MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Front yard tree leafs eaten and falling

Question: Our front yard tree has lost many of its leafs.  We are afraid it may be lost to some bug eating the leafs.  What can I do to save this tree?  Pictures attached

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied July 24, 2023, 1:05 PM EDT
response: Hi Richard,  This looks like a boxelder tree and we've had some discussion on a professional listserv about what this might be, since many people are seeing this in the last couple of weeks. One thought is potential ozone damage, due to poor air quality (and we've had several alerts the last month) and some think it could be a disease like anthracnose. With the cool, wet weather we've had, anthracnose could be a likely culprit.  In both cases, there is nothing you can do at this time, except keep the tree well watered, as stress-free as possible, and practice good cultural practices. If it is a disease, it's not going to harm the overall health of the tree.   There could also be some natural shedding of leaves because it's likely the tree produced a ton of extra leaves in the spring and is now shedding some because of the hot weather.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2023, 4:19 PM EDT
response: Front yard tree looks worst ever.  All leafs are brown.  Leafs dropping every week. new pictures attached 8/17/23 By what you see is this tree dead?

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied August 17, 2023, 4:23 PM EDT
response: Hi Richard,  I know and there isn't anything that can be done at this point. There was some very detailed conversation about Sensation boxelder at a meeting earlier this week. There is still no known definitive cause, though the two main thoughts are disease (which inoculated the tree much earlier this spring and cannot be treated now) or perhaps environmental stress.  Look on the branches and see if buds have formed for next year. You should be able to identify the buds because they will be plump and noticeable.  We're only a few weeks away from the average end of our growing season - the fact the tree is losing leaves early is a concern, but not catastrophic. As they fall, rake them up and throw them in the trash. Continue to water and care for the tree as you're able.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 18, 2023, 7:09 PM EDT
response: Fingers crossed the tree rebounds next spring.New greens are seen at ends of limbs (picture attached) Next spring what can I spray on this tree to fight off bugs?  Or fungus?  What ever is eating at this tree.

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied August 19, 2023, 9:21 PM EDT
response: Hi Richard,  I don't think it's really any insect feeding. If it is a disease, I suspect it was because of our unusually wet spring. While there are potential fungicides you could spray, we don't know the exact cause or diagnosis, so I hesitate to recommend a fungicide for something that may not happen next year. Conditions were just right for this to happen.  This fall, rake up the leaves and throw them in the trash. This can help break the disease cycle (if it's a disease) and prevent any inoculum from re-infecting the tree next spring.
Ivy Question

Question: I have ivy and it has been taken over by weeds.  Is there something I can spray on them to kill the weeds but preserve my ivy?

responder: Erin Hill, PhD  Replied July 24, 2023, 12:20 PM EDT
response: I received and earlier question that was very similar to this with identical photos. My response was below. Please let me know if you have additional questions by replying to this thread or emailing me directly at <personal data hidden>.  Unfortunately there's no herbicide option to control these weeds that will not also negatively impact your ivy. Depending on the area, you could decide to try to dig out the weeds you see emerging. If this is a really big area, you could spot spray with something that has contact activity like ammonium nonanote or glufosinate (not glyphosate, the active ingredient in many Roundup products). Examples of these kinds of products include Ortho Groundclear Weed & Grass Killer and Bioadvanced Weed & Grass Killer, though there are others. These will damage the ivy, if sprayed, so you'd want to be very careful. For perennial weeds, multiple applications may be needed. As with all pesticide applications, be sure to read and follow all labeled directions and cautions to maximize efficacy and personal and environmental safety.  To prevent more weeds from emerging from seed (like all the woodsorrel/oxalis I see), you could consider using a preemergence herbicide, like Preen Garden Weed Preventer (a.i. trifluralin). This should not impact the ivy regrowth so long as you follow the directions and avoid letting it sit on any leaves. It also needs to be watered in within 24 hr for activation.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 1:54 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the information.  Could you identify the weed that is in the photo, that is taken over the ivy?

responder: Erin Hill, PhD  Replied July 24, 2023, 3:08 PM EDT
response: Yes, this is yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) or another close relative. All of these Oxalis species are perennials, yellow woodsorrel is also a native species, not that it means it can't be a weed :) Woodsorrels can populate an area fairly quickly because they explosively expel their seeds from the capsules once they are mature. Since these plants are already flowering, any way to remove them as soon as possible would help prevent the spread of that seed.
Leaves on Linden tree turning yellow and falling, covered in sticky substance

Question: I just moved into a new house that has a mature Linden tree in the front yard. I'm concerned because the leaves are turning yellow and falling in mid-July. This started a couple of weeks ago and accelerated recently with many leaves on the ground every day. There is also a sticky substance on the leaves, including the green ones, which you can see in the photos. Is this the work of aphids? Drought? The only thing I've done so far is to increase watering to that part of the lawn and I'm looking for advice on how to proceed.

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 24, 2023, 11:52 AM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. Those yellow bumps are galls.  They are of no significance. https://horticultureforhomegardeners.ca/2021/06/21/spindle-galls-unusual-growths-on-linden-leaves-caused-by-eriophyid-mites/ The tree appears to have Linden aphid and powdery mildew chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/66894/tilia-res-orn-NYSIPM.pdf?sequence=1#:~:text=Diseases%20are%20rarely%20a%20problem,%2C%20canker%2C%20and%20powdery%20mildew.&text=are%20grown%20(8).,populations%20are%20high%20(11).  Can you send me a close up of the underside of a couple leaves.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 12:06 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your expertise. Here are some photos of the undersides. Would the aphids cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall, along with creating the sticky substances?  What is your most recommended aphid treatment?

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 24, 2023, 1:14 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. Here is information on linden aphids.  Note all the cautions. https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/lindentilia-linden-aphid/  I enclose a picture of a blow up of the organe brown insect at about 11 o'clock from your thumb in the bottom picture. It is a good image for Linden aphids here. https://www.forestpests.org/vd/57560.html  Your tree is too large for you to manage this problem by yourself.  Also many of the chemicals are toxic to beneficial pollinators.  Please call a certified tree professional.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
Stressed panicle hydrangeas

Question: I have 10 mature panicled hydrangeas that are showing varying degrees of stress. They all show varying degrees of what might be an iron shortage. The worse two are suffering enough that the flowers have stopped emerging and the bottom leaves have turned brown. Several show only one branch with the leaves yellowing. See pictures. Thank you for any insight and recommendations for treatment.  Jamie Hughet, Ames/Nevada Area

responder: Answer Line answer@iastate.edu Iowa 800-262-3804 and Minnesota 800-854-1678  Replied July 24, 2023, 4:11 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon Jamie,  I shared your pictures and message with our specialist, here is their response:  I suspect it’s been damaged by herbicide. Any chance glyphosate/Roundup was used nearby?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 4:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you. JamieSent from my iPhone On Jul 24, 2023, at 3:11 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answer Line answer@iastate.edu Iowa 800-262-3804 and Minnesota 800-854-1678  Replied July 25, 2023, 11:08 AM EDT
response: Hi Jamie.  Another specialist thought it might be iron chlorosis on alkaline soils.  Here is some information on chlorosis from the University of Wisconsin Extension. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/chlorosis/

responder: Answer Line answer@iastate.edu Iowa 800-262-3804 and Minnesota 800-854-1678  Replied July 26, 2023, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Hi Jamie -  Here is another specialists thoughts (who also thought it might be iron chlorosis on alkaline soils):  That's my thought. When veins remain green and rest of leaf is yellow, it requires a shot of iron. You might try Miracid (see directions). Do not use in high heat. Keep plant hydrated. This does NOT look like herbicide damage to me.
Damage to Pepper Stems

Question: What might be causing these rings of damage on pepper plant stems? We have lost several stems to whatever this is. These are the first we've found where the stem is still standing. Usually we notice after the top part of the stem has bent over or the leaves above the ring of damage start to wilt.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 27, 2023, 8:06 PM EDT
response: Hi, thanks for the question. This is interesting. It is hard to tell if the girdling is pest or disease.  It could even be mechanical damage.  The photos have been sent to the diagnostics lab but have yet to receive a response.  Perhaps some additional pictures of the damage could help.  Are there other types of damage?  Is the damage always at a certain height.  I look forward to your response.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 28, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT
response: I have attached some additional pictures. One is where a stem ended up falling off at the point of damage and the other just additional damage on a neighboring pepper plant. The damage is at varying heights on the plants and all well above the ground. There is additional damage to the leaves of the plants, mostly from right after planting. The newest leaves have little to no damage. We know we have several pests in our garden including 4 lines plant bugs, slugs, Japanese beetles, cucumber beetles, stink bugs and various leafhoppers. We experienced similar issues with our potato plants this year where we would find stems randomly snapped off, again not at ground level.On Thu, Jul 27, 2023, 8:06 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 30, 2023, 7:43 AM EDT
response: HI again, A response was received from the diagnostics lab as to the damage in the pictures.  Unfortunately, they only indicated that it looked like beetle damage but could be something else.  Some additional research yielded a girdling insect creating similar damage on peppers and potatoes. Can't say for certain; however, the three-cornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus) could be your culprit.  Unfortunately, treatment can be a challenge since most products that will control these critters are toxic to bees so treatment when the plants are in flower is not recommended. Controlling weeds, crop rotation, beneficials (assassin bugs and damsel bugs) are some options. If you do find this insect in your plantings, I would appreciate it if you could send some pictures. Check out these links: Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper, Spissistilus festinus (ufl.edu) Treehoppers HO v Feb 19 2019 (ucanr.edu) I hope this is helpful.
Probable weed identification

