–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
Euonymus Scale: Insect Pest of Euonymus Plants Grown in Landscapes (MF3586 August 2021)
https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3586.pdf
Pollinators and Beneficial Insects (MF3588 September 2021)
https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3588.pdf
–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
Has anyone noticed the leaves of their Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, trees or shrubs turning brown and folding on top of each other? The damage you are noticing is caused by the caterpillar stage of the redbud leaffolder, Fascista cercerisella. Adults are 1/4 inch long, black to dark brown with an orange head. There are approximately 10 white spots on the wings. The adults are very active when disturbed. Adult females lay oval, white eggs near the leaf veins.
Caterpillars emerge (eclose) from the eggs laid by adult females and feed on the leaves of Eastern redbud. Early-instar caterpillars are 1/4 of an inch in length, initially white (Figure 1), and then become light-green. Later-instar caterpillars are 1/2 of an inch long with alternating bands of white and black on the body (Figure 2). Caterpillars fold the edges of leaves onto the upperside (Figure 3) and then fasten the leaves together with white strands of silk (Figure 4). The caterpillars feed within the folds on the upper leaf surface, which protects them from natural enemies such as parasitoids and predators. If you pull the leaves apart the caterpillars will move vigorously and fall off the leaves. Redbud leaffolder overwinters as a pupa in the folds of fallen leaves. There are three generations per year in Kansas.
Figure 1. Early-instar caterpillar of redbud leaffolder (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 2. Later-instar caterpillar of redbud leaffolder (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 3. Edges of leaves folded onto the leaf upperside (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 4. White silken strands that hold leaves together (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Eastern redbud trees or shrubs may be disfigured and leaves distorted when leaf margins fold over each other. Heavily-infested Eastern redbud trees or shrubs may drop their leaves prematurely.
Redbud leaffolder caterpillars are difficult to manage with spray applications of insecticides once the leaves are folded over and fastened together because the caterpillars are protected from exposure inside the folded leaves. However, folded leaves can be physically removed and placed into a container of soapy water that will kill redbud leaffolder caterpillars.
–by Tania Kim — Dept. of Entomology – Insect, Landscape Ecology; Plant-Insect Interactions
You are invited to attend a panel discussion about perennial grains as border crops hosted by the Land Institute.
Date Time: Sep 22, 2021 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Perennial Grain Species as Border Crops: Pollinator Habitat, Weed Suppression, and Forage Potential
Location: Zoom (registration required, information below).
Description: Border crops have the potential to deliver agronomically important ecosystem services to crop fields. Perennial plantings could be advantageous in providing low-maintenance ground cover for field borders, flowers for pollinators, and even forage for livestock. In this webinar we will discuss the border crop potential of four perennial species at The Land Institute being domesticated as perennial grain crops – sainfoin, silflower, cup plant, and Kernza® – compared to two known border and forage crops, alfalfa and a 9-species prairie mixture. Dr. Ebony Murrell at The Land Institute and Jessica Butters at Kansas State University will discuss data collected during a 3-year research study, give a brief virtual tour of the research plots, and answer questions regarding perennial border crops and the services they provide.
To register, please use this link
–by Frannie Miller — Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator
Commercial Applicator Recertification
Training Program
Category 6, 7C & 9A
Right-of-Way, Industrial Weed and Noxious Weed
Virtual Edition Using Zoom
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, October 29, 2021
K-STATE
Research and Extension
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PROGRAM TOPICS AND SPEAKERS
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. IVM and Zonal Maintenance for ROW and Utilities, Matt Kraushar, Indiana Dept. of Transportation (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
8:55 a.m. Herbicide Recommendations for Noxious and Problem Weeds, Jordan Boone, Territory Manager, Corteva (1 Credit Hour, 6,7C & 9A)
9:50 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Weed and Brush Management in IVM Areas, James Jackson, Market Development Specialist, Alligare (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
11:00 a.m. Pesticide Use and Professionalism, Jeremy Corrigan,
Vegetation Management Specialist, Arborchem (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
12:00p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Emerging Trends in IVM, Jeremy Corrigan,
Vegetation Management Specialist, Arborchem, (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
1:55 p.m. Off Target and Movement of Herbicides in IVM, Sarah Lancaster, KSU Extension Weed Specialist (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
2:50 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Weed Identification and Their Look-A-Likes, Scott Marsh, Noxious and Invasive Weeds Specialist, Plant Protection (1 Credit Hour 6, 7C & 9A)
4:00 p.m. Core Hour: Pesticide Law, Environment and Labels, KDA Pesticide & Fertilizer Program (1 Core Hour)
Workshop Registration
Name:___________________________________________
Company:________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
City, State:______________________ Zip:_____________
Phone:__________________________________________
Email address:___________________________________
Registration Fee: $80.00
Pay to: KSU Entomology Department
Send to: Frannie Miller, KSU Entomology Dept.
