Insecticide-impregnated cattle ear tags have been a popular means of controlling pasture flies (horn fly and face fly) for over 20 years. The insecticide in the tag “blooms” from the plastic matrix and is then transferred to the animal’s hair…
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights from the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories represent recent sample submissions from field crops, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. Recent agronomic samples have included white mold (Sclerotinia) on canola; and wheat soilborne mosaic and wheat spindle…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2015 Insect Trap Counts
Weekly 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…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Alfalfa Weevil, A Key Pest of the First Alfalfa Cutting
Alfalfa weevil is a key insect pest on the first alfalfa cutting. Tip feeding should show up soon in established fields (Figure 1). This insect occurs throughout the state, but sound management practices, weather patterns, and natural enemies often keep…
Posted in Forages
Black Cutworm & Armyworm Moth Captures Show a Big Increase
Black cutworm (BCW) and armyworm (AW) moths captured in the IPM traps at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY show a substantial increase for the trap week ending Friday, April 10. In the case of BCW (Figure…
Posted in Grains
Variegated Cutworms Devour Tobacco Float Plants
Variegated cutworm is a common and destructive pest in tobacco transplant production. The moths fly as early as March, so infestations can begin soon after seedlings begin to grow. Moths are attracted to outdoor lighting and this may be a…
Posted in Tobacco
Potentially a Good Spring for Aphids
Aphids are among the first insects to appear on trees and shrubs in spring. They thrive under cool, rainy, conditions; our weather pattern to date has favored them. Aphids occur in colonies (Figure 1) on tender growth: flower buds, expanding…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Carpenter Bees Are Boring
Male and female carpenter bees are becoming active after spending the winter in last year’s tunnels. They resemble bumble bees but have shiny, bare abdomens (Figure 1); bumble bee abdomens are “hairy.” Females have black faces. They are not aggressive…
Posted in Household Pests
2015 Insect Trap Counts
Weekly 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…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Spotted Wing Drosophila Update
Despite the lingering cool weather, spring is upon us, and fruit set is underway with plasticulture strawberries. This is the first of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) susceptible crops, which also include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and grapes. Last year,…
Posted in Fruit
Ground Bees: Important Pollinators That Pose Minimal Problems
Nearly 70% of our wild bee species nest in the ground. They choose well-drained soils in open, sunny areas. Conical piles of fine soil particles usually surround their tunnel entrances (Figure 1). Ground bees are solitary but over several seasons,…
Posted in Lawn & Turf
Ticks Are Now Active
Lone star tick nymphs and adults are active now. American dog tick adults will be looking for hosts soon, too. Personal protection, frequent self-inspection, and prompt tick removal are keys to reducing tick bites and potential health consequences. Ticks can…
Posted in Human Pests
2015 Insect Trap Counts
Weekly 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…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Kentucky Pest News 