Hort Notes 2024 Vol. 35:7

September 1

A monthly e-newsletter from UMass Extension for landscapers, arborists, and other Green Industry professionals, including monthly tips for home gardeners.

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In This Issue

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Registration for our 2024 Green School has Begun!

UMass Extension’s Green School is a comprehensive 60+ hour certificate short course that offers fundamental horticultural training in a compact time frame.

Who Should Attend? Professional practitioners such as landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, sports field managers, public and private grounds managers, DPW, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, and others in the green industries. Both experienced individuals, as well as those aspiring to be, will benefit from this course.

Where? Entirely virtual in 2024, taught by UMass Extension Specialists, UMass faculty, and distinguished guest instructors. 

When? Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons 1:00 to 4:30 pm from 10/29/2024 thru 12/19/2024.  

How? The curriculum emphasizes a systems-based approach to plant and land care based on current research and is built on a framework of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). 

Choose one of two specialty tracks (the Arbor track is on hiatus in 2024): 

  • Landscape Management
  • Turf Management

For complete information, detailed schedules and registration options, go to https://ag.umass.edu/greenschool

Why Choose Green School? 

  • A robust alternative or a stepping stone to a more involved degree program.
  • Convenient yet rigorous remote learning from the comfort of your home or office.
  • In-depth, research-based training for skills that are in high demand, and are applicable to active and engaging outdoor work.
  • Two educational track options to fit your personal goals.
  • Structured interaction with University educators and researchers.
  • Competitive fees and tuition assistance options.
  • An established program with a 30+ year history and a certificate that carries weight in the industry.

Move your career or business forward, and achieve better results with a smaller overall impact!

Rhizoctonia Crown and Root Rot

Rhizoctonia crown rot on impatiens Rhizoctonia infected dianthus The fungus Rhizoctonia solani can cause crown and root rot in a wide range of annuals and perennials. Rhizoctonia is a natural inhabitant of the soil and can survive there indefinitely. It survives as mycelium in infected plants and plant debris and as sclerotia, small masses of hyphae with a protective rind that resists desiccation.

Symptoms of Rhizoctonia infection include stunting, dieback, yellowing or browning of leaves, wilting, brown lesions on the stem near the soil line, plant collapse, and rotted roots and/or crowns. Other pathogens can cause similar symptoms, so an accurate diagnosis is important.

The fungus exists as many different strains that vary by host preference and environmental requirements. Rhizoctonia diseases are favored by high fertility (especially high nitrogen) and are more severe on lush, succulent, dense plants. Disease is also favored by high humidity, warm temperatures, frequent watering and/or irrigation, and cloudy, overcast weather. Rhizoctonia tends to like drier soils than other root and crown rotting fungi, but it does require high humidity for growth and disease development.

For management, avoid damaging stems and roots during planting. Soil preparation that minimizes compaction and structural damage will lessen disease severity. Thin plants to improve air circulation where possible. Water in the morning. Drip irrigation is preferable to overhead. Remove infected plants and plant debris and dispose of them in the trash. Registered fungicides include thiophanate-methyl, azoxystrobin, mancozeb, and polyoxin D. Fungicides may help to suppress Rhizoctonia but they are not a substitute for proper site preparation and good cultural conditions.

Since the season is nearly over there is little that can be done to mitigate Rhizoctonia diseases at this point; however, there are things that can be done next spring in order to prevent disease from re-occurring. Biological controls may be mixed into the soil prior to planting or applied as a drench to established plants. Labeled products include MycoStop, Actinovate, Cease, Double Nickel, Root Shield, Howler, Serenade, and Stargus. Read product labels and follow all directions carefully. Avoid over-fertilizing. Avoid light, frequent irrigation: water deeply and infrequently as possible without causing moisture stress, preferably in the morning. If symptoms occur, remove and dispose of affected plants and a border of healthy appearing plants.

