MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Dahlia Pest

Question: Good afternoon. A few days ago I found a few leaves on a dahlia I have, covered in ants. I also noticed a bit of stem damage. When I turned the leaf over I saw some small insects that appear to have stripes. I looked up "common dahlia pests" but I could not find anything that looked like this bug. It was only on the leaves of a few stems so I just cut them off and haven't seen any evidence of any spread. I can't figure out what the insect is though.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 2:26 PM EDT
response: These insects the ants are attending (and which damaged the stem a bit) are Keeled Treehoppers (or a very similar species). They don't cause serious damage to plants and can be ignored, but damaged leaves can be plucked off if they are concerning, as you've already started to do. Female Keeled Treehoppers guard their young, a very unusual trait for an insect. No insecticide use is recommended or needed.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 2:49 PM EDT
response: Thank you!! The adult is an unusual looking insect. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or maybe an ant carrying something. lolI really appreciate your help and the quick response.BrandenOn Tue, Jul 11, 2023, 2:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 3:09 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
What can I do about these bugs?

Question: These bugs or eggs are on my corn and my eggplant leaves. I also saw an insect that I took a photo of that may be planting them. How do I get rid of them and how bad are they?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 5:07 PM EDT
response: These don't appear to be insect eggs but do look like the spore packets (termed "peridioles") of a common soil microbe called Bird's-Nest Fungi (see page 3 of this linked publication). We see fine trails of the filaments (now matted-down on the leaf) that may have originally attached them to the "nest" cup in the fungus before they were released. These fungi most often grow on mulch because they decay old wood, and they do not infect plants, though spores can land just about anywhere as they splash with force out of the cups holding them. Is there mulch under or near these plants? Are these objects only on foliage within a few feet of the ground?  Insect pests of corn and eggplant don't lay eggs this large or in this location on a leaf, so even if Bird's-Nest Fungi don't appear to be the culprit, this doesn't look like an issue that needs to be addressed. You can rub or spray them off of the plant with a hose if you want; fungal packets sometimes glue themselves to objects after they land, but they should still be able to be removed with a finger or fingernail. If you can't, there is no need to remove the  leaf they are attached to. The insect pictured is a bit too squished to ID,  but it does not appear to be a corn or eggplant pest either.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 8:29 PM EDT
response: Many thanks for your detailed and speedt response. Yes, there is mulch, and white threads attached to some of them. I'm relieved they are not harmful, though they do appear to have gone right through some of the corn leaves  Nick

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 12, 2023, 8:27 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
What's happening to my cucumbers?

Question: Hello, my cucumber plant was doing so well until a few weeks ago. It doesn't seem to be producing as many female flowers and the male flowers aren't as big as they were in May/June. Can you please tell me what it needs? Does it need a certain type of fertilizer and does it have a disease? I'm also noticing that some of the young cucumbers are struggling. Help! 
Thank you for your time! 
Phaedra Rogers

responder: Travis County Master Gardeners  Replied July 12, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT
response: Hi Phaedra,    Gardening in Central Texas during these brutally hot days are challenging to say the least.  Many vegetables start going into survival mode when temperatures exceed 95 degrees.  You may see flowers but difficult for the plant to set fruit. Also the sun scorches the leaves and some insects with piercing mouth parts puncture leaves and stems causing damage and making a wound were fungal disease infects the plants.    It would be great if you could provide some afternoon shade for your cucumbers.  Shade cloth that allows 50% or more sunlight is ideal.  Remove damage leaves.  Use liquid fertilizer at recommended or diluted amounts (promotes good environment without a lots of growth stimulation).    Also I just put a side dressing of compost to help with the water holding capacity of the soil for some of my garden vegetables and flowers.        Hope this helps and wishing you all the best! Bob Kunkel

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2023, 11:30 PM EDT
response: Thank you Bob! Your input was very helpful. This hot weather is rough for all of us, including our plants! Best wishes, PhaedraOn Jul 12, 2023, at 12:56 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Mystery Slug Mimic Caterpillar

Question: Hi I have some young Cascaras in my yard which are getting munched on my some caterpillar. Today when I looked closer I found a cute little caterpillar standing on a leaf in an erect position. When I tickled it a bit with my finger it seemed to extend two little horns on top of it's head like extending the eye stalks of a slug or snail. It thought that was pretty novel. Do you have any idea what kind of caterpillar this is and if it is in fact a slug mimic? I've never heard of that before if it is. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise! The siting is in Portland, Oregon near Powell Butte Nature Park.

