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Landscape Message: September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021
Issue: 
18

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.

The Landscape Message will be updated bi-monthly in September. The next message will be posted on October 1. 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 September 15, 2021. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via regional NEWA stations (http://newa.cornell.edu) 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.

MA Region/Location

GDD

Soil Temp
(°F at 4" depth)

Precipitation
2-Week Gain

Time/Date of Readings

2-Week Gain

2021 Total

Sun

Shade

CAPE

259

2525.5

71

67

6.57

12:00 PM 9/15

SOUTHEAST

245

2561

77

71

6.30

3:00 PM 9/15

NORTH SHORE

261.5

2661

69

66

3.29

10:00 AM 9/16

EAST

253.5

2681

71

68

4.65

2:00 PM 9/15

METRO

229.5

2514

64

63

3.60

6:30 AM 9/14

CENTRAL

229

2570.5

66

64

4.94

7:00 AM, 9/15

PIONEER VALLEY

226.5

2592

70

65

3.68

11:00 AM 9/15

BERKSHIRES

184.5

2158

69

64

4.12

7:15 AM 9/15

AVERAGE

236

2533

70

66

4.64

_

n/a = information not available

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

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.

Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower)

Full

*

Full

Full

Full/End

Full/End

Full

*

Clematis paniculata (sweet autumn clematis)

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full

Full/End

End

Full

Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed)

Full/End

Full/End

Full/End

Full

Full

Full/End

Full

Full

* = no activity to report/information not available

Regional Notes

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)

General Conditions: The average temperature for the period from Sept 1 thru Sept 15 was 68˚F with a high of 81˚F on Sept 8 and a low of 50˚F on Sept 11. The period was dominated by day time highs in the 70s and night time lows in the 60s. The region had mostly sunny days with a handful of partly cloudy and cloudy days. Precipitation was significant during the period and our weather station in Barnstable recorded just under 7 inches of rain. The majority (4.87”) came on Sept. 2 with the remnants of Ida; the other major rain event was on Sept. 9 when thunderstorms dropped about 1.5”. Rainfall amounts varied significantly on the Cape during these two events with the upper Cape area receiving 5-7 inches from Ida while the lower Cape had about 1.5 inches, and then vice versa with the thunderstorms on Sept. 9 which dropped 5-7 inches on the lower Cape and 1.5-2 inches on the upper Cape. Woody plants seen in bloom during the period include rose of Sharon, chaste tree, crepe myrtle, mimosa, butterfly bush, panicle hydrangea, and seven son flower/tree. Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include echinacea, hosta, Russian sage, boneset, Joe-pye weed, garden phlox, black eyed Susan, autumn joy sedum, and many goldenrod and aster species. Conditions are near ideal for renovating turf; aerating, over-seeding, fertilizing and liming.

Pests/Problems: Insect pests or damage observed during the period include azalea and andromeda lacebug, euonymus scale on euonymus, white prunicola scale on lilac, black turpentine beetle damage on pitch pine, pine tip moth on pitch pine, chilli thrips on hydrangea, and eriophyid mites on numerous woody plants. Disease symptoms or signs observed during the period include powdery mildew on numerous herbaceous and woody plants, black spot on rose, aster yellows on echinacea, cercospora leaf spot on hydrangea, guignardia leaf blotch on horsechestnut, leaf spot on river birch, rust and defoliation on callery pear, apple scab and cedar apple rust on crabapple, and slime flux on maple. Weeds and wildflowers in bloom include carpetweed, prostrate spurge, Pennsylvania smartweed, birdsfoot trefoil, yellow toadflax, goldenrod, horseweed, pilewort, mugwort, ragweed, pigweeds, crabgrass and perennial sowthistle. Bald faced hornets and yellow jackets are becoming more noticeable.

Southeast Region (Dighton)

General Conditions: As we approach the equinox in the last few days of summer, the cricket and katydid calls seem to get louder and more insistent. Fall is on the doorstep and winter is on its way. Although tropical conditions have dominated the daylight hours, nights have been decidedly cooler with some mornings requiring a sweatshirt at the start. Fall color is apparent in stressed and declining trees and shrubbery. Thanks to regular rainfall, most lawns have come through the season without drought dormancy. Among the plants currently in flower, I've noticed: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed), Alcea rosea (hollyhock), Chenopodium berlandieri (lamb's quarters), Clematis paniculata (autumn clematis), Eutrochium purpureum (Joe-pye-weed), Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset), Franklinia alatamaha (Ben Franklin tree), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Hibiscus syriacus (rose of Sharon), Hosta plantaginea (August flowering hosta), Hylotelephium telephium (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'), Impatiens capensis (orange jewelweed/spotted touch-me-not), Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silver grass), Reynoutria japonica (Japanese knotweed), Rosa spp. (rose), Salvia yangii (Russian sage), Solidago spp.(goldenrod), and the beautiful, fall blooming native Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster), a boon to pollinators.

Pests/Problems: Observed in the landscape were powdery mildew on lilac and phlox, and tarspot on Norway maple. If you're allergic to ragweed it's almost impossible to work in the field, where you stir up pollen, without violent sneezing and irritated eyes.

North Shore (Beverly)

General Conditions: Day time temperatures during this two week period ranged from low 70s to mid 80s and night time temperatures ranged from low 50s to mid 60s. The average daily temperature was 69˚F with a minimum temperature of 51˚F recorded on September 11 and a maximum temperature of 85˚F recorded on September 15. Approximately 3.29 inches of rainfall were recorded at Long Hill during this two-week period. Due to the rains received during this period and the cooler night temperatures, turf grasses on lawns and landscapes are green and flush. Woody plants seen in bloom include: Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha), seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), Daphne (Daphne spp.), and bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii). Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include: New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae),garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), ‘Autumn Joy’ Sedums (Sedum spp.), Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida), hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis) and autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). An assortment of annuals, including garden mums are also contributing color in the landscapes.

