USDA-FSA Holds Sign Up for Farmland Damaged by Flood and Excessive Rain

News Release from USDA

The following news release has come from Buncombe County FSA offices:  News Release from USDA
If you are located in another county you should call your local FSA office to determine if similar funds are available.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Pest Alert for Week of July 29th

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF PESTS

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

Debris-carrying Green Lacewing Larvae are Active and Everywhere!

Green lacewing larvae are common predators of several soft-bodied pest arthropods across the United States. Their prey includes but is not limited to: scale insects, spider mites, aphids, thrips, and eggs of pest insects. They are useful in biological control because of their generalist and voracious feeding habits. Lacewing larvae are often compared to alligators due to their elongate, slender body shape and are typically yellow and brown in color with six legs. These larvae have large pincer mouthparts that they use to penetrate bodies of prey, paralyze them, and literally suck out their insides. They use these mouthparts to devour several hundred prey per week. Lacewings are known to be cannibalistic if they cannot find any other food source. This is one reason that they deposit their eggs individually on long hairs that suspend them above the leaf surface out of reach. These eggs are common and can be easily found on leaf surfaces. 

Some, but not all green lacewing larvae, develop a camouflage cover which hides them from predation by other insects. These are called debris-carrying lacewing larvae because they pick up plant tissue debris and other insect debris and attach it to their back. This camouflage makes them difficult to recognize by natural enemies and the inexperienced human eye. Often times they will appear to be a cluster of tree lichen until you notice small legs underneath or it start to move. They can currently be found on most plants just by scanning leaf surfaces. I have seen several recently without looking for them. These insects remain larvae for two to four weeks at which point they develop into winged green lacewing adults. Adult lacewings are not predators and primarily feed on plant nectar. The adults are commonly attracted to lights at night and can often be found around your home.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

IR 4 Survey

Please consider going to the attached link to fill our a national survey regarding to pest management strategies and needs:

http://ir4.rutgers.edu/Ornamental/Survey/index.cfm?utm_source=IR-4+Orn+Hort+Program+-+Pest+Management+Needs+Survey&utm_campaign=Orn+Hort+Protocols&utm_medium=email

Thanks!

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Pest News for Week of July 22nd

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

Mimosa Webworms

In Raleigh we are seeing the initial webbing created by mimosa webworms. These are annual pests of mimosa trees which many people including me consider pests in their own right. However, if you are one of the many folks who love mimosa trees sans messy caterpillar webbing then it is time for action. The best way to prevent heavy infestations and extensive webbing is to prune out the nest when they are small (now). Moths overwinter as adults so reducing the abundance of caterpillars in your tree could help reduce infestations next year. Most insecticides available for caterpillar control will also control mimosa webworm, but remember that contact is difficult since they live in water proof bags so rely on stomach poisons for best control.

More information on caterpillars can be found at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note07/note07.html

RESIDENCES, STRUCTURES AND COMMUNITIES

From: Mike Waldvogel, Extension Entomology

Mosquito-borne Diseases

On July 4, I sent an e-mail about the rains increasing some pest problems. Some problems are nuisance pests (such as millipedes), but others such as mosquitoes pose a greater problem particularly with the possibility of diseases such as  Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), LaCrosse Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus. As I suggested in that e-mail, it would be prudent for horse owners to get their animals vaccinated.    

Some of you may have already seen yesterday's reports that Brunswick County had its first confirmed equine fatality from EEE (http://www.wect.com/story/22877714/states-first-case-of-eee-this-year-confirmed-in-brunswick-county). 

Despite the name, the disease affects not just horses but people as well. Unlike some other disease-causing viruses of medical importance, you can't get EEE from contact with an infected person or horse.  Mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird and those mosquito species then feed on other birds thus increasing the reservoir of virus in the bird population during the course of the summer. Other mosquito species that bite these same birds act as "bridges" by dining again on horses or people who now become infected.  

Children and the elderly are the biggest concern and so we need to urge our clients to take appropriate protective measures and use insect repellents (see http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/repellents.htm). We still recommend the usual measures of emptying rain-filled containers and other objects as well as unclogging gutters, drainage ditches, etc. However, mosquitoes that can transmit EEE will also breed in floodwaters and salt marshes and for that reason personal protection is critical. Many of these mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk and so altering are activity times can help (but are not a guarantee against mosquito bites). Again, we also urge horse owners to consult with the veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against these mosquito-borne diseases.

