Source: http://ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-sep-21-2018
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:54:26+00:00

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The Landscape Message will be updated monthly in October, November and December. The next message will be available on October 5. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.
The following data was collected on or about September 19, 2018. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2018 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.
Drought conditions update: Viewing the map via the link below, dated September 20, shows Massachusetts is experiencing level D0 - 'Abnormally Dry' - throughout Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Half of Bristol and almost all of Plymouth Counties are also labeled D0. The rest of the state is free of any category of drought.
General Conditions: The average temperature over the period was 68°F, with a high of 84°F on September 6 and a low of 50°F on September 15. Overall, the period was predominated by highs in the 70s and lows in the 60s. During the period, 3.14 inches of precipitation fell in numerous events. The majority of precipitation occurred on September 6 (0.98”) and September 18 (1.48”). The period was dominated by hazy and cloudy weather. The dry conditions that prevailed in the previous period have abated; topsoil and subsoil conditions are adequate. There have been two weeks of great conditions for those who put down grass seed around Labor Day.
Pests/Problems: Insects or insect damage observed over the last two weeks include: sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum) on purple coneflower, tobacco budworm on Petunia, fall armyworm on ornamental grasses, Lecanium scale on oak, two-spotted spidermites on butterfly bush, Japanese maple scale (Lopholeucaspis japonica) on Japanese maple, chilli thrips on Hydrangea, Hibiscus sawfly on Hibiscus, turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus terebrans) on pitch pine, Andromeda lacebug (Stephanitis takeyai) on Japanese Andromeda, azalea lacebug (Stephanitis pyrioides) on azalea, sycamore lacebug (Corythucha ciliata) on sycamore, and daylily leafminer (Ophiomyia kwansonis) damage on daylily. Diseases visible over the last week include: brown patch in turf, leaf spot on Hydrangea, downy mildew on garden Impatiens, foliar nematodes on Japanese Anenomes, powdery mildew on the usual (just about everything), leaf spots (Septoria) on red twig dogwood, daylily leaf streak on daylily, tar spot on Norway maple, leaf blotch of horsechestnut, black spot on rose, and cedar apple rust on crabapple. The following weeds were seen in bloom: purslane (Portulaca oleracea), prostrate spurge (Euphorbia maculata), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), beggarticks (Bidens frondosa), copperleaf (Acalypha spp), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), smartweed (Polygonum spp), and horseweed (Conyza canadensis). Deer tick adults are out and about - be vigilant and keep yourself protected by using permethrin treated footwear and clothing. Rabbits are still abundant.
General Conditions: The recent storm brought in quite a bit of rain, bringing the total up to 3.00” for this two week period. 1.20 “ was recorded September 18th. Flash flood warnings were issued for our area that afternoon as hurricane Florence passed by. Stress from the summer heat is quite noticeable in the landscape. A great deal of leaf scorch on many types of trees is evident, such as Norway maple (Acer platanoides), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), dogwood (Cornus kousa), Azalea, and Hydrangea. Many perennials and annuals have been burned up with summer’s heat. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are starting to get a bright red glow on the leaves, showing a hint of fall. Fruits, nuts, and ornamental trees are showing interest. I have seen walnuts (Juglans spp.), Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima), apples (Malus spp.), pears (Pyrus spp.), sweetgum (Liquidambar sp.), acorns on oaks (Quercus spp.), Gingko biloba fruits, and bright red drupes on dogwood (Cornus). Lovely harlequin glorybower (Clerodendrum trichomum) have been spotted in flower, along with crape myrtle (Largeistroemia indic) and seven sons flower (Heptacodium miconioides). Sweet autumn Clematis (Clematis paniculata) has beautiful masses of fragrant flowers. A few rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) are still in good color. Our show stopping Hydrangea paniculata are changing into beautiful shades of reds, pinks, and greens - such a sight! The feathery plumes of many ornamental grasses are accenting the landscape now.