Pests/Problems: Leaf blotch was observed on peony and on striped maple (probably anthracnose). Crabgrass and other weeds such as, horseweed (Conyza canadensis), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) are thriving in the landscape. Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) continues to be in full bloom and is still providing a lot of color on roadsides. Mosquitoes have slowed down but they are still active at dawn and dusk. Ticks are still very active

East Region (Boston)

General Conditions: On September 1st and 2nd the remnants of hurricane Ida delivered 3.49 inches of precipitation. We received an additional 1.16 inches for a total of 4.65 inches halfway through the month. The East region has been experiencing typical early September weather with shorter days and cooler nights. Perennial borders continue to attract pollinators with beautiful flowers such as Caryopteris clandonensis (blue beard), Clematis paniculata (sweet autumn clematis) and Helianthus tuberosus (wild sunflower/ Jerusalem artichoke/sunchoke) as all are in full bloom.

Pests/Problems: Soils are sufficiently saturated with the additional 4.65 inches of precipitation we received through the first 15 days of September. Supplemental watering is only required for recent transplant and container plantings. Powdery mildew is prevalent throughout the landscape. Vegetable gardens are suffering from excessive moisture. Landscape weeds continue to thrive. Crabgrass and yellow nutsedge continue to invade unmanaged turf. Common ragweed and Japanese knotweed are in full bloom.

Metro West (Acton)

General Conditions: Labor Day has come and gone, which unofficially marks the end of summer by bringing with it cooler nighttime and pleasant day time temperatures. During this reporting period, nighttime temperatures have been recorded hovering in the 50s while the daytime temperatures have been in the 70s. Signs of fall are visible in the landscape and soon enough fall equinox will be here, arriving on September 22 this year. Some birches, dogwoods, and maples are exhibiting early fall color. September’s average rainfall is 3.77” and there has been 3.6” of rain recorded this month so far. Plants are heavy with fruit, seed, berries, and nuts. Observed in some stage of bloom these past two weeks were the following woody plants: Clethra alnifolia (summersweet), Franklinia alatahama (Franklin tree), Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower), Hibiscus syriacus (rose-of-Sharon), Potentilla fruiticosa (potentilla), Rosa spp. (rose), and Spiraea japonica (Japanese spiraea). Woody vines observed in bloom include Campsis radicans (trumpet vine) and Clematis paniculata (sweet autumn clematis). Contributing even more color and interest to the landscape are some flowering herbaceous plants including: Alcea rosea (hollyhock), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Aster spp. (New England aster, New York aster, smoother aster, white wood aster), Boltonia asteroides (Bolton’s aster), Chelone lyonii (pink turtlehead), Cichorium intybus (chicory), Coreopsis sp. (tickseed), C. verticillata (threadleaf coreopsis), Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace), Echinacea purpurea (coneflower) and its many cultivars, Geranium spp. (cranesbill), Gentiana makinoi hybrid (‘Royal Blue’ gentian), Hemerocallis spp. (daylily), Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp rose mallow), Hosta spp. (plantain lily), Patrinia gibbosa (patrinia), Perovskia atriplicifolia/Salvia yangii (Russian sage), Phlox carolina (Carolina phlox), P. paniculata (garden phlox), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (black eyed Susan), Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, S. ‘Rosy Glow’ (stonecrops), Senna marilandica (wild senna), Solidago spp. (goldenrod), and Tanacetum vulgare (tansy). Adding even more color and interest to the landscape are the colorful fruit on Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley), Cornus spp. (dogwood), Crataegus sp. (hawthorn), Malus spp. (crabapple), Rosa (rose), Viburnum spp. and the panicles, blooms and seed heads on ornamental grasses including Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats), Miscanthus spp. (silvergrass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), and Pennisetum alopecuroides (fountain grass).

Pests/Problems: Hurricane Ida dumped 2.4” of rain on this area on September 2nd and caused erosion in some areas. Observed in the landscape these past two weeks were powdery mildew on Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), C. sericea (red twigged dogwood), Hamamelis sp. (witch hazel), and Syringa sp. (lilac).

Central Region (Boylston)

General Conditions: The remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped nearly 4 inches of rain on an already soaked region that has seen 24 inches of rain since the last week of June. From early concern about drought in the spring to the wettest summer in recent memory, including the wettest July on record, this has been a challenging season in the garden. But, at a time of year when the garden usually appears parched and ready for the onset of fall precipitation, much of the landscape appears lush. There is a lot to enjoy in the garden, including an abundance of fruit on plants like Ilex verticillata (winterberry), early fall color on Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire), and plenty of late season flowers to enjoy, including many of our native asters and goldenrods. Monarch butterflies are everywhere! Temperatures were quite average this reporting period, with some hot and humid days reaching into the mid-80’s and a nice stretch of early fall weather with temperatures in the low-70’s.

Pests/Problems: While many plants have benefited from the abundant rainfall, we are seeing some early foliage drop and foliar disease like powdery mildew which is widespread throughout the garden on susceptible plants. Ragweed is in full bloom.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)

General Conditions: The mid-September mark has come and gone in the Pioneer Valley, as the days get shorter and the growing season winds down. Following the heavy soaking we received from Hurricane Ida’s remnants on 9/1–2 (3.44”), it’s been mostly dry across the tri-counties. From 6/30 to 9/2 (64 days), >20” of rain was recorded at the Easthampton gauge. The high temperatures and ultra-high humidity that plagued much of the summer has finally waned, giving way to some incredible early autumn weather. For the majority of days in this past reporting period, we’ve experienced a mix of sun and clouds, highs in the 70s to low 80s and cool nights in the 50s and lower 60s. There was light rain on 9/5 and thunderstorms during the early morning hours of 9/13 (with the heaviest rain in Franklin County), but accumulations were minimal across most of the area. Soils remain moist, with the decreasing sun angle and cooler temperatures lessening plant water use. However, newly transplanted trees and shrubs in full sun should still be carefully monitored and irrigated as needed throughout the fall season. Winterberries are turning red, some early autumn foliage is starting to develop and the nighttime chorus of crickets is fading.

