Issue no. 9 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter

Issue no. 9 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter is now available on the Web. Point your browser to:

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu

IN THIS ISSUE:

=================================

Japanese Beetle Adult Emergence

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=493

Japanese beetle adults should be emerging in southern Illinois and will be emerging in central Illinois during the last week of June. They will emerge in northern Illinois during the first week of July. Look for them first on golf courses and other well-watered turf and then on smartweed, one of their favorite host plants.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Pesticide Concerns

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=494

It is important when trying to keep landscapes looking as good as possible to be aware of the consequences of some of your actions. Perhaps the likeliest situation where unintended consequences can result is in insecticide and other pesticide applications.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Bagworms

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=495

Bagworms will have hatched in southern and central Illinois. They should hatch by the end of the week in northern Illinois. When newly hatched bagworms emerge from their mother’s bag, they climb to the top of shrubs, trees, and any other erect object. They spin out two to three feet of silk which catches in the wind and blows them to new locations. They repeat this process, called ballooning, for about two weeks before settling down to serious feeding.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Boxelder Bugs

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=496

Boxelder bugs have two generations per year, with the second generation becoming adult at this time. Boxelder bugs feed primarily as nymphs and adults on seeds of box elder, a native maple. They also feed on the seeds of silver maple and other maples, but apparently not very heavily.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Bacterial Leaf Spot of English Ivy

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=497

English  Ivy (Hedera helix) is a ground cover/clinging  vine with attractive, dark green, and glossy leaves. In the landscape, it is  commonly used in shaded areas, where grass and other plants may be difficult to  become established. Several leaf spots are known to infect English Ivy, but one  of the more common is Bacterial Leaf Spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. Hederae.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Why in the Heck are my Tomato Leaves Curling?

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=498

There can be several causes for tomato leaves to roll or curl.  Some of the main causes for these symptoms to occur are physiological issues, herbicide exposure, viral infection, or less common problems such as nutritional issues, insect infestation, or phytoplasma infection.  When determining the cause of tomato leaf curling/rolling, first take note of any abnormal growing conditions early or during the growing season. Check to see which leaves (old, new, or all) are rolling, determine the direction of the leaf rolling, and whether any other plant parts, including fruit, are showing abnormal symptoms.  Therefore, if symptoms are not determined to be a result of virus or herbicide, the cause could be physiological.  It takes a bit of detective work to determine the problem and don’t forget there could be a combination of issues.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Quackgrass - Also Known as Devils-grass and Some Other Not So Nice Names

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=499

This morning I saw the tallest,  thickest stand of quackgrass I think  I’ve ever seen growing in a perennial landscape bed.  Certainly, the cool temperatures with timely  rains we’ve had this growing season have been very conducive to growth of this  cool season, perennial, grassy weed.  It  can grow up to 4 feet and from what I saw, it was just about there.  In fact, a quick prayer for the gardener  might be in order.  Has he or she simply  given up on this weed?  This weed may be  choking out the perennials but let’s hope it hasn’t choked out the gardener.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Modified Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F,  March 1 through June 14)

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=500

Insect development is  temperature dependent. We can use http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/Web/049DegreeDays.pdf">degree days

to help predict insect emergence and activity.   Home, Yard, and Garden readers can use the links below with the degree  day accumulations above to determine what insect pests could be active in their  area.

=================================

New Issue of the University of Illinois Home, Yard, and Garden Newsletter

Issue no. 7 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter is now available on the Web. Point your browser to:

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu

IN THIS ISSUE:

=================================

Planthoppers

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=480

We have been receiving reports of planthoppers and woolly aphids, particularly on ash, in various areas of the state. Both of these insects are covered with and leave behind white, fluffy tufts of waxy strands that get stuck on leaves and stems by the honeydew that these insects excrete. They are unlikely to cause enough damage to warrant control, but can be controlled by the insecticides in the following woolly aphid article.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Woolly Aphids

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=481

Adult woolly aphids appear as flying lint, tiny drifting angels, or white fuzzies, close to ¼ inch in diameter, which seem to float through the air. If you try to catch one, you soon realize that it is capable of powered flight. These aphids are green to blue and covered with white waxy strands that stand out from the body.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Common Cedar Rust Disease of Illinois

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=482

There are three common rust diseases found in the landscape that use cedar as an alternate host: cedar-apple rust, cedar-hawthorn rust, and cedar-quince rust.

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Keeping Up" with the U of I Plant Clinic

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=483

A great way to keep up with the U of I Plant Clinic is to use social media. Access using either Facebook or Twitter for important updates and news, and the latest research on plant problem management.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Common Purslane -- Blessing or Bane?

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=484

Common purslane is an interesting plant.  Some will curse its appearance in their garden and others will embrace it.  Again, we are reminded that a weed is only a weed if it is unwanted where it is growing.  The primary redeeming quality to purslane is that it is edible. 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Modified Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F,  March 1 through June 6)

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=485

Insect development is temperature dependent. We can use degree days to help predict insect emergence and activity.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Invasive Species Spotlight: Viburnum Leaf Beetle

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=486

Viburnum is one of America's most popular shrubs because of its beautiful flowers and wildlife attracting berries. However, this pretty plant is being threatened by the invasive Viburnum Leaf Beetle, a native of Europe that has been moved to North America on infected viburnums. It is now established in several states in the northeast and has now been found in several Midwestern states.

