are not present. Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible.

Growing degree-days as of 6/7 (Using NEWA): (Upper Deerfield: 651 GDD50)(Howell: 502 GDD50)(Pequest: 414.5 GDD50)

Bagworm management: If eggs have not hatched: hand-remove sacs/bags. Typically female/egg filled sacs are higher in the canopy so keep that in mind while scouting.

Bagworm preferred materials: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis) and Spinosad containing compounds.

Other bagworm material options: Indoxacarb(Provaunt), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryne), cyantraniliprole (Ference), growth regulator such as tebufenozide (Mimic), and many other compounds are available. Please contact your extension agent or chemical dealer for more information.

Please read the label. The label will provide use rates, restrictions (phytotoxicity or pollinator concerns), and re-application intervals.

Bagworm links / Shade tree insect recommendations:

https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/bagworm-caterpillars-have-hatched-throughout-most-of-nj/#more-5610

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS1144

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E334

Photo Credits: Rich Buckley (Plant Diagnostics Laboratory) https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

(2) Boxwood blight

Please continue or initiate protective/preventative applications this week for Boxwood Blight.

Previous Boxwood PPA 6/4/2020: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/immediate-potential-for-boxwood-blight-activity/

Boxwood blight activity as of today (6/8) for the next week (using a Millville, NJ weather station) 

As of now the predicative model found at (https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app) indicates that there is a possibility for Boxwood Blight activity Wednesday (10th) and Thursday (11th) of this week. Additionally, I am expecting another round of pathogen activity on Sunday (14th). The tropical storm systems pushing up from the south may bring higher winds and short periods of rain that could easily spread the disease if present. Be mindful of overhead irrigation during this period and only water when leaves will have adequate time to dry.

Please visit and use this webpage for local disease forecasting (select a close-by weather station within the website or application): https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app) 

(3) NJNLA online pesticide credit opportunity

NJNLA pesticide credit webinar/course: Invasive Forest Pests: New Threats and Their Management

Sign-up: https://www.njnla.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1383945

Webinar – June 10th, 2020 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Invasive Forest Pests: New Threats and Their Management. You must include your email address when registering. Information to join Webinar will be sent just prior to the start. Cost: $35/Member, $50/Non-Member

NJ Pest Credits: 3A (Ornamentals) – 3, PP2 (Private Applicator Category) – 3, Plus: 2 (Forest) – 3, 8C (Campgrounds) – 3, 9 (Regulatory) – 3,. CNLP: Environment – 1.5, LTE/LTCO: 1 CEU, NJUCF: 1 CEU and ISA is still pending.

 

Please take the 2020 Nursery Industry Survey: https://forms.gle/dUjLxaiu6qDQYYsRA

Have a plant problem? Contact the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

 

 

Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. @ twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

Filed Under: Disease Forecasting, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Turf
June 4, 2020

Immediate potential for Boxwood Blight activity: Plus a Nursery and Greenhouse growers’ update

 

There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections in the next few days according to https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app.

Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately for Boxwood Blight. The disease may be sporulating and spreading amongst plantings if present (or may come into your nursery via shipments) within the next few days. According to https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app, this is the first legitimate potential for boxwood blight spread and new infections in 2020 for southern NJ. Please continue preventative/protectant fungicide applications utilizing; chlorothalonil (FRAC Group M05), mancozeb (FRAC Group M03), and QoI-fungicides (FRAC Group 11) in a rotation. Please contact Tim Waller at twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information or questions.

UPDATES: 

Growing Degree-days as of 6/4/20 using NEWA

GDD50 = Growing Degree-Day with min. temp. set to 50F

Upper Deerfield = 548.5 GDD50 ; Howell = 407.5 GDD50 ; Pequest = 335.0 GDD50

How to use growing degree-day resources: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/using-growing-degree-day-calculators-nursery-pest-and-pathogen-updates-important-resource-links/

