UMass
Extension Landscape Message #11
May 15, 2008
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The
LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is an educational newsletter intended
to guide landscape, nursery and urban forestry professionals
in identifying pests in the landscape, monitoring their
development, planning management strategies and creating
site-specific records for future management reference.
UMass
Extension has updated this issue to provide timely pest
management information and the latest regional news and
environmental data throughout Massachusetts. During the
months April, May, and June this newsletter will be updated
weekly. The next update will be available on or about May
22, 2008.
Missed
a previous message? Visit the Landscape
Message Archive.
Interested
in additional turf-oriented content? UMass
Extension Turf Program Management Updates  |
SCOUTING
INFORMATION BY REGION
REGIONAL
NOTES
-
Cape
Cod Region (Barnstable) – General
Conditions: The weather has been decidedly cold and
damp over the reporting period. Soil moisture levels are
good, and flowering shrubs have a prolonged period of bloom due
to the cool weather. Pests/Problems: Winter
moth caterpillars are about 1/4 inch long and are webbing new foliage
together and feeding inside. We have not had any reports of gypsy
moth infestations to date. Eastern tent caterpillar nests
are expanding and are readily visible. Galls of cedar apple
rust are visible on eastern red cedar. Dandelions, creeping
veronica, and chickweed are in full bloom. Cicadas have not
yet emerged as adults, but we are expecting it will happen when
soil temperatures reach the low sixties F.
Southeast
Region (Hanson) – General
Conditions: Nice spring weather, sunny days and
cool nights, have kept the spring blooming plants looking good. Japanese
maples have leafed out providing nice foliage color with all
the other deciduous trees. Exochorda racemosa (Pearlbush),
lilac, Viburnum 'Mohawk', Mayflower viburnum,
Eastern redbud, Pieris floribunda (Mountain Pieris), Pieris 'Brouwer's
Beauty', Wisteria, Halesia, flowering dogwood, Helleborus
foetidus, Vinca, Pulmonaria, Trillium, Kerria, Arabis,
anemones, Royal azalea, Bleeding heart, Euphorbia polychroma, Brunnera
macrophylla, Arisaema, Epimedium, Ajuga,
Lunaria, Daphne sp., Phlox subulata, Phlox
divaricata, Phlox stolonifera, Sweet woodruff,
Barberry, and Solomon's Seal are in full bloom. Lawns are
green. Pests/Problems: Winter moth
caterpillars were observed webbing the flowers of apple and crabapple
together and feeding. They were also observed webbing and
feeding on the foliage of oak, Norway and red maples, Japanese
maples, and others. In some areas of Plymouth County, winter
moth caterpillar populations appear to be down from previous
years, and trees look to be in good shape. However, this
observation may vary by town; for an example, Hull has reported
high numbers of winter moth caterpillars this season. This
is the second year that winter moth caterpillar populations seem
to be down in the Hanson area. It is still early, however,
as winter moth caterpillars usually don't start to pupate until
late May to early June. Eastern tent caterpillar webs are
expanding. Hemlock woolly adelgid, lily leaf beetles, wasps
and hornets, carpenter bees, mosquitoes, and ticks are all active. Ground
ivy, buttercups, chickweed, violets, and dandelions are in full
bloom. Poison ivy is showing up in the landscape; new growth
is often a reddish-green. Beneficial insects are active. Remind
clients to water newly planted landscape material.
East
Region (Boston) – Pests/Problems: Pleasant spring-like
visitation. Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum brought
many visitors on a very pleasant day! Mowing, weeding,
pruning, and litter clean-up continues at a good pace. Newly
planted trees and shrubs are in need of watering.
Metro
West (Waltham) – General Conditions: The
temperature is gradually warming up. Warm days but very
cool nights. Pests/Problems: Winter
moth is still active.
Metro
West (Hopkinton) – General Conditions: Nights
have been very cool holding the flowers on a lot of early flowering
shrubs and trees. Pests/Problems: Dandelion
has gone to seed. Deer browse is a problem on hosta now.
Central
Region (Boylston) – General
Conditions: No conditions report available. See
Environmental Data and Phenology below.
