MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Beetle? mite? or lanternfly?

Question: I just found two of these beetles on my milkweed. 
I think milkweed can be plagued with mites, milkweed beetles, and lanternfly nymphs.
Which is this and what can I do?
I have a beautiful patch of milkweed and do not want to destroy it......
Thank you so much!
Victoria

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 June 13, 2023, 7:40 PM EDT
response: Hello and thank you for your question.   The insect in your images is a Red Milkweed Beetle. They consume the leaves of the milkweed plant to build up toxins in their system as protection from predators, just as monarch caterpillars and milkweed bugs do. Since you have a patch of milkweed, a few leaves can go to these guys; there will still be plenty for the monarchs! If you'd like some additional information on them, below is a great Facebook post from the MD Biodiversity Project that features the red milkweed beetle. Let us know if we can assist further.  https://www.facebook.com/MarylandBiodiversity/posts/maryland-has-two-species-of-longhorn-beetle-family-cerambycidae-in-the-genus-tet/<personal data hidden>36930/

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 7:25 AM EDT
response: Thank you very much!  You guys are terrific!  On 06/13/2023 7:40 PM EDT 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 June 14, 2023, 7:52 AM EDT
response: You are very welcome, happy gardening!
Lily bugs

Question: I see tiny insects chewing my lily leaves and buds. Some are red and many are black. I don't use insecticide. Do I need to discard all my lilies or is there some way to combat these insects? The insects are moving to other plants nearby.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 3:51 PM EDT
response: According to a source I found online:  Pest: Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii).  Order: Coleoptera.  Family: Chrysomelidae. The adult lily leaf beetle is scarlet red on top and black underneath. It's just under a half-inch long and has an elongated body with relatively long legs and long antennaeAsiatic lilies are the most vulnerable, while some Oriental lilies are more resistant. [I've been checking daily for egg masses under leaves and along stems. I am using a mixture of dish soap and water to knock the beetles into. The pests have already done too much damage, and it appears I might not be able to save any of my lilies. I hope other lily gardeners will find this helpful and be able to notice and attack the problem sooner. ]

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied June 14, 2023, 11:09 PM EDT
response: You have correctly identified the pest.  However Spinosad is an organic insecticide made from soil bacteria that would be helpful in controlling the pest.  See the website for more details.  https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/colorado-potato-beetles
Humelo help!

Question: I thought this was cucumber beetles destroying my humelo so treated with neem oil. Treatment was not effective. Any suggestions? Thank you!

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied June 13, 2023, 7:41 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Marilee,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  I believe the insect is the fourlined plant bug. Here is a link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garde website that discusses the bug: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/four-lined-plant-bugs  Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 10:22 AM EDT
response: Thank you!Sent from my iPhone On Jun 13, 2023, at 6:41 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied June 14, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT
response: You are welcome!
50 yr old tri color beech tree fully infested with wooly aphids

Question: The majority of the leaves in the top 3/4’s of my mature/ 50 year old tri-colored beech tree are brown/dead. When contacted yesterday, the arborist who fertilized last season replied that the tree was hit with wooly aphids, did not offer a suggestion for treatment, yet said that the tree will likely return to health in time.  I am confused. The tree appears to be in distress/dying. Can you provide a suggested treatment plan? Thank you.

responder: BYGL Newsletter: http://bygl.osu.edu/ OSUE FactSheets: http://ohioline.osu.edu State Master Gardener Volunteer website - http://mastergardener.osu.edu  Replied June 14, 2023, 3:15 PM EDT
response: Hi Kate,  From your photos, it does appear that you have an infestation of wooly beech leaf aphids on your mature tricolor European beech. It's too bad that the arborist did not provide you with a little more information to set your mind at ease - I'm sure you have been concerned about protecting such a special tree!  The good news is that mature trees like this are not usually permanently harmed by wooly beech leaf aphids. The canopy will be thin this year, but should recover. We have a very recent short article on this at https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2143 where you can read about the appearance and actions of the aphids. For more information about these aphids, there is a longer page at https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/woolaphids.html.    It's impossible to tell why your tree is experiencing this infestation this year, when presumably you have not seen it in the past. Trees in Ohio have been stressed by the lack of rain this spring, and aphids will often develop fast on stressed plants. They damage leaves, make a mess, and then usually are consumed by parasitic insects or washed away by heavy rains, and the tree begins its recovery process. There's nothing you need to do to assist your tree at this point, in my opinion, except to hope for regular gentle rains throughout the summer season.  Best,

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2023, 9:30 PM EDT
response: Jennifer, THANK YOU SO MUCH. This is exactly the type of information that I was hoping for - really appreciate you providing me with a bit more context and reassurance. Many thanks!! On Wed, Jun 14, 2023 at 3:15 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Any idea what this plant is?