I would also add that people with dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors need to make sure they are keeping up their pet's monthly heartworm medications since some of the same mosquito species that are increasing in numbers can also transmit dog heartworm.  

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Pest News for Week of July 15th

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

News About Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Neonicotinoids include products such as imidacloprid (Merit, Marathon, various homeowner products made by Bayer), dinotefuran (Safari), acetamiprid (TriStar), and thiamethoxam (Flagship). All the chemicals in this group are systemic and move to plant issue once applied. This includes nectar and pollen. These products have been under scrutiny lately due to their negative effects on pollinators. See this report: http://ecoipm.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/neonicbees.pdf

Recently there was a large bee kill in Oregon apparently due to misapplication of a neonicotinoid to a flowering linden tree. Labels typically state “Do not apply to flowering plants or when pollinators are present” or something similar. In response the Oregon Department of Agriculture has temporarily restricted use of dinotefuran while it investigates the incident. More information about this incident is in a recent article:http://www.nurserymanagementonline.com/oda-restricts-dinotefuran-use.aspx

It is important to correctly use all insecticides by professionals and homeowners.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Impatiens Downey Mildew Update

The information I pasted below is an excerpt from an online newsletter called ‘Acres Online’, put out by Ball Publishing. If you are interested in receiving the full copy for yourself go to http://www.ballpublishing.com/BPSubscriptions/newslettersignup.aspx

Downy Mildew update: Spring 2013

Despite being known in the U.S. since the late 1800s, impatiens downy mildew (IDM) didn’t rear its ugly head in landscape plantings until a couple seasons ago. And in 2012 it was devastating in pockets of the country. So how has the 2013 season been when it comes to our beloved impatiens?

First, IDM did impact production numbers. Best as I can gather from my contacts, wholesale seed and plug sales were down around 30% from 2012.

As for the disease itself, I checked with Ball’s plant pathologist Colleen Warfield for a landscape update. According to Colleen, the disease is still active in Florida, confirmed in Hawaii, and it’s been found recently in San Diego County. However, in the Eastern U.S., there has only been one confirmed report of IDM on I. walleriana in the landscape, and that was in late May. And there is an unofficial report from an Internet blogger who just found it in her Ohio garden. But so far, there are no other confirmed reports on regular impatiens. However, there have been a couple of reports of IDM on I. balsamina, a naturalized plant better known as spotted snapweed or garden balsam. That’s bad news, since we now know of a second host plant.

For the very latest update, Colleen and Margery Daughtrey will be presenting “Impatiens Downy Mildew—Are We Any Closer to Control?” at the Short Course on Saturday, July 12 from 10:45 to noon in room E170. Be there!

Is it in your area? Remember, just because your impatiens have some yellow leaves doesn’t mean it’s IDM. Look for the presence of white sporulation (down) on the underside of the foliage. If you think you’ve seen it in your landscape, let Colleen know at cwarfield@ballhort.com.

New Research on Boxwood Blight

Boxwood Blight

Research continues to go on by our various researchers across the US.  Miranda Ganci, one of our graduate students, working with Dr. Kelly Ivors has released some interesting information about this disease about some of the partially resistant cultivars of  varieous Buxus sps.  For more information and to read the most current  research document please visit this link:  Boxwood Blight


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Pest News for Week of June 24th

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

Japanese Beetles Adults

I have a couple reports from around North Carolina and even reports that they are emerging in Maryland. So I guess they are trickling out, but populations seem to have gotten lower and lower in the past several years. For three years in a row we have had severe droughts during the time Japanese beetles are ovipositing. They need moist soil so their eggs do not dehydrate and so tiny young larvae can borrow into the soil. Droughts have restricted successful reproduction to only well irrigated areas. 

So keep an eye out and remember a few key things. Japanese beetle traps do not offer any protection to landscape plants and may actually attract more beetles on to your property so hang them in your neighbor’s yard. Likewise, treating a lawn for Japanese beetles grubs will not reduce defoliation of plants on that property since beetles fly in from great distances. Long-term protection for landscape and nursery plants can be achieved a neonicotinoid insecticide such as imidacloprid (e.g., Merit, Marathon II) or acetamiprid (Tri-Star). A new product with extremely low vertebrate toxicity, but good efficacy for a number of pests including Japanese beetles is Acelepryn (chlorantraniliprole). For more information on the biology and management of adult Japanese beetles in nurseries and landscapes consult the insect note http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/note147/note147.html.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Japanese Beetles are Active Now!