Pioneer
Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: As the
daffodils fade the iris, bleeding heart, and phlox are really
coming into their own. In spite of only receiving ~1/4
inch of rain since May 4, plant development continues to be vigorous
with prolific flowering and vegetative growth on many trees and
shrubs. Lawns and gardens also continue to thrive. Pests/Problems: The
first flush of leaves on many London planetrees experienced freeze/frost
damage on sub-30° F April 30 and May 1 mornings. These
episodes browned the young leaves, but lateral and adventitious
buds from a bit lower on the affected twigs are beginning to
develop. Deer and dog ticks are active. Black flies
are abundant and hungry. Windy, warm, and dry weather
brought on another fire danger warning for the Pioneer Valley
and surrounding areas.
Berkshire
Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Plant
development is steady but slow as the nights have been cool and
rainfall has been minimal. Soil moisture levels are adequate
to low, depending upon exposure and soil texture. Pests/Problems: Ticks
are very common, but insect activity is minimal. Tent caterpillars
are active but seem to be few in number. There are numerous
reports of vole damage to perennials.
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA -
The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data
was collected for a one-week period, May 7, 2008 through May 13,
2008. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed
on May 13, 2008. Accumulated GDDs represent the heating units
above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments
from the beginning of the current calendar year. This information
is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental
stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies
accordingly.
| Region/Location |
2008 GROWING DEGREE DAYS
|
Soil
Temp
(°F
at 4" depth) |
Precipitation
(1-Week
Gain) |
1-Week
Gain |
Total
accumulation for 2008 |
| Cape Cod |
29 |
125 |
58° |
1.60" |
| Southeast |
37 |
158 |
61° |
0.59" |
| East |
47 |
170 |
55° |
0.25" |
Metro West
(Waltham)
|
31 |
117 |
53° |
0.22" |
Metro West
(Hopkinton) |
44 |
141 |
55° |
0.25" |
| Central |
33 |
127 |
50° |
0.19" |
| Pioneer Valley |
51 |
207 |
54° |
0.24" |
| Berkshires |
44 |
184 |
56° |
0.23" |
AVERAGE |
40 |
154 |
55° |
0.45" |
n/a = information not available
|
PHENOLOGY
-
The phenological indicators are a visual tool for
correlating plant development with pest development. The following
are the indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed
for this period:
Indicator Plants - Stages of Flowering (begin,
b/full, full, f/end, end) |
PLANT NAME (Botanic/Common) |
CAPE |
SOUTH
EAST |
EAST |
METRO
W. |
CENT. |
P.V. |
BERK. |
Waltham |
Hopkinton |
|
 |
Spirea x vanhouttei (Van
Houtte Spirea) |
* |
* |
begin |
* |
begin |
* |
* |
* |
Elaeagnus umbellate (Autumn
Olive) |
* |
b/full |
begin |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut) |
* |
* |
full |
* |
* |
* |
full |
begin |
Lonicera tatarica (Tatarian
Honeysuckle) |
* |
* |
f/end |
* |
* |
* |
full |
begin |
Halesia spp. (Silverbell) |
* |
full |
full |
* |
full |
full |
full |
begin |
Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac) |
begin |
full |
b/full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
b/full |
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) – BRACTS |
b/full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
full |
|
Malus spp. (Crabapple) |
b/full |
full |
full |
full |
end |
full |
full |
full |
Cercis canadensis (Redbud) |
full |
full |
full |
full |
end |
full |
full |
full |
Viburnum spp. (Early Fragrant Viburnums) |
full |
full |
full |
full |
end |
full |
f/end |
full |
Spiraea prunifolia (Bridalwreath
Spirea) |
full |
f/end |
full |
* |
end |
* |
* |
* |
Chaenomeles speciosa (Floweringquince) |
full |
end |
full |
end |
end |
full |
f/end |
f/end |
Amelanchier spp. (Shadbush/Serviceberry) |
full |
end |
f/end |
* |
end |
end |
end |
f/end |
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford' (Bradford
Pear) |
f/end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
f/end |
end |
f/end |
Rhododendron 'P.J.M.' (PJM Rhododendron) |
f/end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
Prunus serrulata (Japanese Flowering
Cherry) |
f/end |
end |
f/end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
Forsythia x intermedia (Border
Forsythia) |
end |
end |
end |
end |
end |
f/end |
end |
end |
* = no
activity to report/information not available |
CAPE
COD REGION - Roberta Clark, Horticulturist for Barnstable County,
Barnstable.
SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, Horticulturist for UMass Extension
in Plymouth County, Hanson.
EAST REGION - James R. Allen, Horticulturist and Greenhouse Manager
for UMass Biology Department, Boston.
METRO WEST REGION – James Martin, Consulting
Arborist, reporting from the UMass Extension Center, Waltham.
METRO WEST REGION – Mark Sawyer, Horticulturist,
Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton.
CENTRAL REGION - Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, Tower
Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.
PIONEER VALLEY - Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension
Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass, Amherst.
BERKSHIRES - Ron Kujawski,
Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban
Forestry Program, Amherst.
WOODY
ORNAMENTALS
INSECTS
-
Lepidopteran Caterpillars:
-
Gypsy
Moth - The caterpillars
should be settled and feeding by now throughout the
state. No reports have been received
concerning large numbers of this pest in the state for
this year. It is still assumed that it will be
a little concern statewide this year. If found
in significant numbers, a product containing spinosad
should be very effective.
-
Forest
Tent Caterpillar - In
the warmer regions of the state this caterpillar is now
about one inch in length and feeding voraciously. In
the western region of the state this pest is more prevalent
on maple while it is more commonly found on oaks in the
eastern regions. However, it has a wide deciduous
host plant range and can be destructive on many hosts
throughout the state.
-
Eastern
Tent Caterpillar -
Silken webs in the branch crotches of Malus and Prunus species
are quite noticeable now. This pest is occurring
randomly throughout the state, and in some regions
the numbers are significant once again this year. In
parts of southern New York state and across Pennsylvania
this caterpillar is appearing in extremely large
population numbers. It is most likely too
late in the season for a Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki
product, but an insecticide that contains spinosad
-
Fall
Cankerworm - Reports
of this native caterpillar are just beginning to
be received. It is not yet clear just how widespread
this pest will be this year in the state. The
thinking is that, once again, there will be random
yet significant small pockets occurring throughout
the state.
-
Winter
Moth - Some areas in eastern Massachusetts
(e.g., Hull) are experiencing large numbers of this
introduced species this year, and damage is already
noticeable. Other areas in the eastern part of
the state have winter moth but in lower numbers. Now
that the leaves have expanded from the buds this pest
can be treated with a product that contains spinosad
or with one of the labeled pyrethroid insecticides.
Hymenoptera Sawfly (Caterpillar) Larvae:
-
European Pine
Sawfly − This sawfly caterpillar
will appear within the next week or so on such host plants
as mugo pine. Inspect now for the yellow, block-shaped
spots lined up on the needles that are an indicator of
sawfly eggs embedded within the needles. If found
in limited numbers, remove those needles and destroy
them. Once the dark green larvae hatch, they tend
to cluster in large numbers on the tips of needles and
continue to feed gregariously. As they become larger
(they grow quickly), they will consume the needle down
to the fascicles. The very young larvae are easily
controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural
oil sprays. For the larger larvae, consider using
a product that contains spinosad or one of the pyrethroid
insecticides. This pest usually does not kill its
host, but it can greatly impact the aesthetic value of
-
Azalea
Sawfly Caterpillar − This green-colored
sawfly caterpillar is virtually the same color as the host
plant foliage, which is usually 'Exbury' and 'Mollis' varieties
of deciduous azaleas in Massachusetts. Given
that it hugs the margins of the foliage while it feeds,
coupled with its coloration, this insect is difficult
to see. Once foliage is fully emerged, inspect
for ragged edges of foliage where feeding has occurred;
then inspect more closely for the caterpillar. It
tends to consume the soft tissue of the foliage and leaves
nothing but the main veins, which is somewhat typical
of many sawflies that feed on deciduous plants. Once
found, treat with a product that contain spinosad or
with one of the pyrethroid insecticides labeled for this
pest. If not treated, it has the potential
to consume all leaves.
