Landscape Message: March 31, 2017

UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.

To read individual sections of the message, click on the section headings below to expand the content:

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Scouting Information by Region

Environmental Data

The following data was collected on or about March 29. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2017 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

Region/Location	GDD		Soil Temp (°F at 4" depth)		Precipitation (2-Week Gain)	Time/Date of Readings
	2-Week Gain	2017 Total	Sun	Shade
Cape Cod	0	16	43	42	0.59	12:00 PM 3/29
Southeast	0	18	40	41	1.04	-
North Shore	0	28	37	31	1.33	9:45 AM 3/29
East	0	34	43	42	1.34	4:00 PM 3/29
Metro West	0	22.5	36	32	2.10	7:25 AM 3/29
Central	0	22	39	under snow	1.85	2:00 PM 3/29
Pioneer Valley	0	16	41	39	1.63	12:00 PM 3/29
Berkshires	2	12	39	36	1.00	9:45 AM 3/29
AVERAGE	0	22	40	37	1.41	-
n/a = information not available

Drought Conditions Update: Greater than 98% of Massachusetts is currently under official drought status, of that approximately 98% of the Commonwealth is classified as at least 'Abnormally Dry', 67% is classified as 'Moderate Drought', and approximately 15% is classified as 'Severe Drought'.  For more information see http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA.

Phenology

Phenological indicators are a visual tool for correlating plant development with pest development. The following are indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed for this period:

Indicator Plants - Stages of Flowering (BEGIN, BEGIN/FULL, FULL, FULL/END, END)
PLANT NAME (Botanic/ Common)	CAPE	S.E.	N.S.	EAST	METRO W.	CENT.	P.V.	BERK.
Pieris japonica (Japanese Pieris)	Begin	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Cornus mas (Corneliancherry Dogwood)	Begin	*	Begin	Begin	Begin	Begin/Full	Begin/Full	Begin
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)	Begin	*	*	Begin	Begin	*	Begin	*
Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple)	Begin	*	*	End	Begin	*	Full/End	*
Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witchazel)	End	*	Full/End	End	Full/End	Full/End	Full/End	Full/End
Hamamelis x intermedia (Witchhazel hybrids)	Full/End	*	Full/End	End	Full/End	Full/End	End	Full/End

Regional Notes

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)

General Conditions: So far, March's average temperature is 2-3 degrees cooler than either January or February. The average temperature for the past two weeks is 36° F with a low of 19° F on March 23 and a high of 53° F on March 21. March 24-29 was predominantly cloudy or overcast. Approximately half an inch of precipitation fell between March 27-29. Prior to the precipitation soils were on the dry side. Other blooming plants include Winter daphne, Daphne odora, Lenten rose, Helleborus spp., Crocus, Crocus spp., and Snowdrops, Galanthus spp.

Pests/Problems: Some daylilies, Hemerocallis spp. specifically those in which spring cleanup occurred before the cold temperatures of early March, show signs of freeze damage to foliage. Some Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars show minor damage to terminal buds either from cold or possibly desiccation. Winter moth eggs have yet to initiate color change and are still orange. Weeds seen in flower: Whitlow grass, Draba verna, Bittercress, Cardamine hirsuta, Chickweed, Stellaria media and Speedwell, Veronica spp.

Southeast Region (Hanson)

No report available this week.  Hanson has 177 base 40º growing degree days.

North Shore Region (Beverly)

General Conditions: March has been unseasonably cold. Although official spring arrived last week it doesn't feel like spring. High temperatures were in the high 30s and low 40s and low temperatures were in the 20s and high teens. In the two weeks since the last Landscape Message we had very variable weather on the North Shore (Long Hill). We experienced both rain and snow. There was snow on the ground until a few days ago. The soils are very moist and are not suitable to be worked until they dry out. The steady cold temperatures in the last two weeks have held plants from blooming and the plants in bloom have held their flowers for a relatively long time. Woody plants in bloom or beginning to at Long Hill include: Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas), Chinese witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis), Arnold promise witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia), Goat willow (Salix caprea) and February daphne (Daphne mezereum). Early spring flowering bulbs seen in bloom include: Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) and Puschkinia (Puschkinia libanotica), Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa) and Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.). Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) bloomed earlier but were killed by frost. Some white Tommy crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) are also starting to bloom.

Pests/Problems: There is no pest activity or damage observed. There was some slight deer browsing observed. Due to ice and strong winds a few weeks ago there was some limb breakage on a goat willow tree (Salix caprea). Ash decline disease killed a large ash tree. There was branch dieback until much of the tree was dead and had to be cut down.

