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K-State Turf and Landscape Blog

Entomology Department Insect Diagnostics

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Anthony Zukoff, Extension Associate, Entomology

The Entomology Department’s Insect Diagnostics service continues to accept digital identification requests.  Our extension specialists’ areas of expertise include home and structural pests, horticultural and garden pests, pests of medical and veterinary importance, agricultural pests as well as general “what’s this bug?” requests.  Members of the public seeking assistance identifying an insect or insect related problems can access the Insect Diagnostics ID Request Form online.

After providing observation information such as location and date of the sighting, followed by answering a set of questions intended to help with the identification process, one can then upload up to 3 photos and submit the form.  The inquiry is then forwarded on to one of the entomology extension specialists.  Within a few days, usually less than two, the identity of the insect along with appropriate life history information and/or control measures is then sent to the client by email or phone.

The online submission process takes only a few minutes and can be accessed with desktop computers and mobile devices. If you need insect identification assistance, submit a request at https://entomology.k-state.edu/extension/diagnostician/.  Any questions about the program can be submitted to Insect Diagnostics Program Coordinator, Anthony Zukoff at azukoff@ksu.edu.

Water Conservation Practices in Kansas Landscapes

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Cheryl Boyer, Professor and Extension Specialist

While some parts of Kansas are experiencing relief from drought (let’s celebrate with far Western Kansas!), significant portions of the state continue to need water. The current map of Kansas on the U.S. Drought Monitor shows only 9 of our 105 counties with no drought. That means that 91% of Kansas counties are experiencing some combination of abnormally dry, moderate drought, severe drought, extreme drought, or exceptional drought.

Having enough water for human needs and health will always (and should) take priority over landscape use. So how do we adapt? Here are some best practices for water conservation in the landscape. Use these ideas as regular practices for your work and as opportunities to educate consumers on ways they can contribute to our ongoing water needs.

  1. Make a plan.
    • Consider factors on each site that may affect water use, like steep slopes, shading, and overall landscape goals.
  2. Improve soil conditions.
    • Get a soil test! Identify nutrient status, organic matter content, and pH to help you identify needs and approaches.
  3. Choose appropriate plants.
    • Understanding which plants can tolerate Kansas conditions, as well as the specific site conditions for the project, will help place the right plants in the right place.
  4. Water slowly, deeply, and infrequently.
    • Observe the weather and water based on plant needs. Soaker hoses, drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and micro-drip water bags/buckets are all good options to achieve this best practice.
  5. Use mulch.
    • Organic mulch will increase soil quality as it breaks down while keeping soil cooler, reducing weed pressure, and helping soil retain water.

 

For more information (for yourself or to share on your organization’s online platforms) based on learning style, check out:

Got Plant Questions? The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Has Answers.

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Chandler Day, Associate Diagnostician, K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

 

 

A quality diagnoses starts with a quality sample. A sample can be physical plants or digital images of plants. Digital images are a great screening tool to determine if a physical sample is required for diagnoses. In order to make a diagnosis, the quality of the images and/or samples is extremely important. Follow these tips for submitting your plant health questions. If you ever have questions about a plant problem, how to collect and/or ship a sample, feel
free to call or email us.

Inform. Collect. Ship.

Inform:

Send photos and background information to clinic@ksu.edu!

Three types of high quality digital images are an excellent way to pre-screen plant health issues.

  1. Symptoms up close (Fig. 1)
  • Take zoomed in photos of the problem/symptoms.
  • Ensure the image is in focus by tapping the image before you take the shot.
  • Examples of symptoms: leaf spot, branch die-back, sunken tissue, scorched leaves.
Fig 1. Close-up and focused image of leaf spots on iris.

 

  1. Entire plant. (Fig. 2.)
  • Take photos of the entire plant that includes all plant parts from soil level to the top of the plant.
  • Ensure the symptoms are still visible in this type of image.
  • Example: whole tree or shrub (trunk/base to top of crown).

 

Fig. 2. Photo of entire Iris plant with leaf spot still visible.

 

  1. Landscape pattern. (Fig. 3.)
  • Stand back and capture the entire landscape where the plant resides.
  • Include in the photo the surrounding plants, concrete, rocks, drain spouts, or whatever else is near the symptomatic plant. Don’t worry if the symptoms cannot be seen in this type of image.
  • The importance of this image is not to capture the symptoms on the plant but to capture the landscape. This gives us look at how the affected plant is growing within the site and if there are any site issues that might be contributing to the problem.
Fig. 3. Overall landscape view of flowerbed with Iris plants.

 

Useful background information:

  1. Site history:
    • Soil types, drainage, slope, sunny or shady problem areas, previous construction activity, proximity to structures such as roads or sidewalks, etc.
  2. Irrigation practices:
    • Frequency of irrigation, length of time, irrigation application method (sprinkler, drip, hand held hose), time of day
  3. Chemical history:
    • Pesticide usage and timing, fertilizer applications, etc.
  4. Pattern on plant:
    • Describe the problem. Are symptoms on new or old growth? Top or bottom of plant?
  5. Pattern in landscape:
    • One host or multiple hosts? Other plants in the landscape showing similar symptoms?
  6. Timing:
    • When did the symptoms occur: All at once? (i.e. after a storm?) Slowly over time?

 

Collect:

  • Complete the sample submission form with as much information as possible.
  • Send a “healthy” plant and a “sick” plant.
  • Submit entire plants when possible including roots. (EX. Tomatoes, annuals, turf grass, etc.)
  • DIG up plants. Do NOT pull up plants as this can damage the roots.
  • Bag roots separately and then place entire plant into larger plastic bag.
  • Do NOT add water or use paper bags. These degrade the sample quality and affects the diagnostic process.
  • For specific collection guidelines, go to the K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab webpage, scroll down to where it says collection tips, and use the arrows on the right hand side to navigate to the appropriate collection strategy.

 

Ship:

  • Collect and ship samples on the same day. If this is not possible, store plants in plastic bags in the refrigerator until shipping is possible.
  • Ship plants overnight using UPS or FedEx. UPS can take up to 14 days even with 2 day priority shipping.
  • Ship on or before Wednesday to avoid weekend storage.

 

The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is here to help you identify your plant health problems. If you ever have questions about a plant problem, how to collect and/or ship a sample, feel free to call or email us.

 

K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
4032 Throckmorton PSC
1712 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66506
clinic@ksu.edu
785-532-6176

 

Rose Rosette Virus Active in Summer 2023

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Judy O’Mara, Director, K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

 

Rose rosette is currently showing up in Kansas gardens. This disease is a serious problem in wild multiflora roses but also goes to many common garden roses.

The rose rosette virus is spread from plant to plant by a microscopic eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes fructiphilus).  It is the only known insect vector of the rose rosette disease. The mite can be wind dispersed or moved around on tools, clothing or infected plant material. Mites can successfully overwinter on the rose plant. The rose rosette virus can also be spread through grafting.

Rose rosette causes a progressive deformity of the rose plant that gets worse over time. It is challenging to identify visually because symptoms vary widely from plant to plant. Some prominent symptoms can include reddish or distorted leaves, stems that are elongated and thickened, a proliferation of shoots (rosette), and excessive thorniness. Plants infected with rose rosette are also more susceptible to winter damage.

An initial symptom of rose rosette might be an elongated stem with reddish leaves that stands out above the normal growth habit of the shrub. Reddish leaves are a tricky symptom because roses put out new flushes of growth throughout the growing season and the new leaves commonly start out red and then green up.

More characteristic for rose rosette virus are symptoms of bunchy growth or a proliferation of shoots. This symptom is referred to as a rosette or witches’ broom.  Some roses have a bunchy growth pattern so keep in mind that this symptom development should look new or different from the established growth habit of the plant.

A striking symptom for rose rosette is excessive thorniness along the stems. These thorns are generally small, green and soft whereas normal thorns tend to be larger, hard and sharp. Infected plants usually have both types of thorns present.

Pruning out symptomatic portions of infected rose plants will not eliminate the disease.

Plants with rose rosette can survive for one to two years but the virus will continue to spread within a planting. It is important to remove infected plants as soon as possible, including the roots. Infected  plants should be placed in trash bags to reduce further spread of the eriophyid mites.

Interspersing roses with non-rose hosts can slow down the spread of the mite and the rose rosette disease. Dead heading roses throughout the growing season will help minimize the habitat of the eriophyid mite. Resistance is not available for commonly grown garden roses. Native roses resistant to rose rosette include: prickly rose (Rosa acicularis ), prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), smooth rose (Rosa blanda), swamp rose (Rosa paulustris), Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), and scotch rose (Rosa spinosissima).

Visual identification of rose rosette virus disease can be challenging. The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab does offer a PCR test that can confirm the presence of rose rosette virus.  Testing can be expensive but might be worthwhile in locations with large plantings of roses.

 

K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

4032 Throckmorton PSC
1712 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66506
clinic@ksu.edu
785-532-6176

 

Useful references:

Rose Rosette Disease: A Diagnostic Guide. N. Claros, etal. https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PHP-05-22-0047-DG

Rose Rosette Disease. J. Olson, etal.
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/rose-rosette-disease.html#management-guidelines-for-rrd

Historic Dry Spells Lead to Tree Stress: Help Ensure Your Trees Are Healthy Enough to Handle It

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Jason Griffin, Professor, Extension Specialist

Extension personnel across the state have been answering questions about dying/dead trees and shrubs since early spring. Symptoms have ranged from dead, to partially dead, to unusual growth, and late leaf emergence. While it is always good to scout for damaging insects (bagworms anyone?), disease pathogens, and physical injuries such as repeated mower damage to the trunk or recent construction projects that compromised root systems, this year we can blame a lot on our old friend mother nature. Since late summer 2022 through May 2023 rainfall has been scarce, a hard freeze came early, and summer heat exposed any weak landscape plants.

The National Weather Service office in Wichita (@NWSWichita) describes the
period from July 1, 2022 to April 23, 2023 as the 5th driest in history and the driest since 1989. Under those conditions, trees fail to accumulate adequate carbohydrates for the approaching winter, making them more susceptible to winter injury.

As drought continues through winter and spring, trees lack adequate moisture required for new spring growth. The result is trees failing to leaf out in the spring or pushing new spring growth that looks abnormal. If the plants were compromised by pests or physical injuries, environmental stress effects are magnified.

Trees do have mechanisms to deal with elevated temperatures. Unfortunately for the plants, heat rarely occurs as a single isolated event, and it is impossible to talk about heat without mentioning its partners in crime. As seasonal temperatures rise, precipitation becomes less frequent (or absent). Additionally, the Kansas wind machine gets fired up and cloud cover becomes less abundant.  This quadruple whammy reduces a plant’s ability to tolerate elevated temperatures. Trees and shrubs use transpiration to cool themselves. When soil moisture is lacking, transpiration is reduced, thereby exacerbating the issue. If the situation does not improve, long-term damage can occur. What we see now are the effects of months of drought, a cold winter, and summer heat.

Of course, most plants made it into 2023 with little noticeable difficulties, attesting to their resiliency. What can be done to reduce the stressors that lead to tree decline?

Japanese Beetle Activity

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Raymond Cloyd, Horticultural Entomology/Integrated Pest Management

Japanese beetle adults feeding on leaf

Japanese beetle, Popilla japonica, adults are present throughout Kansas feeding on many plants in landscapes and gardens, including: roses (Rosa spp), littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata), oak (Quercus spp.), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), crabapple (Malus spp.), grape (Vitis vinifera), and common garden canna (Canna x generalis).

The strategies to manage Japanese beetle adult populations are limited and have been for many years. The primary strategy involves spraying contact insecticides to kill the adults in order to reduce plant damage.

Japanese beetle adults are 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch long, metallic green with coppery-brown wing covers. There are approximately 14 white tufts of hair along the edge of the abdomen. Japanese beetle adults live up to 45 days feeding on plants over a four-to-six-week period. Adults feed on many horticultural plants including: trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous annual and perennials, vegetables, fruits and grapes.

For more information including how to manage Japanese beetle adult populations, read the latest Kansas Insect Newsletter: https://entomology.k-state.edu/doc/extension-newsletters/2023/KSInsectNewsletter%2010.pdf

 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pesticide Applications – What You Need to Know!

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Frannie Miller, Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator

There is a good deal of interest in using drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the application of pesticides. In our context, a drone is a small, remotely controlled fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. A drone application might be appealing to individuals wanting to spray where it is not practical or desirable to use a traditional spray, or perhaps, for spot spraying.  However, applications are limited by the size of the payload the drone is able to carry and compliance and logistics for such applications can be challenging. Downdraft can affect the deposition of the product and cause off-target movement or volatilization. If you are an applicator who is considering using a drone for applications, here is some basic information regarding licenses that you need to know before you apply any pesticides.

Drone image, courtesy of Brett Bultemeier, University of Florida, Pesticide Information Office

First, any individual who will be operating a drone for pesticide applications shall have a current Remote Pilot Certification under title 14 of the Code of Regulations (14 CFR) 107 and meet all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. This can be achieved by taking a Commercial Remote Pilot Training course or simply taking the exam at an approved testing center. The fee to schedule an examination is usually around $175. Drones shall be operated under the applicable FAA requirements and the necessary exemptions must be obtained according to the weight of the drone being flown. A Commercial Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate shall be obtained if the drone does not meet the requirements for exemption.

The applicator needs to provide the Kansas Department of Agriculture with the make, model, serial number (if applicable) and any other requested information related to the drone and submit a completed and signed application to apply pesticide products. Documentation is needed to confirm that each drone is properly registered with the FAA (FAA registration certificate) and the individual flying it has the proper certification (copy of remote pilot license).  The business making the applications also has to prove they have the proper certification (exemption/rule-making documentation, a Commercial Agricultural Aircraft Certificate) or has obtained the necessary exemptions to KDA.

Commercial pesticide applications via drones or unmanned aerial vehicle are only permitted in the following categories: Category 1: Agricultural Pest Control (1A: Agricultural Plant Pest Control, 1B: Agricultural Animal Pest Control, 1C: Wildlife Damage Control, 1D: Stump Treatment), Category 2: Forest Pest Control, Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (3A: Ornamental Pest Control, 3B: Turf Pest Control), Category 5: Aquatic Pest Control, and Category 6: Right-of-Way Pest Control. The individual who is operating the drone during the pesticide application must be a certified applicator in the category that applies to the application. The business need to comply with all existing requirements for obtaining a pesticide business license.

Finally, commercial pesticide applications via drone or unmanned aerial vehicle need to comply with the label requirements of each pesticide product being applied. Remember the label is the law! Unfortunately, though, there is little clear guidance on pesticide labels that pertains to drone applications. One thing to note is that if the label prohibits aerial application then the product cannot be applied by a drone. If aerial application is permitted, the application rate and other parameters need to be in compliance with the label. Also it is important to point out, manufacturers and users are adopting commercial nozzles meant for self-propelled sprayers, which can be a concern for product deposition and coverage.

Insect Heroes of Pollination

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Frannie Miller, Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator

All around us, insect superheroes are industriously keeping us fed and our world moving forward whether we take time to notice them or not. Did you realize that pollinators like bees, wasps, butterflies, and bats are responsible for pollinating one out of every three bites of food we eat? The stability of our food supply relies on more than 200,000 species of pollinators. As we celebrate National Pollinator week (June 19-25, 2023), it is a good time to focus on insects which may not get as much glory for providing pollination as those we commonly hear about, like honeybees.