Beetles:
- Lily
Leaf Beetle
-
The bright red adults have been active now for several
weeks. Eggs will appear later in May on the undersides
of foliage. NEEM works well for the larvae, once
they appear, but needs to be reapplied every 10-14 days. Spinosad
products also work well for the larvae. Adult lily
leaf beetle is best controlled with a pyrethroid insecticide.
- Viburnum
Leaf Beetle is established in western MA
(randomly throughout Berkshire County) and is expected
to become a serious pest there. It is expected
that this pest will continue to expand its invasion of
MA given that it is in CT, RI, VT, NH, ME, and NY state. Treat
the same as for lily leaf beetle. For
current information about this pest, visit the Cornell
web site at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb

- Imported Willow Leaf Beetle has been active
for a few weeks, and its damage is starting to become noticeable. The
adult beetle is rather small, rounded, and metallic green/blue
in color. The adult beetle will chew holes into the
foliage, but it is the small black-colored larvae that create
most of the injury. Larvae will line up together on
the foliage and scrape the upper layers. This action
causes the still-intact leaf to eventually die and turn brown. This
pest has multiple generations per year, and its damage can
become severe by August when virtually all of the foliage
on a willow will appear bronze in color, as if fire-swept. All
willows are susceptible. Treating the adult beetle
requires a pyrethroid insecticide while a product that contains
spinosad works well for the larvae.
Piercing-Sucking Pests:
-
Snowball Aphid remains actively
feeding, but all of its injury has now occurred. It
will cease feeding by the end of May, but the curled and
distorted foliage will remain on the host plant for the rest
of the growing season. Systemic imidacloprid may be
helpful in reducing next year’s numbers on individual
host plants, but time is running out for it to be translocated
up to the foliage where this pest will be feeding for the
next two to three weeks.
-
Spider Mites - Inspect spruce,
hemlock, fir, and others for the signs of last year’s
feeding damage by these tiny but very prolific and potentially
damaging pests. Once found, inspect very closely for
over-wintering eggs, which will require a good hand lens
or microscope. If found, treat with an oil spray or with one of the new mite growth regulators that targets spider
mite eggs. Many spider mite species have now become
active statewide, so monitor for the actual mites by shaking
a branch over a white piece of paper and then inspecting
with a hand lens for the mobile mites.
-
Clover Mites − A
few calls have been received recently concerning this
occasional pest. Clover mites become active in
the spring and feed on a wide range of host plants. They
are very small and usually go unnoticed. However,
they have the potential to invade homes and become a
nuisance. They do not bite people, but their
numbers, when occurring indoors, often causes alarm. Preventing
them from invading is the best overall strategy. It
is recommended that grass, weeds and other lush vegetation
be kept 18-24 inches from the house around the foundation,
especially on the sunnier sides. It is claimed
that clover mites will not cross over bare ground. Many
pesticide products are also labeled for the control of
this mite. As always, make sure that the recommended
pesticides are labeled for use in your state and always,
read, understand and follow all labeled directions for
use of such products. Ohio Extension has a very
informative fact sheet concerning this pest that can
be obtained at the following web site: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2095.html
-
Hemlock
Woolly Adelgid  -
This pest is on the rebound in MA after several years
of being in low numbers due to the exceptionally cold
winter of 2005. However, it reproduces quickly
and not much else controls its number naturally here. Inspect
for the new cottony egg masses that have been appearing
for the past couple of weeks. A horticultural
oil spray at the summer rate (be careful of tender
new foliage now emerging), systemic imidacloprid or systemic
dinotefuran (Safari™), are all effective against this
very serious pest. (See Elongate
Hemlock Scale, which appears next.)