 

Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension Plant Pathologist

Trouble Maker of the Month

Invasive Insect Updates for Massachusetts

The troublemaker(s) of the month “award” clearly goes to three of the newer invasive insects on the scene in Massachusetts. Box tree moth, elm zigzag sawfly, and the spotted lanternfly have all been active in our state in 2024. Public reports of box tree moth, elm zigzag sawfly and spotted lanternfly are on the rise. This article will provide short updates for the 2024 growing season, as well as where to report suspicious insects.

Note: this article includes the best infestation information available at the time of publication . While the majority of the information is up-to-date, the number of locations of infestations of each of these insects may have already increased, as this information can change daily. Please check the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Forest Health Program web pages and maps for updates.

Box Tree Moth

Hosts & Damage

As the common name would suggest, the primary hosts of the box tree moth are boxwood (Buxus spp.). Heavy defoliation of ornamental boxwoods can occur if this insect is not managed. Defoliation of existing or new growth can eventually lead to plant death. Once the caterpillars have eaten all the host plant leaves, some have been observed to strip bark from branches or main stems, which may also lead to host plant mortality. This damage may be difficult to see in the beginning of an infestation. Young, tiny larvae are good at hiding among host plant leaves and branches. Eventually, defoliation, webbing, and green-black frass pellets may be noticed because of box tree moth infestation. Defoliated leaves may appear “peeled” or with only a midrib remaining. Severely infested plants look brown or scorched. 

New Detections in MA in 2024

Box tree moths have been detected previously (August of 2023) in Barnstable County in the communities of Bourne, Sandwich, and Barnstable, MA. In 2024, box tree moths were reported in Yarmouth, and Plymouth, MA (also Barnstable County). A map of the locations where box tree moths occur in Massachusetts is provided by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and frequently updated.

Where to Report

If you suspect you have found any life stages of the box tree moth, or the damage it causes to boxwood, please take a photo and report the location of the observation to the MA Department of Agricultural Resources using their Report Pest Sightings Form.

Additional Information, Including Management

More information about the management of box tree moth, as well as the insect itself, can be found by visiting the following additional resources:

Elm Zigzag Sawfly

Hosts & Damage

As the common name suggests, the caterpillars of the elm zigzag sawfly feed on elm (Ulmus spp.). They may commonly feed on slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), winged elm (Ulmus alata), American elm (Ulmus americana), Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), English elm (Ulmus minor 'Atinia'), lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia), and hybrid elms (Ulmus spp.). (Hybrids found to be impacted in Virginia include: Ulmus ‘Cathedral’ Japanese x Siberian hybrid.) Elms in both natural/forested areas as well as managed landscapes are fed upon by this insect. 

Females cause a tiny amount of damage to the edges of host plant leaves as they lay their eggs. Tiny scars are formed as a result of female egg laying. Eggs hatch, and young sawfly caterpillars begin their characteristic zig-zag patterned feeding. These zig-zag shaped notches in the leaf can extend 5-10 mm into the leaf from the edge. Multiple caterpillars can feed on a single leaf. Entire leaves can be completely defoliated, leaving only veins behind. Heavily infested trees can suffer partial or complete defoliation.

It is currently thought that elms can recover from periodic defoliation by this pest, however individual elm trees may be weakened and predisposed to other pests and stressors by elm zigzag sawfly feeding. If several years of complete defoliation occur in a row, tree mortality could possibly occur, however this has not yet been observed in the US. Death of individual branches on susceptible hosts has been observed. The impact of this new invasive insect in the United States is not currently fully understood.

In Europe, it is common that the elm zigzag sawfly outbreaks regularly and defoliates urban trees and large tracts of natural forest, however mortality of entire trees has not been reported there. Some trees are known to create new foliage following defoliation in a single season.

New Detections in MA in 2024

Elm zigzag sawfly was first detected in Becket, MA in August of 2023. Since then, it has been detected in the following Massachusetts communities in 2023: Williamstown, Windsor, Chester, Deerfield, and Sunderland and in 2024: New Ashford, Dalton, Hinsdale, Washington, Great Barrington, Tyringham, Chesterfield, Williamsburg, Westfield, Holyoke, Granby, Amherst, and Greenfield. A map of these locations can be found on the MA DCR Forest Health Program Elm Zigzag Sawfly page.

