The UK Extension Weed Science Group is conducting a Weed Science Training from 9 AM to 3 PM. Training will be offered in two locations: June 23, 2015 (Tuesday) at the UK Research and Education Center (Princeton, KY) June 25,…
Monthly Archives: May 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 wireworm injury on corn; tan spot and compaction on wheat; and Pythium…
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
2015: The Spring of Pythium!
Here in my first Kentucky springtime, Pythium diseases top my list of frequently-sighted problems in both vegetable and tobacco systems. Pythium can cause pre- and post-emergent damping-off and root rots on larger plants. What to Look For With pre-emergent damping-off,…
Posted in Tobacco, Vegetables
Whiteflies in High Tunnels
High tunnel insect management can be challenging, and whiteflies (Figure 1) on tomatoes and other vegetable crops can be one of the more common challenges. While there are several species of whiteflies that we routinely find in high tunnels, silverleaf…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
First Spotted Wing Drosophila Sampling of 2015
The first sample of the year from a pre-harvest strawberry planting was negative for spotted wing drosophila (SWD). To date, we haven’t seen SWD in strawberries in Kentucky, but we have only 2 seasons of experience with SWD in our…
Posted in Fruit
Spruce Spider Mite Injury Appearing
Spruce spider mites (SSM), like other plant-feeding mites, use piercing sucking mouthparts to feed on sap. Feeding from individual cells initially produces small, yellow splotches on needles. Over time, the needles take on a dull, rusty appearance and some may…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Red Velvet Mites
The large size and vivid color of red velvet mites (Figure 1) make them hard to overlook as they crawl across sidewalks, driveways, or soil. The red color of these mites is sometimes mistaken for blood and people fear that…
Posted in General Pests
Tick Season Is Here
Ticks in Kentucky Ticks can make outdoor activities very uncomfortable in Kentucky, as well as posing a potential public health threat (see the previous article on ticks posted to KPN on April 7, 2015). Tick season extends from mid-March through…
Posted in Human Pests
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 bacterial spot on alfalfa; and Pythium root rot on tobacco transplants. On…
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
Honey Bee Foraging Facts
Honey bees will readily visit flowers within ½ mile to 2 miles of their colony, but they will travel as much as 6 miles, if necessary. Optimum air temperatures for flower visits are between 60°F and 90° Honey bee foraging…
Posted in Beneficial Insects
Gnats and Springtails – Common Pests Following a Wet Spring
Gnats Gnats are any of several species of small, non-biting flies. They appear suddenly, forming annoying swarms in the air as they mate. While they look like mosquitoes, these gnats cannot bite (Figure 1). Usually, they live for just a…
Posted in Household Pests, Human Pests
A Banner Year for Larder Beetles
Larder beetles belong to the carpet beetle family of scavenger insects. The varied carpet beetle is a member of this group and commonly arrives in samples from homes during the spring. However, 2015 has been a banner year for a…
Posted in Household Pests
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 Rhizoctonia damping off, Pythium root rot, and injuries from heat, cold, and…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Kentucky Pest News 