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Extension Entomology

Category: Lawn and Garden

Update on the status of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Kansas

Posted on by kansasbugs

—by Dr. Bob Bauernfeind

The KDA has recently issued a brief news release on the 2015 deployment of traps for the detection of Emerald ash borers in Kansas. This is a cooperative effort between two regulatory agencies: Federal United States Department of Agriculture APHIS-PPQ, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Protection and weed Control.

Lindgren funnel trap map for 2015

The majority of traps will be the familiar purple prism traps. Additionally in 2015, Lindgren Funnel Traps (LFTs — inserted image, left side of above map) will also be used —- those traps will be green-in-color as opposed to the pictured black LFT.

Within Kansas: Emerald ash borers have been documented in 3 (currently quarantined) counties: Leavenworth, Wyandotte and Johnson. EAB are relatively restricted within those contiguous counties.

2014 EAB quarantined counties

 

Ash/Lilac Borers (ALB)

Posted on by kansasbugs

—by Dr. Bob Bauernfeind

In last week’s edition of the Kansas Insect Newsletter, Dr. Cloyd presented information on Ash/Lilac borers including the use of pheromone traps to determine the onset of current-season ALB moth activities. Coincidentally on the date that the newsletter went out (April 16), I recorded first-of-the-year catches (in the Manhattan area). The latest catch was April 21.

ALB traps

It would appear that temperatures regulate moth activities as seen on the following table:

temperature and moth activity

Sad note: Yesterday, April 14, 67 oF —- 0 ALB, 1 house wren

Now is the ideal time to initiate insecticide applications for controlling ash/lilac borer. As suggested by Dr. Cloyd, “Insecticides containing the active ingredients, permethrin or bifenthrin may be applied to the bark at least up to six feet from the base…….”. Also, treat larger limbs within reach.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar (ETC) and European Pine Sawfly (EPS) Update

Posted on by kansasbugs

—by Dr. Bob Bauernfeind

While recent cool temperatures have had people wondering when warmer temperatures will prevail, both ETC and EPS have thrived —– not surprising because these are cool-season insects.

Currently, Eastern Tent Caterpillar “tents” are of sufficient size that they can be easily detected. If people object to the presence of webbing and caterpillars, and if within hands-reach, the easiest remedy is to use your fingers to “rake-out” the web. Preferably do this during daylight hours when most (if not all) caterpillars are “resting” within. Do not fret if several caterpillars fall to the ground —- individually, the few escapees are of no concern. If a person is skittish about touching web masses (and the caterpillars and frass within), that portion of the branch can be pruned and disposed of.

Eastern Tent Caterpillars

European pine sawflies require a different approach because it is impractical to prune out each infested terminal. Fortunately, EPS are highly susceptible to insecticides. There are numerous products registered for use in Kansas against EPS. Horticultural oils and soaps are very effective against the “soft-bodied” larvae. A single thorough application will eliminate EPS larvae. But do so NOW before they become thoroughly destructive.

European pine sawfly