Black knot is a common, often serious, disease of plums and cherries in Kentucky. Trees in both commercial and residential plantings are susceptible to the disease. Black knot results in knotty growths that, over time, encircle limbs and result in…
Monthly Archives: April 2022
Why Do Some People Want to Kill Praying Mantises?
Recently, there have been some social media posts circulating that talk about an “invasive” praying mantis that you should take steps to destroy. These posts, usually based on blogs and other personal websites, are focused on the Chinese mantis and…
Posted in Beneficial Insects
Accidental Invaders Can Be Year-Round Problems
Often when we consider accidental insect invaders in the home, we are thinking about those insects that are going into survival mode to pass the winter. This is the case in the fall with cluster flies, stink bugs, lady beetles,…
Posted in Household Pests
Time for Termites!
Termite season has begun in Kentucky! To assist homeowners in addressing this growing problem, this article provides basic information on termite biology and control. That said, this article is intended to be a quick reference guide to answer the most…
Posted in Household Pests
Drone Fungicide Applications in Corn (PPFS-AG-C-11)
Foliar fungicides are commonly applied to corn to manage foliar diseases, such as gray leaf spot. The most effective and beneficial time to make these applications is at tasseling/early silking. Because of the height of corn at this growth stage,…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2022 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
Management of Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) of Wheat with Fungicides
Wheat fields will soon be at the anthesis stage (Feekes 10.51, “flowering”) in Kentucky. Anthesis is a critical time, as wheat becomes susceptible to infection by Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB; also known as scab). This disease…
Posted in Grains
Powdery Mildew of Hemp
Powdery mildew can affect numerous plants, including fruit, vegetable, and agronomic crops, as well as woody and herbaceous ornamentals. Kentucky hemp is also susceptible to this disease. Plants infected early in the season can be seriously damaged, while those affected…
Posted in Hemp
Cane Blight of Brambles
Cane blight occasionally impacts homegrown and commercial raspberries and blackberries in Kentucky. The disease causes lesions to develop on both primocanes (current-year canes) and floricanes (second-year or fruiting canes) and can result in reduced yield and cane death. Fungicides are…
Posted in Fruit
Cupped Boxwood Leaves from Boxwood Psyllid
If you are noticing cupped leaves at the tips of new boxwood growth, you are noticing the symptoms of boxwood psyllid damage. Not to worry though; this boxwood bug may cause unsightly leaves to form, but the damage is rarely…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
“Wet Feet” of Ornamentals (PPFS-OR-W-04)
“Wet feet” is the common term for a condition that affects plant species intolerant of wet growing conditions. This problem occurs when soils become saturated with water for prolonged periods, injuring roots. Once root damage occurs, plants decline and may…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2022 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
EPA IPM Webinar: Destructive Tree Pests – Termites & Carpenter Ants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a free webinar for credit on termites and carpenter ants. Termites and carpenter ants can damage the structural integrity of trees and homes. During this webinar, experts will explain how to inspect trees…
Posted in Announcements
Conducive Weather for Seedcorn Maggot & Slugs Outbreaks in Field Crops
The rainy and cloudy weather we are currently observing in many growing areas of Kentucky may lead to outbreaks of seedcorn maggots and slugs in corn and soybeans. These pests are problems on emerging seedlings and reduce plant densities. If…
Fire Blight Alert & Risk Map Overview
Apple and pear trees are at bloom across Kentucky. Infection by the fire blight bacterium occurs during bloom, thus, protectant antibiotics should be applied when risk is high. Risk for infection can be assessed using the Fire Blight Disease Prediction…
Posted in Fruit
Kentucky Pest News 