Question: Any idea what this plant is?

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied June 12, 2023, 9:58 PM EDT
response: Possibly American fly honeysuckle

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 7:44 PM EDT
response: ThanksOn Jun 12, 2023 8:58 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Dear Mark, here's the response to your question: Possibly American fly honeysuckle  Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email. Click here to view #0105231 Linda G Tenneson, Benton County EMG & TCA We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.
YELLOW LEAVES

Question: Attached are our vincas, planted under a crape Myrtle tree.  They get plenty of water from our lawn irrigation system. They may not be getting enough sun.  What do you think?

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 June 13, 2023, 12:10 PM EDT
response: Hi,  How long and how often is the lawn irrigation system running for? If it is more than once or twice a week it is likely too much for the Vinca and the lawn. Vinca typically perform well in shade however they don't do well in constantly wet soils. They tend to get yellowing leaves and root rot if the soil stays wet for too long.  You could try to adjust your irrigation system to once a week for a longer period of time to water deeply then have if dry out in between. Hopefully that will correct any root issues, if not they may be too far along at this point and would need to be replaced.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 12:38 PM EDT
response: Hi.  We are in a retirement community with automatic  irrigation throughout.  We have no control of our individual lawn.  It comes on nearly every morning at 3 am for about 15 minutes, depending on the amount of rainfall we've recently had.  So, it seems it's due to too much water.  Any recommendations for replacement plants?   Hostas perhaps?

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 June 13, 2023, 1:17 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Yes, in this situation it is out of your control. Do you see deer come to the backyard? If so hostas tend to be a favorite and will probably be devoured, otherwise, they are pretty tough landscape plants and would probably be fine. If you look at the irrigation heads, you may be able to shift them away from the area, not that you want to deny water to the area all together, or from the crapemyrtle that is in the background, but maybe it could be controlled a little better if it was positioned a bit differently. Obviously if you are not sure how to adjust it, better to leave it be, so it doesn't break. Maybe a nice note and some homemade treats to the grounds crew manager could help!  For other plants, maybe some wax begonia could work for flowering annuals.  For other perennials that may handle any wildlife pressure and constant watering:  If there is space for mature growth maybe a Ligularia, Swamp Milkweed (if you get some sun or decent bright light - they tend to like full sun and damp soils but I have some that grow in more dappled shade or part sun), different fern varieties (Osmunda and Athryrium species can handle the moisture well), or maybe Lady's Mantle. Any deer or rabbits should leave those plants mostly alone.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily
Can you help ID this aggressive plant?

Question: We are trying to keep our lawn as native as possible* but these plants are spreading like wildfire. The root system is woody and difficult to track. Pulling has been fruitless - they pop up nearby very quickly.

* Except for creeping thyme, but we know what that is; and we think we know how to handle the hawkweed.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 10:15 AM EDT
response: Out of curiosity, what trees do you have on your property? Do you have any callery pears nearby?

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 10:22 AM EDT
response: To my knowledge, we have no callery pears nearby. There may have been one in the lawn extension that was removed a number of years (ten-ish) ago.   On 2023-06-13 10:15, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 11:01 AM EDT
response: I'm struggling to make out the leaf shape. If you could get a picture of several representative leaves, that may help with identification. This is a two-person task, but if you are feeling creative, place a couple leaves on a piece of paper and press it against a window. Have someone take a photo from the other side. This will flatten the leaf so I can make out the overall shape and leaf margins. Another option if you happen to have a flatbed scanner is to scan them.  From the look I am fairly certain it is a callery pear. They are easily spread through runners and seeds. Birds unfortunately love the fruit. https://www.habitatmatters.org/callery-pear.html

