Lexington, KY 40546

Online at: www.uky.edu/KPN

Number 1298
CORN -Armyworms Active in Corn and Wheat WHEAT -Watch for Cereal Leaf Beetle in Wheat SHADE TREES & ORNAMENTALS -Whats this Spot? Downy Mildew Showing Up on Roses this Spring -Loblolly Pine Sawfly

April 17, 2012

PETS -Protecting Pets from Ticks DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS INSECT TRAP COUNTS

CORN Armyworms Active in Corn and Wheat By Doug Johnson Armyworm larvae have been reported feeding in corn. Although armyworm can damage wheat, that very rarely occurs and when it does is usually much later in the season. Certainly this entire season is much earlier than normal because of the warm January March temperatures. Nonetheless, the general sequence of events is likely to remain the same. Captures of armyworm moths in the UK-IPM pheromone baited traps have not been very large. Captures did begin very early this year and the first several weeks appeared to be greater than the rolling 5-year average. However, recent counts have dropped below the 5-year average. At this point I dont expect an unusually large population for 2012. That means that one should probably concentrate their scouting efforts on those situations that are at greatest risk. Of special interest will be NON- B.t. containing corn products (food grade, white, specialty, etc.) fields that were planted into a cover crop, especially a grass cover, or into new ground (fallowed, pasture etc.) where grasses might predominate. If armyworm eggs and larvae were

already in these grass covers, killing the cover will serve to move these insects over to the newly emerging corn. So, if this is your situation it may pay you to scout your corn, even if the cover / weeds have already been killed back (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Armyworms collected in a western Kentucky white corn field 4/16/2012.

Since most of the field corn products we grow in Kentucky are genetically modified to contain one to several B.t. expressing genes, you may in fact get some control of armyworm with these. Of course corn rootworm B.t.s will not have any effect. I would expect the Viptera B.t.s to be quite active and those products that claim control of corn earworm and fall armyworm to have some activity. In corn, chemical control should be considered if 2 or more larvae are found on 25-30% of the plants.

Armyworm is not very difficult to control in Corn, providing of course, one gets decent coverage. If insecticidal control is required, see ENT-16 Insecticide Recommendations for Corn or ENT-47 Insecticide Recommendations for Small Grains. These publications are available at your County Extension Office or On Line at: http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/Recs/welcomerecs.htm l

diagnostic scaring that looks like giant flea beetle scratches (Figure 3). Scout by examining the upper leaves on 10 tillers per site and a total of at least 100 tillers per field. Be especially observant of the flag and F1 & F2 leaves. Treatment should be considered if, on average, you find larva or adult per stem (1 larvae or adult for every two stems). CLB are not particularly difficult to control. Generally the problem is that most producers do not find the pest until it is too late to protect the three important upper leaves. If a pesticide application is warranted, refer to ENT-47, Insecticide Recommendations for Small Grains 2012, available from your County Extension Office or online at: http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/Recs/ENT47SmallGrain.pdf

WHEAT Watch for Cereal Leaf Beetle in Wheat By Doug Johnson There have been reports of cereal leaf beetle (CLB) larvae actively feeding in wheat. This is not unexpected for this time of year. Generally this pest is not of great importance, but can always be problematic and should be monitored. This pests unpredictability is usually what gets producers in trouble. Often the first indication of the pests presence is white flag leaves waving in the air. This is NOT a good scouting procedure as one cannot put the leaf material back on the flag leaf! Cereal leaf beetle can be active anytime from April to maturity. This year populations are likely to be out early, though not necessarily in larger numbers. The reports that I have received are all larval feeding, indicating that the emerging overwintering adults have already been out for some time. CLB adults are shiny black beetles with red legs and thorax, about 1/2 long. They emerge first, usually in March and lay eggs on wheat plants. Larvae are pale yellow and soft bodied. They may glue small pieces of trash and leaf on their backs as a type of camouflage. They can look very much like bird droppings (Figure 2). Both adults and larvae feed on the leaves and both may appear in the field at the same time. Both feed by removing the leaf surface tissue from between the leaf veins. This often leaves a very

Figure 2. Cereal leaf beetle larvae without camouflage.

Figure 3. Cereal leaf beetle feeding damage on wheat flag leaf.

SHADE TREES & ORNAMENTALS Whats this Spot? Downy Mildew Showing Up on Roses this Spring By Nicole Ward and Julie Beale Theres a new disease in town. Downy mildew of rose is showing up across the state. It has been several years since downy mildew has been diagnosed on rose in KY, but we have already seen multiple cases this spring. During the past weeks, there have been reports of an incurable black spot that is unresponsive to fungicides. The downy mildew pathogen is a water mold, not a true fungus. Thus, humid greenhouse conditions are ideal for disease spread. So far, all reports originate from greenhouse-grown roses. Additionally, retail centers who purchased finished roses indicated that roses arrived with early stages of the disease. Symptoms of downy mildew occur primarily on young apical leaves. Initial symptoms begin as purplish-red irregular spots (Figure 4). Rapid spread occurs with high moisture and reduced air circulation. Within days, lesions coalesce, resulting in leaf yellowing and/or leaf drop. The fuzzy sporulation of rose downy mildew occurs on the lower leaf surface, but it is typically very sparse and difficult to see. This season, infection has been diagnosed on hybrid tea roses and some varieties of Knockout rose. Roses are susceptible to a variety of leaf spots (Figure 5). Black spot, the most common foliar disease of rose, begins as circular spots with feathery margins. While hybrid tea roses are extremely susceptible to black spot, Knockout roses are mostly resistant. Cercospora leaf spot, common on many shrub roses, produces circular lesions with purplish red edges and light gray or tan centers. Both of these leaf spots can be confused with early symptoms of downy mildew. Management of downy mildew requires a combination of cultural and fungicidal controls. This first step requires reduction of humidity. Greenhouses should be well ventilated. Nursery and greenhouse plants should be spaced for

sufficient air circulation to promote leaf drying. Drip irrigation can greatly reduce leaf wetness, as well. Growers should practice good sanitation, removing fallen leaves and pruning away diseased plant parts, as the pathogen can survive for several weeks on debris. Fungicides registered for use in commercial greenhouses and nurseries include Aliette, Banol, Segway, Stature, and Subdue MAXX. Homeowners may apply copper + mancozeb. Refer to labels for rates and application intervals.