-
Elongate Hemlock Scale (aka
Fiorinia Scale) − Inspect hemlocks closely
for this pest. If the plant appears weakened or sickly
and has hemlock woolly adelgid, which is very obvious,
take the extra time to closely inspect the undersides of
the needles for this scale. Fiorinia scale is very
small, brown and mostly oval in shape. Many of these
may be present per needle (on the underside only). In
some case, it will be the primary reason that a hemlock
looks to be in ill-health. Imidicloprid, which works
pretty well systemically for hemlock woolly adelgid does
not have much of an impact on this scale. Horticultural
oil sprays, which also work well on hemlock woolly adelgid
tends to provide minimal control for this scale. Safari™ (dinotefuran),
a relatively new neonicotinoid, does show good promise
for Fiorinia scale and works well when utilized as a systemic. However,
in Massachusetts, it has a “State Restricted Use” labeling
due to groundwater concerns. Fiorinia scale is difficult
to control. Unlike
most armored scales in the northeast, it produces crawlers
throughout much of the growing season. If found,
treat it aggressively. Fiorinia scale is a very serious
pest of hemlock.
-
Cryptomeria Scale was
found on Cape Cod last fall as well as in Rhode Island (not
far from the MA border. This was the first time that
this scale has been found in MA. Both finds were on
Christmas trees in the nursery (plantation). This scale
attacks various conifers and has the potential to be a serious
pest; our finds were both on fir. Inspect needles for
yellowing (stippling) and the presence of the scale on the
needle undersides. Treat with a horticultural oil if
found.
-
Honeylocust
Plantbug - Now
that the foliage of honeylocust has expanded from the bud,
this pest is actively feeding. It creates typical
yellow stippling on foliage when it feeds on expanded foliage. The
real damage occurs when it feeds heavily just as the new
foliage is emerging from the bud. In this case the
leaflets become heavily stunted, twisted, and otherwise distorted. Treatments
include insecticidal soap sprays for the young nymphs or a
labeled pyrethroid.
-
Boxwood Psyllid causes
cupping of the new foliage, which remains on the host plant
for a year or more. It does not result in yellow stippling
injury. Inspect susceptible boxwoods now for new
cupped foliage and the white wax that is produced by
the tiny psyllids. Contact insecticides, such as
soap and oils, may not provide good controls given that
the pest is protected within the cupped foliage. Certain
pyrethroids are labeled for this pest.
Leaf Miners:
-
Birch
Leafminer − Populations
of this potentially serious pest appear once again to be
rather low in the state. Where it is active, the larvae
are now about half developed, and injury is noticeable. In
most areas of the state it may be too late for control measures
now.
-
Inkberry Leafminer − This is
one of the “holly leaf miners” and is specific
to inkberry. Inspect now for browned foliage tips,
and then inspect more closely for the presence of mining
within those browned tips, which will be hollow and contain
a pupa. Monitor for the emergence of the adult
leaf miner flies with yellow sticky cards. Treat
with a pyrethroid insecticide once the adults appear
to break the cycle of re-infestation of the host plants.
Cool Stuff:
-
Periodical
Cicada − This
unique insect only appears every 17 years in the adult
stage. Specific populations of these occur in the
eastern USA as different Broods that have peak years at
varying times. This year, it is Brood #14 that is
peaking, and a part of that once large brood still exists
on parts of Cape Cod. Homeowners have already been
reporting finding large round holes in the ground. These
holes are made by the nymphs as they take advantage of
moist and pliable soil now to prepare an emergence hole
that will get utilized in late May/early June. At
that time, millions of these nymphs will pour out of the
ground, climb up on virtually everything, and molt for
the last time into the large, red-eyed, winged adult cicadas. This
emergence brings much speculation about the remaining size
of this population given the enormous development that
has occurred on Cape Cod in recent decades.
