December 9, 2024

UPDATE: APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

FROM APHIS EMAIL:

Subject:           APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

To:                   State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), is adding the entire State of Delaware and Erie County, Pennsylvania to the box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) quarantined area.

APHIS is taking this action in response to the confirmed detections of BTM in a residence in Little Creek, Delaware, on July 11 and in Lakeside Cemetery in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania, on August 29. PDA has established an intrastate quarantine area for BTM that parallels the Federal quarantine. This Federal Order supersedes Federal Order DA-2024-17.

To prevent the spread of BTM, APHIS considers it necessary to regulate the interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood from quarantined areas. Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a state agricultural authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met. These requirements will prevent producers and distributors of boxwood from moving infested plants interstate. State agricultural authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols.

APHIS prohibits movement of all other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes.

The attached Federal Order (click here) and additional information about BTM are located on the APHIS box tree moth webpage. For additional information, you may contact:

Matthew Travis
National Policy Manager
580-240-5394
matthew.a.travis@usda.gov

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

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July 22, 2024

UPDATE – Box tree moth confirmed at private residence in Kent County DE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT

UPDATE: Box Tree Moth has been positively confirmed in Kent County – DE. PLEASE BE VIGILANT

Click here to see the original link from DE.gov (write-up with more photos)  “The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has confirmed a find of box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) at a private residence in Kent County, Delaware. The box tree moth is a federally regulated pest that primarily feeds on boxwood species (Buxus spp.)”

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you think you see this on Boxwoods in the landscape, garden, commercial locations, parking lots, anywhere boxwoods are growing – we want to know!!

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • or
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

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July 15, 2024

Box Tree Moth on the Horizon – BE VIGILANT NOW, like right now – Resources

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

Please educate yourself on this important in-bound pest. It is CRITICALY IMPORTANT we stay on top of this issue – as it can cause devastation on par with, or worse than, boxwood blight. We are not looking to cause alarm – just being pragmatic about this spreading invasive pest.

If you think you see this in the landscape, gardens, commercial locations, parking lots, anywhere boxwoods are growing we want to know!!

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • or
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Resources:

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June 17, 2024

Nursery Twilight – Cumberland Nurseries – THIS Thursday afternoon

Rutgers, in collaboration with Cumberland Nurseries and The New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association (NJNLA), will be holding the Annual Growers Meeting at Cumberland Nurseries this Thursday afternoon.

When: This Thursday 6/20/2024 (4-8PM)

Where: 1521 Bridgeton-Millville Pike, Millville, NJ 08332

Credits Available: 

  • NJ Pesticide Credits: 2x – CORE : 1x- 1A, 3A, 10, PP2

  • LTE/LTCO: 1.5, CNLP: 1.5 Environment

Registration is required: Click here to register and for more information

AGENDA
4:00 – 6:00pm: Networking, meal, sign-in.
6:00 – 7:00pm: CEU Seminar: Tim Waller, Rutgers “Back to Basics – Pesticide Use”.
7:00 – 7:30pm: Questions and Discussion.
7:30 – 8:00pm: Door prizes and networking.
8:00pm: Adjourn.

Tim Waller will be presenting on “Back to Basics – Pesticide Use” which will be split into two sections. Section 1 will principally focus on reminders related to safe handling and application of pesticides. Specific topics will include reminders related to navigating labels, understanding PPE requirements, how REI and PHI can impact day-to-day activities, along with reminders related to handler training and the pesticide certification process will be discussed. We will also look at sprayer calibration and component selection as this can critically impact both the volume of materials used, and the ultimate efficacy of pest management via pesticide applications. Section 2 will focus on the decision-making process when determining where an application will be directed (air blast foliar, drench, pre/post potting granular etc.) and the label language that would allow that, along with specific pest examples to include at least 1 insect pest, 1 foliar disease, and1 root disease. Seminar is geared towards reminding growers of safe and effective use techniques in their operation.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, pesticide credits, Turf Tagged With: , ,
May 28, 2024

Box Tree Moth – Quarantine Expansion (all of MI, NY, OH, MA)

APHIS Establishes Quarantines for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Ohio, Expands Quarantines in Michigan and New York, and Establishes Conditions for the Interstate Movement of Regulated Articles of Buxus species.

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with State Agricultural Authorities of the impacted States, is updating the box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) quarantined areas and establishing the conditions for the interstate movement of regulated articles of Buxus species, commonly called boxwood, from BTM quarantined areas.

Excerpt from Federal Order (click here for full)

“This Federal Order establishes quarantined areas in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Ohio and expands the quarantined areas in Michigan and New York for BTM to align with interior quarantines established in these States. Specifically, this Federal Order a) establishes a BTM quarantine in the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, b) adds all of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne Counties to the BTM quarantines previously established in Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties and parts of Jackson and Monroe Counties in Michigan, c) adds all of Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Franklin, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Saint Lawrence, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties to the BTM quarantines previously established in Eerie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties in New York, and d) establishes quarantines in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio, as well as the portions of Montgomery County, Ohio, to the south of Interstate 70; and the portions of Greene County that are west of SR 68 to the north of Xenia, and west of interstate 42 to the south of Xenia in Ohio. This Federal Order supersedes DA-2022-13 and DA2023-18, to include these new areas and to incorporate changes to the requirements for interstate movement of regulated articles. Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a State Agricultural Authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met. These requirements will prevent producers and distributors of boxwood from moving infested plants interstate. State Agricultural Authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols. All other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes, are prohibited from movement.

Uncertain what Box Tree Moth is?

