February 6, 2025

Southern NJ Nursery Round Table : Next Monday & Delaware BTM Updates

Nursery Round Tables – I am hosting these free events at the Cumberland RCE (291 Morton Ave, Millville NJ)

Free RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/hJhesNgBxv Or RSVP at: 856-451-2800 ext 1.
February 10th – Hands on Growing Degree-days. We are going to sit down with computers (I have 10+ laptops), our cellphones, and a tablet to see how easy it is to use GDD calculators. We will then compare with the Rutgers Pest Scouting Guides (this is the guide;  https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LONT-PSG-DISTRIB-2023.pdf)
  • Like the idea of using growing degree-days, but are unsure how to use the online calculators or other resources – THIS IS FOR YOU. On Monday 2/10 – we will be using laptop computers (I have 12 on-site), tablets, and smart cellphones to access and explore online growing degree-day calculators. We will then use the Rutgers Pest Scouting Guides to line up when to expect these pests and will discuss treatment opportunities with overlapping pest populations.

    -Each person will use all three technology methods to obtain their local growing degree-days. – By the end of the training you will be able to access and utilize this powerful tool anywhere.
February 24th – 2025 Playbook: We will be discussing emerging threats like Box Tree Moth and numerous plant diseases we need to be prepared for. The session will conclude with a 30-minute CORE credit session. 1 unit – CORE obtained-only.
Note you don’t HAVE to be from southern NJ, however I would appreciate you being with a nursery or other commercial ornamental operation. I just want to facilitate thoughtful communication. Registration greatly appreciated.

____________________________________________________

ALL DELAWARE NOW QUARANTINED (DA-2024-47)(as of 12/4/24)

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.

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

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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June 14, 2023 , and

Nursery Pest and Disease Update 6/15/2023

In this edition:

  • Insects:
    • MORE Scale crawlers emerging
    • Borers
    • Beetles
  • Diseases:
    • Oomycete root diseases (Phytophthora, Pythium, Phytopythium)
    • Leaf spots / foliage diseases
    • Boxwood Blight – reminder
    • Virus observations
  • Nutrient Management 
    • Managing Soluble Salts by monitoring EC
    • Plant Tissue analysis
  • Plant Spotlight:
    • American Holly (Ilex opaca)
  • Cumberland Nursery / NJNLA – Twilight: tonight (6/15) for NURSERYMEN ONLY (contact twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu or 856-451-2800 Ext. 1. for details)

Please click “read more” below to get updates on pests, diseases, and other important resources for the week of 6/15/2023.

[Read more…]

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May 24, 2023

Get ready for bagworms…NOW

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 5/24/23)
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. 
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 31-May 14-Jun 14 days
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 9-Jun 23-Jun 14 days
North High Point NJ59 15-Jun 2-July 17 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 – cited within lists below) 

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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March 14, 2023

Updated 2023 Pest Scouting Guides are up – Getting prepared for the season ahead

The updated Pest Scouting Guides are here, and have a few improvements that enable YOU to share what YOU are seeing in the field with RCE.

Please click, download, and print these scouting guides for use at your nursery, landscape, or conifer plantation. Once printed you can scan the QR at the top of document to link back to the digital copy. These are much larger documents than 2022, as they are sorted by GDD, NEW-Insect “Group”, and by NEW-“favored host plants”. 

Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide – Scouting with Growing Degree-days (GDD) 2023 (click here)

Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting Guide – Scouting with Growing Degree-days (GDD) 2023 (click here)

Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days (GDD)” for additional information (click here)  or contact Tim Waller twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for help.

It is important to note that the GDD ranges do not replace scouting and that many of these GDD ranges have not been validated in New Jersey and would greatly benefit from local feedback. Therefore you will notice a QR code at the bottom of the cover-page. If you scan this code it will take you to a form that asks for details about pest occurrence, host plants, any observations, and after you submit your comments it allows the user to upload photographs. This is also a great place to leave feedback on what you would like to see in future iterations (such as pictures…).

PLEASE REPORT – pest observations that deviate from the stated GDD ranges in the guides

PLEASE SHARE PICTURES OF PESTS – we are working to develop insect ID pocket guides and other resources for our NJ growers…but we need your help

LONT – Comment and Photo upload REPORTING LINK (click here) 

Conifer – Comment and Photo upload REPORTING LINK (click here) 

If you would like to interact with the raw data yourself or incorporate it more closely into your businesses needs download this data file (click here) (file will download once clicked!). Please note it is a Microsoft Excel file, that is protected / cannot be modified on all but the two sheets labeled “GDD ACCU”. If you would like help with this or a non-protected file please contact twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu.

 

Regular updates will be utilizing this resource throughout the 2023 season. Have a great Spring Season everyone.  

 

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April 14, 2022

Nursery Pest Updates and Scouting next two weeks – initiate Red-headed flea beetle systemics now for Central and Southern NJ

This post covers three topics:

  1. Control and timing of applications for Red-headed flea beetle (RHFB) – Systemic materials should be used now to target emerging adults in May. 
    1. Please refer to this resource for timing and material selection: RHFB timeline using GDD, material selection, print-out ready (click here)
    2. Combination of resources from Danny Lauderdale (NC State), Brian Kunkel (UDel.), Tim Waller (RU)
  2. Seasonal reminders:
    1. Protectant, broad-spectrum ‘cover-sprays’ should be initiated ASAP or as plastic is removed / crops can be accessed
    2. SLF egg masses: We are all in this together should be remembered when it comes to checking loads for SLF.
      1. SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download, hang up for employees)
      2. Refer to this post “Don’t let Spotted Lanternfly Impact Spring Shipping” for additional information 
  3. Pest Scouting for 100-200 Growing Degree-days (approx. next two weeks in Southern and Central NJ). 
    1. Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days” for additional information 