Where to Report

If you believe you have found elm zigzag sawfly, please take a photo, note your location, and report it immediately using MA DCR’s Massachusetts Elm Zigzag Sawfly Reporting Form. 

Additional Information, Including Management

More information about the management of elm zigzag sawfly, as well as the insect itself, can be found by visiting the following additional resources:

Spotted Lanternfly

Hosts & Damage

Spotted lanternflies feed on many plant species but are typically first seen on tree-of-heaven and are an agricultural pest of grapes. Both the adult and immature life stages of the spotted lanternfly use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on their host plants. They remove massive quantities of host plant fluid and excrete it as a liquid excrement known as honeydew. Honeydew can be seen and feels like light rain or mist coming from the canopy of infested trees. It will coat the surface of any objects (including other plants) below. By August in Massachusetts, many hymenopterous insects (ants, bees, and wasps) are very much attracted to this honeydew, and the activity of the swarming wasps and bees that are feeding on the honeydew is often easier to spot than the lanternflies themselves. Black sooty mold can also be found growing on surfaces (and leaves) coated in honeydew.

Leaf loss of small diameter tree-of-heaven has been seen in MA and other states due to the feeding activity of this insect, and branch dieback and flagging has been seen on black walnut in PA. Vineyards in PA have been documented to have suffered losses of grapes due to spotted lanternfly feeding. The impact of this insect on all the over 100 species of documented host plants is not fully understood at this time. Observations from PA indicate that the nymphs have a broad host range and will feed on virtually any new or tender plant growth. Adults, on the other hand, seem to prefer the woody stems of certain tree species and vines, including tree-of-heaven.

Spotted lanternfly is a plant stressor, which when combined with other biotic or abiotic plant stresses, may contribute to significant damage to their host plants. However, some hosts (grapes, tree-of-heaven, maple, black walnut) may be at more risk than others. Feeding damage can also result in yield loss or quality reduction of agricultural crops.

New Detections in MA in 2024

Spotted lanternfly now has established populations in the following locations in Massachusetts as of 2021: Fitchburg; 2022: Springfield, Worcester, and Shrewsbury; 2023: Holyoke, West Springfield, Agawam, Southborough, Ashland, Chelmsford, Weston, and Wellesley; and as of 2024: Chicopee, Ludlow, Wilbraham, Grafton, Lawrence, Lynn, and Seekonk, MA. A map of the locations where spotted lanternfly occurs in Massachusetts is provided by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and frequently updated. Note: since this article was published, additional locations with spotted lanternfly infestations have been confirmed (as of 2024) by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, including: Andover and Attleboro, MA.

Where to Report

If you believe you have found the spotted lanternfly, please take a photo, note your location, and report it immediately using the Spotted Lanternfly Report Form.

Additional Information, Including Management

More information about the management of spotted lanternfly, as well as the insect itself, can be found by visiting the following additional resources:

Decision Making Guides for Home & Property Owners Living with SLF in MA

For home and property owners now living with spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts, the MA Department of Agricultural Resources offers the following decision-making guides:

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

Q&A - Lawn Topics

Q: I know that mulches are important tools for turf establishment, but I don’t have a good understanding of why and how mulches are used in this way.  Can you fill me in?

A: There are two main aspects to turf performance.  One is appearance, which receives a lot of emphasis in most cases, so much that we tend to overlook the other side of performance, which is turf function. 

Function refers the work that turf surfaces do on our behalf, and on the behalf of the larger environment.  A great deal of the functional ability of turf has to do with how well the turf canopy covers and protects the soil underneath it.  This functional canopy also provides other services, such as weed suppression, moisture retention, and mediation of large temperature swings.