600 West Woodside, McPherson, KS 67460
Fax #: (620) 241-3407
Credit card payment can be made online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/KSUIPM
If you must cancel, a full refund, minus $5 administrative fee will be made on all credit card payments.
–by Frannie Miller – Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator
AQUATIC
PEST CONTROL
Category 5
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Commercial Applicator Recertification Training Program
Virtual Edition Using Zoom
Thursday, October 28, 2021
8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
K-STATE
Research and Extension
——————————————————————————–
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. Alternative Weed Control Techniques for Aquatic Environments, Joe Gerken, Fisheries and Aquatic Extension Specialist, Kansas State University (1 Credit Hour Cat. 5)
9:00 a.m. Algae and Floating Aquatic Plant Identification,
Brittany Chesser, Aquatic Vegetation Management Specialist, Texas A & M (1 Credit Hour Cat. 5)
10:00 a.m. Aquatic Herbicide Chemistry – Improved Field Performance Starts with You”, Andrew Z. Skibo, Ph.D. Alligare (1 Credit Hour Cat. 5)
11:00 a.m. Common Aquatic Modes of Action and How They Work, Dr. Jason Ferrell, University of Florida, Director of Aquatic and Invasive Plants (1 Credit Hour Cat. 5)
12:00 p.m. Core Hour: Pesticide Law, Environment and Labels, KDA Pesticide & Fertilizer Program (1 Core Hour)
1:00 p.m. Aquatic Labels and Calculations, What you Should Know!, Brett Bultemeier, University of Florida, Pesticide Office (1 Credit Hour Cat. 5)
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Workshop Registration
Name:___________________________________________
Company:________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
City, State:______________________ Zip:_____________
Phone:__________________________________________
Email address:____________________________________
Registration Fee: $60.00 – To ensure you are able to receive the zoom link please register by October 22, 21
Core only: $20.00
Pay to: KSU Entomology Department
Send to: Frannie Miller, KSU Entomology Dept.
600 West Woodside, McPherson, KS 67460
Fax: (620) 241-3407
Credit card payment can be made online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/KSUIPM If you must cancel, a full refund, minus $5 administrative fee will be made on all credit card payments.
–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
We are receiving numerous inquiries regarding large wasps flying around in landscapes and gardens. These are the Eastern cicada killer, Sphecius speciosus; not the Asian Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, which is still restricted to Washington state. Cicada killer adults are approximately 2.0 inches long and black with yellow-banded markings on the abdomen. The head and transparent wings are red-brown (Figure 1). Cicada killers are not dangerous, but are intimidating; especially the males. Cicada killers are solitary wasps, not social wasps like yellowjackets. Adults live up to 75 days from July through September, and feed on flower nectar and plant fluids or exudates.
Figure 1. Cicada Killer Adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
A female cicada killer will dig a 6 to 10-inch burrow (1/2 inch in diameter) in the soil; usually in sandy or loose soil. A pile of sand or soil, depending on soil type, will surround the entrance.
Cicada killer females search for dog days cicada, Tibicen pruinosa, adults on the trunks and lower branches of trees. The female stings the adult cicada using her ovipositor (egg-laying device), flips the cicada over, straddles the cicada, and then transports the immobilized or paralyzed cicada back to the burrow in the soil (Figures 2 and 3). Each burrow may contain three to four cells with one or two cicadas. The dead cicada serves as a food source for the cicada killer larvae, which are legless and grub-like. A female will lay one egg per cicada if the egg is unfertilized. Larvae that emerge from unfertilized eggs are males whereas larvae that emerge from fertilized eggs are females and are provided with two cicadas. Larvae emerge (eclose) from eggs in two to three days and feed on paralyzed cicadas. The female will eventually cover the burrow, dig another one, and repeat the process. Full-grown larvae overwinter inside silken cases, pupate in spring, and adults emerge from July through August. There is one generation per year in Kansas.
Figure 2. Cicada Killer Female Transporting a Paralyzed Cicada to Her Nest (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 3. Cicada Killer Adult Female with Dead Cicada
Cicada killers are an urban nuisance pest, especially when large numbers are nesting in bare areas, in turfgrass, or around a structure. People are generally concerned because cicada killers resemble giant yellowjackets or they think cicada killers are the Asian giant hornet or the so-called “Murder Hornet”. However, cicada killers, in general, will not sting an individual. Wasp and bee female stingers are modified egg-laying devices (ovipositors), so males cannot sting. Females may sting if crushed or if stepped on with bare feet or grabbed with bare hands.
Male cicada killers establish aerial territories and patrol for intruders. A male cicada killer wards-off other males that enter his territory and attempt to mate with females. An individual that walks into the territory is typically confronted by a very large wasp hovering in front of the face and ‘zips’ to the side and back. However, after determining that the intruder is not a rival or a threat, the male cicada killer ignores the individual. Nonetheless, an individual walking across a lawn, fairway, or other area where cicada killers are nesting, will experience the same treatment through each male’s territory. After females have departed the nest, then males will eventually leave.
Cicada killers are common in areas with bare soil, so mulching, planting ground covers, or sodding may reduce issues with cicada killers. Cicada killers can be a problem in well-maintained areas such as irrigated and regularly fertilized turfgrass. In addition, cicada killers can be a problem when nesting in areas accessible to or frequented by the public. Applying carbaryl or pyrethroid insecticides containing the active ingredients; permethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and/or lambda-cyhalothrin to the burrowed area may kill females in golf course sand traps. In home yards, sandboxes should be covered with a tarp when not used to deter cicada killers. Sand below swings, jungle gyms, or other playground equipment should be replaced with bark mulch or shredded tires.
Managing cicada killers in baseball infields and volleyball courts is more challenging because people with minimal clothing and exposed skin are diving and sliding onto the soil; thus making it difficult to recommend using an insecticide. However, in the case of a volleyball court, a geotextile fabric placed beneath the sand may create a barrier that prevents cicada killers from creating burrows.
–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, caterpillar infestations are prevalent throughout Kansas with the caterpillars causing damage to turfgrass (e.g. Bermuda grass). For information on Identification, Description, Damage, and Management strategies please refer to the two-page extension publication using the following link:
–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
The second generation of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is now present throughout most of Kansas with webs present on certain trees such as hickory and walnut. Fall webworm nests are noticeable, with silk webbing enclosing the ends of branches and foliage or leaves (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1. Fall webworm nest on walnut tree (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 2. Fall webworm nest on birch tree (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Fall webworm larvae or caterpillars are pale-green, yellow to nearly white, with two black spots on each abdominal segment. Caterpillars are covered with long, white hairs (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Close-up of fall webworm larvae (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Fall webworm caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees, including: birch, crabapple, maples, hickory, pecan, mulberry, and walnut. Fall webworm caterpillars, unlike caterpillars associated with the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, remain within the enclosed webbing and do not venture out to feed. Caterpillars consume leaves, resulting in naked branches with webbing attached, which contains fecal deposits (frass) or ‘caterpillar poop’. These nests will eventually dry-up as the caterpillars transition into pupae, with adults eventually eclosing (emerging) from the pupae later on in the growing season.
Feeding by fall webworm caterpillars at this time of year is typically not directly harmful to trees—especially larger trees. The most effective method of dealing with fall webworm infestations is to prune-out the webs that enclose the caterpillars, place into a plastic bag, and dispose of immediately. Insecticide sprays are not be effective because the caterpillars remain in the webbing while feeding; thus reducing exposure to spray residues. If insecticides need to be applied, use high-volume spray applications that penetrate the protective webbing, or use a rake to disrupt or open-up the webbing so that the insecticide spray contacts the caterpillars.
— by Anthony Zukoff — Southwest Research and Extension Center
Grain sorghum is in various stages of flowering in the southwest right now. Once flowering begins, growers might want to keep an eye out for sorghum midge. Historically, sorghum midge has not been a significant pest in Kansas and has been primarily observed in the southeast portion of the state. However, in the last several years, there have been localized outbreaks in the south central and southwestern portions of the state. Growers that had issues in previous seasons should pay close attention to their fields, as it is unclear if this pest is going to start playing a bigger role in our annual sorghum pest line up. Sorghum growers in these regions are encouraged to scout for sorghum midge this year. If midges are observed, sharing that information with your local extension specialists would provide useful information as to the distribution of the midge during the 2021 growing season. To scout for sorghum midge, carefully observe a flowering head while the anthers are still bright yellow and look for tiny red flies (Figure 1)
Figure 1: Adult sorghum midge; KSU Entomology
on and around the flowers. The best time of day to do this is in the morning before the afternoon sun and wind pick up. Midges are delicate fliers and do not live more than 48 hours. Alternatively, you can use a clear plastic bag to scout. To use the bag, place it over the flowering head and shake the bag. Keeping the bag on the flowering head, look to see if any midges fly up and collect inside at the top of the bag. Later in the season as heads mature, growers can scout for evidence of midge damage as well. The damage will appear as blank zones on the flowering heads (Figure 2).
In these blank zones, the grains never formed because the midge larvae consumed the seeds while they were developing; the area where a mature seed should be will be relatively flattened. Be careful not to mistake bird damage for midge damage. Bird damage will have more of a “blasted” look (Figure 3).
Sharing reports of damage would be useful as well while we track this pest. At the time of this writing, midge has not been observed on any sorghum flowers so far in the Garden City area. However, sorghum midges were collected in the area from flowering Johnsongrass (another host) on July 1st.
Figure 2 and 3 by Anthony Zukoff — Southwest Research and Extension Center
–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomology
Lace Bugs
Green June Beetle, Cotinus nitida, Adults
Bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
Twospotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae
Grasshoppers
Squash Bug, Anasa tristis, Nymphs and Adults
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