Black root rot can affect a wide range of ornamentals in home and commercial landscapes, nurseries, and greenhouses. Black root rot is commonly observed on Japanese and blue hollies, inkberry, pansy, petunia, and vinca. Black Root Rot Facts Symptoms are…
Monthly Archives: June 2021
Kentuckians Finding Bloodsucking Conenoses
Human pests Recently, multiple inquiries have come in regarding eastern bloodsucking conenoses found in or near homes. These Kentucky kissing bugs often stir up a lot of negative feelings when they are found, as people fear they may have been…
Posted in Human Pests
It’s Chiggers Time!
One of the most annoying pests of the summer is chiggers. Chiggers are the immature stage of a parasitic mite that feeds on other arthropods when it becomes an adult. Chigger bites are often the result of working or spending…
Posted in Human Pests
Grape Downy Mildew (video)
Dr. Nicole Gauthier, Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, has created a short video (2:44 minutes) focusing on grape downy mildew. This video provides information on disease appearance, disease cycle, and management. Grape Downy Mildew is available online. For additional publications on…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples submitted to the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories from June 1 to June 29, 2021. Diagnostic samples of agronomic crops have included Rhizoctonia root/crown rot and anthracnose on…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2021 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
Corn Disease Update — Preparing for Foliar Fungicide Application Decisions in Corn
Corn is moving through growth stages quickly, and April planted corn is at or approaching tasseling in many fields across the state. Pre-tassel and tasseling fungicide applications are common, although fungicide use in corn is not always an automatic decision.…
Posted in Grains
Dogwood Powdery Mildew
Dogwood is a popular landscape tree throughout Kentucky. However, once infected with powdery mildew, trees can develop an unattractive appearance. The disease is most prevalent during periods of high humidity and in landscapes with reduced air circulation. Some cultivars are…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Soggy Weather means Lots of Millipedes and Fungus Gnats
Recently, we have been seeing a lot of inquiries on two denizens of dampness; fungus gnats and millipedes. While neither of these arthropods are huge problems, they can become curiosities and annoyances when the weather is as wet as it…
Posted in Household Pests, Lawn & Turf
Sivanto Approved for Sweet Sorghum
Last month, I received notice that our 2021 Emergency Exemption request for Sivanto Prime for sugarcane aphid on sweet sorghum was denied. The reason is that sweet sorghum, including sorghum grown for syrup, has been added to the list of…
Posted in Grains, Pesticide Topics
Flowering Dogwood Diseases (PPFS-OR-W-06)
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is one of the most popular ornamental trees in Kentucky landscapes. Unfortunately, some common diseases can threaten the health of these beautiful trees in both residential and commercial settings. This publication covers the most common…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2021 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
Spruce Dieback – Needle Cast Diseases May Be To Blame
Blue spruce and Norway spruce are popular landscape plants in Kentucky. However, many factors can cause spruce trees to cast (shed) needles. Casting may be the result of environmental stresses (heavy soil, poor drainage) or fungal diseases. In Kentucky, Rhizosphaera…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Fall Webworms Getting Started Already
While the calendar says we haven’t even left spring yet (summer starts on June 20), we have already received our first fall webworm inquiry of the year. Even though their name implies that they would most enjoy the months of…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Cane Diseases of Brambles (PPFS-FR-S-17)
Several cane diseases commonly lead to the formation of cankers in Kentucky bramble plantings. If left unchecked, these fungal diseases significantly reduce overall yields and limit the longevity of bramble plantings. This publication discusses the three most commonly observed cane…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Kentucky Pest News 