Planting turfgrasses often involves starting with a site in a bare soil state.  Having soil exposed for any length of time is nearly always undesirable, as this invites issues such as weed encroachment, soil compaction, and erosion, dust, and other unwanted soil movement.

Mulches help by acting as a bridge between the bare soil starting point and the time at which the turf is well-established, and therefore fully functional.  Turf establishment is a process, which happens over time, and a primary job of mulch is to act as a proxy for the turf stand until it is fully developed.  In higher intensity systems, we sometimes see manufactured covers used in a similar manner.

In addition to serving as a stand-in groundcover, mulches offer numerous secondary benefits that promote successful establishment, which include:

  • Moisture retention, to enable easier water management, which can be tricky during the establishment period.
  • Prevention of erosion and other unwanted soil movement.
  • Protection of seed and seedlings from movement due to washing or wind.
  • Protection of seed and seedlings from foraging animals or birds.
  • Buffering of temperature fluctuations… some mulches can even provide cooling or warming effects.

Mulches are key for protecting bare soil during the turf establishment process, especially on slopes where erosion is a concern. The mulch used here is a biodegradable straw netting that rolls out easily for fast and uniform application. Useful and effective mulch materials range from composts and biosolids, to paper pulp materials that may include sophisticated polymers, to all-in-one, roll-out wood fiber or straw netting systems.  Generally, the higher the sophistication and convenience, the higher the cost.  The best mulches are those that slowly biodegrade as the turf grows in, enabling an elegant transition from mulched surface to established turf, while adding some organic material to the soil in the process.

A necessary consideration for mulch materials is that they be clean, as in free of large debris and of course, weed seeds.  Avoid questionable composts and hay materials which may harbor weed seeds and vegetative parts; an objective of mulching is to suppress weeds and prevent weed invasion, not create future problems.  Salt marsh hay generally carries little weed concern (in that weeds that grow in a salt marsh aren’t prone to grow on dry, upland sites) but it can be comparatively expensive and harder to source.  Be sure also to account for any nutrient contribution of the mulch material in the fertility program, especially in the case of higher nutrient materials such as composts. 

Multiple studies have demonstrated that, while more complex and costly modern solutions are available, it’s hard to beat the tried-and-true choice of good, clean straw in most turf establishment scenarios.  Note the rule of thumb of 1-1.5 bales per 1000ft2 and approximately 75% coverage/25% soil exposed, and enjoy enhanced germination, coverage, speed, and success with your next turf establishment project.

Q: What exactly is an “enhanced efficiency” nitrogen fertilizer?  Are these essentially the same as “slow-release” sources of N?

A: A great question for this time of year, which is the most important time for fertilizing cool-season grasses.  The short answer?  No, not really.

Nitrogen (N) is the most important essential nutrient for most cultivated plants, including turf.  One of the reasons we fertilize with N is that plant growth is very responsive to N levels.  Higher N availability translates to more growth.  While we like the idea of vigorous growth and deep green color, a lot of growth can be too much of a good thing.  Overstimulation of growth can promote succulent, less resilient plants, stunted root systems, and lots of mowing, which is the most time consuming and costly input for most management programs.

Too much N can also cause problems beyond the turf system.  Nitrogen is typically very transient and mobile in the environment, and N that is not quickly taken up by plants is subject to potential loss.  Some forms of N readily move with water, either across the soil surface with runoff, or below the reach of the root system with gravitational drainage (leaching).  This movement of N into the environment can impair both surface and drinking water.

Some N sources are also prone to conversion to a gaseous form after application, which is subsequently lost to the atmosphere; a process called volatilization.  Volatilization losses can be significant under certain conditions (especially warm and damp).  While concerns around N volatilization are not as acute as N loss involving water, it contributes to inefficiency and waste.  There is also increasing evidence that some gaseous N compounds in the atmosphere can play a role in the greenhouse effect, along with more general impacts on air quality.

Slowly available or slow-release nitrogen (SRN) fertilizer materials (as opposed to readily available, water-soluble N sources, WSN) include water-insoluble N (WIN) materials and various engineered slow-release N technologies sometimes referred to as controlled release nitrogen (CRN).  These slowly available sources, which “meter out” the N contained in them, offer valuable opportunities for tailoring N availability to plant needs and reducing “surge growth” and losses via runoff and leaching promoted by excess N availability.  Read more about the utility of slow-release N for fertilizer programming in and around Table 12 in Chapter 7 of UMass Extension’s Lawn BMP document.

In contrast, the term enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF), by strict definition, most often refers to stabilized N sources.  The stabilization process yields fertilizers that behave differently compared to SRN or WIN materials.  There are two current stabilization technologies found among nitrogen EEFs for turf:

  • Urease inhibitors – Prevent N conversion to the gaseous form, thereby reducing volatilization loss.  While these sources can reduce N movement to the atmosphere and improve plant use efficiency of applied N, they don’t necessarily mitigate the potential for runoff or leaching losses of N as described above.
  • Nitrification inhibitors - Work to keep more of the N in the fertilizer in the ammonium form.  Ammonium is preferred by plants, and is less susceptible to loss routes like leaching relative to other forms of N.

Be aware that recommendations and regulations can sometimes conflate these different N sources and blur the lines between their distinct and varying attributes.  Be sure to read labels and endeavor to gain a better understanding of the nuances, benefits, and potential drawbacks of these materials.  The take home is that there is a range of fertilizer technologies available today, with bearing on how the N contained in them behaves relative to plant and soil health as well as human health and natural resource protection.  It is important to have a sound management plan, and to have a good understanding of how these tools can enable maximum turf performance as well as good environmental stewardship.

Jason D. Lanier, Extension Turf Specialist and Group Leader, Commercial Horticulture

Garden Clippings Tips of the Month

September is the month to . . . .

  • Start fall clean up. Fall cleanup will help with the success of the garden next spring. Plants and weeds left over for the winter can harbor diseases and insect pests. Remove all diseased materials to reduce overwintering of pathogens in the garden and dispose in the trash (not the compost). Remove dead annual plants and weeds. Harvest all usable vegetables and annual flowers. Leftover disease-free debris can be tilled into the soil to decay and enrich the soil with organic matter. Clean up perennial beds.
  • Start a compost pile. You can start a compost pile using disease and insect free plant material. Do not include weed plants laden with seeds because even though some seeds will be killed during the composting process those that survive can create future weed problems. Grass clippings and fallen tree leaves can be included in the compost pile. Locate the compost pile on a level area with good drainage, partial shade and protected from strong winds which can dry and cool the pile
  • Aerate your lawn. September is a good time to aerate lawns to alleviate soil compaction. Compaction occurs at the soil surface. A compacted layer can greatly impede water infiltration. Aeration relieves soil compaction, improves water and nutrient movement in the soil and encourages root growth by increasing oxygen to roots. Aerate lawns with a core aerator. Core aerators have hollow metal tubes that remove plugs of soil or soil cores. For best results, aerate lawns when the soil is slightly moist. Avoid aeration when soils are dry or wet. The core aerator tubes will not be able to penetrate deeply when the soil is dry and may be plugged with soil when the soil is wet.
  • Plant woody ornamentals.  September is a good time to plant trees and shrubs when air temperatures are cool and soils are still warm and moist.  Planting in early fall allows enough time for plants to establish a root system during cooler weather. Fall conditions provide the greatest chance for successful establishment and for surviving the following year’s hot summer temperatures. Make sure to select healthy trees and shrubs to plant in the fall. Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well-watered. If water restrictions apply to your site, don’t plant woody ornamentals as this time.
  • Do a soil test. Fall is the ideal time to get a soil test.  A soil test will determine if lime application is needed. The best time to apply lime is during the fall. Lime applied during the fall has enough time to change the soil pH by next spring. A soil test will also provide recommendations of plant nutrients that need to be applied, how much to apply and when to apply. For more information on soil testing refer to the UMass Soil and Nutrient Testing Laboratory.
  • Harvest apples as they ripen. The harvest period for apples varies from one cultivar to another. Harvest time may vary slightly from year to year due to weather conditions during the growing season. Mature apples are firm, crisp, juicy, well-colored and have developed the characteristic flavor of the cultivar.  It is important to harvest fruits at the right stage of maturity in order to maintain quality and freshness. Ease of separation from the spur is a good indicator of maturity and ripeness. Avoid bruising the fruit during harvesting. Sort the apples during harvest, remove promptly, and discard bruised or cut apples.
  • Remove dropped fruits. Remove dropped fruits around crabapples and other fruit trees. Removing the dropped fruit from the ground helps to reduce insect and disease carryover. Dropped fruits can harbor disease pathogens and insect pests such apple maggot. Rake and remove all dropped fruits and compost or destroy them. Sanitation practices will reduce disease incidence next year
  • Prepare the site for spring flowering bulbs. Late fall is the best time to plant hardy spring flowering bulbs. Preparing the soil properly for planting bulbs is very important. Good soil drainage is essential in growing bulbs.   If the soil has high clay content, add an organic amendment such as compost or plant in raised beds. If the soil is mostly sand, add organic amendments to increase water and nutrient holding capacity.
  • Add organic matter to the soil. Fall manure or compost application allows time for breakdown to provide plant nutrients and other soil benefits in the spring. Adding organic matter improves the soil structure, increases nutrient holding capacity, improves soil drainage and water holding capacity, provides plant nutrients and increases the biological activity in the soil. Manure or compost should be thoroughly incorporated into the soil when dry to prevent layering. This can be done by thoroughly rototilling the compost or manure after applying to the soil surface.
  • Move house plants indoors. September is a good time to move indoor houseplants that were moved outdoors for summer growth. Move houseplants back indoors as night temperatures begin to drop below 60°F. Before moving houseplants back indoors check them thoroughly for insects. If necessary treat the plants with a registered pesticide before you move them indoors to prevent an indoor infestation. Clean the houseplants and repot and fertilize if necessary; then bring them indoors.