Pests/Problems: Fall is a good time for over-seeding and reseeding your lawn. Grubs and cinch bugs have been noticed along with mushrooms and slime mold, sooty mold, leaf miners, leaf spot on American holly (Ilex opaca), black spot on roses, Viburnum beetle on Viburnum, cabbage moths, and cutworms on Verbena bonariensis (pictured). Crickets, squirrels, rabbits, rodents, and turkeys with keats have all been seen and heard wandering around. Although friend, not foe, spiders are most numerous, busy making webs all over. Many webs are in the lawn and some were found on Alberta spruce with wolf spiders just sitting right there (pictured).
General Conditions: Summer-like temperatures continued into the last days of the previous reporting period. However, this reporting period we experienced cooler temperatures; daytime temperatures were mostly in the mid 60s to low 70s, with only two days reporting temperatures above 80 degrees. We had very comfortable sleeping weather most of the nights, with temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s. Approximately 2.38 inches of rainfall were recorded at Long Hill, with most of it occurring on Tuesday, September 18th (1.35 inches) as a result of hurricane Florence. Woody plants seen in bloom include: butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), and rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), autumn joy Sedum (Sedum spp.), Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida), hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis) and autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Different kinds of annuals are also contributing color in landscapes.
Pests/Problems: Powdery mildew continues to be observed on some lilac varieties and on garden phlox. Anthracnose was observed on beech and peony, leaf blotch on horse chestnut (Aesculus sp.), tar spot on Norway maple, black spot on roses and leaf margin burn on Japanese Stewartia. Aphids were observed on collards and leaf miner on chard. Crabgrass and other weeds such as horseweed (Conyza canadensis), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) are thriving in the landscape. Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) continues to be in full bloom and is still providing a lot of color (and pollen and nectar for pollinators) along roadsides and in fields. Mosquitoes have slowed down but are still active at dawn and dusk. Ticks are still very active.
General Conditions: Early September was hot, humid and wet. High temperatures averaged 76.2°F. We reached 90 degrees on 6 occasions over the previous 2 weeks. We attained a high of 94 degrees when a front of thunderstorms passed through dropping 0.48 inches of precipitation and lowering the temperature into the high 70’s. We reached a low of 54 degrees on the 9th. We received 2.11 inches of precipitation from the 10th to the 13th. On the 18th, remnants of Florence came through delivering another 1.1 inches of rain and no significant storm damage. Plants in bloom include: Buddleia spp. (butterfly bush), Campsis radicans (trumpet vine), Clematis paniculata (sweet autumn Clematis), Coreopsis spp. (tickseed), Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace), Echinacea purpurea (coneflower), Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye weed), Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower), Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp mallow), H. syriacus (rose-of-Sharon), Hosta spp. (Hosta), Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’ (‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea), H. paniculata (panicle Hydrangea), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage), Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), Physostegia virginiana (obedient plant), Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower), Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan), Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (stonecrop) and Solidago spp. (goldenrod). Colorful fruits are forming on Cormus kousa (kousa dogwood), Magnolia spp. (Magnolia) and Malus spp. (crabpple).
Pests/Problems: A total 3.9” of precipitation fell over the past 2 weeks spread out over several occasions leaving the soils moist. Many leaf diseases continue to thrive. Early leaf drop can be observed throughout the landscape. Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) continues to flower and fruit. Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) and Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) are full bloom.
General Conditions: The cooler temperatures have arrived but not without a day or two of hot summer weather thrown into these first couple of weeks of September to remind us that summer is not over yet. However, soon enough will be the arrival of the fall equinox on September 22nd. September’s average rainfall is 3.77” and a total of 5.6” has been recorded for the month so far. 2.96” of that is a result of hurricane Florence. In some stage of bloom at this time are the following woody plants: Buddleia spp. (butterfly bush), Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower), Hibiscus syriacus (rose-of-Sharon), and Potentilla fruiticosa (Potentilla). Woody vines in bloom are Campsis radicans (trumpet vine) and Clematis paniculata (sweet autumn Clematis). Contributing even more color and interest to the landscape are some flowering herbaceous plants including: Aster spp. (New England Aster, New York Aster, smoother Aster, white wood Aster), Boltonia asteroides (Bolton’s Aster), Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats), Chelone lyonii (pink turtlehead), Echinacea purpurea (coneflower and its many cultivars), Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye weed), Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp mallow), Hosta spp. (plantain lily), Kirengeshoma palmata (yellow wax bells), Leucanthemum sp. (Shasta daisy), Liatris spicata (spike gayfeather), Miscanthus spp. (maiden grass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), Patrinia gibbosa (Patrinia), Pennisetum aloepecuroides (fountain grass), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage), Phlox carolina (Carolina Phlox), P. paniculata (garden Phlox), Physostegia virginiana (obedient plant), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (black-eyed Susan), Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, S. ‘Rosy Glow’ (stonecrop), and Solidago spp. (goldenrod). Adding even more color and interest to the landscape are the fruit on Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley), Cornus spp. (dogwood), Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus spp. (crabapple), and Viburnum.
Pests/Problems: Tuesday’s heavy rain brought on by hurricane Florence, that fell on the 18th, caused much erosion and channeling. Fortunately, the damage was not too severe in this area.
General Conditions: The weather has brought significant rain over the last few weeks. Tuesday the 18th saw tropical like downpours bringing the total precipitation for the reporting period to 4.18”. This has created very saturated soil conditions. Trees, shrubs and vines in bloom include: Calluna vulgaris spp. and cvs. (heather), Caryopteris x clandonensis (bluebeard), Clerodendron trichotomum (harlequin glorybower), Heptacodium miconioides (seven-sons-flower) Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’ ("Endless Summer" Hydrangea), H. paniculata (panicle Hydrangea), H. quercifolia (oak-leaf Hydrangea), H. serrata ‘Bluebird’ (mountain Hydrangea) and Clematis cvs. [Clematis vines, in particular - C. heracleifolia var. davidiana (tube Clematis), C. ‘Rooguchi’, and C. terniflora (sweet autumn Clematis)]. Perennials and bulbs in bloom: Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’ (white snakeroot), Anemone japonica ‘Pamina’ and ‘Robustissima’ (Japanese Anemone), Anemonopsis macrophylla (false Anemone), Aster divaricatus (white wood Aster), Ionactis linariifolia (flax-leaf stiff-Aster), Echinacea spp. and cvs. (coneflower), Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye weed), Geranium ‘Gerwat’ (Geranium Rozanne), Indigofera amblyantha (Chinese indigo), Kniphofia ‘Jade Green’ (red hot poker plant), Phlox paniculata (garden Phlox), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (brown-eyed Susan), Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbstsonne' (cut-leaf coneflower), R. subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ (sweet coneflower), Solidago spp. and cvs. (goldenrod), Stenanthium gramineum (eastern featherbells), Vernonia noveboracensis (ironweed), and Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root). Ornamental grasses: Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats) , Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (feather reed grass), Miscanthus cvs, Panicum virgatum and cvs. (switchgrass), and Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’ (Oriental fountain grass).
Pests/Problems: White-tailed bucks are starting to cause damage to smaller trees and shrubs during the process of rubbing the velvet off their antlers. This can cause significant damage to the bark of trees and in some cases broken branches unless the plants are suitably protected. Insects: Magnolia scale on Magnolia spp. and cvs. (Magnolia) - adult females are very visible at this time. Diseases: powdery mildew noted on Paeonia spp. (peonies), Syringa spp. (lilacs), Phlox spp.(garden phlox), and Monarda spp.
General Conditions: Well, it’s not dry anymore in the Pioneer Valley. After a roughly three week stretch from late August through early September with no rain and searing hot temperatures, soils had dried and there were concerns about another autumn drought. For now, we can put those fears aside as the tri-county region received between 5.5–6.5″ over a nine-day period (9/10 to 9/18) from two major rain events. The most recent storm, the remnants of Hurricane Florence that swept through New England on 9/18, dumped up to and over 2.5″ in the valley. Soils are wet and with the forecasted lower temperatures, they should stay that way through the end of the month. Conditions over this past reporting period were a mix of warm and humid coupled with seasonable temperatures as the slow descent toward the winter solstice hits the autumnal equinox on 9/22. Daylight continues to vanish at a rapid rate, especially in the evening. Some early fall color is visible on red and sugar maple but for the most part, the landscape remains verdant given the wet growing season and recent rainfall.
Pests/Problems: Many landscape oaks, especially red oak, are exhibiting severe cases of Tubakia leaf blotch right now. The symptoms are highly variable but often include dark-colored, circular spots among large, irregular blotches of necrotic leaf tissue. However, as a late season disease of oaks in this region, only minor growth losses and poor fall color (for some trees) should be expected. Black spot anthracnose of elm continues to be very prominent this year as well, leading to yellowing and early leaf drop. Early leaf shedding continues on apple and crabapple due to apple scab and marssonina leaf blotch. Some mature apple and crabapple trees in heavily shaded settings have no remaining foliage at this time. Entomosporium leaf spot is common on pear and hawthorn, blighting foliage and causing early leaf shed. It’s a good time to start thinking about applications of deer and rabbit repellents on trees and shrubs highly susceptible to browsing damage, such as arborvitae and yew. Skunk damage to lawns is picking up again and vole tunneling is becoming more abundant as well. Meadow voles chew the bark at the base of small diameter trees and shrubs, girdling plants in some cases. Ragweed continues its banner year and appears to be present along nearly every roadway in the valley at this time. While the heavy rains this season likely helped some struggling eastern hemlocks, many are still exhibiting decline symptoms due to previous droughts and extreme cold temperatures during the winter. Compacted, dry soils and competition from turf grasses and surrounding plantings are also a problem.
General Conditions: The two week monitoring period was a wet one, highlighted by 4 rain events equaling 5.13 inches of rain. The first event was a thunderstorm on 9/6, apparently localized. According to a Weather Service report in Albany the storm originated just 22 miles west of the Massachusetts state line and raced through the central and southern areas of Berkshire County. Though total rainfall was only 0.92 inches, the storm consisted of frequent lightning and high winds resulting in many downed trees which blocked roads and brought down power lines, causing some power outages. An all-day rain on 9/10 dropped 1.20 inches; another rainfall on 9/12 deposited 0.84 inches; and the remnant of hurricane Florence brought intermittent heavy rain events on 9/18. Total rainfall to date is now almost 7 inches above normal. Soils are currently saturated, as they have been for much of the past two weeks. Daytime high temperatures reached 89°F on 9/5 and 88°F on 9/6, 16 and 15 degrees above normal respectively. On 9/16, a high of 86°F was 17 degrees above normal for the date. For the most part, the 2-week period was hot and very humid.
Pests/Problems: Plant pest pressures are low at this time. Magnolia scale crawlers are settling. Mosquitoes and wasps are abundant. The dominant issue currently is the premature leaf drop on many tree species due to several foliar diseases. As mentioned in the previous report, apple scab and cedar-apple rust have left many apple and crabapple trees devoid of foliage or nearly so. Leaf drop has also been a common occurrence on hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Ohio buckeye and horse chestnut (Aesculus spp.), amur corktree (Phellodendron amurense), cherry (Prunus spp.), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia). Also, there is a noticeable color change occurring in the forest landscape with foliage of many trees already showing symptoms of senescence, a bit premature for this time of year.
Tubakia leaf blotch on pin oak (Quercus palustris), shingle oak (Q. imbricaria) and red oak (Q. rubra). Trees range in age from 10 to over 100-years-old and reside in various landscape settings scattered from eastern New York, throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Symptoms of infection range from scattered, circular leaf spots that have coalesced to create large, necrotic blotches and a complete foliar blight. Additional stresses are present in most cases, including transplant shock, drought stress, and lawn mower injury, among others. The abundant rainfall this growing season has helped facilitate widespread disease outbreaks throughout the region. However, by itself, Tubakia is not considered a serious pathogen of oak in the northeast.
Leaf and stem blight, caused by Pestalotiopsis, on fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’). A mass planting that is approximately eight to ten-years-old and resides in a landscape setting with a mix of full sun for some plants and shade for others. Supplemental water is provided via overhead watering. Due to the range of site conditions, some plants are receiving too much water. Leaf and stem blight developed in August and has developed on various plants in the group at the same time in previous years. Pestalotiopsis is a known endophyte and disease development is favored by overhead watering, which provides the necessary moisture on plant surfaces to produce and disseminate spores that invade nearby, healthy tissues.
Verticillium wilt on smoketree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Golden Spirit’) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). Trees on separate properties with leaf yellowing and branch dieback that developed this summer. The smoketree is 17-years-old and has been present at the site for 15 years. A sudden wilt and dieback appeared in mid-August. Tree resides in a full sun garden bed surrounded by a circular driveway but is provided with supplemental water via drip irrigation. Vascular staining was present in the submitted stems and branches. The tulip poplar is 10-years-old and was transplanted in early August of this year. Leaf yellowing and premature shedding developed soon after transplanting. A Norway maple had previously occupied the planting site. There was no vascular staining present in the submitted stems but the fungus was successfully cultured from the xylem.
Phomopsis canker on European larch (Larix decidua). Very old arboretum tree that was planted in the late 1800s. The tree shed all of its needles starting in the lower canopy and progressing upwards since the early summer. Symptoms of stem/branch dieback and premature needle shedding were present in previous years. The tree resides in heavy clay soils near a historic building with full sun and no irrigation.
Boxwood blight, caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata, on common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’). Boxwoods were transplanted in early June and by early July were exhibiting symptoms of boxwood blight, which include stem cankering, leaf yellowing/browning and rapid canopy dieback. The site is characterized by full sun and shade with drip irrigation. Immediate removal and disposal was recommended. While the boxwood blight pathogen does not infect roots, it can persist as resting structures within infected leaves and stems. Therefore, all aboveground tissue that has fallen to the ground at the site must be removed to eradicate the pathogen prior to replanting boxwoods.
Foliar blight on Manchurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis) caused by Entomosporium mespili. Tree is approximately 30-years-old and is one of several Manchurian pears growing in an arboretum. Each year, the trees are almost completely defoliated despite good air circulation and sunlight. Small leaf spots slowly develop over the summer and coalesce to produce large blotches (see photo). The fungus attacks both the foliage and fruit and by mid to late summer, it’s common to find infected pears with very few remaining leaves. While the fungus does not kill trees, early leaf shedding in combination with other stresses can significant impact overall tree health.
Assassin Bugs: (Zelus luridus) The eggs and nymphs of the assassin bug species Zelus luridus were seen on shagbark hickory foliage and the trunk of a Norway maple on 9/19/2018 in Amherst, MA. Assassin bugs are Hemipterans (true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids, etc.) in the family Reduviidae (assassin bugs). These fairly large insects can hunt relatively large prey, such as adult insects and certain larvae, including some that we consider to be pests. In the case of Zelus luridus, nymphs are pale green in color with reddish-orange markings on their abdomens. Adults are green in color with brown to dark brown wings. The eggs of Zelus luridus are deposited in clusters by the female assassin bug. Eggs are brown in color and barrel-shaped. Egg masses seen on 9/19/18 had already hatched, as evidenced by the uncapped tops of the eggs. Assassin bugs of this particular species wait quietly on plants and capture prey that wanders by with long front legs coated in a sticky substance. Older Zelus spp. assassin bugs can produce this sticky substance with specialized glands that coat special hairs on their front arms; in some species, newly hatched nymphs do not yet have these capabilities, so they make use of sticky fluid left behind on the egg from which they hatched. Captured prey are then fed upon with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Twice-Stabbed Lady Beetle: (Chilocorus stigma) is a native insect that is typically found associated with trees. This species occurs in most of the United States, with the exception of west of the Sierra Nevada. Adults are shiny and black with a red dot in the center of each elytron (schlerotized wing cover) and are on average 3.75-5.00 mm. in length. Larvae are dark gray or black in color with spiny projections. Eggs are only approximately 1 mm. in length, orange, and laid singly or in groups. There are typically two generations per year in the northern part of the United States and it is the adult stage which overwinters, hidden in sheltered areas. Adults become active in early springtime (April – May) and mating and egg laying occurs over the following roughly three weeks. Larvae emerge in May and pupate shortly thereafter. A second generation follows with larvae again in July and August and adults of the second generation overwinter. This lady beetle species is a predator of several scale insects, aphids, and mealybugs, including the pine needle scale and beech bark scale.