Pests/Problems: Diplodia shoot blight of oak (also known as Bot canker) continues to be a locally significant problem for red oaks (Quercus rubra). There are pockets of heavily diseased trees throughout Hampshire County. Symptoms appear as dead shoot tips with brown leaves that are scattered throughout the canopy (pictured below). Close examination of the blighted tips often reveals the presence of soft-bodied, lecanium scales. A prior outbreak of lecanium scales on Martha’s Vineyard and the Cape in 2018–19 was determined to be caused by the oak lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium quercifex). However, the European fruit lecanium (P. corni) can also attack oaks in the region and is morphologically indistinguishable. In addition to the lecanium scales, black-colored, ruptured pycnidia are often present on the blighted shoot tips. These are spore-bearing structures produced by the fungal cankering pathogen Diplodia corticola. While several other closely-related fungi can be found attacking oak, D. corticola is often responsible for this pattern of shoot tip blight, especially when lecanium scales are present. Other oaks common in landscape and urban settings (pin, black, scarlet, white and swamp white) appear more resistant to the disease, despite serving as hosts for both the scale and Diplodia. Lecanium scales often build up on stressed and weakened trees. Outbreaks in the eastern part of the state on oak were linked to defoliation from winter moth and Lymantria dispar. The specific stress triggering the outbreak in western Mass. is less clear, but may be related to last year’s drought. Additional pest and pathogen pressure remains low as the growing season comes to an end. Annual, perennial and quasi-perennial conks and mushrooms continue to appear in great numbers (and large size). Phaeolus schweinitzii, which causes a brown cubical root and butt rot of conifers, was observed fruiting near an infected Japanese larch on campus. This fungus can fruit anytime from late July into late September and the mushrooms quickly decay after rain and frost. Crabgrass has grown exceptionally well with all the late summer rain and despite slowing some recently, it continues to remain luxurious in untreated lawns. Mosquito populations also remain very high and a killing frost will be most welcome this year.

Annual fruiting bodies of Phaeolus schweinitzii next to an infected Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi). Scattered shoot dieback throughout the canopy of a red oak (Quercus rubra) caused by a lecanium scale infestation and Diplodia corticola. Scattered shoot dieback throughout the canopy of a red oak (Quercus rubra) caused by a lecanium scale infestation and Diplodia corticola. Red oak (Quercus rubra) stem with the oak lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium quercifex) and ruptured pycnidia produced by Diplodia corticola.

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)

General Conditions: September started off with a bang, actually a splash, as heavy rains resulting from Hurricane Ida fell in the county. This resulted in some erosion but there were no serious events, e.g. flooding, as occurred earlier in the year from heavy rains. Total rainfall for the two-week monitoring period was as follows: North Adams 5.76”, Pittsfield 3.53”, Richmond 2.93", and West Stockbridge 4.12". As a result, soil moisture content has remained moderate to high, just as it has through the entire growing season. Temperatures cooled a bit and day time highs were mostly in the mid-60 to mid-70 range. Night time temperatures did dip into the 40s on at least one occasion at each of the weather recording stations in the Berkshires. High and low temperatures were as follows: North Adams 81˚F on 9/8 and 46˚F on 9/11, Pittsfield 77˚F on 9/8 and 48˚F on 9/11, and Richmond 76˚F on 9/8 and 46˚F on 9/11. Plant growth certainly has slowed except for turfgrass which has flourished in the cooler temperatures and moist soils. Early and mid-season flowers are rapidly fading as is their foliage but there is a fine show of late bloomers.

Pests/Problems: The frequent wet weather this year has taken its toll on many plants and in many ways. Foliar diseases have been very common and have resulted in premature leaf drop on trees and shrubs, and early decline – and decay – of shoots of many herbaceous plants. Crabapples and birches are among the trees that are completely defoliated or nearly so. Some trees lost considerable foliage earlier in the season from feeding by Lymantria dispar (formerly known as gypsy moth) and also standout now. Powdery mildew on the usual hosts, e.g. Monarda and lilacs, is quite prevalent as is black spot on roses. Interestingly, few diseases have been seen on turfgrass. Fall webworms, aphids, red spider mite, borer on linden tree, and flea beetles were observed. Wasps and slugs were busy as well. However, the most frequent comments and questions heard concerned mosquitoes and the Asian jumping worms. The mosquito population is large and makes working outdoors most uncomfortable. The Asian jumping worms, a.k.a. snake worms, crazy worms, are extremely abundant in many areas of the county. They seem to be particularly common in mulched sites and in lawns. In some lawns, the worm castings are so great that walking on the lawn feels like walking on a sponge.

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, reporting from 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 https://ag.umass.edu/services/plant-diagnostics-laboratory:

  • Decline and dieback of Dutch elm (Ulmus × hollandica ‘Modiolina’) caused by Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm is a natural hybrid between field elm (U. minor) and Wych elm (U. glabra). The tree is 85-years-old and has been present at the site for approximately 80 years. It resides on a gentle slope among other elms in an arboretum with full sun. Browning and shedding leaves and branch dieback have been present for a few years. The causal agent, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, can be particularly destructive on elms suffering drought stress, which this tree likely experienced during the 2020 summer drought.
  • Branch cankering and canopy dieback of Nantucket serviceberry (Amelanchier nantucketensis) caused by cedar-quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes). The plant is approximately 30-years-old and resides in a formal display garden with full sun, sandy-loam soils and drip irrigation. The submitted branches had large, rough, cracked cankers that were arranged longitudinally on the stems. Cedar-quince rust can be particularly damaging to serviceberry, hawthorn and quince once it becomes established. Spring conditions were exceptional for Gymnosporangium sporulation on Juniperus (the alternate host for many Gymnosporangium species) and a variety of related rust diseases have been abundant in 2021. The cedar-quince rust cankers were subsequently colonized by the fungal pathogen Fusarium.
  • Symptoms of Diplodia blight, caused by Diplodia sapinea, on red pine (Pinus resinosa) Black-colored pycnidia, produced by Diplodia sapinea, rupturing through a diseased red pine (Pinus resinosa) shoot Eliptic, dark brown conidia produced by Diplodia sapinea (Scale bar = 40 µm)Diplodia blight, caused by Diplodia sapinea, on red pine (Pinus resinosa) and Scots pine (P. sylvestris). The red pine is six-years-old and was transplanted one year ago. It receives full sun in slightly compacted soils and is watered occasionally. Over the past two years, tip dieback has been observed and Diplodia was readily identified from the blighted shoots and needles (see photos). The Scots pine is 50-years-old and was planted at the site roughly 40 years ago. This year, browning needles and dieback of large branches throughout the canopy was observed for the first time. It’s located in a foundation bed next to a driveway and receives part sun. The side of the canopy experiencing greater shade is where the disease is more severe.
  • Canopy dieback of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) caused by Verticillium wilt. The tree is young, less than 10-years-old, and has been present at the site for about five years. In late August, approximately 25% of the canopy quickly collapsed. The tree had been healthy prior to the rapid symptom onset. The submitted branches had brown and desiccated foliage with green-colored vascular staining in the stems and branches. After a very brief incubation of the symptomatic stem tissue, Verticillium was detected. The lab has received numerous Japanese maple samples this season that were likely predisposed to diseases like Verticillium wilt by the dry and hot summer in 2020.
  • Needle yellowing and browning in the canopy of a golden larch (Pseudolarix amabilis) caused by excessive soil moisture. The tree is 125-years-old and resides in full sun with poorly-drained soils near a brook. Sometime in early to mid-August, needles started becoming yellow-brown (mostly at the tips) and developed brown, blister-like callus tissue. The abundant rainfall and poor drainage likely resulted in edema; when plants take up water faster than they can use it. Brown, corky growth develops on the foliage of susceptible plants as a means of moving the excess water. Needle yellowing/browning and canopy thinning are common symptoms when conifers experience overwatering or saturated soils from heavy rainfall.
  • Root rot, stem cankering and foliar blight of Amy Cotta rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Amy Cotta’) caused by Phytophthora. Four shrubs were transplanted from three-gallon containers in early July and sometime over the next several weeks, three plants developed symptoms of Phytophthora blight. The setting is described as shaded with dappled light through a tall overstory with well-drained loam soils and drip irrigation. The submitted branches had wilted, curled and pale green leaves with scattered brown spots and blotches. In addition, the stem vascular tissue was brown, which is often a symptom of cankering. The plants were likely infected at the time of planting and the heavy rains in July and August facilitated disease development and spread.

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

Insects

Caterpillars, Aphids, and (Dead) Flies – Oh My!

  • A bedstraw sphinx caterpillar found wandering across the road adjacent to a hayfield in Hampshire County, MA on 9/8/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Bedstraw or Galium Sphinx: Hyles gallii is a native insect in the Family Sphingidae (sphinx moths) whose caterpillars are sometimes also referred to as hornworms. This particular hornworm develops into the bedstraw, or galium, sphinx and is commonly found in fields from northern Canada to Virginia and Iowa. Mature caterpillars, such as the one pictured here, are known from August to October, preceded by the adult moths that fly from roughly June to August. Common food plants for the caterpillars include bedstraw, fireweed, and certain plants in the primrose family. Striking caterpillars may be found in hay fields and other open areas and are commonly encountered in the late summer, wandering across roads and driveways. Caterpillars are highly variable in color and appearance, ranging from green to brown to black with a bright red or black horn. Adult moths are known pollinators.
  • A flesh fly (Sarcophagidae) killed by Entomophthora muscae found in Dorchester, MA on 9/5/21. Multiple flies were found stuck to leaves in this location. (Courtesy of Sarah Baker and Lucas Marinacci.) Entomophthora muscae: is a naturally occurring, entomopathogenic (insect killing) fungus that is a well-known disease-causing organism of adult Diptera (true flies). E. muscae has been long recognized as a potential biological control agent, and is known to kill house flies, blow flies, flesh flies, mosquitoes, and others including some species found in families known to include beneficial insects (ex. parasitic tachinid flies and hover flies). Epizootics of this fungus tend to occur in the spring or fall in temperate regions and spores develop during periods of cool, humid or wet conditions in areas with an abundance of hosts. Fly cadavers are frequently seen attached to leaves, near the edges of fields, on fencing, or other structures.
  • Milkweed tussock moth caterpillars found on milkweed in Hampshire County, MA on 9/5/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) A milkweed tussock moth caterpillar found on milkweed in Hampshire County, MA on 9/5/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars: Euchaetes egle adult moths lay their eggs on milkweed sometime in June, then tiny, dull, yellowish larvae hatch and feed in groups on the undersides of milkweed leaves. These caterpillars grow and eventually develop the beautiful, tufted, black, white, and orange hairs once they mature. Mature caterpillars will wander to find a suitable location to spin their cocoons, where they will remain until the following spring. Adult female moths will lay their eggs and start the cycle over again in June. This is a native insect, and while it is sometimes viewed as a competitor with the beloved monarch (Danaus plexippus), it should still be valued and preserved.
  • Oleander aphids found on milkweed in Hampshire County, MA on 9/5/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Oleander Aphids: Aphis nerii is a non-native insect that feeds on a variety of host plants, including those in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) and the genera Vinca and Asclepias. Common milkweed, butterfly weed, and tropical milkweed are included in their favored hosts. All individuals of this species are female, and reproduce via parthenogenesis (without males). This aids them in being able to reproduce rapidly and build to impressive populations. They also enjoy protection from predators as they sequester toxins from the sap of their oleander and milkweed meals. Their bright yellow coloration is a warning signal to would-be predators. That said, some lacewings, syrphid fly larvae, and even lady beetle adults and larvae are able to feed upon these aphids. A parasitoid wasp will also utilize oleander aphids as its host, leaving behind bloated and browned aphid “mummies”. For those worried about the impact of oleander aphids on milkweed they wish to feed monarchs with, beware of unintended consequences to the monarchs when trying to manage the aphids. It may be best to have patience and to allow the parasitoid wasp and beneficial predators to aid in management.
  • Woolly apple aphids found on hawthorn on 9/4/2021. (Courtesy of Tom Ingersoll.) Woolly apple aphids found on hawthorn on 9/4/2021. (Courtesy of Tom Ingersoll.) Early season woolly apple aphids and the damage they cause to elm leaves seen in Hampshire County, MA on 6/1/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) (Return of the) Woolly Apple Aphid: Eriosoma lanigerum may be found on apple, crabapple, hawthorn, mountain-ash, Pyracantha, and elm hosts. The primary (winter) host is elm, on which aphids infest emerging spring leaves, causing leaves to curl or close into stunted, rosette-like clusters found at twig tips. On apple, crabapple, and hawthorn, this species of aphid colonizes roots, trunks, and branches in the summer and is commonly found near previous wounds or callous tissue. On roots, the aphids cause swelled areas which can girdle and kill the roots. The aphids, when found in above ground plant parts such as elm leaves, are covered with white wax. Eggs are the overwintering stage on elm, which hatch in the spring in time for the nymphs to infest new elm foliage. Following a few generations on elm, the aphids will develop into a winged form, which will disperse and seek out apple, crabapple, and hawthorn. Multiple generations will occur on these alternate hosts in the summer and by the fall, a winged form will return to elm and mated females will lay eggs near elm buds. These aphids are a favorite snack for insect predators such as the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis.

Insects and Other Arthropods of Medical Importance:

  • Mosquitoes: Seven human cases of WNV have been detected in 2021 in Bristol, Essex, and Middlesex Counties, according to the MA Department of Public Health. WNV positive mosquito samples have been identified in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties. WNV risk levels have increased to High for communities Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk Counties due to increasing WNV activity. Please view the risk maps available here for updates: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update

According to the Massachusetts Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Science and the Department of Public Health, there are at least 51 different species of mosquito found in Massachusetts. Mosquitoes belong to the Order Diptera (true flies) and the Family Culicidae (mosquitoes). As such, they undergo complete metamorphosis, and possess four major life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult mosquitoes are the only stage that flies and many female mosquitoes only live for 2 weeks (although the life cycle and timing will depend upon the species). Only female mosquitoes bite to take a blood meal, and this is so they can make eggs. Mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs in, so they are often found in wet or damp locations and around plants. Different species prefer different habitats. It is possible to be bitten by a mosquito at any time of the day, and again timing depends upon the species. Many are particularly active from just before dusk, through the night, and until dawn. Mosquito bites are not only itchy and annoying, but they can be associated with greater health risks. Certain mosquitoes vector pathogens that cause diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

For more information about mosquitoes in Massachusetts, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mosquitoes-in-massachusetts .

There are ways to protect yourself against mosquitoes, including wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, keeping mosquitoes outside by using tight-fitting window and door screens, and using insect repellents as directed. Products containing the active ingredients DEET, permethrin, IR3535, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus provide protection against mosquitoes.

For more information about mosquito repellents, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mosquito-repellents and https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/prevent-mosquito-bites.html .

*Ixodes scapularis - We are now in the time of year when deer tick larvae and nymphs are frequently encountered. Larvae may be encountered in April, but in some locations may peak in their activity in August, while still being encountered through November. Nymphs are encountered from April through July, peaking in June. Nymphs are again present in October and November. For images of all deer tick life stages, along with an outline of the diseases they carry, and their timing of activity, visit: http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification/deer_tick .

Anyone working in the yard and garden 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 Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment provides a list of potential tick identification and testing resources here: https://ag.umass.edu/resources/tick-testing-resources  .

*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.

  • The barrel of a cannon acts as an interesting location for a paper wasp nest at a memorial park in Hampshire County, MA on 8/15/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Watch out for paper wasp nests, even in the oddest of locations in our landscaped areas. Note the actively tended nest in the barrel of a cannon photographed here at a memorial park in Hampshire County, MA on 8/15/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Wasps/Hornets: Many wasps are predators of other arthropods, including pest insects such as certain caterpillars that feed on trees and shrubs. Adult wasps hunt prey and bring it back to their nest where young are being reared, as food for the immature wasps. A common such example are the paper wasps (Polistes spp.) who rear their young on chewed up insects. They may be seen searching plants for caterpillars and other soft-bodied larvae to feed their young. Paper wasps can sting, and will defend their nests, which are open-celled paper nests that are not covered with a papery “envelope”. These open-celled nests may be seen hanging from eaves or other outdoor building structures, however these insects sometimes find the most interesting locations to construct their nests. These photos taken on 8/15/2021 show a paper wasp nest that was located at the end of a cannon at a town memorial park in Hampshire County, MA. So expect these nests in the oddest of locations to avoid being stung! Aerial yellow jackets and hornets create large aerial nests that are covered with a papery shell or “envelope”. Common yellow jacket species include those in the genus Vespula. Dolichovespula maculata is commonly known as the baldfaced hornet, although it is not a true hornet. A European hornet (NOT the Asian giant hornet) photographed in Billerica, MA on 6/3/2021. (Image courtesy of Rick Parker.) A European hornet (NOT the Asian giant hornet) photographed in Billerica, MA on 6/3/2021. Note the teardrop-shaped black markings interrupting the yellow stripes on the abdomen. (Image courtesy of Rick Parker.) The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is three times the size of a yellow jacket and may be confused for the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). The European hornet is known to Massachusetts, but the Asian giant hornet is not. If you are concerned that you have found or photographed an Asian giant hornet, please report it here: https://massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx . Paper wasps and aerial yellowjackets overwinter as fertilized females (queens) and a single female produces a new nest annually in the late spring. Nests are abandoned at the end of the season. Queens start new nests, lay eggs, and rear new wasps to assist in colony/nest development.Some people are allergic to stinging insects, so care should be taken around wasp/hornet nests. Unlike the European honeybee (Apis mellifera), wasps and hornets do not have barbed stingers, and therefore can sting repeatedly when defending their nests. It is best to avoid their nests, and if that cannot be done and assistance is needed to remove them, consult a professional.

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

Invasive Insects & Other Organisms Update:

  • Box tree moth adult. (Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT Fondazione Minoprio [IT]) Box tree moth caterpillars. (Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT Fondazione Minoprio [IT]) Box Tree Moth: Cydalima perspectalis is native to East Asia. It has become a serious invasive pest in Europe, where it continues to spread. The caterpillars feed mostly on boxwood, and heavy infestations can defoliate host plants. Once the leaves are gone, larvae consume the bark, leading to girdling and plant death. The box tree moth is not currently known to be established in Massachusetts, however the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is urging professionals and citizens to report any suspicious insects.

To report suspected box tree moth life stages or damage to boxwood in Massachusetts, please visit: https://massnrc.org/pests/pestreports.htm .