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 11:13 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much for the reply. It may take me a while to get a better leaf photo, but I'll start thinking along the callery pear path for now.   On 2023-06-13 11:01, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 16, 2023, 7:53 AM EDT
response: I tried to get a better photo of the leaves. I hope this is adequate. Thank you again, Donald.  On 2023-06-13 11:01, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 16, 2023, 9:34 AM EDT
response: Thank you. These do appear to be callery pear seedlings. If there isn't one nearby sending up runners, it is likely that birds are eating the fruit and spreading the seed through their feces.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 16, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT
response: Thank you very much. There are runners everywhere in this yard, so we have our work cut out for us. Thank you again, Donald.  On 2023-06-16 09:34, Ask Extension wrote:
Lavender Dying

Question: Can you tell me why some of my Lavender stems are dying?  The plant itself looks healthy close to the ground but a few inches below the buds on several stems there is a dead area and the stems are bent down. See pic.  I have several Lavender plants in the same bed and they all seem to have a random stem doing the same thing.  
Thanks for your help.
Deb

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 6:32 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question, Deb.  Lavender are native to the dry, hot Mediterranean region, and can develop root rot in the wet, cooler Pacific Northwest. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/lavender-root-rot  A symptom of root problems is drooping stems.  I suspect that the plastic cloth over the beds is trapping water and/or preventing air from getting into the soil.  Landscape fabric has more detriments than advantages.  I suggest that you remove it and replace it with large bark chips.  And you need not water more than once a week--if even that.  You might appreciate this article:  https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/landscape-fabric.pdf Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 7:14 PM EDT
response: what type of bark chips do you recommend.  I've heard that some are to acidic?  Thanks  Deb  On 06/12/2023 3:32 PM PDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 7:23 PM EDT
response: The type of chip material is less important than size, since you don't want chips to stick together (hydrology) and prevent water and air from penetrating.  And you don't want to place it too close to woody plant material.  This article has good information:  https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1629/html
Type of bug

Question: Can you tell me what type of bug this is? It is flat and I’m worried it’s a bed bug. It wouldn’t squish…just kept going even when I tried!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 5:46 PM EDT
response: Hi Marianne, That is not a bedbug, but a tick. I cannot be certain of the exact species, but I think it is in the genus Dermacentor. Ticks have a flattened body which can resist squishing. Because they can transmit disease, ticks are worth being careful of. See the fact sheet below for more information on these pests. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/colorado-ticks-and-tick-borne-diseases-5-593/

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! I found it climbing on the wall in a bedroom...from the info sheet it does look like kindof like the dog tick shown in those pictures but it says that is rare in Colorado.  It seems strange to find this inside the house. Is this usual to be inside instead of outside? On Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 3:46 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 2:52 PM EDT
response: It's not usual for them to be inside your home, but it probably did not enter on it's own. Ticks are known to hitchhike on other animals. It could have been brought inside by any pets you may have, rodents (e.g. mice infestations), or by you unknowingly.  The best method of tick control is to thoroughly inspect yourself and any pets after excursions into natural areas. If there is a mouse infestation, eliminating the mice will help control the ticks too.
Winter/Rabbit Damage to Burning Bush

Question: We have two mature (20 yr) Burning Bush that for the first time this winter had the bark eaten off the main stems.  As a result, one bush appears to be re-sprouting but no leaves on mature branches.  The other bush has maybe 1/2 of branches with leaves and then is also re-sprouting.  I did fertilize both.  Should I just cut all the main stems and let it re-sprout completely?  If so, how much of the main stems do I leave since it appears that is where the new growth is coming from.  Also, any tips for repelling rabbits in future winters?

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied June 13, 2023, 11:21 AM EDT
response: The bunnies essentially performed renewal pruning on your shrub and it is growing back from the roots. It has had a severe set back and it is best not to fertilize as it puts up new growth. Bunnies have voracious appetites and the only sure way to prevent winter damage is to fence the shrubs in the fall before the ground freezes to exclude the bunnies. Wire mesh or chicken wire works best but bird netting will keep them out for awhile. The fencing has to be as high as the snow line.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT
response: Thank you.  So should I cut the old dead branches all the way to the ground or leave some of them where bush will resprout?   Thanks again!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2023, 2:12 PM EDT
response: Thank you.  So should I cut the old dead branches all the way to the ground or leave some of them where bush will resprout?   Thanks again!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2023, 4:27 PM EDT
response: Thank you.  So should I cut the old dead branches all the way to the ground or leave some of them where bush will resprout?   Thanks again!

