Welcome to the Christmas Tree PPA – Pest Scouting Guide Resources

Over the coming season we will be adding timely posts about pests, diseases, pesticides, and related agriculture updates that may need to be acted upon urgently. Additionally, we will be adding detailed information about particular issues to facilitate a better understanding moving forward. Please reach out to Tim Waller, Bill Errickson, or your local county agent if there are topics you would like to see covered through this system.

Pest Scouting

We have been working to develop pest scouting guides that utilize growing degree-days to help you better schedule and implement your IPM, scouting, and spray schedules.

If you are unfamiliar with growing degree-days (aka GDD or GDD50) Refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days” for additional information (click here!) 

Please download or print the Conifer Pest Scouting Guide and supplement below 

 

Thank you all very much for your continued support of Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Bagworm hatch & Boxwood Blight potential now through Friday

Boxwood Blight (BWB) Alert – Infection Potential (Now – FRIDAY) 

There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections throughout much of NJ. The end of week rains coupled with more mild temperatures, cloud cover, and prolonged periods of leaf wetness will contribute to the spread or worsening of boxwood blight infections.

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/24/2022
Region Location CODE 1-June 2-June 3-June 4-June 5-June 6-June
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Infection Risk Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Infection Risk Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Check local boxwood blight risk here (CLICK HERE – input your area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table)

 

ALSO: Volutella Blight is extremely common and readily mis-diagnosed as boxwood blight or vise-versa.

  • There is a free / open to the public seminar June 23, 2022 about this important disease. Boxwood International Seminar on Biology and Management of Boxwood Volutella Blight by Prof. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Registration Link: Click here to register

Pest Scouting – Please refer to these documents for a full listing of insects pests for your area corresponding to growing degree-days (GDDs). 

Bagworm hatch is upon us in Southern NJ and will soon be /already the case throughout NJ. Please be ready to control these insects during the VERY SHORT treatment window.

Days old bagworm sizeBagworm female case with developing juveniles

BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 6/1/22)
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 30-May 12-Jun 13 days
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 3-Jun 18-Jun 15 days
North High Point NJ59 14-Jun 30-Jun 16 days 

 

Tree Fruit IPM Report for April 27, 2022

Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology is about normal. In southern counties all peach orchards are nearing Shuck Split. Pears are at Petal Fall. Red Delicious is just past Full Bloom. Sweet cherries are at about nearing Petal Fall. [Read more…]

Tree Fruit IPM Report for April 18, 2022

Evaluating Freeze Damage in Tree Fruit: The subfreezing temperatures on the morning of April 18 may have caused some natural thinning across the state. Any physiological damage that is not visible now will appear as the season progresses. A helpful guide for evaluating fruit damage can be found in the Intermountain Tree Fruit Production Guide.

Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology remains advanced, but development is slowing. In southern counties all peach orchards are mid to late bloom. Redhaven was at approximately full bloom on April 6, and was at Petal Fall by April 14. Plums are past shuck fall. Pears are full to late bloom. Red Delicious is just past 50% bloom. Sweet cherries are at about 50% bloom. [Read more…]

REMINDER – South Jersey Integrated Vegetable Crop Management Meeting Tonight

Just a quick reminder hoping to see you tonight. In addition to the announced agenda below, newly appointed State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency Bob Andrzejczak will be joining us to (re)introduce himself to the farm community.

Integrated Vegetable Crop Management Twilight Meeting

THURSDAY, April 7, 2022

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

East Vineland Fire Hall

4931 Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ

across from the Savoy Restaurant

(please park behind the building and enter conference room door in rear)

6:30 pm    Tools for Pesticide Safety & Regulatory Compliance for Growers & Pesticide Handlers

  • Pat Hastings, RCE Pesticide Education Program Coordinator

7:00 pm    Understanding the New FSMA Water Rule

  • Wes Kline, RCE Cumberland

7:20 pm    Cover-crops for Fertility Management

  • Michelle Infante-Casella, RCE Gloucester

7:40 pm    Cover-crops and Other Weed Management Strategies for Plasticulture Crops

  • Thierry Besancon, RCE Specialty Crop Weed Specialist

8:10 pm    Disease Control Options for Spring Vegetable Crops

  • Andy Wyenandt, RCE Vegetable Plant Pathologist

8:40 pm    Pepper Weevil & Early Season Diamond Back Moth Management Options

  • Joe Mahar, Vegetable IPM Coordinator

9:10 pm    COVID-19 and New Roles for Extension Going Forward

  • Rick VanVranken, RCE Atlantic

9:30 pm    Adjourn

Pesticide Recertification Credits 

PP2 (PRIVATE APPLICATOR CATEGORY)     04
CORE (BASIC SAFETY & HANDLING)          01
1A (AGRICULTURAL PLANT)                       04
10 (DEMONSTRATION & RESEARCH)         03

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Richard VanVranken, Agricultural Agent, Atlantic County

Wesley L. Kline, Agricultural Agent, Cumberland County

Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Gloucester County

South Jersey Integrated Vegetable Crop Management Meeting April 7, 2022

Integrated Vegetable Crop Management Twilight Meeting

NOTE – change of date from earlier announcements

THURSDAY, April 7, 2022

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

East Vineland Fire Hall

4931 Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ

across from the Savoy Restaurant

(please park behind the building and enter conference room door in rear)

6:30 pm    Tools for Pesticide Safety & Regulatory Compliance for Growers & Pesticide Handlers

  • Pat Hastings, RCE Pesticide Education Program Coordinator

7:00 pm    Understanding the New FSMA Water Rule

  • Wes Kline, RCE Cumberland

7:20 pm    Cover-crops for Fertility Management

  • Michelle Infante-Casella, RCE Gloucester

7:40 pm    Cover-crops and Other Weed Management Strategies for Plasticulture Crops

  • Thierry Besancon, RCE Specialty Crop Weed Specialist

8:10 pm    Disease Control Options for Spring Vegetable Crops

  • Andy Wyenandt, RCE Vegetable Plant Pathologist

8:40 pm    Pepper Weevil & Early Season Diamond Back Moth Management Options

  • Joe Mahar, Vegetable IPM Coordinator

9:10 pm    COVID-19 and New Roles for Extension Going Forward

  • Rick VanVranken, RCE Atlantic

9:30 pm    Adjourn

Pesticide Recertification Credits 

PP2 (PRIVATE APPLICATOR CATEGORY)     04
CORE (BASIC SAFETY & HANDLING)          01
1A (AGRICULTURAL PLANT)                       04
10 (DEMONSTRATION & RESEARCH)         03

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Richard VanVranken, Agricultural Agent, Atlantic County

Wesley L. Kline, Agricultural Agent, Cumberland County

Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Gloucester County