Boxwood blight has been detected in Kentucky again this year. The disease can be devastating to American boxwood cultivars, which are common in the Kentucky landscape. Complete defoliation can occur within a week and plants can die within a single…

As with many plant-feeding insects, the dogwood sawfly is one of those pests that rarely draws much attention but occasionally can be very destructive. A report of damage early this week provides a good opportunity to review this interesting and…

Japanese beetles (Figure 1) have made a comeback so far this year with significant problems in some areas of the state. Reports from Ohio also indicate above-normal numbers. Management Options Hand Removal Removing beetles by hand may provide adequate protection…

Small bagworms are feeding now. It takes careful inspection to detect small larvae wrapped in silk bags with pieces of leaf attached (Figure 1). Check small trees and shrubs that have a history of problems to see if the insects…

Leaf skeletonizers are pale yellow-green caterpillars that create veiny skeletons as they feed on upper leaf surfaces (Figure 1). There are several leaf skeletonizer species that feed on different tree species, but their activity is rarely noticed. Usually, weather or…