Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Tree Fruit Phenology:
Tree fruit phenology is advanced based on historical observations. In southern counties some early blooming varieties are at pink to about 20% bloom. Redhaven was at bud swell on March 20, about 3 days earlier than the median observation date. Red Delicious was at 1/4″ green tip on March 21, about 10 days earlier than the median observation date. Plums are in bloom and Pears are at green cluster. [Read more…]
Additional resource: SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download)
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.
Please Download these resources:
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 3/22/22 (using USPEST.org weather station codes):
| Crop type | Common Name | Scientific Name | GDD Min (50F) | GDD Max (95F) | Reference | Developmental / Target 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 |
| Conifer | Eastern spruce gall adelgid | Adelges abietis | 25 | 100 | 3 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Conifer | Northern pine weevil | Pissodes approximatus | 25 | 100 | 4 | 1st adults active |
| Conifer | Zimmerman pine moth | Dioryctria zimmermani | 25 | 100 | 3 | 1st larvae active |
| Conifer | Cooley spruce gall adelgid | Adelges cooleyi | 25 | 120 | 3 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Conifer | White pine weevil | Pissodes strobi | 25 | 220 | 4 | 1st adults active |
| Shade trees | European fruit lecanium | Parthenolecanium corni | 35 | 145 | 2 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Many, evergreen | Euonymus scale | Unaspis euonymi | 35 | 120 | 2 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Conifer | European pine sawfly | Neodiprion sertifer | 35 | 145 | 1 | Hatched larvae |
| Conifer | Fletcher scale | Parthenolecanium fletcheri | 35 | 148 | 2 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Conifer | European pine shoot moth / borer | Rhyacionia buoiana | 50 | 220 | 4 | 1st larvae active |
| Maples | Maple bladdergall mite | Vasates quadripedes | 58 | 148 | 2 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Honeylocust | Honeylocust plant bug | Diaphnocoris chlorionis | 58 | 246 | 2 | Nympths / adults active |
| Conifer | Pine tortoise scale | Toumeyela parvicornis | 58 | 148 | 2 | Cralwer activity |
| Conifer | Pine bark adelgid | Pineus strobi | 58 | 618 | 2 | Spring control of overwintering stage |
| Conifer | Balsam twig aphid | Mindarus abietinus | 60 | 100 | 4 | Egg hatch |
| Many | Southern red mite | Oligonychus ilicis | 69 | 157 | RU | Spring hatch |
| Conifer | Eastern pine shoot borer | Eucosma gloriola | 75 | 200 | 4 | 1st adults active |
| Malus, Prunus, many | Eastern tent caterpillar | Malacosoma americanum | 90 | 190 | 2 | Larvae treatment before tents apparent |
| Many | Gypsy moth | Lymantria dispar | 90 | 448 | RU | Larvae treatment (early instars) |
| Conifer | Cooley spruce gall adelgid | Adelges cooleyi | 90 | 180 | 4 | 1st adults active – Douglas fir |
| Malus, Prunus, many | Eastern tent caterpillar | Malacosoma americanum | 90 | 190 | 2 | Larvae treatment before tents apparent (near 150-GDD50) |
| Malus, Prunus, many | Eastern tent caterpillar | Malacosoma americanum | 90 | 190 | 2 | Larvae treatment before tents apparent (near 150-GDD50) |
| Conifer | Balsam twig aphid | Mindarus abietinus | 100 | 150 | 4 | Stem mothers present (control target) |
| Conifer | Pine engraver (Ips bark beetle) | Ips spp. | 100 | 150 | 4 | 1st adults active |
| Conifer | European pine sawfly | Neodiprion sertifer | 100 | 195 | 4 | 1st larvae active |
| Pieris | 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 |
| 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 |
| Lilac, ash, privet, many | Lilac / Ash Borer | Podosesia syringae | 148 | 299 | 2 | Adult flight |
| Yews, Rhododendrons, many | Black Vine Weevil | Otiorhynchus sulcatus | 148 | 400 | 2 | Pupation / Adult emergence |
| Dogwood, many | Dogwood Borer | Synanthedon scitula | 148 | 700 | 2 | Adult activity |
| Conifer | Spruce spider mite | Oligonychus ununguis | 150 | 175 | 4 | 1st egg hatch |
| Conifer | Spruce needleminer | Endothenia albolineana | 150 | 200 | 4 | 1st larvae active |