Question: I'm hoping you can help identify a plant that I assume is a weed. It's a fairly tall cluster of plants, at least chest-height. It looks like they might flower and I've included a picture of a possible bud. Thank you!

responder: Talon Becker Replied July 24, 2023, 5:41 PM EDT
response: Hello Laura,  I don't know if I can answer your overall question about whether or not the plants in the photos you shared of are weeds or not.  I guess that depends on your situation.  A common refrain we hear in the plant science world is that a weed is simply a plant growing in a place that is not desired by the person describing it.  I'll explain further below.  The photos you shared resemble something in a group of weeds often called "knotweeds".  More specifically, these weeds generally fall under the genus Persicaria.   http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Polygonaceae/Persicaria/  You can see on the page linked above that there are many species in this genus, and I don't know exactly which species you have from the photos shared.  One of these species, common name Pennsylvania smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica), is often a weedy species found in agricultural settings as well as home landscapes.  It is considered a weed in these situations because it can cause competition and/or yield loss in the plants that were planted in those spaces.  I would say that would be the most likely culprit based on how common it is in agricultural settings.  But I don't see much of a petiole on the leaves in the photos you shared, which makes me think it might be another species in that genus.  Regarding whether these plants are weeds in your situation, I would say unless this is an area that you may have/want wildflowers growing, then it would be considered a weed.  But you can see from the page linked above for Pennsylvania smartweed as well as this one for pale smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia) or this one for lady's thumb (Persicaria maculosa), that some of these species are also considered as wildflowers by some.    I hope this helps.  Let me know if you have any follow-up questions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 6:05 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! On Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 4:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Squirrels gnawing on plastic things

Question: Here is a photo of a piece of lawn edging that has been gnawed by - I assume- a squirrel or squirrels. I also find gnaw marks on the lid of my blue rain barrel. Do these guys do this to wear down their teeth that otherwise may grow too long? (I think I read beavers must gnaw for that reason.)  Our neighborhood squirrels have the nuts from 3 - 4 huge black walnut trees that they go to town on -- would have thought those hard shells would be sufficient!

responder: Replied July 24, 2023, 4:16 PM EDT
response: Hello!  So sorry you have to deal with this issue! It does appear to be squirrel damage - squirrels are considered "nuisance pests".  As rodents, they do have to sharpen/shave their teeth since they grow continually.    You might consider going to a local reputable feed store that sells products for horses.  They may be able to help you find a product that can be sprayed/painted on the items to deter the squirrels.  Test it first to make sure that there is no adverse effect on the item and follow the label directions carefully.  If you would prefer to trap them, your local animal control office may be able to help you.  Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 6:07 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your response, Ani. The gnawing hasn’t damaged anything important, so I won’t bother with a repellant. As for trapping the squirrel(s) that would be a useless endeavor as we have 3-4 black walnut trees, two bur oaks, and our neighbor has a couple of hickory trees. No way I ever could eliminate the squirrel population! But since I mentioned squirrels, I thought I’d send you this picture of a white-tailed squirrel that frequented our yard in Marion the winter before last. This shows the critter appearing to chew the bricks or mortar along the base of the house. He spent several minutes at it, moving all along the wall. Guess he couldn’t find enough plastic…? I used to have a video, but cannot find it – but I never have been able to load a video into an email anyway.Any day now I expect to see that the little monsters have begun to pick my tomatoes. ☹Carol   Sent from Mail for Windows From: Ask ExtensionSent: Monday, July 24, 2023 4:16 PMTo: botanygal47Subject: Re: Squirrels gnawing on plastic things (#0112125)

responder: Replied July 26, 2023, 6:44 AM EDT
response: You are very welcome, and thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
Insect identification

Question: We started seeing these insects in one part of our garden last year, and now they seem to be everywhere. Could you tell me what these are and the best way to get rid of them? Thank you for any information you can provide.