Fall Home-Invading Insects: Various insects, such as ladybugs, boxelder bugs, seedbugs, and stink bugs will begin to seek overwintering shelters in warm places, such as homes, throughout the next couple of months. (Ladybugs have already started entering homes in Hampshire County in small numbers, observed the week of 9/3/2018.) While such invaders do not cause any measurable structural damage, they can become a nuisance especially when they are present in large numbers. If you are not willing to share your home with such insects, repair torn window screens, repair gaps around windows and doors, and sure up any other gaps through which they might enter the home.
Fall Webworm: Hyphantria cunea is native to North America and Mexico. It is now considered a world-wide pest, as it has spread throughout much of Europe and Asia. (For example, it was introduced accidentally into Hungary from North America in the 1940’s.) Hosts include nearly all shade, fruit, and ornamental trees except conifers. In the USA, at least 88 species of trees are hosts for these insects, while in Europe at least 230 species are impacted. In the past history of this pest, it was once thought that the fall webworm was a two-species complex. It is now thought that H. cunea has two color morphs – one black headed and one red headed. These two color forms differ not only in the coloration of the caterpillars and the adults, but also in their behaviors. Caterpillars may go through at least 11 molts, each stage occurring within a silken web they produce over the host. When alarmed, all caterpillars in the group will move in unison in jerking motions that may be a mechanism for self-defense. Depending upon the location and climate, 1-4 generations of fall webworm can occur per year. Fall webworm adult moths lay eggs on the underside of the leaves of host plants in the spring. These eggs hatch in late June or July depending on climate. Fall webworm caterpillars were reported for 2018 previously in the Pioneer Valley Region report and expanding webs were seen the week of 7/4/18 in Chesterfield, MA.Young larvae feed together in groups on the undersides of leaves, first skeletonizing the leaf and then enveloping other leaves and eventually entire branches within their webs. Webs are typically found on the terminal ends of branches. All caterpillar activity occurs within this tent, which becomes filled with leaf fragments, cast skins, and frass. Fully grown larvae then wander from the webs and pupate in protected areas such as the leaf litter where they will remain for the winter. Adult fall webworm moths emerge the following spring/early summer to start the cycle over again. 50+ species of parasites and 36+ species of predators are known to attack fall webworm in North America. Fall webworms typically do not cause extensive damage to their hosts. Nests may be an aesthetic issue for some. If in reach, small fall webworm webs may be pruned out of trees and shrubs and destroyed. Do not set fire to H. cunea webs when they are still attached to the host plant.
Gypsy Moth: Lymantria dispar adult activity is at an end for the 2018 season. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has released preliminary numbers for the total acres defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars in 2018. MA DCR officials estimate that approximately 161,000 acres were defoliated by gypsy moth in 2018. This pales in comparison to the over 923,000 acres of defoliation due to gypsy moth estimated in 2017. (We can thank Entomophaga maimaiga for the population decrease between last year and the beginning of this year.) A map of the locations of this defoliation is now available here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/gypsy-moth-in-massachusetts courtesy of the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Spotted Lanternfly: (Lycorma delicatula, SLF) is not known to occur in Massachusetts. This insect is a member of the Order Hemiptera (true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids, and others) and the Family Fulgoridae, also known as planthoppers. This insect is a non-native species first detected in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania and confirmed on September 22, 2014. Until November 2017, this invasive insect was only known to Pennsylvania. It has now been reported from Delaware (Nov. 20, 2017), New York (Nov. 29, 2017 and Sept. 11, 2018), Virginia (Jan. 10, 2018), and New Jersey (July 17, 2018).