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied June 20, 2023, 8:38 PM EDT
response: Dead branches should be cut off just above the area of the branch that was stripped. I can’t tell from the picture if the bunnies stripped the bark at the ground or higher up at the snow line. The best way to prevent rabbit damage is to put a chicken wire fence around the shrubs and the fence has to be higher than the snow line.
Identify this flower/plant

Question: Can you provide teh name of this flower/plant?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 9:03 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question and picture. It appears you have a photo of a painted daisy (Tanacetum cioccineum), a perennial related to a Shasta daisy with a bright pink color. It's a favorite among butterflies. Here is detailed information about the painted daisy:  https://www.thespruce.com/painted-daisy-plant-profile-5088038

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 10:59 PM EDT
response: Thank youOn Jun 12, 2023, at 8:03 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Black worms in strawberries

Question: For the past few years there have been black "worms" eating cavities in our backyard strawberries. There are usually 3-4 in the cavity and they move quickly as soon as the berry is moved, much faster than slugs. They are about an inch long when stretched out. Here is a link with a better photo than I took.
https://www.lifestyleblock.co.nz/forum/the-cooks-garden-kitchen/15546-black-worm-in-strawberry-update
They (or something similar) seems to occur in New Zealand.
Do you know what they are and/or how we might control them?

responder: D.Lauer Benton County Master Gardener Replied June 12, 2023, 8:57 PM EDT
response: Hi Camille.  I suspect that your small black worms are actually gray garden slugs.  These guys can be quite small from 0.5 -.75 inches long.  To be sure I suggest that you take some strawberry samples complete with the critters to the Master Gardener Clinic Table located inside the Sunset Building at 4077 Research Way in Corvallis for identification.  We have a microscope to enable us to verify what your critter is. I searched the Pacific  Northwest Insect Management Handbook online and did not find a small black worm as a strawberry pest in it in the United States.  The website photo you sent in was from New Zealand.   Here is a website from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources which shows an enlargement photo of one of these gray garden slugs on top a strawberry.  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/strawberry/slugs/ Please bring in a sample so that we can identify it and recommend some control measures for you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 4:31 AM EDT
response: Thanks, I will do that. They taper at both ends and I can't see the stalks of a slug head. Plus they move really fast and stretch out more than slugs usually do. I also have slugs on the strawberries.  On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 5:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: D.Lauer Benton County Master Gardener Replied June 13, 2023, 7:32 PM EDT
response: Camile, Slugs could be making the holes. It is common for other critters to exploit the holes that slugs make. Slugs usually retreat to cover when the sun comes up so you may have a combination of issues here. The microscope should reveal all!
Overgrown Manhattan euonymus shrubs

Question: We have overgrown manhattans covering the windows on a property.  I've attached a picture.  Can these be safely cut way down and when?

responder: David Hillock  Replied June 12, 2023, 2:44 PM EDT
response: Euonymus is one that can be cut back severely, just don't cut it all the way to the ground. It is best to prune in spring after dangers of frosts/freezes have past.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 4:13 PM EDT
response: Thank you! On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 1:44 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Invasive tree!

Question: Can I get rid of it without getting rid of myself? I can't dig it all out...and don't really want to use "roundup" type chemicals. Help me MSU and local experts, you're my only hope!

responder: Thank you for contacting Ask Extension!  Replied June 12, 2023, 12:44 PM EDT
response: I need a bit more information. Is this a large tree of heaven that you have killed above the ground, but you continue to have new plants sprouting up from the roots?

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 7:12 PM EDT
response: I assume you know this tree's name better than I, thank you...but yes it has been growing these "young ones" for a few years. My husband has been trying to mow them into submission. But last year girdled it which did kill the ...parent?

responder: Thank you for contacting Ask Extension!  Replied June 14, 2023, 12:14 PM EDT
response: Please look at this article and see whether the parent tree that you attempted to kill looks like it was tree of heaven. If so, it likely put up hoards of suckers from the roots, which can be difficult to eliminate. It is important to know whether that was in fact the parent, or whether these came in by seed from another tree nearby.  https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven