June 23, 2025

NEW – Ornamental IPM Website & Upload of 6/10 Webinar – Next Session Tuesday 6/24

Still time to Sign up for the 2025 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program

(Join us for the next Session Tuesday 6/24/25)

UPLOADS 6/10 SESSION: (contains information on oriental beetle, SLF, Two-spotted spider mites, soft scales, box tree moth, bacterial shothole, virus symptoms)

  1. Click here for a PDF of June 10, 2025 webinar
  2. Click here for VIDEO of June 10, 2025 webina

Previous webinars:

New –Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program Website

With links to all PDFs and recorded Webinars

Pest and Disease specific information 

…and ever expanding Resources  

Click here for the NEW Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program Website

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:

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
September 15, 2022

SLF: 2022 Management Recommendations in Vineyards

by Katarzyna Madalinska and Anne L. Nielsen

Adult SLF are moving into vineyards from the surrounding landscape. The number of SLF on each vine varies greatly within each vineyard and locations in the state. In most vineyards in NJ and PA there is a strong border effect with numbers highest along the outside rows. However, the orientation and shape of your vineyard influences border effects. SLF are actively feeding on grapevines and will continue to feed for 1-2 months. Most SLF are in the upper canopy and as the grapes start to store carbohydrates for the winter, SLF will move down the vine, eventually feeding at the base of the vine. Research suggests that feeding by adult SLF may harm primary bud formation the following season and reduce winter hardiness. There is not a specific treatment threshold, but a good rule of thumb is 10 SLF per vine. Movement into the vineyards will continue for several weeks so multiple insecticide applications may be needed.

Treatment at this time of year is of course complicated by pre-harvest intervals (PHI) for each insecticide and grape variety. It is important to remember that SLF will feed on vines post-harvest. There are several effective insecticides available with pre-harvest intervals and residual activity (Table 1). When treating vines pre-harvest, dead SLF are commonly observed in the clusters. Post-harvest, insecticides such as Danitol or Brigade/Bifenture/bifenthrin have the longest residual activity and are expected to reduce feeding.

There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.

  1. Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
  2. SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.

Table 1. Effectiveness of Insecticides Against Spotted Lanternfly Adults. Modified recommendations from Leach et al. Crop Protection 2019 v. 24  DOI:10.1016/j.cropro.2019.05.027

Trade name Active ingredient SLF Activity Rate per acre Seasonal Allowance Residual Activity PHI

(days)

 REI

(hrs)

 Labeled for SLF?
Mustang Maxx 0.8EC cypermethrin Good 4 oz 24 oz <3 1 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Scorpion 35SL dinotefuran Excellent 5 oz. 20.9 oz <7 1 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Actara 25WDG thiamethoxam Excellent 3.5 oz 7.0 oz <14 5 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Carbaryl 4L carbaryl Excellent 1-2 qt 10 qt 7 7 12 No
Avaunt 30DG indoxicarb Fair 6 oz 12 oz 7 7 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Danitol 2.4EC fenpropathrin Excellent 16-21.33 oz 42.66 oz >26 21 24 Yes, 2(ee)
Brigade 2EC bifenthrin Excellent 3.2-6.4 oz. 6.4 oz 21 30 12 Yes, 2(ee)

 

There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.

  1. Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
  2. SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.
Filed Under: Fruit, Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
May 17, 2022

Management Recommendations SLF nymphs in 2022

By Katarzyna Madalinska and Anne Nielsen

New Jersey is currently in its 5th year of invasion from spotted lanternfly. Populations are now widespread throughout the state and have established in almost every county in NJ. SLF pressure is variable throughout NJ’s counties, and we do not currently have a threshold for management of nymphs.

1st instar SLF in NJ vineyard – photo by K. Madalinska

SLF nymphs are hatching throughout the state and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. Despite seeing nymphs within the vineyard, we do not recommend immediate treatment at this time. Hatch will occur over a multiple week period depending on the site of egg masses and exposure. The early instars feed on new growth, particularly the underside of leaves and shoots. At this point there is no evidence that early instar feeding results in plant injury or yield loss. Peak abundance of SLF nymphs in vineyards is during their 1st to 2nd instars approximately and 2-3 weeks after the first hatch. Management during their 2nd instar will target the highest number of individuals and prevent additional treatments against nymphs. This timing typically coincides with other key pests within the vineyard, such as grape berry moth and Japanese beetle. Many broad-spectrum insecticide options for grape berry moth or Japanese beetle will also effectively kill SLF nymphs (see table) and insecticides against SLF will not be needed until the adult stage.

Trade name Active ingredient Class Rate per acre Seasonal Allowance SLF* GBM JB
Brigade 2EC bifenthrin Pyrethroid 3.2-6.4 oz 6.4 oz E* E
Actara thiamethoxam Neonicotinoid 3.5 oz 7.0 oz E* G
Assail 30SG acetamiprid Neonicotinoid 2.5-5.3 oz 2 times G G F
Carbaryl 4L carbaryl Carbamate 1-2 qt 10 qt E G G
Avaunt indoxicarb Oxadiazine 6 oz 12 oz. E* G G
Danitol 2.4EC fenpropathrin Pyrethroid 16-21.33 oz 42.66 oz E* E E
Belay clothianidin Neonicotinoid 2.0–6.0 oz. 12 oz. G G G
BaythroidXL cyfluthrin Pyrethroid 1.6-3.2 oz 12.8 oz E E

Always consult the label for further instructions.

*2(ee) approved for SLF in NJ grapes

E = excellent control
G = good control
F = fair control

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
April 18, 2022

Spotted Lanternfly egg hatch is coming or here now – Critical knockdown of nymphs

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!

 

Through conversations with nursery operators, state inspectors (NJDOA), and internal agent communications four shade trees represent the vast majority of nursery stock with adult SLF eggs. This means we should be targeting these trees early – treating for nymphs as they emerge from the egg masses and before they move on to more tender hosts.

The vast majority of shade trees with egg masses in NJ are:

  1. Red maple – huge proportion
  2. Birch
  3. Willow
  4. Styrax

Generally, adults are laying eggs on these four nursery crops late summer/fall, then as the nymphs emerge (April/May) they move to more tender growth, often onto understory plants, weeds, hedge rows, roses (wild and cultivated), and tender herbaceous and perennial plants (May, June, early July). This means we have a very short window to target a large percentage of nymph emergence on these four crops with Contact Insecticides. Scout these areas for nymphs over the next few weeks, and be at the ready to treat immediately. 

Be ready to target nymph populations early this season with contact materials 

Once the nymphs have moved on to their favored 1st-3rd instar crops (herbaceous, perennial, roses, grapes, etc.) they will then begin to move back to these four shade trees (and other woody hosts) as 4th instars (red-coloration, mid/late July) and adults (August) that will ultimately mate and lay eggs (September/October), repeating the cycle.

Systemic materials – Generally systemics are best utilized when targeting late instars and adult populations (both born at the nursery and flying in from outside), often requiring approximately 3-4 weeks prior to anticipated insecticidal activity. In the nursery setting we may already be utilizing systemic materials to treat other insect populations, offering some level of protection from the nymphs migrating away from theses four shade trees, towards their favored feeding locations. In operations where egg masses have been abundant, treating with systemic materials, when appropriate should be considered to reduce local populations in addition to targeting nymphs with contact materials.

Penn State – Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide (click here) – Contains the most complete list of labeled systemic and contact insecticides for SLF

Note – applications during bloom for specific host crops should be avoided to protect pollinators. 

 

Additional information: 

We are collectively trying to avoid crippling load-by-load phytosanitary inspections: 

WE as an industry are in this together, in order to safeguard our industry please do the following:

  1. SLF Training Permits for hang-tags (click here) are required for each company driver who delivers your plants out-of-state. This training is relatively simple and you can also obtain Training materials to educate your employees (click here)
  2. Scout every plant for ANY SLF life stages – from dead adults to egg masses. REMOVE life stage prior to shipment and train employees to know the various appearances of SLF egg masses. Use this guide – SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download) (print and hang up / distribute to personnel)

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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)

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,