Pests: The number of accumulated growing degree-days has been rapidly increasing with higher and higher temperatures (approaching normalcy). Throughout New Jersey various adult borers will be emerging, these include; Lilac, Emerald Ash, Banded Ash Clearwing, and Peach Tree borers. Additionally, Ambrosia beetles (multiple species) will be in-flight and actively seeking egg-laying locations. Pyrethroids should be used as preventative sprays but should be targeted to the bases of susceptible hosts such as Magnolias, Yellow bud, Red bud, Japanese maples, Styrax, and Hybrid chestnuts. These Targeted applications are geared towards protecting beneficial insect populations. The eggs of many scale insects are hatching now, leaving their ‘crawler’ stage vulnerable to pesticide applications. Scale insect species to be mindful of; Maskell, Oystershell, Taxus, Euonymus, Prunicola, Oak lecanium, Japanese maple, Cottony maple, Calico, Golden oak, and Juniper scale. Aphids, especially on roses, and mites will be increasing their populations with the warmer weather and should be minded when in high density. Management should utilize an appropriate pesticide rotation when necessary, as these pests are prone to developing pesticide resistance quickly. Four lined plant bugs, basswood lacebug, and multiple leaf and plant hoppers have been reported south of NJ and should be monitored and treated for as appropriate through the coming weeks as many of these insects are capable of vectoring plant viruses. Lilac leafminer, Juniper tip-midge, and Pin oak sawfly may also be an issue in some locations. Red-headed flea beetle will be hatching between 250-480 GDD50, with adults emerging between 500-1000 GDD50. A second generation of larva will then be active between 1,570 to 1860 GDD50, emerging later 1,878 to 2,318 GDD50. Reminder, keep an eye out for the Box tree moth that has been identified approaching the border of US and Canada. This pest has prompted APHIS importation amendments for Boxwood, Euonymus, and Illex. Gypsy moths, Bagworms, Mimosa webworm will be hatching or emerging in many parts of the state very soon, (in some locations they may already have).

Please visit https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E334 for more specific information.

Understanding and approaching plant diseases: The weather as of late has been conducive to plant disease for much of NJ. Higher humidity, increasing temperatures, and prolonged periods of leaf wetness (particularly at night) are considered the factors associated with the ‘sweet spot’ of disease development. Regularly scheduled protectant fungicide applications should be continued if a pathogen or history-thereof is suspected. Compounds should be rotated to guard against pesticide resistance to any one compound (rotating high/medium-risk with low-risk materials). Also, any steps geared towards increasing airflow, reducing wet-feet, limiting mechanical injury, and reducing leaf wetness duration or excessive overhead irrigation during this warm and humid period will benefit disease management efforts.

Please visit: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E036 for more specific information on individual plant and pathogen species.

Other timely diseases to note: Many needle cast diseases of conifers should be well into a fungicide application schedule, utilizing chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, basic sulfate coppers, mancozeb, and T-methyl in a rotation of materials. Many of these compounds will also control Pine needle rust that may become prevalent in some locations, especially those locations with high levels of goldenrod or aster weeds. Botrytis and powdery mildew are still a concern in many parts of the state, especially those that are experiencing cooler nighttime temperatures. What fungicide used is dependent on the specific host species in many cases. Please refer to the link above for specific information. Fungal and bacterial leaf spots are very common and often only intensively treated if those plants are to enter the market the next season. However, in areas prone to disease or severe cases (defoliation occurs), treatments should be preventative and conducted throughout the season. Sooty mold grows on the honeydew produced by large populations of sap-sucking insect pests (aphids, scales, leaf/plant hoppers). Controlling the insect pests is our best option to reduce this unsightly disease. In severe casts of sooty mold, plants can be washed free of this fungal growth using mild detergents. Phytophthora diseases are ever present at the nursery, however cultural practices such as sterilized potting media, cleaning tools and machinery regularly, efforts to reduce wet-feet or overwatering, and sterilization or treatment of recycled water can have profound impacts on the expression or spread of Phytophthora diseases. When fungicide applications are required, materials like phosphorus acids, fosetyl-Al (Aliette), mefenoxam (Ridomil), and etridiazole + T-methyl (Banrot) are commonly used. Rotation of these compounds and proper disease identification are incredibly important as many root-rotting pathogens have a strong propensity towards developing pesticide resistance.