East Region (Boston)

General Conditions: Not much has changed in the landscape over the last two weeks. Most of the snow that fell on the 14^th has melted away although some snow cover remains in densely shaded areas and remnant piles from plowing and shoveling persist. Temperatures have been below average over the last 2 weeks; lows averaged 26° F while highs averaged 41° F. We did reach the low 50s on the 20^th and 21^st, but since then temperatures have remained in the high 30s and low 40s. Cool and cloudy conditions with regular showers have prevailed over the last 6 days accounting for 1.34 inches of much needed precipitation bringing the monthly total to 3.14 inches thus far. We have gained zero GDDs and remain at 34. Cooler temperatures have slowed bud swelling, as many plants seem to be on hold for the moment. Even bulbs and perennials are emerging at a slow pace. Scilla siberica (Siberian squill) continues to emerge and slowly flower while Petasites japonicus (fuki), Petasites hybridus (butterbur), and Symplocarpus foetidus (skunk cabbage) are emerging but have yet to flower. Turf is greening up. Migrating Canadian geese have returned to our ponds, arriving on March 24^th; red-winged blackbirds have made their spring appearance.

Pests/Problems: Recent precipitation has left the soil moist and quite muddy. Despite this, we remain in a moderate drought. Now that the snow has melted, downed limbs and branches from winter storms litter the ground. We have observed minor deer browse and fresh rabbit damage since the last report. There are no noticeable weeds in flower. Biennials, Chelidonium majus (greater celandine) and Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) rosettes continue to emerge. The invasive spring ephemeral Ficaria verna (lesser celandine) has fully emerged but has yet to produce any flowers. Allium vineale (wild garlic) remains visible throughout the landscape.

Metro West (Acton)

General Conditions: Spring arrived last week and brought with it a couple of warm days in the low to mid 50’s. Sincethe last report, two weeks ago, there has not been any gain in growing degree-days or any extremes in temperatures. A high of 55° was recorded on the 22^nd and a low of 12° was recorded on the 18^th. Weather has been pretty typical for spring, cool, windy, and wet and what is spring without a little bit of snow so there is snow in the forecast for the end of the week! Average rainfall for the month of March is 4.83” and the total for this month so far is 2.10”. (There are 3 days remaining in the month.) Despite the rain, snow is still covering the ground in areas, as much as a few inches in some parts and even more where the snow removal equipment placed it. In bloom at this time are: Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood), C. officinalis (Japanese Cornelian Cherry), Erica sp. (Heath), Hamamelis × intermedia 'Arnold Promise' (Arnold Promise Witch hazel), and H. × intermedia 'Diane' (Diane Witch hazel). The following bulbs and herbaceous plants in bloom are: Adonis amurensis (Adonis), Crocus spp. (Crocus), Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop), Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose), Petasites japonicus (Japanese Butterbur), and Symplocarpus foetidus (Skunk Cabbage).

Pests/Problems: Ticks are active, as well as rabbits. Draba verna (Spring Whitlow Grass) and Lamium purpureum (Purple Deadnettle), both winter annual weeds are in bloom. Pinus strobus (White Pine) are badly discolored for a second year in a row due to a number of factors including scales and stress. The landscape is littered with large and small woody debris that has yet to be cleaned up from the winter storms and strong winds. Now that the snow is melting, it is exposing more of it and making it easier and safer for clean up.

Central Region (Boylston)

General Conditions: After three months of above average warmth the cooler than normal March temperatures seemed inordinately challenging. Patches of snow from the 13” dropped on the 14th of March persist in sunny areas, with deeper patches in the shade. Where exposed the soils and turf are waterlogged after 5 days of inclement weather. Buds are swelling on maples and elms, herbaceous Adonis amurensis continues to bloom, as do snowdrops and winter aconite. Pussy Willows, including Giant Pussy Willow (Salix chaenomeloides), Black Pussy Willow (S. gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys;) and our native Pussy Willow (S. discolor) are in full bloom.

Pests/Problems: Damage to bulb and perennial foliage which emerged early is now evident. The tips of Narcissus, tulip and crocus foliage have been damaged, and the previously glorious blooms of Jasminum nudiflorum are now hanging like wet tissues after the cold weather. Vole damage is now apparent as the snow recedes, and deer are quite active.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)

General Conditions: It would appear that the shackles of winter have been loosened for good during this past reporting period as temperatures warmed and snow melted. That being said, there is potential for significant accumulations of wet, heavy snow in the western and northern Connecticut Valley on Friday 3/31 and Saturday 4/1. The snow from the mid-March nor’easter is mostly gone from landscape settings at the time of writing, except for lingering piles and heavily shaded settings. In the forest, snow amounts are much higher, especially where conifer canopies have shielded sunlight. Conditions were dry for much of the reporting period until the very end when steady rains fell across much of southern New England on 3/27 & 3/28. Most weather stations in the area recorded over 1.5″ during these two days. Already wet soils are now fully saturated and we can only hope this trend persists well into May. High temperatures spiked towards 60° F on 3/20 and 3/21 but have predominantly lingered in the upper 30s to upper 40s. Anything above freezing is more or less welcome at this point of the season, as this cool spring marches on. Soil temperatures are hovering around 40° F but turf grasses are noticeably greening in open settings. The desire to get outside in the yard can result in compaction given the high levels of soil moisture at present. Despite the wealth of soil precipitation at present, drought conditions could return this summer. With the memory of water bans and parched landscape plants still fresh on our minds, establishing a set of rain barrels can help to mitigate water needs. Many municipalities are now offering rain barrels for sale at discounted prices and spring is a good time for installation as their setup often requires tweaking to optimize positioning and management of overflow. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows some slight, but meaningful, easing of drought conditions in the Commonwealth (http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA). The Pioneer Valley continues to exhibit the worst of the classifications but this should continue to lessen with forecasted rain (and possibly heavy, wet snow) over the coming week.

Pests/Problems: The melting of the nor’easter snow revealed additional damage in turf and ornamental beds from voles and moles. Rabbits and deer are both very active right now, browsing on a wide variety of landscape ornamentals. Feeding repellents should be used on trees and shrubs in cases where deer are repeatedly returning to browse. Early spring annuals that were buried in snow from the nor’easter continue to grow but may have bent stems and freeze injury after enduring bitterly cold temperatures after the late February warmup. With April set to begin, begin scouting for the white pine weevil on susceptible conifers (eastern white pine and Norway spruce). Young, open grown trees are most susceptible to infestation of the main leader. Once temperatures reach and surpass 60° F, look for the dark brown-colored weevils near the terminal buds. While this common pest does not kill trees, it can seriously disfigure them. With the increased focus on eastern white pine problems, questions about the pine bark adelgid are becoming more common. Populations of PBA appear to be increasing on landscape and forest trees but damage from this pest is minimal and management is only warranted in extreme cases. This insect pest is very conspicuous on trunks, branches and small stems by the white, woolly masses that are produced. On cherries and crabapples, scout for black-colored egg masses of the eastern tent caterpillar and destroy them. These metallic-tinged eggs will encircle small diameter stems.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)

General Conditions: Daytime temperatures have been below historical average on 11 of the past 14 days and night time temperatures have been below normal average on 8 of the 14 days. Most of the 15+ inches of snow which fell on March 14^th has receded but the % snow cover on open fields ranges 0 to 25%, while in woodlands, the % cover ranges from 50 to 80%. Though there is some standing water in a few locations, this is likely more a consequence of a poorly draining site than from frost in the ground. It does not appear that there is any frost in the ground at this time. Yet, the soil in all areas has a high moisture content and in most cases is saturated. It is best to refrain from any kind of traffic on turf and garden areas. Traversing these sites can lead to compaction of soil which reduces drainage capability of soil and interferes with root development of turfgrass and other vegetation. Besides the indicator plants indicated above, plants observed in bloom are: snowdrops (Galanthus sp.), winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), Iris danfordiae, and Helleborus niger. All had been flattened by the deep snow but most have recovered to some extent.

Pests/Problems: Deer browsing continues to be a big problem in managed landscapes as food sources in the wild are very limited. Rodent (rabbit and vole) browsing is also evident. Deer ticks are active though the number of attachments to outdoor workers and trekkers is much less than that reported during the warm spells of February and early March. Bear activity is high and sightings throughout the Berkshires have been frequent. Bears have been most active at night and in home grounds, especially where garbage cans and bird feeders are accessible to the bears. High winds on several days these past two weeks have resulted in many downed limbs and a few fallen trunks, especially from trees with multiple trunks and narrow crotch angles.

Regional Scouting Credits

• CAPE COD REGION - Russell Norton, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, reporting from Barnstable.
• SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Plymouth County - Retired, reporting from Hanson.
• NORTH SHORE REGION - Geoffrey Njue, Green Industry Specialist, UMass Extension, reporting from the Long Hill Reservation, Beverly.
• EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists, reporting from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain.
• METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
• CENTRAL REGION  -  Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, reporting from the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.
• PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting from UMass Amherst.
• BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.

Woody Ornamentals

Diseases

Recent pests and pathogens of interest seen in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab:

Marginal leaf browning and blotching of American holly (Ilex opaca) caused by Phyllosticta. Tree is approximately 20-years-old and has been present at the site for 15 years. In late February, there was a sudden drop of foliage while an adjacent holly was unaffected. Drought from 2016 is a potential predisposing stress. Phyllosticta is very common on holly and is most abundant early in the season while it colonizes foliage damaged by cold injury.

Canopy dieback and premature needle shedding of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) caused by drought and wind desiccation. The tree is approximately 10-years-old and was planted roughly eight years ago. The setting has partial shade but is windy and soils are sandy. Supplemental irrigation is not provided and in previous years the tree appeared relatively healthy. There was no sign of adelgid or elongate scale. However, there was a spider mite infestation and secondary needle blight caused by Rhizosphaera present on the submitted branch sections.

Rhizosphaera needle cast of white spruce (Picea glauca). Tree is approximately 15-years-old and has been present at the site for many years. Over the winter months, needles became pale green and shoot tips died. The injury appeared abiotic at first, perhaps the result of drought stress as soils are sandy in this location. Rhizosphaera was abundant on needles from the submitted branch segments and likely interacted with drought to weaken and subsequently kill the needles. No stem cankering fungi were detected.

Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst.

Insects

Woody ornamental insect and non-insect arthropod pests to consider, a selected few:

• Chilli Thrips: *A non-native insect has been confirmed in Massachusetts for the first time.* The non-native, exotic chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) has been recently confirmed from two samples of damaged Hydrangea spp. foliage from two residential landscapes located in Barnstable County, MA submitted to the UMass Plant Diagnostics Laboratory. At this time, this pest has not been confirmed in nurseries or greenhouses in Massachusetts or on any other host plants. Due to the limited number of samples, the significance of chilli thrips in Massachusetts is not yet known. This species of thrips is a significant global pest of economically important ornamental, vegetable, and fruit crops in southern and eastern Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa. It was first determined to be established in the United States in 2005 in Florida, although previous interceptions of this pest were detected. It is reportedly a pest of over 100 host plants belonging to over 40 plant families, including, but not limited to, pepper, strawberry, blueberry, cotton, rose, peanut, Japanese privet, Rhododendron spp., Viburnum spp., eggplant, grapes, melon, tobacco, and tomato. For more information, please visit this Chilli Thrips Fact Sheet (https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/chilli-thrips) available on the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program web page.

• Winter Moth: Operophtera brumata. The eggs of this insect, laid by the females who emerged in November of 2016 and were active through the winter months (mainly November through December when temperatures are above freezing) are currently present in the landscape and hidden in cracks and crevices of bark or beneath lichen on host plants such as oak, maple, apple, blueberry, crabapple, etc. Eggs are tiny and green when first laid, but quickly turn a red-orange color soon after. At this time, anyone monitoring winter moth eggs will most likely see that they are orange in color. As the egg develops, it will turn a bright blue color, shortly prior to egg hatch. For more information about the life cycle and management of winter moth, please visit this newly updated (March, 2017) fact sheet: Winter Moth Identification and Management ( https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-identification-management ).

According to reports, winter moth eggs in Rhode Island (Heather Faubert, University of Rhode Island) and eastern Massachusetts (Dr. Joseph Elkinton, University of Massachusetts) are still orange at this time. As of 3/29/2017, egg color change indicating winter moth egg hatch and caterpillar arrival has not yet been observed. While some areas in eastern Massachusetts, where winter moth is problematic, may have accumulated enough growing degree days to indicate the possibility of the beginning of winter moth egg hatch, using that method to predict this particular insect’s development is complicated and as always monitoring development in the field should always accompany using growing degree days to predict insect development. As one could imagine, although we recently experienced in the month of February record-breaking, above average temperatures, were winter moth eggs to hatch at this time, they would not arrive in the most favorable of conditions thanks to previous snowfall and much colder temperatures this month. We will continue to monitor winter moth egg development and will report any color changes indicating the beginning of egg hatch in the next Landscape Message due April 7^th.

For more information about using growing degree days to predict insect development, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/growing-degree-days-for-management-of-insect-pests-in-landscape .

