Boxwood leaf miners are serious pests. They prefer American boxwood but will attack English and Japanese boxwoods. The larvae (small maggots) create yellow oval areas, similar to blisters, on infested leaves (Figure 1). When abundant, damage can cause premature leaf…
Monthly Archives: April 2016
Eastern Tent Caterpillars Movement Begins
The earliest hatching eastern tent caterpillars (ETC) have finished feeding and have entered the “wandering” stage of their life cycle. Over the next 10 days to 2 weeks, restless tent caterpillars will crawl from their home trees, eventually finding a…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Emerald Ash Borer Update
The first instance of emerald ash borer (Figure 1) infestation in Meade County was reported recently by Abe Nielsen (Kentucky Department of Forestry). Visit the Kentucky Ash Borer Information website for the most current distribution map. The degreeday accumulation in…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Reduce Landscape Mosquito Factories
The Asian tiger mosquito (ATM, Figure 2) is a peridomestic species, meaning it is adapted to live in and around human dwellings. Everyone can play a major role in reducing numbers of this fierce day-biter simply by recognizing potential breeding…
Posted in Human Pests
Information Source for Zika Virus and Mosquitoes In Kentucky
Visit the Information on Zika Virus for Kentuckians website set up by the University of Kentucky to provide information on the Zika virus and resources on mosquito management in the Commonwealth. By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist
Posted in Human Pests
Featured Publication
Black Spot of Rose (PPFS-OR-W-10) Black spot is the most common and serious disease of roses in Kentucky. This fungal disease is a problem in greenhouse production and outdoor plantings. The newly updated fact sheet on black spot discusses symptoms,…
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. Diseases diagnosed during the past week have included Pythium root rot on tobacco transplants; anthracnose…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2016 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
Considerations for Fungicide Management of Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) of Wheat
Wheat heads are just starting to become visible in a few fields in western Kentucky. Not long after wheat heads emerge, they will begin to flower. Flowering (anthesis) is a critical time, as wheat becomes susceptible to infection by Fusarium graminearum, the…
Posted in Grains
Diseases to Scout for: Pythium Damping-off and Root Rot
Extended periods of cool, wet weather this spring may have you noticing symptoms of a common pathogen infecting plants: Pythium. This water mold pathogen particularly attacks seeds, seedlings, and young plants (Figures 1 and 2). Pythium is present at low…
Fire Blight Alert and Risk Overview
(Final week of reminder alerts) Risk for fire blight infection can be high as temperatures become warm and wet weather occurs during bloom. Growers can assess risk by using the Fire Blight Disease Prediction Model and selecting specific county and…
Posted in Fruit
Fight the Bite: Preparing For Mosquitoes and Zika Virus – 2016
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Zika webpage, 358 travel-associated cases of Zika virus disease have been confirmed in the U.S. as of April 13, 2016. None of these cases were identified as having been acquired…
Posted in Human Pests
Carpenter Bees Are Good Pollinators, But…
Male and female carpenter bees are becoming active after spending winter in last year’s tunnels. These large yellow and black bees have shiny, bare abdomens (Figure 1) in contrast to the ‘hairy’ ones of bumble bees (Figure 2). Female carpenter…
Posted in Household Pests
Featured Publication
Managing Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass (PPFS-OR-T-13) Spring dead spot is the most destructive disease of bermudagrass in Kentucky. The most serious outbreaks occur under high maintenance conditions; e.g., high nitrogen fertility, low mowing height, and frequent traffic. Moderate to…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2016 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 