Nuisance Pests:
- Ground Bees -
Many calls have been received this year concerning solitary
bees nesting in turf, which includes home lawns, parks, athletic
fields, and school grounds. When these bees are prevalent,
such as this year, they can cause alarm. However, most
of these bees are fairly docile and only sting (or in some
cases, bite) when seriously provoked. There are many
types of these ground bees ranging from digger bees, mining
bees, cicada killers, leaf-cutting bees,
and others. Overall, these bees appear more problematic
than they actually are, and most will greatly subside in
activity by early to mid June. Occasionally, controls
may be necessary, primarily on athletic fields where encounters
between humans and bees may become significant and also where
rare but very large numbers of these bees may soften the
playing surface to the point of risking injury to players. Ohio
Extension has a very informative fact sheet on the topic
which can be obtained at the following web site: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2143.html

Reported by Robert Childs, Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape,
Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst
Flowering dogwoods susceptible to dogwood
anthracnose are
vulnerable to infection during wet seasons. Apply fungicide
to protect developing leaves on high value trees, as the buds
break open, again when bracts have fallen, and ~4 weeks later. If
this is a persistent problem, consider planting one of the
many resistant cultivars of flowering dogwood and Kousa dogwood
now available.
Apply fungicides to protect emerging apple and crabapple leaves
from apple
scab as
the buds turn pink, again around petal fall, followed by 1-2
additional times at 7-10 day intervals (assuming wet conditions
linger). Prune
the trees to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration
that speeds drying of foliage. There are numerous resistant
varieties of apple, crabapple, and mountain ash to grow and
simplify disease management.
During dry weather remove and destroy infected foliage to
reduce juniper blight inoculum. Cut
an inch or so below the boundary between dead and healthy tissue. Begin
fungicide control of juniper blight caused
by Phomopsis juniperovora as new growth emerges, and
repeat applications if wetness persists. If the problem
persists, gradually replace problem junipers with disease-resistant
shrubs better adapted to the site.
Maximize the effectiveness fungicide treatments in the management
of black
spot on
rose by
initiating them now as buds swell, and repeat applications
per label directions into the fall. Provide good air
circulation and irrigate early in the day to minimize the period
of plant wetness to further suppress the disease. If
the problem persists, gradually replace susceptible varieties
of roses with those resistant to black spot to reduce buildup
of inoculum and the need for fungicide treatment.
Protect leaves, green shoots, and fruit of apple and crabapple
as well as serviceberry, hawthorn, mountainash, quince, flowering
quince, and pear from Gymnosporangium rust infections
now. The fruiting structures are now beginning to appear
on the alternate hosts of eastern red cedar (really a juniper)
and Rocky mountain juniper, as well as the occasional Chinese,
common, creeping, and savin juniper. Specifically, cedar-apple
rust galls
are visible on eastern red cedar as eruptions of orange, gelatinous
masses protruding from pea- to golf ball-sized galls. These
fruiting structures release spores that infect apple and crab
apple leaves at this time of the year during cool, rainy periods. Likewise,
fruiting structures of quince
rust are
visible as red-orange “cracks” in
the bark and small gelatinous masses on the foliage of infected
branches on several of these junipers. Infections seldom
cause serious damage to host plants, but their brilliant colors
bring attention to them when the rust fungus infects the foliage.
Ramorum
blight , also known as sudden
oak death (SOD) and ramorum dieback. Since
1995, oaks and tanoaks have been dying in the coastal counties
of California. Since then, surveys found other plants
infected or associated with this disease caused by the water
mold, Phytophthora ramorum. Researchers
in the U. S. first isolated the pathogen in Mill Valley (Marin
County) on tanoak, but since that time additional surveys
confirmed the pathogen on various native hosts in fourteen
coastal California counties and in Curry County, Oregon. Through
ongoing surveys of nurseries, USDA-APHIS-PPQ continues to
define the extent of the pathogen’s distribution in
the U. S. and limit its artificial spread beyond infected
areas through quarantine and a public education program.
Status of Phytophthora ramorum in 2008
There are
no updates for 2008 at this time.
Federal Regulation, State Inspection, Nursery Survey,
and Other Finds. There was no report this
week.
Forest Detection Survey. There
was no report this week.
Reported by Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension
Plant Diagnostic Lab, Amherst
WEEDS -
The warm weather of the last couple of days has moved the
growth of winter annuals along. Continue
the treatment of winter annuals and perennials in ornamental
beds with glyphosate or glufosinate.