Females lay eggs singly or in clusters of 5 to more than 20 eggs in a gelatinous mass on the underside of boxwood leaves. Most females deposit more than 42 egg masses in their lifetime. They typically hatch within 4 to 6 days. Pupae typically first appear in April or May and are present continuously through the summer and into the fall, depending on the local climate and timing of generations. Adults first emerge from the overwintering generation between April and July, depending on climate and temperature. Subsequent generations are active between June and October. Adults typically live for two weeks after emergence. The exact timing of the life cycle of this insect in Massachusetts is not currently known.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) recently reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of box tree moth in the continental United States and is taking action alongside state partners and industry to contain and eradicate the invasive pest that was imported on nursery plants shipped from Ontario, Canada. For a recent press release regarding this insect from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, visit: https://www.mass.gov/news/state-agricultural-officials-urge-public-to-inspect-boxwood-shrubs-for-box-tree-moths .

Between August 2020 and April 2021, a nursery in St. Catharines, Ontario shipped boxwood (Buxus species) that may have been infested with box tree moth to locations in six states—25 retail facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina—and a distribution center in Tennessee. At this time, the pest has been identified in three facilities in Michigan, one in Connecticut, and one in South Carolina, and APHIS is working with state plant regulatory officials to determine whether other facilities may be impacted. For more information, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2021/sa-05/box-tree-moth .

  • A map of confirmed spotted lanternfly sightings in Massachusetts, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. To date, the spotted lanternfly is NOT known to be established in MA. 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. 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 .

  • Adult emerald ash borer found beneath ash trees in Hampshire County, MA on 8/11/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Emerald Ash Borer: (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) in 2021 alone, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has confirmed at least 28 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 counties.) 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). Signs of an EAB infested tree may include D-shaped exit holes in the bark (from adult emergence), “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. 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 .

  • The impact of LD caterpillar feeding at a location in Litchfield County, CT. The image on the top is from May 26, 2021 and the image on the bottom is from June 22, 2021. (Image Courtesy of: Kim Zwick.) LD caterpillars have pupated, and adult moths have emerged. This adult female LM moth is laying her tan/brown egg mass, as photographed in Sheffield, MA (Berkshire County) on 7/7/2021. (Image Courtesy of: Kevin Virgilio.) An adult female LD moth laying her tan/brown egg mass, as photographed in Sheffield, MA (Berkshire County) on 7/7/2021. At least two egg masses can be seen in this photo. (Image Courtesy of: Kevin Virgilio.) Lymantria dispar(Formerly Gypsy Moth; LD) Professionals working in parts of Berkshire County (ex. Alford, Great Barrington, Richmond, Sheffield, South Egremont, and Williamstown) as well as NY and CT report being deluged with questions from property owners looking to manage Lymantria dispar caterpillars in 2022 following expanding populations of this insect in those areas this season. Here is some information to help with those discussions:

In high populations of Lymantria dispar (formerly gypsy moth), scraping egg masses can be a futile effort. When populations are high, caterpillars can blow in from surrounding forested areas onto your property (next spring) even after an egg mass scraping effort is undertaken. Additionally, on large trees, female moths can lay their egg masses in areas that are not practical/safe to reach. However, if you do try to remove egg masses from high value specimen trees this fall and winter, be sure to scrape them into a can of soapy water. If scraped onto the ground, they may still hatch next spring.

A good plan would be to have an arborist come monitor the property and surrounding area this fall/winter once Lymantria dispar females are completely done laying eggs. (Additional egg mass survey information will also be available for Massachusetts through the Department of Conservation and Recreation once surveys are complete for 2021, here: ( https://www.mass.gov/guides/lymantria-dispar-gypsy-moth-in-massachusetts ). If there are large numbers of egg masses on your property and in the woods nearby, consider applying reduced risk insecticides next spring to protect high-value specimen trees from defoliation next year, especially if they could become hazardous if they were to decline. (Ex. trees near the home, garage, etc.) Applications would be made following 90-100 GDD's, after eggs have hatched, and caterpillars have settled to feed. Egg hatch begins roughly around the first week in May in MA, however this timing may depend upon spring temperatures. Special care should also be taken to protect trees that were defoliated this year, as two consecutive years of defoliation are often very stressful even for mature trees. Young trees/new plantings should be protected as well.

After caterpillars hatch, and once they settle to begin feeding (when they are approximately 3/4 inch in length or less), they are very susceptible to applications of the reduced risk insecticide known as Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki. This is a soil dwelling bacterium that is lethal to the caterpillars if they ingest it on the leaves. Another reduced risk option is the active ingredient spinosad (also derived from a soil dwelling bacterium). Spinosad should not be applied to plants in bloom, as it is toxic to pollinators - but that toxicity goes away once the product dries (in about 3 hours). Chlorantraniliprole is another reduced risk active ingredient that can be applied to the leaves of susceptible hosts when caterpillars are young and just beginning to feed.

The efficacy of systemic insecticides for the management of Lymantria dispar is not entirely understood. However, products containing azadirachtin, abamectin, or acephate are labelled for use against this insect. Of those, azadirachtin is a reduced risk insecticide. With regard to acephate, some research suggests that it is more effective at managing caterpillars feeding on smaller diameter trees than on larger trees (Dan Herms, Personal Communication).

LD 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 LD moth caterpillars. (And to a lesser extent many other organisms, including other insects, small mammals, and birds who feed on LD moth.) However, if environmental conditions do not favor the life cycle of the fungus, outbreaks of LD moth caterpillars are possible. (Such as most recently from 2015-2018, with a peak in the LD moth population in 2017 in Massachusetts.)

Check out Episode 1 of InsectXaminer to reminisce about the 2015-2018 outbreak of this insect and learn more about the fungus and the virus and how to recognize caterpillars that have been killed by these pathogens: 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 .

