Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Four-lined plant bugs are tearing up in the home landscape this week. This true bug feeds on more than 250 mostly herbaceous and small woody ornamental plants. Like Jack Reacher, they are alert, quick, and difficult to detect.
Piercing-sucking mouthpart of an adult four-lined plant bug. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Red thread has been festering in turfgrass for some weeks now, but really blew up over the last few days. As long as there is plenty of moisture – light rain, heavy fogs, dew – and optimal temperatures (60ºF to- 75ºF) – the fungus that causes red thread, Laetisaria fuciformis, will tear up susceptible grasses.
Pseudosclerotia (red threads) of Isaria fuciformis are clearly evident on red thread infected fine fescue. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Leaf blister on maple? You say no way, leaf blister only gets on oak… A foliar disease that looks very much like anthracnose has appeared on area red maples in the last few days.
Maple leaf blister, caused by the fungus Taphrina carveri. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Several samples of brown ring patch found their way into the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory this week. Sometimes confused with take-all, fairy ring, or yellow patch, this relatively newly described malady of Poa annua putting greens is caused by the fungus Waitea circinata.
Brown ring patch on Poa annua. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
The crew of the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory are always on the hunt for new and exciting examples of plant damage. Last week, out walking her dog, Sabrina Tirpak our Principle Technician and photographer happened upon a red maple with these amazing red leaf spots.
Dramatic leaf spots caused by the ocellate maple gall midge, Acericecis ocellaris. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
Just like clockwork and in time to thrill your mother for Mothers Day, the telia of the fungus Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae appeared on area junipers.
Telia of Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae on Eastern red cedar. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
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