Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 08/09/2016 09:57 AM EDT
Weekly Review for Aug. 9, 2016
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology Phone: (317) 232-4120 Our Website Inspector Territories
This informal report by the Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology is designed to update the Nursery and Greenhouse industry of insect and disease pests the Division has been encountering on a week to week basis and as a way to give a “heads up” of things to be on the lookout for.
Links can be found at the bottom of the page to manage your subscription to this list. Comments and questions about this report are welcome and can be sent to Eric Biddinger or to your respective
Inspector.
Notes from the Editor Just another reminder that we have a couple of displays at the Indiana State Fair. The Fair runs through Aug. 21. We put together the Butterfly Exhibit just outside the DNR Building and the Invasive Species booth inside the building. Our staff, as well as folks from Forestry and Fish & Wildlife will be at the Invasives Booth throughout the fair. If you are coming to the State Fair, we would love to see you!
I inspected nurseries in Allen County last week and I didn’t see a whole lot of new insect pests and diseases. At one nursery there was a large infestation of pine tortoise scale on Scotch pine and many trees were black with sooty mold. The same nursery also had some oystershell scale on Scotch and white pine too. I also came across white pine weevil killing the leaders on Douglas fir, which is a host I have never seen them feeding on. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been noticing immature brown marmorated stink bugs on my yellowwood tree. These pests can cause damage to a wide variety of trees, but can also cause a large amount of damage to fruits and vegetables. They also can become a nuisance when they gathers in the fall around homes in search of overwintering sites, ultimately finding their way indoors.
Photo 1 – Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Photo 2 – White Pine Weevil on Douglas Fir
Photo 3 – Pine Needle Scale on Scotch Pine
Photo 4 – Sooty mold on Scotch pine cause by pine tortoise scale
I’m seeing a fair amount of damage in my area from Japanese Beetles on many types of hosts, and the adult beetles are starting to die off now for the season. I’ve noticed thrip problems on groundcover roses, blueberry and grape; whitefly problems in greenhouse areas; spidermite damage to hardy kiwi; lace bug damage on azaleas; apple scab on apple trees; various ‘shot hole’ type leaf spots on Prunus sp., and herbicide injury to grape.
I’ve included a photo of whiteflies and also a photo of herbicide injury to grape. Also, with all the wet, hot and humid weather we have had this year some businesses are having problems with Nostoc sp. (or referred to as Nostoc Algae). This is a cyanobacterium species that can develop on lawns, gravel and pavement areas in wet humid weather conditions. Poor drainage, compacted soils and fertilizer containing phosphorus can aid in creating an environment for this to develop. Aeration of soils and improved drainage will help reduce the degree of problems. Products with copper sulfate or potassium salts of fatty acids can temporarily reduce problems, but the algae will regrow after periods of wet weather. I’ve included a photo of the Nostoc Algae.