Continued monitoring of winter moth egg development is needed at this time, especially for blueberry and apple growers looking to manage winter moth caterpillars early before damage to the buds can occur. For individuals managing winter moth in ornamental plants, depending on the active ingredient being used, waiting until host plant leaves open completely may be important for management, particularly if Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Btk) is the active ingredient of choice. Btk must be ingested by actively feeding, young caterpillars to be effective. Applying Btk to closed buds for winter moth management will not have the desired effect. The Elkinton Lab has reported that the number of pupating winter moth in 2016 (at their study sites) was much lower than what has been observed in previous years. Reports from Hanson, MA indicate fewer winter moth eggs are present on monitored trees than in previous years. Hopefully this will translate into fewer caterpillars at least for some areas in Massachusetts this year, however one should not expect them (or the damage they cause) to completely disappear in 2017.

Winter moth is a non-native insect that was identified in Massachusetts for the first time in 2003 following persistent reports of defoliation in eastern areas of the state such as Cape Anne and on the North Shore near Cohasset, Hingham, and Rockland on the South Shore in the late 1990’s. For more detailed information about the history of this insect pest in North America and Massachusetts, please visit the newly updated (March, 2017) fact sheet: Winter Moth in Massachusetts: History and Biological Control (https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-in-massachusetts-history-biological-control).

This fact sheet also includes updates regarding the progress of the work of Dr. Joseph Elkinton’s laboratory group at the University of Massachusetts and their efforts towards the biological control of winter moth using Cyzenis albicans, a tachinid fly. The fly parasitizes the caterpillars of winter moth specifically. In other areas, such as Nova Scotia where winter moth was also problematic, this fly used for biological control has been successful in reducing winter moth to a non-pest. C. albicans has been released across 41 sites in Massachusetts and has been established in at least 17 of those sites as evidenced through the recovery of flies in winter moth in subsequent years. In one site in Wellesley, these flies have been observed to be spreading from the initial release location and their populations have increased alongside an observed decrease in the winter moth population there. For more information, please visit the above mentioned fact sheet.

• Gypsy Moth: Lymantria dispar egg masses laid by female moths in 2016 can be seen at this time. This is the stage of the insect that overwinters. Egg masses are “fuzzy” or hairy and brownish-tan in color. Each egg mass can hold up to 500-1000 eggs. These masses may be found on host plant trunks and branches such as oak (favored), maple, birch, poplar, and many others, but are also laid on inanimate objects including the surfaces of homes, outdoor furniture, camping equipment, firewood piles, etc. This may make the accidental movement of gypsy moth egg masses possible.

Egg hatch for this insect is also not yet upon us, and occurs after winter moth egg hatch. (Note: winter moth and gypsy moth share some common host plants. Therefore, where populations of these two insects overlap in Massachusetts, the same tree may be defoliated by winter moth and then again by gypsy moth following in the same season.) Gypsy moth egg hatch typically occurs between 90-100 growing degree days, using a base of 50° F, average temperatures, and a March 1^st start date. This is usually around the first week in May in Massachusetts, but variations in temperature may lead to early egg hatch in the last week in April. This can also coincide with serviceberry (Amelanchier) bloom. After egg hatch occurs, groups of tiny gypsy moth caterpillars may remain on their egg mass just before crawling to the canopy of their host plant, where they can disperse using a technique known as “ballooning”. Ballooning occurs when very young caterpillars spin a silken thread and catch the wind to blow onto a new host plant once the thread breaks. This method of dispersal can lead to host plants becoming defoliated that previously did not have egg masses directly on them, however egg masses may be present on nearby oaks, for example, and provide a local population of caterpillars.

Patchy areas across mostly central and eastern Massachusetts experienced elevated populations of gypsy moth and significant amounts of defoliation in 2016 (see the Insects section of the archived 2016 Landscape Messages between April 29 and July 29). The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation aerially mapped approximately 350,000 acres of defoliation across Massachusetts last year, attributed to gypsy moth. State officials warn the public about another year of defoliation from gypsy moth as predicted for 2017: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/pr-2017/another-year-of-defoliation-from-gypsy-moth-in-2017.html . That web page also links to a map of the 2016 defoliation from gypsy moth, which may provide a reference regarding areas that may be impacted by this insect again in 2017. To prepare for this insect, now (and before the last week in April) is a great time to scout the landscape and count the number of gypsy moth egg masses present not only on valuable landscape specimens that are hosts for this insect, but on nearby forested hosts such as oak which might provide sources of ballooning caterpillars. Egg mass counts can help us make decisions regarding whether or not to manage for this insect. Some individuals also use this opportunity to scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water, although this is time consuming and some egg masses will be missed.