Video: Click here for-  “Demystifying Box Tree Moth” – HRI 

Factsheet: Box Tree Moth: Fact Sheet, Management & Visual Guide

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May 23, 2024 and

ALERT – Control window approaching for Cryptomeria and Elongate Hemlock Scale

Cryptomeria Scale, Elongate Hemlock Scale, and Bagworms in Conifers – Control Window Approaching!

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 5/23/2024 (for June – July)
CODE Location 23-May 1-Jun 15-Jun 1-Jul 15-Jul
NJ50 Upper Deerfield (South) 501 678 977 1383 1786
D2738 Mays Landing (South) 500 667 943 1327 1711
NJ10 Howell (Central) 407 568 833 1203 1577
NJ36 Parsippany (Central) 389 548 795 1141 1491
E7133 Belvidere (North) 432 592 836 1178 1523
N59 High Point (North) 345 486 706 1020 1338
USPEST.ORG – Model: simple average/growing degree-day, Min: 50F – Max: 95F, NMME forecast
Forecast:  7-month NMME based seasonal climate forecast (USPEST.ORG) – Subject to change regularly = Check Often

 

Cryptomeria Scale – Click here for full Cryptomeria Scale write-up (with pictures)

(Adapted from Steve Rettke – RCE post above)

Crawlers Generation 1: 600-800 GDDs (first few weeks of June in NJ)

  • Similar to many other armored scale species, the Cryptomeria scale has more than one generation of crawlers during the growing season. In New Jersey, this scale has two crawler generations per year, Crawlers are lemon yellow in color & because of the color contrast can typically be easy to observe on needles, even without a hand lens. Unfortunately, the crawler emergence periods of both generations of the Cryptomeria scale are not restricted to only a week or two. Their more prolonged crawler periods can extend for 4 weeks or even longer, although a large percentage of crawlers will occur during the first 2 weeks after emergence begins.

Crawlers Generation 2: 1750-2130 GDDs (end of July early August in NJ)

Control options: When applying control materials with short residuals (e.g., horticultural oils), the use of multiple applications will probably be required to achieve a more complete crawler suppression. If a single application is desired, then oils plus synthetic pyrethroids can provide a 3-week residual. Examine infested trees closely to determine if significant predators or parasitoids are presently active. When numerous, these beneficials can be extremely valuable to help with suppression. Therefore, the use of horticultural oil applications alone will help conserve the beneficials & still control crawlers when coverage is adequate. The use of most of the neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., Merit) will not achieve satisfactory controls (maybe only 30-40% efficacy). However, the usage of dinotefuran (Safari) as a soil drench or bark spray has been shown to give excellent results against armored scales, with some studies showing 90% efficacy. The extremely high-water solubility of Safari allows this material to penetrate the plant cells where the scales are feeding.

Elongate Hemlock Scale – Click here for more information (with pictures)

(Adapted from Steve Rettke – RCE post above)

First crawler emergence: 360-700 GDDs (Late May – June in NJ)

  • Female covers are oval, flat, tan/translucent; males are whitish. There may be six or more scales per needle. Yellow spots appear on needles under light feeding and foliage appears thin; in heavy infestations, needle drop occurs, and trees may be killed. Adult females have an exceptionally long egg-laying period (lasting throughout the summer) with two overlapping generations. Crawlers (immatures) are noticeable in late May, in conjunction with new growth. Although there are only two generations per year, crawlers can emerge over an extended period. Look for the tiny crawlers using a 10-15x hand-lens.

Control options: Pyriproxyfen (Distance) is an insect growth regulator & can provide good suppression. It is classified as a “reduced risk” material by the EPA. Dinotefuran (Safari) is a neonicotinoid that has been a product of choice to control armored scales for more than a decade. Imidacloprid (Merit) is highly effective controlling the hemlock woolly adelgid but will not provide satisfactory control of elongate hemlock scales. Acephate (Orthene) has translaminar properties within foliage & can provide some suppression.

 

Bagworms 

Days old bagworm size

Days-old bagworm = critical management target – T. Waller – RCE

Bagworms should begin hatching NOW through – 4 weeks in NJ, beginning in the southern regions. Now is an optimal time to get this pest on your radar and prepare materials or approaches to attack first/second instar caterpillars. The control window for this pest is typically between 600-900 GDD50  when they begin to hatch and become airborne, i.e. the “ballooning” phase. It is important to check for egg-hatch prior to applications for greatest chemical efficacy, and to continue scouting as they often hatch and develop at asynchronous rates.

It is critical to target these insects EARLY!

Bagworm management – mechanical: 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. This removes the problem from the field or landscape.

Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis), spinosad , bifenthrin ), cyfluthrin, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, cyclaniliprole + flonicamid, Lambda-cyhalothrin, cyantraniliprole, Indoxacarb.  NOTE – Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments. Follow label exactly.

IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE MATERIALS (Rotate between IRAC groups) 

DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 5/20/24)
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer mostly, many minor hosts Bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis 600 900 RU Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW
Region Location Station Date (600 GDD) Date (900 GDD) *Treatment window  *Bagworm Hatch – Predictions only, SCOUTING is critical! Treat as soon as larvae detected.     

Remove any ‘bags’ prior to hatch if possible
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 29-May 12-June 13 days
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 4-June 19-June 15 days
North High Point NJ59 11-June 26-June 15 days 

 

Please download and print the Rutgers Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide  or  Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting Guide and refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days (GDD)” for additional information.  (See pest scouting guides for complete list of references) 

Please SHARE what you SEE!! If you see a pest, disease, otherwise interesting or troublesome issue please report it to the Working Group by following the QR Code on the front of the Pest Scouting Guides or by filling out this reporting form.

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