Growing degree-days as  4/12/22 (~Next two weeks)

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 4/13/2022 Note: Growing degree-day values utilize daily average air temperatures with a minimum temperature threshold (a.k.a. ‘base’) of 50F = GDD50 (max. temp. threshold set at 95F). These values are accumulated from a biofix date, such as January or March 1st in the NE USA. Provided GDD50 are scouting ranges and should be truthed.
Region Location Station 13-Apr 1-May 1-Jun
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 116 236 660
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 114 200 553
North High Point NJ59 35 67 313
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer Pine engraver (Ips bark beetle) Ips spp. 100 150 4 1st adults active
Conifer Balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus 100 150 4 Stem mothers present (control target)
Conifer European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer 100 195 4 1st larvae active
Andromeda Andromeda lace bug Stephanitis takeyai 115 279 RU Nymphs (1st generation)
Azalea Azalea lace bug Stephanitis pyrioides 118 372 RU Nymphs (1st generation)
Conifer Larch casebearer Coleophora laricella 120 150 4 Egg hatch
Elm, Service berry Woolly elm aphid Eriosoma americana 121 246 2 (6) Control target
Birch Birch leafminer Fenusa pusilla 123 290 RU Adults – egg laying
Many Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar 145 200 4 Egg hatch, 1st larvae
Holly Holly leaf miner Phytomyza ilicis 147 265 RU Adults – egg laying
Many Cankerworms, inch-worms, loopers (many) 148 290 2 Larvae treatment
Yews, Rhododendrons, many Black Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus 148 400 2 Pupation / Adult emergence
Lilac, ash, privet, many Lilac / Ash Borer Podosesia syringae 148 299 2 Adult flight
Dogwood, many Dogwood Borer Synanthedon scitula 148 700 2 Adult activity
Conifer Hemlock woolly adelgid Adelges tsugae 150 150 RU Eggs and 10% hatch
Conifer Spruce needleminer Endothenia albolineana 150 200 4 1st larvae active
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 150 175 4 1st egg hatch
Conifer Balsam gall midge Paradiplosis tumifex 150 300 4 Adults laying eggs
Witchhazel, River birch Spiny witchhazel gall aphid Hamamelistes spinosus 171 – 6 Control target
Birch Birch Leafminer Fenusa pusilla 175 215 4 1st adults active
Birch Birch leafminer Fenusa pusilla 190 290 RU Larvae (1st generation)
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 190 363 RU Immatures/Adults
Rhododendron Rhododendron gall midge Clinodiplosis rhododendri 192 363 RU Larvae
Honeylocust Honeylocust pod gall midge Dasineura gleditchiae 192 229 RU Larvae
Privet Privet thrips Dendrothrips ornatus 192 618 2 Typical treatment window
Holly *Native holly leafminer Phytomyza ilicicola 192 298 2 Egg hatch
Holly Holly leafminer Phytomyza ilicis 192 290 RU Egg hatch
Willows, Cottonwood, Poplar Imported willow leaf beetle Plagiodera versicolora 192 448 RU Larvae/Adults
Larch Larch sawfly Pristophora erichsonii 192 299 2 Typical treatment window
Andromeda Andromeda lacebug Stephanitis takeyai 192 303 RU Adults
Rhododendron Rhododendron borer Synanthedon rhododendri 192 298 2 Typical treatment window
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 200 310 4 1st galls visible – Spruce
Spruce Spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana 200 300 5 Larvae
Conifer Douglas fir needle midge Contarinia pseudotsugae 200 400 3 Adults emerge from soil
Lilac, ash, privet, many Lilac / Ash Borer Podosesia syringae 200 299 RU Adults – 1st Treatment
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape IPM Notes
Daily GDD50 =                                                                                                             (Max + Min temp.) / 2 – 50 (min temp. threshold)                             (Simple average growing degree-day, min. 50F, max 95F) 2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
4 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)-evolving GDD ranges
Compiled by – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Please Download these resources: (The scouting guide is for you to print and keep on hand…these are just updates)

Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF (note this contains conifer pests as well)

Conifer Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF

Contact if seeing insects at different times: twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu (or call the Cumberland County Extension Office – 856-451-2800)

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February 18, 2022

Increasing temperatures = scout for insects pests! 2022 Nursery and Conifer Pest Scouting Guides HERE

With the increases in daily temperature averages expected over the next week for the southern and central areas of NJ, pest scouting should commence on commercially important ornamental crops and landscapes. Typically, in our region, growing degree-days (GDD50) are counted beginning March 1st (known as a biofix date), however this year by March first we may see degree-day accumulation approaching 20+. Therefor scouting efforts should be commenced, especially in conifers. 

We have compiled the GDD resources into one single document – please download and print multiple copies of this for yourself and employees in efforts to best scout for these insect pests. These guides do not dictate when to spray, rather they inform scouting ranges for insect pests, vulnerable life-stages, and overlapping timeframes for multiple troublesome pests.

Download here:

Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF (note this contains conifer pests as well)

Conifer Pest Scouting Guide 2022 PDF

Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days” for additional information 

We will be making regular announcements throughout the season, however we wanted you to have this beta-version of the compiled growing-degree day information. This will be updated and modified throughout the season – PLEASE let me know what difference you are seeing in the field so we can continue to make this resource better for all of us.   

Contact: twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu (or call the Cumberland County Extension Office – 856-451-2800)

Growing degree-days as of writing this (using USPEST.org weather station codes):

  • Southern (NJ50): 13
  • Central (NJ10): 13
  • Northeastern (Greater NYC Metro area (D6302) and Northwestern (NJ59): 0

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
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