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied July 11, 2023, 10:53 PM EDT
response: Hi Andy- Thanks for your picture of the caterpillar on your Cascara plants. Cascara is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, of which you have found a larval stage. And yes, it's a mimic, but not of a slug. The little horns or stalks are called osmeterium and come out when the larvae feel threatened. Otherwise, the critter keeps itself safe by mimicking... bird poop! That is why you find them on the top of the leaf, where a bird would leave its droppings. You should be really pleased that you are providing food and shelter for such a beautiful pollinator and thank you so much for sharing the story with me!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 11:01 PM EDT
response: Super cool! Thank you for getting back to me Rhonda. I’ll keep giving it a happy home!Andy On Jul 11, 2023, at 7:53 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Boxwood dieback

Question: I noticed a dying boxwood tree in my yard. It looks like it's infected with boxwood dieback. Can you diagnose it?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 2:59 PM EDT
response: [These photos were submitted to Christa via email, 7/11/23]

Attached are three photos of my boxwood tree. I noticed a dying boxwood tree in my yard. It looks like it is infected with boxwood dieback. I am living in Howard County, Maryland.

Lin Wang

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 4:24 PM EDT
response: There is no singular disease called boxwood dieback, but this does not look like Boxwood Blight if that is what you were suspecting. Volutella is more likely, or that pathogen combined with old winter damage to the stems (this past winter's fluctuating warm-to-cold spells damaged lots of evergreens). More than one issue overlapping each other is certainly also possible, like vole gnawing damage on interior or lower stem bases coupled with some Volutella on other stems. You can explore our boxwood diagnostic page to see if any of the typical conditions they can contract match what you're seeing on still-living growth; diagnosing already-dead and dried stems is difficult and not always reliable because secondary fungi decaying the dead tissues could have colonized it in the meantime.  For issues with winter damage and/or Volutella, the plant can be drastically cut back if the dieback encompasses too many stems to make trimming out the dead zones the only recourse (from an aesthetic standpoint). It will of course take time for shrubs to regain some height after that, but at least they will start fresh with growth that is fairly even and symmetrical, unlike the gaps that can be left from removing only the killed stems on a larger plant. Avoid shearing the plants into more manicured shapes or hedges regardless of their size as this method of pruning creates dense regrowth that increases the plant's vulnerability to pests and diseases.  Miri
What is this plant/weed ?

Question: For the last 2 years of planting okra seed, I have noticed several plants growing from the planted seeds that are are obviously not okra. I have let them grow to as much as 3.5 feet tall before finally pulling these "weeds".  Not all of the planted seeds were these "weeds" - I would surmise that the seed packets produced about 50% to 60% actual okra stalks. Would you be able to identify from the attached images this is as opposed to be okra stalks ?

btw.  the seed packets came from two different nurseries and were of two different varieties.

responder: Lori N. Replied July 12, 2023, 10:37 AM EDT
response: These pictures look like a variety of amaranth, a species of flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family.  It is an annual that must be eliminated before the seeds develop or it will set seed and return next year.  The seeds are very tiny, and there are many of them.  The plant usually flowers from July-Sept. and the seeds ripen from Aug-Oct.  It probably developed from seeds in the soil and your okra seeds are having a hard time competing with this weed.  These websites may give you more information: https://blogs.cornell.edu>weedid>red-root-pigweed-3 and https://www.bbg.org>article>weed_of_the_month: Pigweed.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2023, 2:11 PM EDT
response: Lori,Thank you very much for the explanation!WendellOn Wed, Jul 12, 2023, 10:37 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Lori N. Replied July 13, 2023, 9:28 AM EDT
response: Certainly hope this helps!
Growth on my berry canes

Question: I noticed this on a berry cane in the spring. It is still the same size but now there is a second one. What is it? Is this something I should be worried about?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 12, 2023, 9:34 AM EDT
response: Hello Patricia, This is a praying mantis egg sac. It will hatch into praying mantises, which are beneficial for your plants.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT
response: Thank you very much! I have actually seen praying mantises in my back yard.   Patricia   Sent from Mail for Windows   From: Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 9:34 AM To: Patricia Speers Subject: Re: Growth on my berry canes (#0110013)
Forest shaded border plants -- what's possible?