| Conifer | Balsam gall midge | Paradiplosis tumifex | 150 | 300 | 4 | Adults laying eggs |
| Conifer | Hemlock woolly adelgid | Adelges tsugae | 150 | 150 | RU | Eggs and 10% hatch |
| Conifer | Spruce spider mite | Oligonychus ununguis | 150 | 175 | 4 | 1st egg hatch |
| Conifer | Spruce needleminer | Endothenia albolineana | 150 | 200 | 4 | 1st larvae active |
| Conifer | Balsam gall midge | Paradiplosis tumifex | 150 | 300 | 4 | Adults laying eggs |
| Conifer | Hemlock woolly adelgid | Adelges tsugae | 150 | 150 | RU | Eggs and 10% hatch |
| Conifer | Spruce spider mite | Oligonychus ununguis | 150 | 175 | 4 | 1st egg hatch |
| Conifer | Spruce needleminer | Endothenia albolineana | 150 | 200 | 4 | 1st larvae active |
| Conifer | Balsam gall midge | Paradiplosis tumifex | 150 | 300 | 4 | Adults laying eggs |
References:
| RU | Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape IPM Notes |
| 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 | |
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):
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 |
Dear vegetable producer,
Joe Ingerson-Mahar and I are collaborating with researchers at Purdue University and The College of Wooster and are asking you to participate in a study titled “Insect Pest Management in Vegetable Crops Survey” (Purdue IRB protocol no. 2021-979). The purpose of this study is to gather information on insect pest management practices and strategies used by vegetable producers in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions. The information provided will help direct pest management research and extension programs in specialty crop production.
You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. The survey will take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and the researchers have pledged to keep your data confidential. Only aggregated results will be reported in any publications or presentations about the study.
In appreciation of your participation in the survey, you can choose to enter a raffle for a hardcopy of one of two complimentary production guides: the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers ($21 value), or the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide ($25 value). Instructions for entering the raffle will be given at the end of the survey.
To begin the online survey, click this link.
Participation in this study is voluntary and you may withdraw from participation at any time. If you have any questions, you may contact the researchers:
Dr. Carlo Moreno (First point of contact)
The College of Wooster
931 College Mall, Wooster, OH, 44691
Phone: 330-287-1982
Email: cmoreno@wooster.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Long
Purdue University
901 W. State Street, Lafayette, IN 47907
Phone: 765-496-1918
Email: long132@purdue.edu
Photo: Rich Buckley
Bagworms should begin hatching in the next 2-6 weeks throughout NJ, starting 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 (growing degree-days) and treatments should be in use prior to their mobile, airborne, “ballooning” phase. Check that the eggs have hatched prior to application of pesticides – as most compounds will not be effective at all if the first instar caterpillars are not present. Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments.
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.
Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis)(Dipel), spinosad (Entrust SC), bifenthrin (Talstar, UP-Star), cyfluthrin (Decathlon 20WP), carbaryl (Sevin SL), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn), cyclaniliprole (Sarisa), cyclaniliprole + flonicamid (Pradia), Lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar GC), cyantraniliprole (Mainspring), Indoxacarb(Provaunt)
IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BETWEEN IRAC GROUPS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
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. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.
More information on Bagworms:
Steve Rettke’s 2020 PPA Post – Bagworm caterpillars have hatched throughout most of NJ
Bagworms on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Photo Credits: Rich Buckley (Plant Diagnostics Laboratory) https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/
