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Landscape Message: March 19, 2021

March 19, 2021
Issue: 
1

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.

Happy Spring! Welcome to the first issue of the Landscape Message for the 2021 seasonThe Landscape Message will be updated weekly in April. The next message will be posted on April 9. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list 

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


Scouting Information by Region

Environmental Data

The following data was collected on or about March 17, 2021. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via regional NEWA stations for the 2021 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
(inches, rainfall equivalent)

Time/Date of Readings
2020 Total 2021 Current   Sun Shade Since 1/1 Since 3/1

Cape Cod

2968 6 35 33 6.99 0.38 12:00 PM 3/17

Southeast

3057 4 51 34 5.95 0.37 4:00 PM 3/17

North Shore

2947 9.5 36 34 4.35 0.31 10:30 AM 3/17

East

3216.5 8 50 39 4.59 0.15 4:00 PM 3/17

Metro West

2866 3 40 35 5.52 0.18 2:00 PM 3/17

Central

2947 5 * 29 3.35 0.46 2:30 PM 3/17

Pioneer Valley

2867 5.5 37 35 4.75 0.21 12:00 PM 3/17

Berkshires

2550 0 35 frozen 3.68 0.22 8:30 AM 3/17

AVERAGE

2927 5 41 34 4.90 0.38 -

n/a = information not available

Phenology

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.

Hamamelis x intermedia (witchhazel hybrids)

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Begin/Full

Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witchhazel)

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Begin/Full

Acer saccharinum (silver maple)

Begin

Begin

Begin

Begin

Begin

Begin

Begin

*

* = no activity to report/information not available

Regional Notes

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)

Month

Average ˚F

High ˚F

Low ˚F

Precip

Dec 2020

39.3

62 on 12/13

18 on 12/30

6.81

Jan 2021

33.6

52 on 1/16

11 on 1/29

2.76

Feb 2021

33.6

56 on 2/16

15 on 2/9

3.85

Mar 2021 thru 3/17

35.3

67 on 3/12

16 on 3/2

0.38

General Conditions: Overall, the period from December to now seemed to be relatively normal, maybe a little on the mild side. The weather has fluctuated for much of the winter with the typical pattern being several days of mild weather followed by one or two much colder days. Most of December through February was gray with very few stretches of sunny days. March on the other hand, has seen primarily sunny days. Precipitation has been mixed for much of the winter with rain, snow and mixed precipitation events that gave more rain than snow. In the upper and mid Cape area, snow did remain on the ground for a couple of weeks at one point. Soils did freeze in the upper and mid Cape area to a depth of about 4 inches. There were several winter storms that had precipitation and high winds leading to some tree damage. Several of the storms had heavy wet snow which also damaged some shrubs, splitting branches or stems. Snowdrops are in bloom as are crocuses with southern exposures. Hellebores flowers are visible but not yet open and some witchhazels are showing a great display.

Pests/Problems: The primary issues seen in the landscape are associated with the drought conditions that persisted into the fall. Arborvitae, especially younger arborvitae, have been widely damaged with winter injury that was likely exacerbated by drought damage to the root systems. Rhododendrons are also showing a fair amount of dieback at this time. I expect winter injury and drought stress symptoms to become increasingly apparent as warmer sunny days return. Also expect damage to continue to show up well into early summer as water demand by plants increases. Snow molds were observed with the retreating snow in February. Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), chickweed (Stellaria media), and corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis) can be seen in bloom in protected locations. Rabbits can be seen in the evening munching on whatever they can find. Planning ahead, several small areas of fall cankerworm (easily mistaken for winter moth) have caused defoliation over the last two years in Barnstable County; no need for widespread control but something to keep an eye out for in the coming months. Winter moth and gypsy moth do not warrant control in 2021, unless growing apples or blueberries for production, and local monitoring suggests management is necessary to protect crops. Lecanium scale populations have decreased over the last year but still can be found in notable numbers on many trees. The stressful drought conditions of last summer and fall are likely to result in increased secondary attacks from both opportunistic fungi and insects. Oak mortality is likely to continue and worsen as a result of the 2020 drought conditions. White oak seems to be more severely impacted by the recent stresses than bear (Quercus ilicifolia) or black oaks. A great many pitch pine and white pine were impacted by black turpentine beetle last year and with the additional stresses of drought, I suspect a lot of black turpentine beetle damage will occur in 2021.

Southeast Region (Dighton)

General Conditions: Winter still holds us in an icy grip but signs of spring are all about. The songbirds are noticeably more prevalent and active in the past week or two. They all seem to be checking out and cleaning up nesting sites. Robins can be observed disputing the best worm foraging turf even though lawns are still brown. Flocks of red-winged blackbird bachelors are gathered, cackling and whistling to each other in local marshes. The herring have begun to run. I've observed a juvenile bald eagle being harassed by black-backed gulls on the Taunton River. Stoneflies, honey bees and cluster flies are active. The following plants are in bloom: Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witchhazel), Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Eranthis spp. (winter acconite), Crocus tommasinianus (early Crocus), Galanthus spp. (snow drops), Salix spp. (pussy willow) and S.gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (black pussy willow).

Pests/Problems: The meadow vole population seems to be high and is causing a lot of turf damage, especially during the short periods we had snow cover. Coyotes are also quite active. Cats account for about 20 percent of the urban coyote diet according to recent reports from the National Park Service.

North Shore (Beverly)

General Conditions: The year 2020 ended with seasonable temperatures in the low to mid 30s and light snow on the ground. Most of January was seasonable with an average daily temperature of 30˚F and little snow if any (0.43 inches precipitation). However, the last three days of January were very cold with temperatures in the low teens. The average daily temperature in February was also 30 ̊F. Most of the precipitation received so far this year fell in the month of February. A total of 3.61 inches of precipitation was received in February. In the month of March, 0.31 inches of precipitation has been received so far. Temperatures in the first half of March have been a mixture of below average and above average. The minimum temperature recorded was 12˚F and the maximum temperature recorded was 71 ̊F. Early spring flowering bulbs seen in bloom include winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), ‘Tommy’ Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) are also in bloom. Trees seen in bloom include:  ‘Arnold Promise’ witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia), Chinese witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Goat willow (Salix caprea) is just beginning to bloom.

Deer rubbing damage on the bark of a royal azalea shrubPests/Problems: Deer browsing damage was observed on young yews (Taxus sp.) and some Rhododendrons. Bark damage due to deer rubbing was also noted. Vole tunnels were seen on lawn areas. A strong wind storm at the beginning of March caused a lot of broken tree branches and fallen trees in the area. Most have been cleared away. 
 

East Region (Boston)

General Conditions: 2020 ended with a record-breaking Nor’easter delivering 14 inches of snow on the 16th and 17th. January was on the mild side as we had a 29-day run of above average temperatures ending on the 21st. January 23rd was the first day all season that daytime temperatures did not reach 32°F. January 29th was the coldest day since January 29, 2019. March has seen fluctuating temperatures with an extreme daytime high of 73˚F and a low of 27˚F. Witchhazel (Hamamelis spp.) can be seen in bloom throughout the landscape. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) have been popping up since February. Winter aconite (Eranthis spp.) and Crocus spp. are also blooming.

Pests/Problems: Storm damage debris is visible throughout the landscape. Rabbit and deer browse is evident along many borders. Dry conditions are a potential problem as March precipitation has been below average.

Metro West (Acton)

General Conditions: Spring is just a day away and signs of it are here! Galanthus spp. (snowdrops), Hamamelis x intermedia “cultivars” (witchhazel), and Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witchhazel) are all in bloom. Temperatures were recorded in the 70s and 60s last week. Buds are swelling on our maple trees; spring ephemerals are emerging from the soil and a great many plants will soon be in bloom! Another sure and hopeful sign of spring is the sight of buckets that have been out for over a week now, attached to maple trees to collect sap.

Pests/Problems: The landscape is littered with large and small woody debris that has yet to be cleaned up from the winter snow storms and recent strong wind events featuring wind gusts recorded up to 42 mph. With the warm weather last week, most of the snow has melted and has exposed rodent damage in the lawns and at the base of trees caused by mice, voles, moles and shrews. Mild drought conditions have been declared in the western part of the state. Let’s hope for rain in the coming days and weeks to alleviate any potential and further declaration of droughts in the state.

Central Region (Boylston)

General Conditions: Winter finally appears to be nearing the end (in spite of the forecast for snow later this week). Overall, it seemed rather typical - stretches of bitter cold, a decent amount of snow, and some pleasant, unseasonably warm days scattered throughout January, February, and March. Precipitation is low at just under 4 inches since the first of the year. Warmer temperatures last week melted most of the remaining snow, revealing bulb foliage and a few scattered species in bloom throughout the garden. Crocuses, hybrid and Chinese witch hazels, and a handful of hellebores are just getting started. The next several weeks will bring that explosion of spring blooms we all enjoy at this time of year.

Pests/Problems: Deer browsing activity has been consistent for several weeks. The recent intense wind storms brought down a lot of small woody debris, large branches, and a number of large trees. Spring cleanup is always expected in the garden, but there seems to be more fallen debris than usual at the close of winter, thanks to 60 mph gusts last week.

Pioneer Valley Region (Easthampton)

General Conditions: Welcome to the first installment of the Landscape Message for the 2021 season. In contrast to last year at this time, the UMass campus is open, albeit with numerous restrictions and a much smaller student population. While spring has not yet officially arrived in the Pioneer Valley, the landscape season has begun. Nursery stock is slowly starting to arrive, snowdrops and crocuses are flowering, bulbs are growing and spring-flowering witch hazels are in full bloom. The winter of ’20 - ‘21 saw a mixture of above-average and below-average temperatures along with plentiful snowfall for outdoor activities. Specifically, warmer than average temperatures were recorded in both December and January, in a repeat from the mild winter of ‘19–’20. After some significant snowfall in December, rain and balmy conditions around Christmas melted it all away. But when February arrived, the snow started piling up again and by mid-month, we were experiencing the deep cold that we usually expect in New England, with wind chill values dropping below zero on several nights. Unlike the previous winter, we had a moderate to deep snowpack for long stretches, providing the insulating cover for tree and shrub roots that we hope for. The colder than average temperatures have continued through the first half of March, which despite the cold has been dry and very sunny. We got a brief glimpse of the warmer spring weather that lies ahead, with high temperatures in the 60s and even 70s from 3/10 – 3/12. Then another arctic blast of cold air swept into the region, bringing gusty winds and highs only reaching the low 30s on 3/15. The brief mid-March warm-up melted most of the snow in the valley bottom but the snow still lingers in the hill towns, where there was more snow to melt in the first place. The dry conditions, bright sun and persistent winds have aided in drying things out, but mud season is far from over. Soils in full sun are moist to wet, but workable in many landscapes. However, in many shaded settings, the soil is still frozen so the thawing has been patchy to start the season. Early spring is a difficult time for landscaping, in that soil compaction can be a major issue if precautions aren’t taken. At the same time, the risk of compaction has to be weighed against the strong desire to get outside and start the work that needs to be done. This is why stone or mulch paths in the garden, where foot traffic can be funneled, are very helpful right now. Even individual stones placed in garden beds can be used as a “base” to work from. Sheets of plywood are also helpful in distributing weight if you’re working on the edge of beds. Early season transplanting of trees and shrubs has many advantages. Disentangling and distressing the roots of potted plants can be very stressful and addressing this need prior to budbreak can help to reduce the effects of transplant shock. Additionally, trees and shrubs can produce a considerable volume of new roots prior to June.

Pests/Problems: Despite the bitter cold temperatures in February, winter burn doesn’t appear to be a major issue at present. Winter burn has been observed on mature dwarf Alberta spruce, especially trees exposed to full sun that may have been drought-stressed. Scattered dead branches are also present in Rhododendrons but there doesn’t appear to be any widespread symptoms on broadleaved evergreens. Rodent feeding at the base of small diameter trees and shrubs became apparent as the snow melted. Deadwood and sanitation pruning is still advised at this time while pathogens and plants are still dormant.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)

General Conditions: March has rolled in with typical weather conditions, that is, a seesaw of cold and warm days. This has resulted in many freeze/thaw cycles for soils. Total precipitation for the year as of March 16 is 3.68 inches compared to the norm of 6.99 inches. Hopefully, this does not portend drought conditions through the growing season. Since January, there has been almost continuous snow cover but, except for the highest elevations, most of the snow has melted though some remains in shaded spots. The biggest concern this year thus far has been the occurrence of several high wind events which resulted in numerous toppled trees, broken branches, and temporary power outages. Wind gusts at times reached 60 mph. These events should have raised concerns about general tree health and structure. Except for cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia, there are no trees or shrubs in bloom. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are currently in bloom along with winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis). Shoots of Narcissus are poking through the ground but are far from flowering. In January, hellebore came into bloom in some protected sites warmed by winter sun. The combination of several warm days and melting snows has left soils in lawns and gardens saturated with moisture. It is important to avoid traversing these areas in order to prevent soil compaction.

Pests/Problems: As snows have melted, volcano-like mounds of soil can be seen on many lawns, a result of tunneling by voles. There’s not much one can do, other than leveling the mounds by raking. Deer ticks are already active and precautions should be taken when working landscapes and gardens on days with temperatures above freezing. Boxwood leaf miner larvae can be found in the leaves of boxwoods. Some pruning of infested plants later this spring and prior to emergence of adults can provide some control. Deer have been very active but most of the time they have been feeding on grass at this site. Snow mold can be seen on some lawns which were left with unmown grass late in the year and which had persistent snow cover since January.

Regional Scouting Credits

  • CAPE COD REGION - Russell Norton, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, reporting from Barnstable.
  • SOUTHEAST REGION - Brian McMahon, Arborist, reporting from the Dighton area.
  • 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 Boston area.
  • METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
  • CENTRAL REGION - Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture reporting from Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.
  • PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, temporarily reporting from Easthampton.
  • 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 (https://ag.umass.edu/services/plant-diagnostics-laboratory):

  • Stem cankering of arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) caused by Botryosphaeria. The shrub is young, approximately five to seven-years-old, and has been present at the site for only two years. The owner believed the plant was infested with the viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni), which can be a destructive pest of landscape viburnums. However, they confused the spore-bearing structures produced by Botryosphaeria (known as pycnidia) with leaf beetle egg masses. The stems were desiccated with stained vascular tissue, symptoms consistent with fungal cankering. The plant was treated well following transplanting but for reasons unknown, developed an outbreak of fungal cankering.
  • Needle blight of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) caused by Dothistroma septosporum and Septorioides strobi. The tree is 27-years-old and has been present at the site for 18 years. The arboretum setting includes a mix of sun and shade with compacted, clay soils that are lacking in organic matter. Earlier this year, brown needle tips were observed throughout the tree, giving it an overall scorched appearance. While hard pines are adapted to difficult sites, sandy, well-drained soils are preferred. Dothistroma is a well-known needle pathogen of hard pines but is not especially common in New England. Septorioides is one of the primary pathogens responsible for eastern white pine needle blight, but is capable of attacking hard pines as well.
  • Coral spot Nectria canker, caused by Nectria cinnabarina, of American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The tree is 80-years-old and resides on an open hillside in full sun with good loam soils. The tree had significant branch dieback with blistered, cracked and sloughing bark throughout the canopy. All deadwood was pruned and a phosphite trunk drench was performed in September of 2020. During pruning, the arborist noted small, mounded, orange to pink-colored spore masses present on the dead bark. The arborist suspected beech bark disease, which results in red-colored fruiting bodies that are similar in size and shape. Visual inspection of the tree revealed additional Nectria spore masses at the branch stubs. The tree has a very broad and open canopy, so the deadwood thinning and inoculum removal should dramatically reduce disease pressure. However, the pathogen can’t be eliminated from the canopy and new infections will develop in future years. With continued pruning and fungicide treatment, the disease can hopefully be controlled.
  • Marginal leaf browning of Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) caused by Phyllosticta. The plant is 70-years-old and resides in a large planter in a greenhouse. It has been present at the current location for 25 years. In late 2020, the plant exhibited marginal leaf browning and premature leaf shedding. No major stresses were identified as predisposing the tree and no pesticides had been used in previous years. The tree receives significant shade, which in combination with high humidity, may have allowed the foliar blight to develop.
  • Needle blight and canopy thinning of blue spruce (Picea pungens) caused by Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii and Stigmina lautii. Tree is approximately 25- to 30-years-old and has been present at the site for 15 years. The tree resides in full sun but the water table is high and soil drainage is poor. Over the last few years, needle shedding and branch dieback has become apparent. Both fungal pathogens prefer spruce and when they co-occur, persistent needle shedding over many years results in degraded aesthetics.
Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst.

Insects

Insects and Other Arthropods

Spring 2021 officially begins Saturday, March 20th!

Every year, spring seems to bring with it a feeling of hope. Green starts returning to the landscape. Eventually, familiar birds, insects, and spring peepers begin to make themselves known. It is my wish for everyone reading this that spring 2021 yet again brings you hope that lasts the whole year long.

Tracks in the snow from the kousa dogwood chewing culprit made identification of rabbits as the perpetrators of the damage simple. (Photo taken on 2/11/2021 in Chesterfield, MA; Simisky.) Chewing damage on kousa dogwood twig from rabbits. (Photo taken on 2/11/2021 in Chesterfield, MA; Simisky.) Chewing damage on kousa dogwood twigs and main stems from rabbits. (Photo taken on 2/24/2021 in Chesterfield, MA; Simisky.) Up here in the hilltowns of Hampshire County, MA there is still snow on the ground in patches and ice in particularly shaded areas, but much of the remnants of winter have begun to disappear. Very wet areas of the lawn are starting to turn green slowly and the rest remains brown, covered in sticks and twigs that have been knocked out of trees by recent strong wind gusts (March 12, 2021 – 49 mph; March 2, 2021 – 43.4 mph, accompanied by power outages). Additionally, large sections of lawn are disturbed by tunneling from moles and voles. Previously this winter, rabbits took advantage of deep snowpack to reach new heights and caused damage to a kousa dogwood.

To begin the season, while insect activity remains low and plants are still dormant, I want to take the time to provide a few updates regarding invasive, non-native insect pests of trees and shrubs. These updates will then be followed by a select few species that may be useful to include in your springtime scouting. But prior to that, a quick reminder about ticks, which are active any time temperatures are above freezing. Here’s to the very best in the 2021 growing season!

*Ixodes scapularis adults have been active all winter, as they typically are from October through May, and “quest” or search for hosts at any point when daytime temperatures are above freezing. Engorged females survive the winter and will lay 1,500+ eggs in the forest leaf litter beginning around Memorial Day (late May). For images of all deer tick life stages, along with an outline of the diseases they carry, visit: http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification/deer_tick .

Anyone working in the yard and garden on springtime cleanup and planting should be aware that there is the potential to encounter deer ticks. The deer tick or blacklegged tick can transmit Lyme disease, human babesiosis, human anaplasmosis, and other diseases. Preventative activities, such as daily tick checks, wearing appropriate clothing, and permethrin treatments for clothing (according to label instructions) can aid in reducing the risk that a tick will become attached to your body. If a tick cannot attach and feed, it will not transmit disease. For more information about personal protective measures, visit: http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/protect_yourself .

The UMass Laboratory of Medical Zoology is currently unable to accept samples for tick testing at this time. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides a list of potential tick identification and testing alternatives here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tick-identification-and-testing-services

*Note that deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are not the only disease-causing tick species found in Massachusetts. The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) are also found throughout MA. Each can carry their own complement of diseases, including others not mentioned above. Anyone working or playing in tick habitats (wood-line areas, forested areas, and landscaped areas with ground cover) should check themselves regularly for ticks while practicing preventative measures.

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

Invasive Insect Updates:

  • Spotted Lanternfly: (Lycorma delicatula, SLF) is not known to be established in Massachusetts landscapes at this time. However, due to the great ability of this insect to hitchhike using human-aided movement, it is important that we remain vigilant in Massachusetts and report any suspicious findings. Spotted lanternfly reports can be sent here: https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx .

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has recently released spotted lanternfly Best Management Practices for Nurseries and Landscapers: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/MANurseryBMPs.pdf

And Best Management Practices for Moving Companies and the Moving Industry: https://massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocuments/SLFChecklistMovingIndustryMA.pdf

Now is a great time to provide copies of these BMP’s to employees, customers, family, and friends! The more eyes we have out there looking for spotted lanternfly, the better. Spotted lanternfly egg masses overwinter, and are laid by these insects on just about any flat surface. Use the above BMP’s as a guide to help you inspect certain items coming from CT, DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, WV, and VA.

UMass Extension is teaming up with UMass Amherst’s Department of Environmental Conservation, the USDA APHIS, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to monitor for the spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts. A team including members of UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program, Extension’s Fruit Program, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, and the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass, Amherst are undertaking a nine-month integrated research and extension project to develop effective tools to detect the spotted lanternfly.

The researchers associated with this project (Dr. Joseph Elkinton, Dr. Jeremy Andersen and Dr. Jaime Pinero) will be working with Dr. Miriam Cooperband of the USDA APHIS lab on Cape Cod to identify and evaluate airborne attractants that can improve the ability to detect SLF in traps. Dr. Cooperband has identified several attractant lures released from host plants of SLF. She is currently working on pheromones produced by SLF that may be much more attractive. The UMass team will help her conduct field tests of these new lures, while also assisting the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) in monitoring for SLF in Massachusetts. UMass Extension Entomologist, Tawny Simisky, will periodically report on progress made during the course of this project. For more information, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/cafe/news/looking-for-spotted-lanternfly-recent-invasive-arrival

This insect is a member of the Order Hemiptera (true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids, and others) and the Family Fulgoridae, also known as planthoppers. The spotted lanternfly is a non-native species first detected in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania and confirmed on September 22, 2014.

For a map of known, established populations of SLF as well as detections outside of these areas where individual finds of spotted lanternfly have occurred (but no infestations are present), visit: https://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/

The spotted lanternfly is considered native to China, India, and Vietnam. It has been introduced as a non-native insect to South Korea and Japan, prior to its detection in the United States. In South Korea, it is considered invasive and a pest of grapes and peaches. The spotted lanternfly has been reported feeding on over 103 species of plants, according to new research (Barringer and Ciafré, 2020) and when including not only plants on which the insect feeds, but those that it will lay egg masses on, this number rises to 172. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) (preferred host), apple (Malus spp.), plum, cherry, peach, apricot (Prunus spp.), grape (Vitis spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), white ash (Fraxinus americana), willow (Salix spp.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), American linden (Tilia americana), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), big-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata), black birch (Betula lenta), black cherry (Prunus serotina), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), black walnut (Juglans nigra), dogwood (Cornus spp.), Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus), maple (Acer spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera).

The adults and immatures of this species damage host plants by feeding on sap from stems, leaves, and the trunks of trees. In the springtime in Pennsylvania (late April - mid-May) nymphs (immatures) are found on smaller plants and vines and new growth of trees and shrubs. Third and fourth instar nymphs migrate to the tree of heaven and are observed feeding on trunks and branches. Trees may be found with sap weeping from the wounds caused by the insect’s feeding. The sugary secretions (excrement) created by this insect may coat the host plant, later leading to the growth of sooty mold. Insects such as wasps, hornets, bees, and ants may also be attracted to the sugary waste created by the lanternflies, or sap weeping from open wounds in the host plant. Host plants have been described as giving off a fermented odor when this insect is present.

Adults are present by the middle of July in Pennsylvania and begin laying eggs by late September and continue laying eggs through late November and even early December in that state. Adults may be found on the trunks of trees such as the tree of heaven or other host plants growing in close proximity to them. Egg masses of this insect are gray in color and look similar in some ways to gypsy moth egg masses.

Host plants, bricks, stone, lawn furniture, recreational vehicles, and other smooth surfaces can be inspected for egg masses. Egg masses laid on outdoor residential items such as those listed above may pose the greatest threat for spreading this insect via human aided movement.

For more information about the spotted lanternfly, visit this fact sheet: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/spotted-lanternfly .

  • A pileated woodpecker feasting on overwintering emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark of this ash tree photographed in Lee, MA on 2/13/2021. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Packard.) Blonding (removal of the outer layer of bark) caused by pileated woodpeckers feasting on overwintering emerald ash borer larvae beneath the bark of this ash tree photographed in Lee, MA on 2/13/2021. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Packard.) Emerald Ash Borer: (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) Since the New Year, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has confirmed at least 6 new community detections of emerald ash borer in Massachusetts. To date, 11 out of the 14 counties in Massachusetts have confirmed emerald ash borer. (The remaining counties where EAB has yet to be detected are Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket.) A map of these locations and others previously known across the state may be found here: https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/emerald-ash-borer .

This wood-boring beetle readily attacks ash (Fraxinus spp.) including white, green, and black ash and has also been found developing in white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) and has been reported in cultivated olive (Olea europaea). 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. Blonding on EAB infested ash has been particularly noticeable this winter in certain areas of Hampshire and Berkshire counties. Trees have been so heavily fed upon by woodpeckers that this change in the color of ash tree bark can be seen even while driving. (Monitoring for EAB this way is not recommended while operating your vehicle.) Particularly striking photos of blonding on ash caused by pileated woodpeckers were shared with UMass Extension from Lee, MA, courtesy of Cindy Packard on 2/13/2021. It is interesting to note that woodpeckers are capable of eating 30-95% of the emerald ash borer larvae found in a single tree (Murphy et al. 2018). Unfortunately, despite high predation rates, EAB populations continue to grow.

For 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 report here: https://massnrc.org/pests/eabreport.htm .

  • Winter Moth: (Operophtera brumata) data since 2017 has indicated that the winter moth population in eastern Massachusetts has been on the decline while the percent of winter moth pupae parasitized by Cyzenis albicans has increased! This is excellent news, as it is data supporting the evidence that winter moth populations have decreased while the parasitic fly, C. albicans, has become established at many locations in New England. Dr. Joseph Elkinton’s laboratory at UMass Amherst has released this biological control of winter moth since 2005 and conducted the rigorous sampling required to determine where the insect has established and what its impact on the winter moth population has been at multiple sites in eastern MA. More information about the Elkinton Lab’s research and the biological control of winter moth can be found here: https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHAAST-2018-03_Biology_Control_Winter-Moth.pdf

The take-home point? Do not worry about winter moth this spring! In fact, management of this insect in landscaped settings will likely not be necessary in most locations. In recent years, it is worthwhile to note that some areas on the Cape and other locations in eastern MA have reported noticeable cankerworm populations in the spring, which are often confused for winter moth. Read more about cankerworms in the spring scouting list below.

  • Gypsy Moth:(Lymantria dispar) thanks to the gypsy moth caterpillar killing fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga, the recent outbreak of gypsy moth in Massachusetts has come to an end! Most locations in Massachusetts will not see damaging or even noticeable populations of this insect in 2021. Gypsy moth has been in Massachusetts since the 1860's. This invasive insect from Europe often goes unnoticed, thanks to population regulation provided by the entomopathogenic fungus, E. maimaiga, as well as a NPV virus specific to gypsy moth caterpillars. (And to a lesser extent many other organisms, including other insects, small mammals, and birds who feed on gypsy moth.) However, if environmental conditions do not favor the life cycle of the fungus, outbreaks of gypsy moth caterpillars are possible. (Such as most recently from 2015-2018, with a peak in the gypsy moth population in 2017 in Massachusetts.)

Check out Episode 1 of InsectXaminer to reminisce about the 2015-2018 outbreak of this insect: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/insectxaminer

  • 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. 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.

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 .

  • White Spotted Pine Sawyer (WSPS): Monochamus scutellatus adults can emerge in late May throughout July, depending on local temperatures. This is a native insect in Massachusetts and is usually not a pest. Larvae develop in weakened or recently dead conifers, particularly eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). However, the white spotted pine sawyer looks very similar to the invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB. ALB adults do not emerge in Massachusetts until July and August. Beginning in July, look for the key difference between WSPS and ALB adults, which is a white spot in the top center of the wing covers (the scutellum) on the back of the beetle. White spotted pine sawyer will have this white spot, whereas Asian longhorned beetle will not. Both insects can have other white spots on the rest of their wing covers; however, the difference in the color of the scutellum is a key characteristic. See the Asian longhorned beetle entry above for more information about that non-native insect.

Spring Scouting & Preparation for Upcoming Tree & Shrub Insect Pests:

  • Bagworm: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis is a native species of moth whose larvae construct bag-like coverings over themselves with host plant leaves and twigs. This insect overwinters in the egg stage, within the bags of deceased females from last season. Eggs may hatch and young larvae are observed feeding around mid-June, or roughly between 600-900 GDD’s. Now is the time to scout for and remove and destroy overwintering bags. In certain areas across MA in 2020, increased populations of bagworms were observed and reported, particularly in urban forest settings and managed landscapes. More information can be found here: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/bagworm
  • Balsam Twig Aphid: Mindarus abietinus overwinters as a silvery colored egg on host plant twigs. Eggs hatch just prior to budbreak and nymphs feed for a period of time on the undersides of last season’s needles before molting into a wingless stem mother. Stem mothers move to buds just as they open and give “live birth” to second generation nymphs. These second generation nymphs are the most damaging, feeding on new needles as they elongate, causing distortion and stunting. Excessive amounts of honeydew may be produced and cause needles to stick together. Foliar applications, if needed, may be made between 30-100 GDD’s, base 50°F on warm days before budcaps loosen. Inspect the twigs, near the base of needles of Balsam fir, Fraser fir, and other true firs for overwintering eggs and eventually the needles for feeding nymphs. This insect may be most problematic in Christmas tree production. In landscapes, many natural enemies can provide adequate management of this insect.
  • Boxwood Leafminer: Monarthropalpus flavus partly grown fly larvae overwinter in the leaves of susceptible boxwood. Yellowish mines may be noticeable on the undersides of leaves. This insect grows rapidly in the spring, transforming into an orange-colored pupa. After pupation, adults will emerge and white colored pupal cases may hang down from the underside of leaves where adults have emerged. Adults may be observed swarming hosts between 300-650 GDD’s, or roughly the end of May through June. Most cultivars of Buxus sempervirens and B. microphylla are thought to be susceptible. If installing new boxwoods this spring, resistant cultivars such as ‘Vardar Valley’ and ‘Handsworthiensis’ are good choices at sites where this insect has been a problem.
  • Boxwood Mite: Eurytetranychus buxi overwinter as tiny eggs on boxwood leaves and hatch mid-spring. These mites are tiny (about the size of a period) and difficult to detect. Feeding may cause plants to appear off-color. If management is deemed necessary, the timing for treatment may be between 245-600 GDD’s or roughly the beginning of May.
  • Boxwood Psyllid: Psylla buxi feeding can cause cupping of susceptible boxwood leaves. Leaf symptoms/damage may remain on plants for up to two years. English boxwood may be less severely impacted by this pest. Eggs overwinter, buried in budscales, and hatch around budbreak of boxwood. Eggs may hatch around 80 GDD’s. Foliar applications may be made between 290-440 GDD’s. However, the damage caused by this insect is mostly aesthetic. Therefore, no management may be necessary.
  • Cankerworms: Alsophila pometaria (fall cankerworm) and Paleacrita vernata (spring cankerworm) are often confused for winter moth (Operophtera brumata). Cankerworm populations in eastern MA, particularly on areas of Cape Cod, were confused for winter moth in 2019. Spring cankerworm adults are active in February and March, and fall cankerworm adults are active in late November into early December. During these times, both species lay eggs. These native insects most commonly utilize elm, apple, oak, linden, and beech. Eggs of both species hatch as soon as buds begin to open in the spring. Caterpillars occur in mixed populations and are often noticeable by mid-May in MA. Young larvae will feed on buds and unfolding leaves. There are two color forms (light green and dark) for caterpillars of both species. Like winter moth, they will drop to the soil to pupate. This usually occurs in June. Fall cankerworm larvae have three pairs of prolegs (one of which is small so it is sometimes referred to as ½) and spring cankerworm have two pairs. (Winter moth caterpillars also have 2 pairs of prolegs.) If populations are large and damage is noticeable on hosts, reduced risk insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki or spinosad may target larvae between 148-290 GDD’s.
  • Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid: Adelges cooleyi is a native insect that has a complex life cycle. It has at least five different morphological forms, and requires 2 years and two hosts to complete its normal life cycle. Galls (pineapple shaped/cone-like and at the tips of twigs) are produced on Colorado blue spruce, Engelmann, Sitka, and Oriental spruce and cause needle injury (yellow spots and distortion) to Douglas-fir. Immature females overwinter on spruce near twig terminals. In the early spring, females mature into stem mothers and lay hundreds of eggs on lateral terminals. Upon egg hatch, nymphs migrate to new spring growth and feed at the base of growing needles. Immatures can be targeted on spruce between 22-81 GDD’s (mid-late April). On Douglas-fir, dormant oil applications should be made immediately before budbreak to avoid phytotoxicity. Follow all label instructions.
  • Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid: Adelges abietis is a pest of Norway spruce primarily, but occasionally damages other spruce species such as Colorado blue, white, and red spruce. This adelgid overwinters as a partially grown female, often referred to as a stem mother. This overwintering individual matures around bud break and lays 100-200 eggs. The eastern spruce gall adelgid may be targeted for management between 22-170 GDD’s, base 50°F (mid-April to early-May). This insect is non-native, and was introduced into the United States from Europe before 1900. Galls are small, sometimes pineapple shaped/variable, but produced on the basal portion of the shoots, such that the twig extends beyond the gall. Twig dieback may occur.
  • Eastern Tent Caterpillar: Malacosoma americanum eggs overwinter on host plant twigs. Egg hatch typically occurs when wild cherry leaves begin to unfold and young caterpillars may emerge by late-April through the first two weeks in May (90-190 GDD’s). Susceptible hosts include cherry and crabapple. Other host plants whose leaves are fed upon by this native insect can include apple, ash, birch, willow, maple, oak, poplar, and witch-hazel. Prune off and remove egg masses from ornamental host plants by early spring. Eastern tent caterpillars are native to Massachusetts and have many associated natural enemies (parasites and predators) that help regulate populations. Unless these caterpillars are actively defoliating specimen trees in a landscaped setting, we can coexist with this particular herbivore native to our forests.
  • Elongate Hemlock Scale: Fiorinia externa is found on eastern, Carolina, and Japanese hemlock, as well as yew, spruce, and fir. The elongate hemlock scale may overwinter in various life stages, and overlap of many developmental stages at any given time can be observed throughout much of the season. Dormant oil applications for this pest can occur according to label instructions in April, roughly between 7-120 GDD’s. Treatments for the crawler, or mobile, stage of this insect may be made in late May through mid-June, or between 360-700 GDD’s, base 50°F. Nitrogen fertilizer applications may make elongate hemlock scale infestations worse.
  • Euonymus Scale: Unaspis euonymi is an armored scale that can be found on euonymus, holly, bittersweet, and pachysandra. This insect can cause yellow spotting on leaves, dieback, and distorted bark. Dormant oil applications can be made between 35-120 GDD’s or roughly from mid-April to early-May. For crawlers, early June timing is suggested between 533-820 GDD’s. (Eggs begin to hatch in early June.)
  • European Pine Sawfly: Neodiprion sertifer overwinters in the egg stage. Eggs are laid by females the previous season by cutting slits in needles using their ovipositors and depositing 6-8 eggs in each of 10-12 needles. Egg hatch occurs from late-April to mid-May and caterpillars become active roughly between 78-220 GDD, base 50°F. The primary host in MA is Mugo pine but it can be found on Scots, red, jack, and Japanese red pine. It is also found on white, Austrian, ponderosa, shortleaf, and pitch pine when planted near the aforementioned species. This dark colored caterpillar feeds in tight groups and small numbers can be pruned or plucked out of host plants and destroyed. Spinosad products can be used whenever the caterpillars are actively feeding, usually by mid-May and when caterpillars are still small. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki is not effective against sawflies.
  • Forest Tent Caterpillar: Malacosoma disstria egg hatch occurs between 192-363 GDD’s, base 50°F, by mid-late May and caterpillars may be active for at least 5-6 weeks following. Susceptible hosts whose leaves are fed on by this insect include oak, birch, ash, maple, elm, poplar, and basswood. This native insect has many natural enemies, including some very effective pathogens that typically regulate populations. However, outbreaks of this insect can occur on occasion.
  • Hemlock Looper: Two species of geometrid moths in the genus Lambdina are native insects capable of defoliating eastern hemlock, balsam fir, and white spruce. Adult moths lay their eggs on the trunk and limbs of hosts in September and October, and eggs will hatch by late May or early June. (L. fiscellaria caterpillars may be active between 448-707 GDD’s.) Monitor susceptible hosts for small, inch-worm like caterpillars. Where populations are low, no management is necessary. Hemlock loopers have several effective natural enemies.
  • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Adelges tsugae is present on eastern and Carolina hemlock. The overwintering hemlock woolly adelgid generation (sistens) is present through mid-spring and produces the spring generation (progrediens) which will be present from early spring through mid-summer. HWA, unlike many other insects, does most of its feeding over the winter. Eggs may be found in woolly masses at the base of hemlock needles beginning in mid-March. Each woolly mass is created by a female who may then lay 50-300 eggs. Eggs hatch and crawlers may be found from mid-March through mid-July. Infested trees may be treated with foliar sprays in late April to early May, using Japanese quince as a phenological indicator. Systemic applications may be made in the spring and fall, or when soil conditions are favorable for translocation to foliage. Nitrogen fertilizer applications may make hemlock woolly adelgid infestations worse.
  • Imported Willow Leaf Beetle: Plagiodera versicolora adult beetles overwinter near susceptible hosts. Adult beetles will chew holes and notches in the leaves of willow once they become available. Females lay yellow eggs in clusters on the undersides of leaves. Larvae are slug-like and bluish-green in color. They will feed in clusters and skeletonize the leaves. Most plants can tolerate the feeding from this insect, and foliage will appear brown. Repeated yearly feeding can be an issue, in which case management of the young larvae may be necessary. Take care with treatment in areas near water.

Check out Episode 4 of InsectXaminer to see the imported willow leaf beetle in action: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/insectxaminer

  • Lecanium Scales (Oak): Parthenolecanium quercifex overwinters as a second instar nymph on oak twigs. Females will begin feeding and mature in the spring, from mid-April to early May and eggs may be laid between late May and into June. Eggs hatch in June or early July and crawlers migrate to host plant leaves where they spend the summer and migrate as second instars back to host plant twigs in the fall. Mid-April to early-May (35-145 GDD’s) for dormant oil applications.
  • Lily Leaf Beetle: Lilioceris lilii adults overwinter in sheltered places. As soon as susceptible hosts such as Lilium spp. (Turk’s cap, tiger, Easter, Asiatic, and Oriental lilies) and Fritillaria spp. break through the ground, the adult lily leaf beetles are known to feed on the new foliage. (Note: daylilies are not hosts.) Typically, in May, mating will occur and each female will begin to lay 250-450 eggs in neat rows on the underside of the foliage. If there are only a few plants in the garden, hand picking and destroying overwintering adults can help reduce local garden-level populations at that time.

Check out Episode 3 of InsectXaminer to see the lily leaf beetle in action: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/insectxaminer

  • Magnolia Scale: Neolecanium cornuparvum overwinters as first instar nymphs which are elliptical, and dark slate gray in color and can usually be found on the undersides of 1 and 2-year-old twigs. Nymphs may molt by late April or May and again by early June at which time the scales may be purple in color. Eventually nymphs secrete a white powdery layer of wax over their bodies. Dormant oils can be applied between 7-35 GDD’s targeting the overwintering nymphs. Avoid applications to opening buds or blooms.
  • Pine Bark Adelgid: Pineus strobi overwinters as an immature which begins feeding during the first days of warm weather in the spring and begins secreting white wax over itself, which can eventually coat the entire trunk of infested trees. Egg laying may begin in April. This insect can be found on the trunk, branches, twigs, and at the base of needles on new shoots. Spruce is a secondary host but this adelgid can repeatedly reproduce itself on pine. Wash off bark with a strong jet of water. If necessary, dormant oil applications can be made in mid-late April between 22-58 GDDs. Hosts include eastern white, Scots, and Austrian pines. This insect does little damage to healthy trees and can often be tolerated.
  • Snowball Aphid: Neoceruraphis viburnicola eggs overwinter on viburnum twigs and buds. Eggs hatch and this aphid becomes active on certain species of viburnum roughly between 148-298 GDD’s or around redbud bloom. This insect is particularly noticeable on V. opulus, V. prunifolium, and V. acerifolia. Stem mothers, appearing blueish-white, can be found in curled up and distorted foliage. Damage caused by this insect pest is mostly aesthetic.
  • Spruce Bud Scale: Physokermes piceae is a pest of Alberta and Norway spruce, among others. Immatures overwinter on the undersides of spruce needles, dormant until late March. By April, females may move to twigs to complete the rest of their development. Dormant oil applications may be made between 22-121 GDDs. Follow all label instructions, as oil may remove the bluish color from certain conifers. Mature scales are reddish brown, globular, 3 mm. in diameter, and found in clusters of 3-8 at the base of new twig growth. They closely resemble buds and are often overlooked. Crawlers are present around June.
  • Spruce Spider Mite: Oligonychus ununguis is a cool-season mite that becomes active in the spring from tiny eggs that have overwintered on host plants. Hosts include spruce, arborvitae, juniper, hemlock, pine, Douglas-fir, and occasionally other conifers. This particular species becomes active in the spring and can feed, develop, and reproduce through roughly June. When hot, dry summer conditions begin, this spider mite will enter a summer-time dormant period (aestivation) until cooler temperatures return in the fall. This particular mite may prefer older needles to newer ones for food. When damaging spruce spider mite populations are known from last season, dormant oil applications can be made (when temperatures are appropriate according to label instructions) between 7-121 GDD’s, base 50°F (April). Magnification is required to view spruce spider mite eggs. Tapping host plant branches over white paper may be a useful tool when scouting for spider mite presence. (View with a hand lens.) Spider mite damage may appear on host plant needles as yellow stippling and occasionally fine silk webbing is visible.
  • Viburnum Leaf Beetle: Pyrrhalta viburni is a beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that is native to Europe, but was found in Massachusetts in 2004. Viburnum leaf beetle overwinters as eggs laid in capped pits on the newest growth of susceptible viburnum branches. Scout for overwintered eggs and prune out and destroy before they hatch. Egg hatch occurs in late-April to early-May as temperatures warm and foliage becomes available. Monitor for larvae in mid-May (80-120 GDD’s). This beetle feeds exclusively on many different species of viburnum, which includes, but is not limited to, susceptible plants such as V. dentatum, V. nudum, V. opulus, V. propinquum, and V. rafinesquianum. Some viburnum have been observed to have varying levels of resistance to this insect, including but not limited to V. bodnantense, V. carlesii, V. davidii, V. plicatum, V. rhytidophyllum, V. setigerum, and V. sieboldii. More information about viburnum leaf beetle may be found at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/ .
  • White Pine Weevil: Pissodes strobi adults overwinter in sheltered locations in the leaflitter and become active very early in the spring, when daytime temperatures reach 50°F and before the bloom of forsythia (between 7-58 GDDs). Hosts include eastern white pine, Norway spruce, scotch, pitch, and red pine, blue spruce, and white spruce are also susceptible to white pine weevil damage. Adults will begin feeding on bark 7-10 inches below dormant terminal buds. Females will deposit eggs in terminal growth bark, and developing larvae will feed in leaders until they mature in July when pupation occurs in pupal chambers made of wood chips. Management in nurseries or Christmas tree production may be necessary. Target adults between 7-58 GDD’s.
  • Woolly Elm Aphid: Eriosoma americanum females lay a single egg in the cracks and crevices of elm bark, where the egg overwinters. Eggs hatch on elm in the spring as leaves are unfolding. Aphids may be active from 121-246 GDD’s, base 50°F on elm. A young, wingless female hatched from the egg feeds on the underside of leaf tissue. This female aphid matures and gives birth to 200 young, all females, without mating. These aphids feed, and the elm leaf curls around them and protects them. By the end of June, winged migrants mature and find serviceberry hosts. Another set of females is produced. These new females crawl to and begin feeding on the roots of serviceberry. Multiple generations occur on the roots of serviceberry through the summer.

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 .

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

Additional Resources

Pesticide License Exams - The MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is holding exams for new exam applicants. Space is still limited; to register, go to: https://www.mass.gov/pesticide-examination-and-licensing

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Diagnostic Services

UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory:

Routine soil analysis and particle size analysis ONLY (no other types of soil analyses available at this time):

https://ag.umass.edu/services/soil-plant-nutrient-testing-laboratory/ordering-information-forms/turnaround-time-for-routine-soil-analysis

Please plan for the fact that date of receipt in the lab is affected by weekends, holidays, shipping time, and time for UMass Campus Mail to deliver samples to the lab. Campus Mail delivery only takes place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday due to pandemic restrictions.

UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Landscape and Turf Problems - The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. For sampling procedures, detailed submission instructions and a list of fees, see Plant Diagnostic Laboratory

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The function of the Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is to provide test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For complete information, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. Alternatively, call the lab at (413) 545-2311.

Ticks are active any time that temperatures are above freezing! The UMass Laboratory of Medical Zoology is currently unable to accept samples for tick testing at this time. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides a list of potential tick identification and testing alternatives here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tick-identification-and-testing-services