  • The dorsal (back) view of a jumping worm found in Hampshire County, MA on 8/18/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) The ventral (“belly”) view of a jumping worm found in Hampshire County, MA on 8/18/2021. Note that the lighter colored clitellum (band-like structure used during reproduction) wraps entirely around the earthworm. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Jumping Worms: In recent years, public concern about Amynthas spp. earthworms, collectively referred to as “jumping or crazy or snake” worms, has dramatically increased. University researchers and Extension groups in many locations in the US are finding that these species cause not only forest ecosystem disturbances, but may also negatively impact soil structure and reduce plant growth in gardens and managed landscapes. They do this by voraciously devouring the organic layer of the soil while feeding very close to the soil surface, unlike other species of earthworms. In woodland areas, they can quickly eat all of the leaf litter on the forest floor. Jumping worms also leave a distinct grainy soil full of worm castings. The soil becomes granular and may look like dried coffee grounds.

Unfortunately, there are currently no research-based management options available for these earthworms. So prevention is essential – preventing their introduction and spread into new areas is the best defense against them. Adult jumping worms can be 1.5 – 8 inches or more in length. Their clitellum (collar-like ring) is roughly located 1/3 down the length of the worm (from the head) and is smooth and cloudy-white and constricted. These worms may also wiggle or jump when disturbed, and can move across the ground in an S-shape like a snake. While the exact timing of their life cycle in MA might not be completely understood, their life cycle may be expected to go (roughly) something like this: they hatch in the late spring in 1-4 inches of soil, mature into adults during the summer and adults lay eggs sometime in August, and it is thought that their cocoons overwinter. (Adults perish with frost.) It is also worth noting here that jumping worms do not directly harm humans or pets.

For more information, listen to Dr. Olga Kostromytska’s presentation here: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/invasive-insect-webinars

*NEW*: UMass Extension Fact Sheets:

Earthworms in Massachusetts – History, Concerns, and Benefits: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/earthworms-in-massachusetts-history-concerns-benefits 

Jumping/Crazy/Snake Worms – Amynthas spp.:

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/jumpingcrazysnake-worms-amynthas-spp

Suggested reading includes Dr. Kostromytska’s recent “Hot Topics” article in Hort Notes (including an identification guide), here: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/newsletters/hort-notes/hort-notes-2021-vol-323

Additional resources can also be found here:

University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms

Cornell Cooperative Extension: http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-pests/jumping-worm

UNH Extension: https://extension.unh.edu/blog/invasive-spotlight-jumping-worms

Tree & Shrub Insects & Mites:

  • Overwintered bagworm eggs are concealed in the bags last season's females created. Eggs will be hatching soon, so it is important to remove and destroy these bags when you see them. (Photo: Simisky) Bagworm: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis is a native species of moth whose larvae construct bag-like coverings over themselves with host plant leaves and twigs. 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

These caterpillars develop into moths as adults. Their behaviors, life history, and appearance are interesting. The larvae (caterpillars) form “bags” or cases over themselves as they feed using assorted bits of plant foliage and debris tied together with silk. As the caterpillars feed and grow in size, so does their “bag”. Young, early instar caterpillars may feed with their bag oriented skyward, skeletonizing host plant leaves. As these caterpillars grow in size, they may dangle downward from their host plant, and if feeding on a deciduous host, they can consume the leaves down to the leaf veins. Pupation can occur in southern New England in late September or into October and this occurs within the “bag”. Typically, this means that the caterpillars could encounter a killing frost and die before mating could occur. However, in warmer areas of Massachusetts or if we experience a prolonged, warm autumn, it is possible for this insect to overwinter and again become a problem the following season. If the larvae survive to pupation, adult male moths emerge and are winged, able to fly to their flightless female mates. The adult male is blackish in color with transparent wings. The female is worm-like; she lacks eyes, wings, functional legs, or mouthparts. The female never gets the chance to leave the bag she constructs as a larva. The male finds her, mates, and the female moth develops eggs inside her abdomen. These eggs (500-1000) overwinter inside the deceased female, inside her bag, and can hatch roughly around mid-June in southern New England. Like other insects with flightless females, the young larvae can disperse by ballooning (spinning a silken thread and catching the wind to blow them onto a new host). While arborvitae and junipers can be some of the most commonly known host plants for this insect, the bagworm has a broad host range including both deciduous and coniferous hosts numbering over 120 different species. Bagworm has been observed on spruce, Canaan fir, honeylocust, oak, European hornbeam, rose, and London planetree among many others.

This insect can be managed through physical removal, if they can be safely reached. Squeezing them within their bags or gathering them in a bucket full of soapy water (or to crush by some other means) can be effective ways to manage this insect on ornamental plants. Early instar bagworm caterpillars can be managed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) but this is most effective on young bagworms that are approximately no larger than ¾ inch in length. As bagworms grow in size, they may also have behavioral mechanisms for avoiding chemical management. At this point in the season, physical removal (if possible) may be the best option. This will also preserve any natural enemies that would be found attacking this insect, such as certain parasitic wasps. It is also important to note that the bags from dead bagworms will remain on the host plant, so check the viability of the bagworms by dissecting their bags to avoid unnecessary chemical applications. Historically in Massachusetts, bagworms have been mostly a problem coming in on infested nursery stock. With females laying 500-1000 eggs, if those eggs overwinter the population can grow quite large in a single season on an infested host. Typically this insect becomes a problem on hedgerows or plantings nearby an infested host plant. Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis is found from Massachusetts to Florida, and is typically a more significant pest in southern climates. However, in recent years (2019-2021), bagworm appears to be overwintering in successfully in certain locations in Massachusetts.