Monitor beds for annual weed germination;
if they are still weed free, apply a preemergence herbicide. Treat
annual weeds while they are still small.
Continue to apply mulch to weed-free ornamental
beds.
Treat garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata,
now. Applications
at this time of year will control second year plants before
they go to seed as well as first year seedlings.
Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum, has
begun to emerge from rhizomes. Do not attempt to control
this weed at this time as herbicide applications are not effective. Repeat
cutting or mowing can be use as a non-chemical strategy. If
that is the control strategy selected, then cutting and mowing
should begin now. Repeat cutting or mowing should be
done as regrowth reaches 8-12 inches.
Reported by Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension
Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.
LANDSCAPE
TURF
INSECTS -
Mole Control: Buyer Beware. Moles
are back at it again! These small subterranean, tunnel-making pests
can cause big frustrations for those managing turfgrass and landscapes. Mole
damage is most noticeable during the spring and fall, but spring
may be the most effective time to control them.
Moles are gray,
furry, mammals that reach 6–8 inches in length. They
have abnormally high metabolism rates which means that they must
constantly eat and are active almost year-round, day and night.
Moles
are unique animals and are perfectly adapted for their underground
life. They are nearly blind and have very strong front feet
designed for tunneling. They can tunnel as much as 100 feet
per day in their quest for food. Frozen soils during the
winter-time force moles to tunnel very deep underground. Evidence
of this winter-time activity are large piles of black soil deposited
on top of the lawn or garden. One may not see surface tunneling
at this time, but make no mistake, piles of soil are also a sure
sign that the moles will be back making surface tunnels when temperatures
rise.
Moles mostly feed on earthworms. While they
do eat grubs, it’s an old wives tale that grubs are the reason
that moles are in a lawn. Therefore using grub control products
as a method of controlling moles will not be effective. Even
in grub free lawns, moles continue to survive, because the majority
of their diet consists of the ever-present earthworm.
When the ground
dries out in the summer (or when it freezes in the winter), earthworms
and soil dwelling insects remain deeper in the ground and so do
the moles. This behavior makes control
difficult because one can never be certain that the moles are truly
eliminated even though they are not making surface runs.
Moles are
not rodents (like rats and mice) which means that they cannot be
baited using rodent foods. Poison peanuts
or other grain baits won’t work since moles don’t feed
on seeds, alfalfa pellets, or any of the typical baits that are
sold to 'kill rodents' even though some are touted as a control
for rodents and moles.
People also should beware of false claims
about schemes to drive moles away. Many gardening and landscaping
books and magazines have references or advertising with bizarre
strategies to control moles. These include putting mothballs,
human hair, razor blades, or chewing gum in their tunnels, or using
pinwheels or ultrasonic devices to scare moles away. The
reality is that these just do not work.
The only two methods of effectively controlling moles are to (1)
to use a bait that they are attracted to or (2)
to physically remove them. A fairly recent bait that has
been proven to be effective is packaged and sold in the form of
a worm. The attractive smell and taste that is incorporated
into the worm, together with bromethalin (the active ingredient
that poisons the mole), makes for a lethal combination.
Two effective
mole traps can be used depending upon where the moles are working. A
scissor trap is better for use in subsurface, or deep, mole runs.
A harpoon trap is usually easier to use when the tunnels are near
the surface.
Whether using traps or worm-shaped baits, placement
is critical. Choose
a run that the mole uses regularly. Usually this is a run that
is in a straight line as opposed to squiggly tunnels that are generally
used for food foraging only. The best straight runs follow
a structural guideline such as a curb or a gutter, because these
are used regularly as the moles travel from their nest to the foraging
area. To determine if a run is active, stomp it down flat
then check the following day to see if it is pushed back up. If
the tunnel has been repaired, it is usually an active tunnel and
should be considered for trapping or baiting.
Mole traps and baits
are available at most hardware, home repair and farm supply stores,
generally right there in the middle of a bunch of mole control
products that do not work. Buyer
beware!
Submitted by Pat Vittum, Extension Entomologist,
UMass Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, Amherst. Written
by Tim Gibb, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, LaFayette, IN.
