Last week, UK Extension Entomologists had reports of high numbers of three-cornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) on alfalfa in Meade County. This insect can be an occasional pest of both alfalfa and soybeans, but rarely gets to economically damaging levels. While…
Monthly Archives: August 2023
Weed Species Present in Hemp Grower Survey
The National and Regional Weed Science Societies wants to know about weed species in hemp fields, high tunnels, and greenhouses. Share which weedy species are the most common and troublesome in the 2023 Hemp Weed Survey. Note that common weeds…
Posted in Hemp
Elms Fighting Large Beetles
Over the last month, multiple Extension agents from across Kentucky have submitted samples of larger elm leaf beetles and their damage. Generally, these leaf feeding pests are kept in check by other insects, but there can be years where they…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
A Comprehensive Guide to Corn Management in Kentucky (ID-139)
Proper management of corn is necessary to maximize economic returns, improve soils, and provide long-term viability to farms. This publication discusses the best corn management practices for Kentucky based on years of research at the University of Kentucky, research from…
Posted in Uncategorized
2023 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
Status of Insect Pests in Soybeans in August 2023
Current Conditions This growing season, it has been quiet in terms of insect presence in Kentucky soybeans, at least up until mid-August 2023. However, while scouting for insect pests August 14 to August 18, a couple of insects may be…
Posted in Grains
Invasive Hornets Gone Down to Georgia
A new potentially invasive hornet has been in the news over the last week. This species is known as the yellow-legged hornet but may also be referred to as the Asian hornet. Reports surfaced in August that a detection had…
Posted in Human Pests
Common Diseases of Spruce in Kentucky (PPFS-OR-W-24)
Spruce trees, particularly blue spruce (Picea pungens) and Norway spruce (Picea abies), are popular landscape trees in Kentucky. Unfortunately, problems result when they show evidence of poor vigor, dieback, or needle drop. This publication discusses the most common diseases occurring…
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 Laboratory from August 9 to August 22, 2023. Diagnoses on agronomic crop samples have included southern corn rust, common rust, northern…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2023 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
University of Kentucky 2023 Hemp Educational Session & Field Day
The 2023 Hemp Educational Sessions and Field Day will be held on September 12, 2023. A morning grain series sponsored by Victory Hemp Foods will occur from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EDT) followed by the afternoon educational session from…
Posted in Announcements
Southern Rust in Corn: A Late Season Confirmation
Southern rust of corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, was confirmed in Kentucky on August 8, in Todd County. As of August 14, the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed the disease in several counties across the state. With…
Posted in Grains
Watch out for True Armyworm in Pastures
Current Conditions During the last past 3 weeks, from July 14 to August 11, there was an increase in true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) numbers in pheromone-based traps in Lexington and Princeton, Kentucky. Peak populations reached 234 moths (July 28) in…
Posted in Forages
Monitoring for Cucurbit Downy Mildew Using IPM PIPE
Cucurbit downy mildew is the most economically important disease of cucurbits in Kentucky. The movement of cucurbit downy mildew is monitored on the Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting page of the IPM pipe website. Cucurbit growers can sign up for free…
Posted in Vegetables
Celebrate Tree Check Month
In the spirit of invasive species awareness, the USDA has declared August as “Tree Check Month.” Specifically, the hope is that people will serve their community by checking for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), an invasive longhorn beetle pest that…
Posted in Uncategorized
Kentucky Pest News 