For example, tiny insects called thrips (order Thysanoptera) can play a big role in eating and spreading pollen. Thrips feed on pollen and are quite messy. It is estimated a single thrip can get up to 10 to 50 pollen grains on his body, which does not seem like much, but since they are often present in large numbers that can equate to a lot of pollen movement. These insects fly from plant to plant using the stigma as a landing and take-off point. The pollen is easily transferred from the insect to the stigmas during this process. Thrips are important to the pollination of sugarcane and the mahogany tree, but it is important to point out too many thrips can also cause plant damage and transmit diseases, so their presence is not always wanted.

Hoverflies (order Diptera) also known as flower flies are “incidental” yet prolific pollinators. The adult flies hover over flowers to drink the nectar. Pollen is transferred between the fly and the flower when their hairy bodies brush up against the stigma of the flower. Hoverflies may not carry as much pollen as bees, but they visit the flowers more frequently. These insects prefer small, flat flowers which allow easy access to the nectar, but they do visit a wide variety of our global food crops and flowers.

Hoverfly

For those of us who like eating chocolate, then the chocolate midge (order Diptera) is of extreme importance. These midges seem to be the only creatures which can find their way into the long, twisty, intricate flowers of the Cacao tree to provide pollination. Their pollination duties are most active at dawn and dusk to be in sync with when the flowers are fully open. This pollination allows the prized seed pods to form, which are needed to produce chocolate. Interestingly enough these insects are threatened by clearing cutting of the rain forest as they need the damp rotting leaf litter on the forest floor to thrive.

Chocolate Midge drawing from Insect Art Contest by Lillyon R.

These are just a few examples of the limited knowledge of the true depth of pollinators. In the state of Kansas, it is estimated that there are over 400 different native bee species.

We can help pollinators by growing a diversity of pollinator-friendly plants to help increase the availability of food sources. Check out the publication “Pollinators and Beneficial Insects”(https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3588.pdf) for a list of possible plants. In celebration of National Pollinator week, consider purchasing one new food or nectar plant to plant in your landscape or doing your own research to identify one lessor known pollinator. You can also place a shallow dish of water on the ground to provide water for pollinators. Help to inform others about the importance of pollinators and inspire them to make a difference!

Brown Patch on Tall Fescue

Posted on by Teresa Roberts

By Ward Upham and Jack Fry

We have been receiving numerous reports of brown patch showing up on tall fescue. This disease is favored by warm night temperatures and extended periods of leaf wetness. If you go outside in the morning and the lawn is covered with dew and the temperature is in the high 60’s or higher, it means that conditions are getting right for brown patch. The fungus is primarily a leaf pathogen and does not attack the roots. During severe outbreaks, the fungus may invade the lower leaf sheaths and crown and kill plants. But in most cases, the turfgrass can recover from brown patch. This recovery may take two to three weeks, depending on weather.

There is no way to eliminate brown patch from a lawn. It will persist indefinitely in the soil. Therefore, the disease is not carried from one lawn to another. In almost all cases, the limiting factor for brown patch development is the weather, not the amount of fungal inoculum. Although you can’t eliminate the fungus, cultural practices – especially irrigation – can help control it. Don’t water in the evening; instead, water early in the morning. This will help decrease the number of hours the leaf tissue remains wet and susceptible to infection. The frequency of irrigation is not as important as the time of day you do it. Don’t overfertilize and certainly don’t fertilize when brown patch is active. Also, don’t allow your seeding or overseeding rates to become too high.

Fungicide applications should begin in mid-June and continue through August. Often tall fescue lawns will recover from brown patch but infections this year seem more severe than usual and may require overseeding this fall. CLICK HERE to find the useful source for fungicides effective on brown patch.

Two-minute Turf Extension Video: Upcoming Field Day Highlights

Posted on by Jack Fry

A brief overview of a few stops that will be seen at the Olathe Horticulture Research Center can be found on the this video.  We look forward to seeing you at the Olathe Center on August 3rd!

 

CLICK HERE to see the video that provides an overview of the Field Day!

Register for Field Day using the QR code below or visiting https://2023turfday.eventbrite.com