Although not a new virus to Connecticut, this pathogen was identified on snapdragons for the first time in the state. Aster yellows disease, another pathogen that is known from Connecticut, was identified for the first time on two new hosts, Echinacea and Calendula. These plants were grown commercially in Hartford and New Haven Counties as medicinal herbs. D. Invasive Plants Hydrilla verticillata was recently identified from two additional ponds in New London County. Hydrilla is an aquatic plant designated as a Federal Noxious Weed.
Plants form dense mats, clogging waterways and irrigation pumps.
The first state record of Hydrilla occurred in 1989 in New London County. The 1997 occurrences were located in the general vicinity of the 1989 collection. It is recommended that surveys be conducted in Connecticut to inventory this invasive species and that a management program be implemented to suppress its spread to other ponds and lakes. E. Other Occurrences Egg clusters of the large yellow underwing, Noctua pronuba, were observed more frequently in parts of Tolland County during the fall. This species was first recorded in Connecticut from Tolland County in 1993, and has since been collected from at least six counties.