Figure 4. Downy mildew on rose begins with irregularlyshaped lesions that are purple to reddish in color (photo N. Ward).

Figure 5. Leaf spots of rose can appear similar. Black spot lesions are circular with feathery edges (left, photo by J. Hartman). Cercospora spots have dark halos with light centers (right, photo by A. Windham). Downy mildew infections often cause blotches, not spots (center, photo by D. Hull).

Loblolly Pine Sawfly By Lee Townsend and Jody Thompson (KY Division of Forestry) Reports of feeding by the loblolly pine sawfly came in from western Kentucky late last week. This species is an important defoliator of loblolly and short leaf pine in the southeast. Significant defoliation in early spring can reduce tree growth and vigor but usually does not directly cause tree death.
Figure 6. Loblolly pine sawflies light and dark individuals on truck (photo by S. Rogers, KDF).

pets, these companion animals bring ticks into yards and living spaces. Consequently, protecting pets from ticks also provides benefits for owners.

Figure 7. Dozens of lone star ticks attached to a small area on the belly of this pup. Ticks also were abundant in the ears and between the toes.

The dull green caterpillar-like larvae have brown heads and black stripes running along the sides of their bodies. At first, clusters of them feed on soft outer tissue of old growth needles so the remains of them turn reddish brown. Larger larvae feed by themselves and consume entire needles except for a small stub. Full grown larvae (about 1 inch long) drop to the ground and spin individual cocoons in soil and leaf litter. There is one generation each year.

A prevention product is a good investment for pets with frequent exposure to ticks. Some examples are listed below by application method. Many also control fleas and some are effective against mites and internal parasites. All are listed by brand name along with the common names of the active ingredients and length of protection according to the label. An insect growth regulator (IGR) is often included for enhanced flea control. In some cases, the same formulation may be used on both dogs and cats but several have specific dog or cat products. Pyrethroid insecticides, such as permethrin, are toxic to cats and are present in dog only products. Products containing permethrin should not be used in households with cats and dogs to prevent the chance of harm to cats. ________________________________________ Collars - Dogs only- Active ingredients in insecticidal collars are spread over the coat in skin oils. It may take several days for the product to move enough to provide complete body coverage. Preventic Tick Collar -Amitraz up to 3 months Scalibor Protector Band -Deltamethrin 6 months (Available through veterinarians only) Sentry Pro Flea & Tick Collar -Propoxur, phenonthrin + pyripoxyfen (IGR) 6 months ________________________________________

PETS Protecting Pets from Ticks By Lee Townsend Pets, especially dogs, can easily pick up dozens of ticks as they wander in overgrown areas. Lone star ticks and American dog ticks are most common and can be active from spring into early fall. In addition to irritation and potential health threat to

Spot on (Dogs only and 1 month protection unless stated otherwise) The active ingredients in spot on applications is usually applied between the shoulders and spreads over the coat in skin oils. It may take several days for the product to move enough to provide complete body coverage. Adams Flea & Tick Spot -etofenprox + synergist + methoprene (IGR) Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick -etofenprox + synergist + methoprene (IGR) Certifect -fipronil, methoprene, amitraz Frontline Plus, PetArmor, Fiproguard -fipronil: dogs, cats, puppies, kittens but products vary - see label K9 Advantix -imidacloprid + permethrin (Available through veterinarians only) K9 Advantix II -imidacloprid + permethrin + pyrioxyfen (IGR) Sentry Pro Squeeze-On Flea & Tick -permethrin + pyripoxyfen (IGR) 9 weeks ________________________________________ Shampoo / Wash -Dogs onlyAdams Plus Flea % Tick Shampoo pyrethrins + synergist + pyriproxyfen (IGR) 7 to 14 days Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo permethrin + synergist 10 days Removing a tick from a pet is the same as removing one from a person: 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. 3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS By Julie Beale and Paul Bachi Agronomic samples last week included stripe rust on wheat; leaf rust on oat and spelt; and Rhizoctonia damping off on tobacco seedlings. On fruit and vegetable samples, we have diagnosed Phytophthora crown rot and crown gall on blueberry; anthracnose crown rot on strawberry; Armillaria root rot on apple; fire blight on pear; blue mold rot (Penicillium) on asparagus crowns; Pythium root rot on lettuce; and timber rot on tomato. On ornamentals, we have seen Volutella blight on pachysandra; bacterial soft rot on peony; Phyllosticta leaf spot on mahonia; Coniothyrium leaf spot on yucca; downy mildew and powdery mildew on rose; and Botryosphaeria canker on maple.

INSECT TRAP COUNTS April 5 - 12 Location Black cutworm Armyworm Corn earworm European corn borer Southwestern corn borer Fall armyworm Princeton, KY 0 3 0 0 0 0

Graphs of insect trap counts for the 2012 season are available on the IPM web site at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/ipm.htm. View trap counts for Fulton County, Kentucky at http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fulton/InsectTraps

Note: Trade names are used to simplify the information presented in this newsletter. No endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named.