This post is intended to clarify where sugarcane aphid has been collected and identified in Kentucky. The first two collections were reported as Fulton and Graves counties. This was incorrect; the report should have listed Fulton and Calloway Counties instead.…
Monthly Archives: August 2015
Update & Correction Concerning Collection of Sugarcane Aphid in Kentucky Grain Sorghum
Posted in Grains
US-EPA Grants Section 18 Emergency Exemption Label for Use of Transform™ WG for Control of Sugarcane Aphid on Grain Sorghum in Kentucky
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) has granted the use of Transform™ WG for control of the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) on sorghum. Emergency Label Highlights Use of this product is provided through the Specific Exemption under provisions of…
Posted in Grains, Pesticide Topics
Emerald Ash Borer Update
Abe Nielson, Kentucky Division of Forestry, reported emerald ash borer-infested trees were found in Floyd, Lincoln, and Martin counties during the last 2 weeks in. The most current distribution map is located at the UK Emerald Ash Borer Information website.…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Pine Sawflies Can Be Destructive in Late Fall
Redheaded Pine Sawfly The redheaded pine sawfly can be very destructive, attacking trees that are 1 to 12 feet tall. Infestations may be worse on trees already under stress due to a poor site or if under severe competition from…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Another Tent Maker
The poplar tent maker caterpillar (Figure 1) is gray with four thin yellow lines running the length of the body. These caterpillars have one distinct black bump behind the head and one near the end of the abdomen. They live…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Are Fall Webworms a Threat to Horses?
More than the normal numbers of fall webworm (FWW) tents have covered the ends of tree branches in some parts of Kentucky during the last few weeks. The sight of silk tents occupied by hairy caterpillars is unnerving to horse…
Posted in Livestock Pests
Featured Publication
Apple Rust Diseases (PPFS-FR-T-05) Cedar-apple, cedar-quince, and cedar-hawthorn rusts commonly occur on apple, pear, and related ornamentals in Kentucky. Apple rust diseases can result in economic losses in orchards and can seriously impact landscape plantings. This new publication, which is…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights from the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories represent recent sample submissions from field crops, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. Recent agronomic samples have included common rust on corn; anthracnose and rust on forage grasses;…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2015 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
2015 Commercial Blueberry Production in Kentucky Workshop
This full day workshop will cover topics important to commercial blueberry production in Kentucky, such as cultivar selection, transitioning to organic, and conventional and organic management of insects and diseases. The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015…
Posted in Announcements
Diplodia Ear Rot of Corn Is Being Observed in Kentucky
Diplodia ear rot, caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydis (formerly known as Diplodia maydis), has been observed in Kentucky corn fields the last couple of weeks. These observations are due to the frequent rainfall that occurred just before and throughout…
Posted in Grains
Stink Bug Numbers Peaking Soon
This has been an active year for stink bugs, with green stink bug as the predominant pest species across the Commonwealth. However, depending on crop and location, brown and brown marmorated stink bugs have also been at economic levels. Within…
Posted in Grains, Vegetables
Update on Downy and Powdery Mildews in Fall Cucurbits
In the past few weeks, downy mildew (DM) has been reported on several cucurbit crops in Kentucky. In central KY, DM has been reported on cucumber, cantaloupe, butternut squash, cushaw, and pumpkin. Western and eastern Kentucky have confirmed reports on…
Posted in Vegetables
Fall Webworm – Round 2
Fall webworms live communally in silk tents, which they construct at the ends of branches in over 100 species of hardwood trees. Often, there is just a tent (Figure 1) or two on scattered trees, and the only impact is…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Willow Trees Can Be Insect Magnets
Willow trees, and some other species, can be buzzing with wasps, bees, flies, and other insects during late summer. The winged visitors are attracted to the sugars in honeydew excretions from sap-feeders, such as aphids or soft scales. Eliminating the…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Kentucky Pest News 