Japanese Beetles Active

In scouting a streambank area this morning, I noticed that many of the wildflowers were covered with Japanese Beetles and some nearly defoliated.   While I would not say that we are having an early peak in the population of these pest, it is clear that they are very active and pest management efforts should be in place immediately for the adult control.
Turfgrass Managers on Sod Farms, Athletic Fields, Golf Courses, and Lawns should be on the alert and plan to apply a grub control  by the first of July.  These adult insects are currently laying eggs and those eggs will be hatching in 10-14 days.  The wet weather and lush grass will be create ideal conditions for the young grubs.  For more information on this pest please read the following publications:

Japanese Beetle Information

http://ipm.ncsu.edu/agchem/agchem.html



For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Pest News for Week of June 17th

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

Fungus Gnat Larvae

This week we had reports of fungus gnats forming long lines on sidewalks and driveways. This happens after a lot of rain or heavy irrigation. In the landscape larvae feed on plant roots and live in areas with a lot of thatch or organic matter. You can read more and see a picture of the larvae-snake in an insect note athttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/note29/note29.html.

Tea Scale Crawlers are Active

Tea scale, Fiorinia theae, is common on camellias. It is an armored scale that lives on the underside of leaves. You can find it on almost any camellia by looking for inner leaves that have yellow spots on top. When you turn it over you will see tan canoe-shaped scale covers and some white fluff from the males. These are tough to treat because the heaviest infestations are often deep within the foliage of large bushes. To find an insect note with more information and recommendations:http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note50/note50.html

Cottony Cushion Scale Activity

Cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, is active much of the year. This week I found young crawlers that were being aggressively tended by fire ants on cherry laurel. The scale is most easily recognized by its oblong cottony ovisac that can reach 1 cm or longer. The rest of its lifecycle is less conspicuous though it is still one of the larger scales. Like other cottony scales, such as cottony maple scale and cottony camellia scale, cottony cushion scale is a soft scale. In the coming weeks the scale will be most easily managed as crawlers are active and exposed. Horticultural oil can be used to smother crawlers on small plants. A systemic drench can be used to treat larger plants and provide longer protection. The host list for this species is long and varied including: maple, boxwood, pecan, cedar, citrus, apple, Prunus spp., rose, and others. This week I found ovisacs on Euonymus, Nandina, and Fatsia. More information and chemical recommendations can be found in the cottony cushion scale insect note athttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note51/note51.html.

Spider Mite Damage

Although the cool season is over, damage from cool season mites is beginning to appear. I found this cherry laurel with extensive mite stippling. On the leaves there were no active mites, just lots of eggs. This is the last stand of southern red mite for the summer. They spend the hot months as eggs then come out again in fall. They feed in spring but often the damage does not become apparent until the plants face some stress in hot weather. So be sure to monitor these plants in fall. Horticultural oil may help smother the eggs, but be careful in hot weather.

In North Carolina, the most important cool season mites are the spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis) and southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis). These are among the earliest and most damaging pests in nurseries and landscapes. As their name implies, cool season mites are active in spring and fall when they suck fluid from cells on plant leaves and needles. In hot summer months these mites are dormant. However, it is summer when their damage becomes apparent as chlorophyll bearing cells die. Thus, by the time plants exhibit aesthetic damage the mites are gone and treatment is wasted.

I found all stages of southern red mites on cherry laurel, but they feed on many broadleaf evergreens such as azalea, camellia, holly, and rhododendron. With eggs juveniles and adults all present these mite populations are well underway and deserve attention from nursery and landscape personnel.

Scout plants that had mites or mite damage the previous year are likely to have them again because the mites have overwintered as eggs. You can identify plants that had mite last year by looking for fine stippling damage on the old leaves. Turn them over and look with a hand lens for silk webbing, shed skins, and mites. On broadleaf evergreens, look on the underside of leaves for the southern red mite. The most efficient method of scouting for cool season mites (and other mites) is to hold a piece of white paper or a paper plate below a branch and strike it with a pencil or stick to dislodge arthropods. Spider mites will appear as tiny moving specks about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.  

For more information and control options consult the North Carolina State University insect note at  http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/ort077e/ort077e.htm.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.