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied July 24, 2023, 3:19 PM EDT
response: Hi Sue and thanks for your picture of a Western Boxelder Bug nymph (immature stage). Yes, they ARE prolific and you will probably recognize the adults when they appear. They feed on boxelders, but also maples and ash trees and apples, pears, grapes, peaches, plums and cherries when their populations are large.  They are more of a nuisance than harmful but you can vacuum them up if they get in your house. They have very few predators since they leave an odor if they are squished but spiders and some rodents will eat them. If you want to know more about them, the following article will explain the life cycle. You can use chemicals containing the following ingredients but follow the directions carefully: acephate acetamiprid S (this means the chemical is Systemic to the plant) carbaryl esfenvalerate imidacloprid S fluvalinate malathion pyrethrins O (this means the chemical is considered Organic) pyrethroids P(this means it is a broad spectrum chemical and will                          kill many types of insects) thiamethoxam  https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/boxelder-acer-negundo-western-boxelder-bug  Or you can just live with them and know that they won't survive the winter outside your house in their adult form.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 12:45 AM EDT
response: Dear ﻿Rhonda, Thank you for the identification and information.  I’m glad to hear that, though they are so plentiful, they aren’t too harmful.  There are so many it would probably not be possible to eradicate them all, but maybe I can thin them out a bit. Thanks again,SueSent from my iPhoneOn Jul 24, 2023, at 12:19 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Can you identify this little bug. This is the 1st year I have seen them. They are a pest.

Question: Can you identify this bothersome bug. This is the 1st year I have noticed them. They are a pest

responder: Frank Peairs, Emeritus Professor of Entomology   Replied July 25, 2023, 7:00 PM EDT
response: This is a member of a group of beetles called sap beetles.  A colleague has seen this one in southern Colorado in large numbers on flowering plants, yucca in particular. This is not a one of the insects typically found in houses, so my guess is that you are dealing with a one-time event.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 7:19 PM EDT
response: Yeh I live in Rye and they seem to just be outside. They seem unusual for us. ThanksOn Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:00 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
what is this bug and how to I get rid of it?

Question: I have a red bug that is killing my plants. I also saw it on my walk to nearby Willow Pond. I took a photo at that time and I'll include it(can't include as I can only upload 3) as well as the ones I took today 7/23/23. It's in this plant that I don't know the name of and I saw them in one of my black eyed susans as well.

How do I get rid of this bug? 

Thanks, Toby Oberg

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 23, 2023, 8:06 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question and pictures. It appears you have an aphid infestation, a common garden pest that feeds on many types of plants. They can cause some yellowing and dieback on plants, and their population gets worse as the temperatures go up. There are several non-chemical ways to get rid of aphids, including using a hard spray from your hose to using neem oil or horticultural oils found at any nursery. Here's more information about aphids and how to control them: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 8:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much!! I figured it out about 5 minutes after I sent this but nice to have confirmation.     I did spray with my hose on the "jet" setting and already this morning the plants are perking up! And I just did some more jet spraying. Do the aphids just drown then? If I keep spraying with the hose, will they all eventually die?     Thanks, Toby Oberg  On 07/23/2023 7:06 PM CDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 24, 2023, 7:56 PM EDT
response: Glad to hear your jet spraying helped the aphids. I assume the spray drowns them or at least gets them off your plants. I would keep doing the spray and keep an eye on their return. If they come back, you could try some Neem oil or horticultural oil as mentioned in the link I sent earlier. Usually they have high populations for a time, then go away.  Good luck!
5 leaf (?) plant.

Question: What is this leaf to? The powers of Google tell me it's poison ivy, but none of the pictures have the 2 small lower leafs.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 24, 2023, 7:47 AM EDT
response: It is not poison ivy.  My app wants to tell me it is Virginia creeper but the leaves don't quite look right.  Do you have some additional photos?  Is it a vine?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 12:51 PM EDT
response: I do not have anymore photos. When I was at the property there was a lot of plant growth that was slowly being removed by the home owner. There was many vine plants growing on the property; wild grave, poison ivy and there was Virginia Creeper which was near the vine that I found these 5 leaves on, but the vine with these leaves had many other sets of leaves that looked like the submitted photo. The Virginia Creeper nearby had Its distinctive leaves.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 25, 2023, 7:03 PM EDT
response: I consulted a colleague at the MSU Herbarium and it is in fact Virginia creeper.  There can be some variation in the leaves.
What is eating my plant?

Question: What is causing the damage in the attached picture and how can I correct the problem? Note the holes and also the thin-skinned brown patches on the right hand leaf. This plant was added to the garden in April and appeared to thrive until a week ago. Thanks for your help. Karen

responder: Kendal Johnson  Replied July 26, 2023, 6:07 PM EDT
response: It is hard to say without finding an insect at the location. I would expect sawfly larvae or slugs. It could be a number of other things though. Are any neighboring plants affected?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2023, 8:04 PM EDT
response: Yes, but not as severely. I've pulled back the woodchip compost and spread a sharp, crushed gravel hoping to deter slugs. I haven't found slugs in this garden before. I rolled over a stump near the plant and found the beetles in this picture. Could the beetles be the culprit?  On Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 3:07 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Kendal Johnson  Replied July 31, 2023, 9:03 AM EDT
response: Apologies, the image didn't come through.  feel free to email me at  <personal data hidden>