The corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a native insect and present across the entire United States and in Canada. This insect feeds on corn, sorghum, small grains, and several grasses. Population outbreaks occurred during some years, but…
Is the Hibiscus Scentless Plant Bug a Pest or a Beneficial Insect to Control Velvetleaf?
Velvetleaf History in the U.S. Among the invasive plants in the United States, the velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti, (Figure 1) is perhaps one of the toughest species to eradicate. This plant is known as wild cotton, buttonweed, Indian mallow, butterprint, or…
Posted in Grains
The Rotten Truth about Bitter Rot
While fruit rots have a variety of causes, the most common fungal fruit rot of apple in Kentucky is bitter rot. The disease results in rotten, inedible fruit. Fungicides are available for management; however, sanitation is critical for disease prevention.…
Posted in Fruit
Cicada Killer Season Leads to Confusion with Murder Hornets
As we head into the latter end of summer, the trees are alive with the sound of insect music thanks to annual cicadas. Depending on your opinion of their singing talents, you might be delighted or horrified to learn of…
Posted in Lawn & Turf
Bitter Rot of Apple (PPFS-FR-T-24)
Bitter rot is the most common fruit rot of apple in Kentucky. Trees in both commercial and residential plantings can suffer devastating losses. Growers consider bitter rot the most important fruit rot and the second most destructive disease in Kentucky…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Diagnosis of “No Disease”
Extension agents and growers may occasionally receive diagnostic reports from the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that indicate, “no disease was found.” This may result from an insufficient sample and/or that the plant problem does not result from…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2022 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Japanese Beetles Feeding on Soybean Blooms
Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are native to Asia. This species was first detected in the early 1900s in New Jersey, but now occurs throughout many areas of the United States. This is a well-established pest in Kentucky. Japanese…
Posted in Grains
Presence of Fall Armyworms Detected in Forage Sorghum in Western KY
The larval stage of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a voracious defoliator of many plant species. The FAW is a native pest of the New World; however, it overwinters in south Florida or in the southernmost…
Posted in Forages
Corn Earworm Moth Activity Increasing in Central Kentucky
For the past 3 weeks, corn earworm moth counts in pheromone traps have been increasing in Central Kentucky. Corn earworm can be a serious pest of a number of crops, including, but not limited to, sweet corn, hemp, tomatoes (a.k.a.…
Posted in Grains, Vegetables
Cucurbit Downy Mildew
Cucurbit downy mildew is the most economically important disease of cucurbits in Kentucky. All cucurbits, such as cucumber, cantaloupe, summer and winter squashes, pumpkin, and watermelon are susceptible. Cucurbit downy mildew affects plant leaves, and severe infections can result in…
Posted in Vegetables
Apple Scout Website
The publication An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Apple in Kentucky was first introduced in 2014 as an online/paper version. In order to improve access to this important scouting guide, a mobile website was developed. The Apple Scout…
Posted in Fruit
August is Tree Check Month!
The USDA has declared August as “Tree Check Month” to foster awareness of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), an invasive pest that could be devastating to Kentucky forests and landscapes. Currently, the pest is not known to live in the…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Iron Deficiency of Woody Plants (ID-84)
Iron deficiency is a nutritional problem that can occur in woody and herbaceous plants in landscapes, nurseries, greenhouses, and production fields. It is most often associated with soils that have neutral or alkaline pH (pH 7.0 or above). Plants that…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2022 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Kentucky Pest News 