WEEDS
-
Forsythia has completed it flowering period. Therefore, preemergence
herbicide applications should be completed by
now. Any remaining preemergence applications
should be with dithiopyr products and preferably those
that are a sprayable formulation. Start to monitor
for germination of crabgrass.
It is still too early for treating broadleaf weeds.
Tree seedlings in turf will mow out. An
herbicide application is not needed.
Wild garlic is noticeable now. Ignore
it and it will go away or treat with a broadleaf turf herbicide. Control
is increased if weed is stepped on or rolled before application. Granular
broadleaf herbicide formulations should not be used.
Reported by Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist,
UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program,
Amherst.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
For
a complete listing of upcoming events, see our Conferences
and Workshops page.
Don't forget to visit the UMass
Extension Online Weed Herbarium!
2008-2009 Professional Management Guide
for Insects, Diseases and Weeds of Trees and Shrubs in New
England - Pesticide label
registration changes every year in all states and you can only
legally apply pesticides according to the current year's label.
This updated 2008-09 guide tells you what is current and legal
for use in all the New England states and is the way for you
to stay current with pesticide information. If you already
have the 2003 version, this is the updated supplement for pesticide
information. Remember, if you're a pesticide applicator, it's
the law! Created by UMass Extension professionals, this manual
offers the latest on virtually all the insects, diseases, and
weeds of woody plants in New England; current and legal listings
of chemical compounds labeled for the management of these pests;
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) considerations for most of
these pests; environmentally friendly alternatives in pest
management such as horticultural oils, soaps, biologicals,
etc.; and Growing Degree Day (GDD) information for most of
the insect pests of woody plants. Click
here to order online from the UMass Extension Bookstore or
contact (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu for information.
Planting and Maintaining Sustainable
Landscapes: A Guide for Public Officials and the Green Industry -
An updated and reprinted collection of fact sheets, including
Trees and Shrubs for Low Maintenance Landscapes; Recommendations
for Planting and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs; Integrated
Pest Management and Plant Health Care; Streetscape Design
and Planting; Selecting Turfgrasses for Low Maintenance Sites;
Turf Pesticides and the Environment; Children's Protection
Act and School IPM Plans; and Guidelines for Planting within
the 100 Foot Wetland Buffer. Click
here to order online from the UMass Extension Bookstore or
contact (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu for
information.
DIAGNOSTIC
SERVICES
UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Turf and
Landscape Problems - Accurate
diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate
or reduce the need for pesticide use. The UMass Extension
Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial
landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries
and other green industry professionals. It provides woody
plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf
insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed
identification, and offers a report of pest management
strategies that are research based, economically sound
and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Send
specimens and payment (payable to the University of Massachusetts)
to UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Holdsworth Natural
Resources Center, 160 Holdsworth Way, UMass, Amherst,
MA 01003. The fee for a woody plant disease analysis
is $50; the fee for turf disease analysis or nematode
assay is $75. All insect, weed and turfgrass identification
samples are $25 each. For more detailed submission instructions
see http://www.umass.edu/agland/diagnostics 
Soil and Plant Tissue Testing - The University
of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is
located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Testing services are available to all. The function of the Soil
and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is to provide test results
and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use
of soils and soil amendments. For complete information, visit
the UMass Soil and Plant tissue Testing Laboratory web site at: http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest Alternatively,
call the lab at (413) 545-2311.
NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available
on May 22, 2008.
This message is produced by the
UMASS Extension, Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program.
The copy is prepared by Anna Greene from data and reports provided
by the staff and faculty of the UMass Landscape, Nursery and
Urban Forestry Program and the UMASS Extension Turf Program as
well as cooperating horticulturists and Green Industry professionals.
The text is adapted for access via the Internet by Jason Lanier.
DISCLAIMER. This
message is intended for commercial use. UMass Extension assumes
no liability for recommendations. It is the responsibility
of the applicator to verify the registration status of any
pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different
regulations as well. The use of trade names (™) does
not imply endorsement. Similarly, there may be other products
you prefer to use.
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