Question: We are in process of cutting down the buckthorn that has overgrown our property line (inside a dilapidated fence).  Behind that fence is a tract of oak forest (also interspersed with buckthorn) and a large pond.  Deer roam freely and would eat hosta.  1.  What might we plant along our property line that would make a pleasing and environmentally friendly border, that would not be encroached upon by buckthorn regrowth, that would reduce ersion, and that would tolerate the soil condition and shade of overhanging oak branches?  2.  We have a couple of depressions or little sinkholes that we fill in -- any ideas?  Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 11, 2023, 5:50 PM EDT
response: Mary Joy, Thanks for your question. You are correct about deer and hostas - they eat them like salad! With the overhanging tree cover, I would look for shade tolerant and drought tolerant perennials. The attached link is the UMN extension information on deer damage, etc. including a list of plants deer typically avoid. I am partial to geraniums, coneflowers, and for spring color - daffodils. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 6:00 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much for your kind reply!Mary JouOn Tue, Jul 11, 2023, 4:50 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Tree/bush is dying!

Question: "LENS" app identified this as Harry Lauders Walking Stick. (Corylus Avellana). Is it? Started dying early 2023. See photos. Can you identify and diagnose? Thank you.

responder: Sarah Vradenburg  Replied July 12, 2023, 8:52 PM EDT
response: You have correctly identified this plant as Corylus avellena contorta or Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. It is a member of the beech family, which includes hazelnuts and filberts. Clearly it is struggling. Did it start failing just this year or did you just notice it? To me, it appears as if it’s been failing for some time, and perhaps has reached a critical point. Because the branches are so gnarled it may have been hard to see it until this year when the leaves failed to develop. While I cannot give a definitive diagnosis, I have read several articles, some of which I have appended below, that talk about Eastern Filbert blight, which is a fungal disease, Annisogramma anomala. It can exist in the plant for several years before the damage begins to show. One of your pictures, at top on my computer, seemed to show black spots in a line on a branch, which is a definitive symptom. If that’s the case — it’s hard for me to see clearly — then it is filbert blight. Sadly, there is no cure and the disease is always fatal. I doubt even pruning the dead and dying branches would do much good because the fungus will have spread throughout the plant. Removal is especially urgent if you have any other hazelnuts or filberts. It is highly contagious. As I said, I cannot make a definitive diagnosis, only an educated guess. You can take a sample to your local extension office. The contact information can be found at franklin.osu.edu Ohio State also has a well-respected plant diagnostic clinic in Columbus. You can get information on how to contact those experts also through the Extension office.  Good luck. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/corylus-avellana-contorta/ https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/contorted-filbert-a-gnarly-problem-plant/

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2023, 10:21 PM EDT
response: Thank you Sarah for your help. Great information! I will contact the Franklin Cty. Extension Office about the diagnostic clinic. On Wed, Jul 12, 2023 at 8:52 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Sarah Vradenburg  Replied July 13, 2023, 7:43 AM EDT
response: I’m glad I have helped.
Schip Laurel leaves yellowing

Question: We have several large schip laurel and some are starting to show yellowing of the leaves.  Any ideas?
Thanks
Ned

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 4:04 PM EDT
response: Hello Ned,  This leaf loss looks minor and fortunately inconsequential; we don't see indications of the typical Cherrylaurel ailments like scale insects on the bark or shot hole infection on the foliage. Evergreens routinely shed some of their oldest foliage (often in spring or autumn, but sometimes gradually all season), which will be lower and/or interior leaves that yellow and fall off. No action needs to be taken, though if they bother you there's no harm in plucking them off and composting them. In case they are stressed given our shortage of rainfall so far this season, you can monitor them for watering needs but they don't need fertilizer or any pest management at this time. If these shrubs were recently planted (in the past year or two), where root systems are still establishing, they might be more easily stressed by weather conditions, so the soil moisture monitoring can also help them to cope.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 10:06 PM EDT
response: Miri,   Thank you for your quick and thorough response.  We are comforted to learn that the yellow leaves are not a sign of serious problems.     Ned

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 12, 2023, 8:27 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Tree identification?