Please consider the Rutgers Plant Diagnostics Laboratory for pest/pathogen identification concerns: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

 

Online discussions and credit events

NJNLA pesticide credit webinar/course: Invasive Forest Pests: New Threats and Their Management (6/10/20): https://www.njnla.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1383945

Webinar – June 10th, 2020 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Invasive Forest Pests: New Threats and Their Management. You must include your email address when registering. Information to join Webinar will be sent just prior to the start. Cost: $35/Member, $50/Non-Member. NJ Pest Credits: 3A (Ornamentals) – 3, PP2 (Private Applicator Category) – 3, 2 (Forest) – 3, 8C (Campgrounds) – 3, 9 (Regulatory) – 3,. CNLP: Environment – 1.5, LTE/LTCO: 1 CEU, NJUCF: 1 CEU and ISA is still pending. 

EPA information pertaining to online credits for licenses expiring in 2020: https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/increased-online-ceus-for-licenses-expiring-2020-act-now/

Ask the Agent (every Wednesday @ 7:00pm): https://go.rutgers.edu/t7wjkit1 . A new online forum has been created where anyone can log-on and speak with Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents (multiple agents from multiple counties)

NJNLA- Wine Down Wednesdays (every first and third Wednesday @ 7:00pm-8:00pm). Email: Lori Jenssen @ njnla.director@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity to speak with other green-industry businesses.

 

Rutgers nursery survey, advisory, and other resources:

Please take the 2020 Nursery Industry Survey: https://forms.gle/dUjLxaiu6qDQYYsRA

The new nursery agents have prepared a preliminary survey aimed at understanding the needs of our growers and clientele, i.e. you. Please take a moment to complete the survey, as this type of information really helps the agents secure grant funding to deal with the problems you actually have. Thank you!

Subscribe to the NJAES YouTube webpage: https://www.youtube.com/user/RutgersNJAES/

RU Sustainable Nursery Production website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/

March meeting PDF: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/documents/2020%20SJ%20Nursery%20Meeting%20Proceedings.pdf

Filed Under: Disease Forecasting, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Turf Tagged With: ,
June 2, 2020

Are Disinfectant Wipes Working for You?

Disinfectant wipes can seem like an easy Disinfecting wipesoption to disinfect surfaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Label instructions for disinfectant wipes include a “allow to remain wet” statement for efficacy. In many cases, the surface needs to stay wet for at least 4 minutes in order to be effective. Check your product label to verify the time for your specific wipes.

How wet your wipe is to start, how large of a surface you use the wipe on, the surface type and environmental conditions will all impact how long the surface stays wet. In a simple test to evaluate the ability to maintain the required wet time, three disinfectant wipe products were tested on fours surfaces. In an indoor setting at 70 degrees and 60% relative humidity without much air movement these wipes were used on a finished wood surface, a solid countertop, a plastic folding table, and a plastic table cloth. In all cases one wipe on a 4 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
June 2, 2020

EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection for Agricultural Pesticide Handlers During COVID-19

U.S. EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sent this bulletin at 06/01/2020 03:35 PM EDT Additional Information There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. EPA has heard from states and stakeholders about Personal Protective Equipment shortages in the […]
Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
June 1, 2020

Hand Sanitizers for Use in the Field

Under the “Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Their Employers, and Housing Providers”, employers are required to provide hand sanitizers with at least 60-95% alcohol in various locations and employers are to schedule handwashing breaks every hour.  If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol may be used.  Hand sanitizers may be difficult to find, but a grower can make their own.  Visit the onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu website for a factsheet entitled “Home-made Hand Sanitizer”.  This walks you through how to make a cheap effective sanitizer.

The next question is, what is the proper method to apply and use the sanitizer?  Research has shown that a two-step sanitizer method is the best method for alcohol-based sanitizers.

  1. Step 1: Apply three pumps of sanitizer from the dispenser.
  2. Step 2: Rub hands for 20 seconds making sure to cover the palms, backs of hands, and between fingers up to the wrists.
  3. Step 3: Wipe the hands on a disposable paper towel.
  4. Step 4: Apply one pump of the sanitizer from the dispenser.
  5. Step 5: Rub hands until dry.

Hand sanitizers do not take the place of handwashing before starting or returning to work; after using the toilet; before and after eating and smoking; before putting on gloves; after touching animals or animal waste or any other time hands may become contaminated under the Food Safety Modernization Act or for most audits.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
June 1, 2020

Signage for Farm Worker COVID-19 Education Available

 NJ Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has requested the following message be shared with the farm community.

To assist farm operators in the provision of COVID-19 education, the NJ Department of Health has created a set of prevention messages that can be used as signage to be hung in common areas on farms. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,