The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced the finding of a single female spotted lanternfly in New Castle County in the Wilmington, Delaware area. At that time, officials in Delaware noted that it was unclear if this individual was an accidental hitchhiker, or evidence of an established population in the state. For more information about the find in Delaware, visit: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=3637. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets reported on November 29, 2017 the finding of a single dead individual spotted lanternfly in the state from earlier in the month. A single dead specimen was confirmed at a facility in Delaware County, New York, which is located south-west of Albany. The NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets states that this dead individual may have come in on an interstate shipment. For more information about the find in New York, visit: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=3637. Additionally, on September 11, 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the finding of a single adult insect in a vehicle in Albany County, New York as well as a single adult spotted lanternfly on private property in Yates County. For more information about the latest New York findings, visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/114646.html . Virginia Cooperative Extension has announced the finding of a spotted lanternfly population in Frederick County, Virginia, on January 10, 2018. It was noted that the location in Virginia revealed numerous adult lanternflies and egg masses at one location, in addition to more at another site approximately 400 yards away. For more information about the find in Virginia, visit: https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/spotted-lanternfly.html. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture announced the finding of spotted lanternfly on tree of heaven in Warren County, New Jersey on July 17, 2018 and have since confirmed that this pest has been detected in three New Jersey counties, including Mercer and Hunterdon County. For more information about the latest detections in New Jersey, visit: https://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/news/press/2018/approved/press180823.html .
Viburnum Leaf Beetle: Pyrrhalta viburni is a beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that is native to Europe, but was found in Massachusetts in 2004. Viburnum leaf beetle egg hatch was observed in Boston, MA on 5/4/2018. By early to mid-June, viburnum leaf beetle larvae crawl down the host plant, enter the soil surface, and pupate. This typically occurs when the larvae are just under ½ inch in length. After pupation, by early-July, adult beetleswill emerge from the soil and begin feeding on viburnum foliageagain prior to mating and laying eggs. Viburnum leaf beetle adults were very active in Amherst, MA, (observed on 8/6/18) spending their days mating and feeding. Adult females are laying the eggs that will overwinter in pits chewed in host plant stems (toward the terminals) and covered with a cap of chewed bark.This beetle feeds exclusively on many different species of viburnum, which includes, but is not limited to, susceptible plants such as V. dentatum, V. nudum, V. opulus, V. propinquum, and V. rafinesquianum. Larvae, where they are present, may be treated with a product containing spinosad. Some viburnum have been observed to have varying levels of resistance to this insect, including but not limited to V. bodnantense, V. carlesii, V. davidii, V. plicatum, V. rhytidophyllum, V. setigerum, and V. sieboldii. More information about viburnum leaf beetle may be found at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/ .
Japanese knotweed: The message below from two weeks ago outlines strategies for controlling Japanese knotweed. When in flower, Japanese knotweed receives pollinator visits including bees. Your customers are sometimes concerned about the use of an herbicide (glyphosate) applied during the flowering period. While there is a lack of hard evidence that bees are impacted by glyphosate, another option to quell your customers’ fears and concerns would be to delay herbicide application until after flowering has ended. Post emergence applications of glyphosate can be made through the first half of October.
At this point in the season, summer annual weeds have become large. Many weeds have become very large and just spraying them will result in unsightly dead vegetation, so hand weeding may be necessary. However, spot spraying with a non-selective herbicide is usually a better strategy than hand-weeding because it does not break the mulch barrier. A determination on a site-by-site basis may need to be made. Inspect areas of the landscape where new trees or shrubs, especially those that were field grown, have been planted early this season or last year. Look for perennial weeds that may be growing from the root ball. Canada thistle, mugwort, quackgrass, bindweed and horsenettle are some of the possible culprits. These weeds can be spot treated with glyphosate.
Looking for a long-blooming, drought tolerant annual that butterflies and hummingbirds love? The five foot tall, gorgeous Mexican sunflower 'Torch' (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a winner whose seeds you will want to save each year.

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