Question: Are you able to determine the type of tree this is?

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied July 13, 2023, 4:06 PM EDT
response: Hi Kim, This appears to be a honeylocust. Could you send a clear picture of one of the branches to help me confirm? Alternatively, could you tell me how long the leaflets are and if you notice any thorns on the tree? Thanks, Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 13, 2023, 4:18 PM EDT
response: Hi,I'm out of town right now.I know the seed pods are the flat dark brown banana looking things if that helps.KimOn Thu, Jul 13, 2023, 15:06 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied July 13, 2023, 4:27 PM EDT
response: Hi Kim, Honeylocusts do have long, dark seed pods, but some of the other species that I wanted to rule out, like black locust, have those seed pods as well. Thanks, Hania
Plum tree-weird growth

Question: We have started to see some weird things growing on our plum trees. Tried to take off but one were not able to and it’s all over the trees.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 3:31 PM EDT
response: This is a classic symptom of a very common fungal disease called Black Knot. It cannot be cured with fungicides so unfortunately the only recourse is to prune all of the knobby galls off since the twig beyond the infection point (from that gall to the branch tip) will eventually die back. Even if you don't mind the eyesore, leaving them could speed along reinfection since the galls produce spores to spread the fungus. We see Black Knot attack non-fruiting decorative (purple-leaf type) plum trees regularly, and there are similarly no fruiting plums that we are aware of with in-born resistance to this disease.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 3:53 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for your prompt response. Swati On Jul 11, 2023, at 3:31 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 11, 2023, 5:09 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Holly bushes dying out partially

Question: This early summer I had to cut out dead portions of my holly bushes.  Enclosed are some pics of what’s left.  Some dead stuff still left and some leaves came stunted.  What’s going on please advise.  I can send more pics or even bring in some cutting to mahoning county ext if needed.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2023, 12:31 PM EDT
response: These are mature hollies been in my landscaping for twenty years

responder: Kim  Replied July 13, 2023, 10:34 PM EDT
response: Hi Sean, Thank you for your question about your holly bushes.  To be honest, it is difficult to know exactly what is happening with out a sample.  It looks like the branches are truncated, but the small leaves look nice and green.   If you think it was winter damage, it might just take another season to recover. Other holly bush issue include root problems, nematodes, and leaf disease.  Here is an article that describes many issues. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holly-diseases-insect-pests/ If you get a sample, take one from where it transitions from health to the problem area.  You can call your Mahoning county extension and ask if they can look at your sample.  Otherwise, you can send one to Ohio State Extension, here is a link that has the information about sending a sample. https://ppdc.osu.edu/submit-sample Once you take the transition sample you can send me a photo of that and I can send it to other extension experts that might be able to help.
Green spotted beetle

Question: This guy is eating my dahlia. Can you tell me what it is and how to get rid of it without using toxic sprays.

responder: Best Regards,   Replied July 11, 2023, 9:51 PM EDT
response: Dear Roxanne,  Thank you for contacting Ask Extension about the identity of an insect in your garden. The insect in your photo appears to be a cucumber beetle also known as a corn root worm. There are several species that are all very similar except in coloration.  These are definitely not a pest you want in your garden. They attack many different crops. The larva tunnel into the soil at the base of a plant and then feed on the roots. Additionally, they are vectors for plant diseases including mosaic virus and bacterial wilt.  Preventative controls include using floating row covers (place over plants when planting), and delayed planting. If they the pests are already there, hand-pick and dispose of any cucumber beetles you find, and hang commercial sticky traps around your plants  Here is some information that may help you: https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/cucumber-cucumber-beetle  Please feel free to write again if you have other questions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2023, 11:18 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the info!!!Sent from my iPad On Jul 11, 2023, at 6:51 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