=================================

Final 2012 Issue of Home, Yard, & Garden

IN THIS ISSUE:

=================================

Last Issue for 2012

This is the last issue of the Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Newsletter for 2012. There is an index to this year's articles and topics in this issue. We plan on publishing the first issue of 2013 in mid-April.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Neonicotinoid Concerns

Recent research studies have shown a connection between several neonicotinoid insecticides and bees. These highly systemic insecticides have been increasingly shown to translocate into the flower pollen of various plants where they are picked up by pollinating insects including honey bees and bumble bees.

---------------------------------------------------------------

New Uninvited Fall House Guests: Brown Marmorated StinkBugs

Like many invasive species, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has a long list of host plants, including many woody ornamental trees as well as several agricultural crops including fruit trees, grapes, tomatoes, corn, soybeans and others. Also, like many other invasive insects, it is easily moved from location to location by humans (hitchhiking on vehicles, movement of shipping materials, and movement of plants).

---------------------------------------------------------------

Surveying for Illinois Invasive Species with the CAPSProgram

While a central geographic location and a superior transportation system afford Illinois a competitive advantage over many other states in commodity movement, these same factors make Illinois extremely vulnerable to accidentally or purposely introduced exotic pests.

---------------------------------------------------------------

A Review of the 2012 Season at the University of IllinoisPlant Clinic

The University of Illinois is now open year-round, but we are starting to reflect upon the 2012 growing season.  Our Plant Clinic sample load has nearly tripled in the last several years.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Index 2012

An index of articles sorted by topic is provided.

=================================

Issue no. 15 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter is now available

IN THIS ISSUE:

=================================

West Nile Virus

The hot, dry summer has apparently been responsible for higher levels of West Nile virus earlier this year in Illinois. The virus is reaching levels about a month earlier than is typical. As it normally builds from mid-August through the fall, this early increase followed by human cases makes it likely that its impact will be much higher than recent years. This increased level makes it important to protect landscape workers and others involved in outdoor activities.

---------------------------------------------------------------

European Paper Wasp

European paper wasp, Polistes diminula, has been identified in Urbana in central Illinois. This wasp has been in northern Illinois for several years. In North America, it is found in southern Canada and the northern U.S., being common in Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It has not been found south of southern Virginia. In the eastern hemisphere, it is native to southern Europe and Asia and northern Africa. It will surely continue to spread farther south in the U.S.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Downy Mildew of Impatiens Is Back in 2012

This week, the U of I Plant Clinic has confirmed downy mildew of impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) in Cook County.  It is apparent that the recent rains and cooler night temperatures provided the perfect environment for disease infection.  Earlier this year, in HYG issue #3 I warned readers to watch out for this unbelievably destructive disease.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Bleeding Canker on European Beech

Bleeding Canker is a potentially lethal disease to mature European Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). Researchers at Cornell University have been working extensively with this disease and have identified three closely related species of Phytophthora that are involved. Phytophthora plurivora, P. pini and P. citricola all cause similar bleeding canker symptoms.

=================================

Issue no. 13 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

=================================

Seedcorn Beetles

Seedcorn beetles, Stenolophus lecontei, have been reported in large numbers in turf in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and California. The adult beetles are slightly over one-quarter inch long, oval, and yellowish-brown to brown with two large, black oval spots on the back. In the past, only adult beetles were found burrowing into golf greens in September and October.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Pearleaf Blister Mite

Pearleaf blister mites, Phytoptus pyri, has been reported on ornamental pears. This is an eriophyid mite that attacks not only apple and pear fruit and ornamental trees, but also other rose family trees including serviceberry, cotoneaster, hawthorn, and mountain ash.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Pyrethroid Label Change Videos

FMC has just released three short videos concerning label changes associated with Talstar, their bifenthrin product. Similar changes appear to be in store for other pyrethroid insecticides.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Cicada Killer

Cicada killer continues to be very numerous in many parts of Illinois this summer. These wasps are about 2 inches long, black with yellow markings, and have reddish, transparent wings. The females dig 1/2-inch-diameter burrows that extend about seven to twenty inches into the soil. This results in mounds of loose soil around the burrow openings.

---------------------------------------------------------------

White Grubs

White grubs should be hatching or have hatched throughout the state. Our normal first date for determining grub numbers through scouting is around August 6. However, adults emerged ten to fourteen days early this year, so all of the eggs should have hatched. Fewer people appear to be irrigating their lawns this year, so the grubs will be concentrated in the few highly irrigated turf areas.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Rhizoctonia Root Rot

When the ornamentals in your backyard are slowly dying off or developing poorly, this poor growth and decline may be symptoms of a Rhizoctonia root rot.  Whether it is an ornamental, vegetable, or a field crop; a wide range of plants are subjected to Rhizoctonia root rot disease. The disease is caused by a soilborne fungus of the Rhizoctonia spp.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Powdery Mildews

Powdery mildews are one of the most easily recognized diseases in the landscape.  Unfortunately, they are equally as common and can be a problem on annuals, perennials, shrubs, and even trees. Powdery mildews flourish when the days are warm to hot, the nights are cool, and humidity is high. They are often more severe on crowded plants growing in the shade where air circulation is poor.

=================================