We can hope for elevated rainfall in the months of May and June, which helps facilitate the successful infection of younger gypsy moth caterpillars with the insect-killing fungus Entomophaga maimaiga. This fungus is currently overwintering in the soil litter in tough, protected asexual resting spores, which can survive in this state for years. Having lacked much precipitation most recently during the springs of 2015 and 2016, it is thought that our current expanding populations of gypsy moth are at least in part a result of a lack of infection in the caterpillar population by this fungus. Hopefully Massachusetts will see more normal rainfall amounts this season. Only time will tell.

We can also hope areas in Massachusetts that do not have large numbers of gypsy moth egg masses present at this time and did not experience much gypsy moth defoliation last year (areas such as most of Berkshire County) will be mostly spared in 2017 in comparison to those areas who suffered last year in central and eastern Massachusetts. At this time, monitoring susceptible hosts for gypsy moth egg masses and educating and reminding ourselves about this invasive insect that has a long history in the state is the best way to plan for management this season. For more information about gypsy moth, please visit: http://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/gypsy-moth and return to the Landscape Message for timely updates about this pest and others throughout the season.

• Asian Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB: Look for signs of an ALB infestation which include perfectly round exit holes (about the size of a dime), shallow oval or round scars in the bark where a female has chewed an egg site, or sawdust-like frass (excrement) on the ground nearby host trees or caught in between branches. These particular signs of damage from the beetle may be more visible at this time of year, when host trees such as maples are leafless. Be advised that other, native insects may create perfectly round exit holes or sawdust-like frass, which can be confused with signs of ALB activity.

The regulated area for Asian longhorned beetle is 110 miles² encompassing Worcester, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and parts of Holden and Auburn. If you believe you have seen damage caused by this insect, such as exit holes or egg sites, on susceptible host trees like maple, please call the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program office in Worcester, MA at 508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938. Adult insects of this species will not be present at this time of year.

To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb/report.

• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Agrilus planipennis readily attacks ash (Fraxinus spp.) including white, green, and black ash and has also been found developing in white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus). Adult insects of this species will not be present at this time of year. Signs of an EAB infested tree may include (at this time) D-shaped exit holes in the bark (from adult emergence in previous years), “blonding” or lighter coloration of the ash bark from woodpecker feeding (chipping away of the bark as they search for larvae beneath), and serpentine galleries visible through splits in the bark, from larval feeding beneath. Positive identification of an EAB-infested tree may not be possible with these signs individually on their own.

For a map of the known locations of emerald ash borer in the state, as well as further information about this insect, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/emerald-ash-borer. If you believe you have located EAB-infested ash trees, particularly in an area of Massachusetts not identified on the map provided, please follow the instructions below.

Concerned that you may have found an invasive insect or suspicious damage caused by one? Need to report a pest sighting? If so, please visit the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project: http://massnrc.org/pests/pestreports.htm.

A note about Tick Awareness: deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) are all found throughout Massachusetts. Each can carry their own complement of diseases. Anyone working in tick habitats (wood-line areas, forested areas, and landscaped areas with ground cover) should check themselves regularly for ticks while practicing preventative measures. Have a tick and need it tested? Visit the web page of the UMass Laboratory of Medical Zoology (www.tickdiseases.org) and click on the red Test a Tick button for more information.

Report by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program

Management Practices

Plant of the week: Ilex glabra, inkberry

Ilex glabra is native to the coastal plain of eastern North America. This broadleaved evergreen has a rounded, upright form but can become leggy with age. Inkberries are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. A male pollinator is needed for female plants to produce the berry-like drupes that give the plant its common name. Plants have green-white flowers in spring which are not ornamental. Leaves are elliptical, glossy dark green. Leaves usually have two notches near the apex. Cultivars, such as ‘Compacta’ and ‘Shamrock’, can have more compact, less leggy form than the species. Root suckers need pruned if spreading is not wanted. Ilex glabra is a good choice for shrub borders, foundation plantings, rain gardens, or in wet sites. Leaf burn can be a problem in exposed locations during winter. Plants can suffer from chlorosis in high pH soils. Plants are best grown in medium to wet soil in full sun to part shade with best performance in an acidic soil in full sun, but are also tolerant of shade.

Report by Mandy Bayer, Extension Assistant Professor of Sustainable Landscape Horticulture, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture

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