Geoffrey Njue, UMass Extension Sustainable Landscapes Specialist

Rainbows on the Wing

Swooping, soaring, and perching through the air: High summer is the time of dragons.

bluet eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) Aeshnid

Over 160 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) can be found in Massachusetts. Often referred to as “rainbows on the wing,” dragonflies and damselflies come in a variety of patterns, shapes, and colors. Colloquially, both dragonflies and damselflies are referred to as “dragonflies,” though there are some significant differences between the two groups.

Dragonflies are ancient rulers of their tiny realm. They have been on our planet for an estimated 250 million years and are well-adapted for prey capture. Their menu includes just about anything smaller than them. Occasionally, it includes animals similarly sized or slightly larger, depending on the species in question.

Despite their long tenure on this planet, the shifting nature of modern landscapes presents challenges. Dragonflies are threatened globally by loss of wetlands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that 16% of the 6,016 species are at risk of extinction. In Massachusetts, we have 22 species listed as either endangered, threatened, or of special concern. The threats to these species are typically human-related: loss of habitat, habitat alteration, and chemical contamination are among the most common.

My primary advice for protecting dragonflies is to support your local conservation groups. Local land trusts and our state’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program are some examples of these groups.

Clean water is critical for breeding. All dragonflies develop in and around water of various types. Aquatic habitats can take the form of either lotic (streams and rivers) or lentic (ponds and lakes). The water may be clear or murky. However, it must be free from chemical contamination, which includes pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. Plant diversity is often correlated with healthy dragonfly habitat. Upland and aquatic plants (shoreland, emergent, floating, and submerged) all provide several supporting roles throughout the dragonfly life cycle.

At home, aquaculture can provide additional space for many dragonflies. However, this may not be as simple or helpful as it sounds. You may notice many more species than you would see otherwise. But many of our protected species require conditions that cannot be met with artificial backyard ponds. Furthermore, not just any small pond will do. My suggestion is to follow the British Dragonfly Society’s recommendation of 15 x 20’. Additionally, there should be a spot in the middle that reaches 3’ or deeper. The aquatic stage can last 5 years or longer in some species and juvenile dragonflies will need a spot that won’t freeze solid in the winter. Also, keep in mind that these ponds can provide an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Kathy Biggs’ Build a Pond for Wildlife is a source for more information on building a pond for wildlife.

One final note is that you can aid dragonflies for free. Just simply observe and report them. Track your observations in an online database. Species and location data can tell us about the way populations are declining, increasing, or simply changing.

Avenues for reporting dragonflies and damselflies:

iNaturalist

Bugguide

Citations:

Nikula, B. Loose JL. Burne M. (2003). A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2021, December 9). Dragonflies threatened as wetlands around the world disappear - IUCN Red List [Press release]. https://www.iucn.org/news/species/202112/dragonflies-threatened-wetlands-around-world-disappear-iucn-red-list

Janssen, A., Hunger, H., Konold, W., Pufal, G., & Staab, M. (2018). Simple pond restoration measures increase dragonfly (Insecta: Odonata) diversity. Biodiversity and Conservation, 27(9), 2311-2328.

Perron, M. A. C., Richmond, I. C., & Pick, F. R. (2021). Plants, water quality and land cover as drivers of Odonata assemblages in urban ponds. Science of The Total Environment, 773, 145467.

Lumpkin, W. P., Stirek, K. R., & Dyer, L. A. (2020). Macrophyte diversity and complexity reduce larval mosquito abundance. Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(4), 1041-1048.

Minot, M., Aubert, M., & Husté, A. (2021). Pond creation and restoration: patterns of odonate colonization and community dynamics. Biodiversity and Conservation, 30(14), 4379-4399.

Lumpkin, W. P., Stirek, K. R., & Dyer, L. A. (2020). Macrophyte diversity and complexity reduce larval mosquito abundance. Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(4), 1041-1048

 

Blake Dinius, Plymouth County (MA) Entomologist

New UMass Extension Newsletter: The Pollinator Buzz!

Interested in learning about pollinator health, outreach events, and conservation opportunities? Subscribe to receive the latest updates via The Pollinator Buzz, a new quarterly newsletter. Typical features will include native plant and bee species profiles, hot topics in bee conservation, upcoming event announcements, and more!

See http://ag.umass.edu/resources/pollinators/native-pollinators-conservation/pollinator-buzz for more info, and to subscribe

Upcoming Events

For more details and registration options for upcoming events, go to the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program Upcoming Events Page.

  • 9/4/2024 - Enrollment scheduled to open for the UMass Winter School for Turf Managers
  • 09/15/24 - End of early-bird rate for Green School registrations. For complete details and registration options, go to http://ag.umass.edu/greenschool.
  • 10/18/24 - Deadline to register for UMass Extension's 2024 Green School.
  • 10/29/24 - Green School begins!

Additional Resources

For detailed reports on growing conditions and pest activity – Check out the Landscape Message

For professional turf managers - Check out our Turf Management Updates

For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out the New England Greenhouse Update website

For pollinator interests - Check out the Pollinator Buzz

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

TickTalk webinars - To view recordings of past webinars in this series, go to: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/ticktalk-with-tickreport-webinars

Diagnostic Services

Landscape and Turf Problem Diagnostics - The UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab is accepting plant disease, insect pest and invasive plant/weed samples. By mail is preferred, but clients who would like to hand-deliver samples may do so by leaving them in the bin marked "Diagnostic Lab Samples" near the back door of French Hall. The lab serves 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. See our website for instructions on sample submission and for a sample submission form at http://ag.umass.edu/diagnostics. 

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The lab is accepting orders for Routine Soil Analysis (including optional Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrate testing), Particle Size Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate (PSNT), Total Sorbed Metals, and Soilless Media (no other types of soil analyses available at this time). 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 updates and order forms, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. 

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.