Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

February 8, 2024

Southern NJ Commercial Nursery Growers IPM Roundtable (Tu) 2/27/24

SOUTHERN NJ – COMMERCIAL NURSERY GROWERS – ONLY in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
  • Southern NJ Nursery IPM Roundtable – Tuesday 2/27/24 6-8pm.
  • The event is free but please RSVP by calling 856-451-2800 ext. 1 and mention this meeting.
  • In response to many conversations, nursery visits, and phone calls I have had with folks over the last few years, this type of meeting is long overdue, especially since we all face the same pests, diseases, weeds, and seasonal problems.
  • Please consider joining this face-to-face discussion centered around Nursery IPM.
Topics on deck:
  • What pests are important to you – and what questions do we need answered
  • Pest Scouting approaches – RU Pest Scouting Guides – Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory
  • Pesticide Regimes, New Vs ‘Old’ materials – what works, what doesn’t
  • Invasive Pests and New Diseases – what to be looking for
  • Worker safety and leveraging REIs
  • Cultural practices and irrigation system modifications
Please consider joining, and please RSVP to the Cumberland County office at 856-451-2800 ext. 1.
NOTE: If you are outside Southern NJ, we will be planning similar events in the near future, near you, and I ask that you wait until that time as space is limited. 
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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.

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
April 17, 2023

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) hatch is ON in Southern and Central NJ – ALL New Jersey COUNTIES are now QUARANTINED

Spotted Lanternfly nymphs will be emerging now through the first week of May for Southern and Central New Jersey – reduce their population early in the nursery industry!

Two important notes:

  • Through conversations with nursery operators, state inspectors (NJDOA), and internal agent communications SLF hatch has begun, which indicates a critical time to knock down nymph populations with CONTACT insecticides.
  • The entire state of New Jersey is now within the SLF QUARANTINE!

More information:

 

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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.  

 

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
September 16, 2022

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

Filed Under: Christmas Trees Tagged With: , , , , ,
May 24, 2022

Nursery Pests Scouting June – Bagworms, Scales, Borers, RHFB, BWB

Red-headed flea beetle – Adult emergence beginning any day now

Please refer to this timeline of pest development compiled by Tim Waller in communication with Brain Kunkel (Unv. Del) and Danny Lauderdale (NC State)

  • Contains material selection and timing, along with regime information and considerations

Boxwood Blight Alert – Infection Potential (Saturday) 5/27

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/24/2022
Region Location CODE 24-May 25-May 26-May 27-May 28-May 29-May
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Very Low  Low  High Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Very Low  Low  Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Infection Risk Very Low  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)

 

Refer to the most recent Alert for more information – CLICK HERE

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

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

The following key groups of pests will be active, vulnerable, or otherwise treatable during the next month throughout most of NJ. Here, bagworms, scale insects and borers with key life stage events during the 350-1500 GDD timeframe are discussed. Note there are many other insect pests present this time of year so please view the pest scouting guides above for your particular needs.

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 5/24/2022 (USPEST) 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 24-May 1-Jun 1-Jul
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 488 638 1358
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 426 551 1203
North High Point NJ59 288 387 909
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

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

BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 5/24/22 – now until July 14 (Southern NJ (NJ50)))
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

Refer to this post for additional information on Bagworms

BORER Insect Activity for 350 – 1500 GDD (Now until ~July 1 in Southern NJ (NJ50))
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Malus, Prunus, many Lesser peach tree borer Synanthedon pictipes 350 375 4 Adult flight, egg laying
Dogwood, apple, pecan, elm, hickory, willow Dogwood borer Synanthedon scitula 350 850 4 adults, eggs, caterpillars
Birch Bronze Birch Borer Agrilus anxius 440 880 RU Adults (egg laying)
Malus, Prunus, many Peach Tree Borer Synanthedon sp. 500 600 RU Adults – emerge (1st treatment both types)
Rhododendron Rhododendron borer Synanthedon rhododendri 509 696 RU Adults emerge
Malus, Prunus, many Greater peach tree borer Synanthedon exitiosa 575 710 4 Adult emergence
Many Roundheaded appletree borer Saperda candida 802 1129 RU Adults
Ash Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis 1000 1200 4 Peak adult activity
Malus, Prunus, many Peachtree borer Synanthedon sp. 1500 1800 RU Larvae Treatment
Many Roundheaded apple tree borer Saperda candida 1514 1798 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Nantucket tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana 1514 1917 RU Adults 2nd generation

Click here – “Identifying Clearwing Moth Borers in Pheromone Traps” or “Differentiating the Common Wood Borers of Ash Trees”

[Read more…]

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