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.

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

Energy Efficiency Incentives for Indoor Agriculture – Webinar

New Jersey offers a variety of statewide energy efficiency programs that are designed to offer full project development assistance from information on best practices to rebate payments and financing tools.

“Incentives for Indoor Agriculture” webinar will be presented by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program on Thursday, March 4, 2021 from 11:00am to 12:00pmEDT. This webinar will discuss how New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program is helping the indoor agriculture industry with state funded incentives and rebates for highly energy efficient technology and money-saving solutions to maximize plant growth potential while reducing utility costs.

Registrations are accepted online by clicking here.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) provides oversight for the NJ Clean Energy Program.

As stewards of our environment, farmers can reinforce their pledge to sustainable agriculture by using renewable energy and help reduce pollution, global warming, and our dependence on imported fuels. Installation of energy efficient equipment, adoption of energy-saving practices and renewable energy generation is a viable option for New Jersey farmers seeking to reduce their operating costs.

For additional information, please call the NJ Department of Agriculture’s Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources at (609) 292-5532 or visit their website.

Reminder: Register for the VGA-Nursery/Ornamental sessions by this Wednesday (2/17) for pesticide credits!

Reminder: register here by Wednesday Feb. 17th for pesticide credits!

Please join us at the NEW- Nursery and Ornamentals Track at this year’s virtual VGA

Nursery/Ornamental track is on Monday, February 22nd 

  • Session I:  9:15 – 11:45am
  • Session II:  1:15 – 3:45pm (pesticide recertification credits acquired: 3 Cat 1A; 4 Cat 3A; 4 Cat 8C; 4 Cat 10; 4 PP2)

Click here for additional pesticide credit requirements and instructions (mandatory steps for recertification credits at VGA)

Price options:

  1. One day pass – $60.00
  2. Full 1yr VGA Membership (access to all four days of sessions 2/22-2/25)- $120

Rutgers is dedicated to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe. Upon upload, your files will be encrypted and stored to Rutgers Connect. Your information will be kept strictly confidential; used solely to meet NJDEP ID verification protocol for recertification credit; and will not be used for any other purpose. Your files will be deleted within 60 days after the training event.

New Nursery and Ornamental Track at the 2021 VGA

Turf/sod producers are now eligible for assistance through CFAP – Deadline 2/26

Turf/sod producers are now eligible for assistance through CFAP – LINK

This is one of several commodities that experienced COVID-19 market disruptions but had not been explicitly included in the initial CFAP 2 rule.

Eligible turfgrass sod producers can now apply for CFAP 2 between January 19 – February 26, 2021

Payments for turfgrass sod will be equal to:

  1. The amount of the producer’s eligible sales in calendar year 2019, plus crop insurance indemnities, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) payments received for the 2019 crop year, multiplied by
  2. The payment rate for that range.
2019 Sales Range Percent Payment Factor for the Producer’s 2019 Sales of Eligible Commodities Falling in the Range
$0 to $49,999 10.6%
$50,000 to $99,999 9.9%
$100,000 to $499,999 9.7%
$500,000 to $999,999 9.0%
Sales over $1 million 8.8%

Payments for producers who began farming in 2020 and had no sales in 2019 will be based on the producer’s actual 2020 sales as of the producer’s application date.

Example: A producer’s 2019 sales of eligible commodities and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program payments totaled $75,000. The payment is calculated as ($49,999 times 10.6%) plus ($25,001 times 9.9%) equals a total payment of $7,775.

Contact:

  • Eligible turfgrass sod producers can now apply for CFAP by contacting their local USDA Service Center.
  • One-on-one support with applications is also available by calling 877-508-8364.
  • Access all CFAP 2 application resources at farmers.gov/cfap2/apply.

Onboarding for Seasonal Employees Training

Although this training opportunity is New York-based, it will have information that covers topics related to all employers who hire seasonal employees.

Attend a 1.5-hour, on-line program Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers. Learn the key things you should have in place to be ready to welcome a group of seasonal workers. This program will follow an onboarding guide, Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees, that was developed by Liz Higgins, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team, Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program, and Richard Stup, CCE Ag Workforce Development. The onboarding guide covers:

-required paperwork and documentation for a new hire, including seasonal, migrant workers
-required trainings (with an emphasis on fruit and vegetable farms) and guides for developing a training plan
-tips for bringing on new employees and having them productive from day 1, especially when you are up to your eyeballs in work!
-tips for creating a welcoming environment where employees feel connected to their workplace and competent on the job.

When you register chose one of four dates:  

January 26 | 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

January 27 | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

January 28 | 8:00 AM  to 9:30 AM

To register see information in the Morning Ag Clips at https://www.morningagclips.com/onboarding-seasonal-farm-employees/