  • Fall Home-Invading Insects: Various insects, such as ladybugs, boxelder bugs, seedbugs, and stink bugs will begin to seek overwintering shelters in warm places, such as homes, throughout the next couple of months. While such invaders do not cause any measurable structural damage, they can become a nuisance especially when they are present in large numbers. While the invasion has not yet begun, if you are not willing to share your home with such insects, now should be the time to repair torn window screens, repair gaps around windows and doors, and sure up any other gaps through which they might enter the home.
  • Fall webworm caterpillars found feeding on eastern redbud on 7/1/2021. (Image Courtesy of: Ryan Sullivan.) Fall Webworm: Hyphantria cunea is native to North America and Mexico. It is now considered a world-wide pest, as it has spread throughout much of Europe and Asia. (For example, it was introduced accidentally into Hungary from North America in the 1940’s.) Hosts include nearly all shade, fruit, and ornamental trees except conifers. In the USA, at least 88 species of trees are hosts for these insects, while in Europe at least 230 species are impacted. In the past history of this pest, it was once thought that the fall webworm was a two-species complex. It is now thought that H. cunea has two color morphs – one black headed and one red headed. These two color forms differ not only in the coloration of the caterpillars and the adults, but also in their behaviors. Caterpillars may go through at least 11 molts, each stage occurring within a silken web they produce over the host. When alarmed, all caterpillars in the group will move in unison in jerking motions that may be a mechanism for self-defense. Depending upon the location and climate, 1-4 generations of fall webworm can occur per year. Fall webworm adult moths lay eggs on the underside of the leaves of host plants in the spring. These eggs hatch in late June or early July depending on climate. Young larvae feed together in groups on the undersides of leaves, first skeletonizing the leaf and then enveloping other leaves and eventually entire branches within their webs. Webs are typically found on the terminal ends of branches. All caterpillar activity occurs within this tent, which becomes filled with leaf fragments, cast skins, and frass. Fully grown larvae then wander from the webs and pupate in protected areas such as the leaf litter where they will remain for the winter. Adult fall webworm moths emerge the following spring/early summer to start the cycle over again. 50+ species of parasites and 36+ species of predators are known to attack fall webworm in North America. Fall webworms typically do not cause extensive damage to their hosts. Nests may be an aesthetic issue for some. If in reach, small fall webworm webs may be pruned out of trees and shrubs and destroyed. Do not set fire to H. cunea webs when they are still attached to the host plant.
  • A hickory tussock moth caterpillar found on blueberry, seen in Hampshire County, MA on 9/8/2021. (Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.) Hickory Tussock Moth: Lophocampa caryae is native to southern Canada and the northeastern United States. There is one generation per year. Overwintering occurs as a pupa inside a fuzzy, oval shaped cocoon. Adult moths emerge approximately in May and their presence can continue into July. Females will lay clusters of 100+ eggs together on the underside of leaves. Females of this species can fly, however they have been called weak fliers due to their large size. When first hatched from their eggs, the young caterpillars will feed gregariously in a group, eventually dispersing and heading out on their own to forage. Caterpillar maturity can take up to three months and color changes occur during this time. These caterpillars are essentially white with some black markings and a black head capsule. They are very hairy, and should not be handled with bare hands as many can have skin irritations or rashes (dermatitis) as a result of interacting with hickory tussock moth hairs. By late September, the caterpillars will create their oval, fuzzy cocoons hidden in the leaf litter where they will again overwinter. Hosts whose leaves are fed upon by these caterpillars include but are not limited to hickory, walnut, butternut, linden, apple, basswood, birch, elm, black locust, and aspen. Maple and oak have also been reportedly fed upon by this insect. Several wasp species are parasitoids of hickory tussock moth caterpillars.
  • Lacebugs: Stephanitis spp. lacebugs such as S. pyriodes can cause severe injury to azalea foliage. S. rhododendri can be common on rhododendron and mountain laurel. S. takeyai has been found developing on Japanese andromeda, leucothoe, styrax, and willow. Stephanitis spp. lace bug activity should be monitored through September. Before populations become too large, treat with a summer rate horticultural oil spray as needed. Be sure to target the undersides of the foliage in order to get proper coverage of the insects. Certain azalea and andromeda cultivars may be less preferred by lace bugs.
  • Viburnum Leaf Beetle: Pyrrhalta viburni is a beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that is native to Europe, but was found in Massachusetts in 2004. 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/ .

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

Weeds

Many winter annual weeds will be germinating in the next two months so now is the time to mulch landscape beds or areas that are known to have populations of winter annual weeds. Some common landscape winter annual weeds:

mouse-ear cress          Arabidopsis thaliana

thymeleaf sandwort     Arenaria serpyllifolia

downy brome              Bromus tectorum

shepherd's-purse        Capsella bursa-pastoris

bittercress                   Cardamine hirsuta

sticky chickweed          Cerastium viscosum

horseweed                   Conyza canadensis

spring whitlowgrass     Draba verna

henbit                          Lamium amplexicaule

red deadnettle             Lamium purpureum

field pepperweed         Lepidium campestre

Virginia pepperweed    Lepidium virginicum

pineappleweed            Matricaria matricariodes

annual bluegrass         Poa annua

knawel                         Scleranthus annuus

common chickweed     Stellaria media

field pennycress          Thlaspi arvense

corn speedwell            Veronica arvensis

purslane speedwell      Veronica peregrina

 

Poison ivy can be treated now. Glyphosate or triclopyr are the best herbicides for poison ivy control. Triclopyr products should be selected over glyphosate products in areas where grasses need to be saved. Contact (ScytheTM, RewardTM) or the non-chemical/organic herbicide products will provide “burndown” activity only and will not adequately control poison ivy.

Summer annual weeds have become very large at this point in the season. Treating them with a non-selective herbicide will result in unsightly dead vegetation, so hand weeding may be necessary. Consider physical removal followed by a fresh mulch layer. This will cover any plants you could not remove as well as provide protection against winter annual weeds mentioned above.

Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum, is nearing the end of its flowering period with the start of flower drop. Herbicide application should continue. Glyphosate-based herbicide products are the best choice for the control of Japanese knotweed. In areas near water, a formulation of glyphosate that is labeled for use near water will need to be used. Non-chemical products containing clove oil, citric acid, acetic acid and/or orange extract will not effectively control Japanese knotweed.

Report by Randy Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program


Additional Resources

Pesticide License Exams - The MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is now holding exams online. For more information and how to register, go to: https://www.mass.gov/pesticide-examination-and-licensing

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For a complete listing of upcoming events, see our upcoming educational events https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/upcoming-events

For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out UMass Extension's Greenhouse Update website

For professional turf managers - Check out Turf Management Updates

For home gardeners and garden retailers - Check out our home lawn and garden resources

Diagnostic Services

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 lab provides test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For more information, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. The lab is currently accepting new orders for Routine Soil Analysis (including optional Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrate testing), Particle Size Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate (PSNT), and Soilless Media (no other types of soil analyses available at this time). Turnaround time: 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.

Tick Testing - The UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment provides a list of potential tick identification and testing options at: https://ag.umass.edu/resources/tick-testing-resources.