Rhizosphaera needle cast is often to blame for brown or thin spruce in the landscape. In Kentucky, Rhizosphaera needle cast is the most common disease of spruce; it also affects some pine species. This disease causes needle drop on lower…
Alfalfa Weevils – Now What?
The 2017 alfalfa weevil population is winding down, but some are taking their last bites before leaving fields. The few late-developing larvae, along with newly emerged adults, can feed on stems, crowns, and shoots produced after harvest. Surviving larvae may…
Posted in Forages
Peach Leaf Curling and Crinkling: Fungal Disease with a Sense of Humor
Symptoms of peach leaf curl have been reported on residential peach trees throughout Kentucky. The disease results in disfigured leaves during spring and summer; twigs and fruit may also become infected. Once symptoms have developed fungicides are not effective. Successful…
Posted in Fruit
Spotted Wing Drosophila Active Early This Year
Last week on May 1, we captured our first spotted wing drosophila (SWD) detected in Fayette County. This was a single male and its occurrence is quite a bit earlier than previous years. Over the 5 years of trapping this…
Posted in Fruit
Emerald Ash Borer Detections and Treatment Horizon
Abe Nielsen, Kentucky Division of Forestry Forest Health Specialist, reported first detections of emerald ash borer infested trees at locations in Clinton, Cumberland, and Wayne counties. The map (Figure 1) shows the extent of the known infestation. Is Preventive Treatment…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
The Gall(s) of Some Trees
Galls are irregular plant growths that are stimulated by the reaction between plant hormones and powerful growth regulating chemicals produced by some insects and a few mites. Galls may occur on leaves, bark, flowers, buds, acorns, or roots. Their inner…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Insects May Bore but Are Never Boring
Carpenter Bees Carpenter bees chew nice round holes in soft, weathered wood. Some solitary bees and wasps even create brood-rearing tunnels in soft mortar between bricks. These seem mundane after seeing the handiwork or an unknown bright green wasp or…
Posted in Household Pests
