Volume IX, Issue 5 August 2005

• Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (2800-3000)

• Eastern Spruce Gall Adel-gid (2800-3000)

• Juniper Webworm (2700-2900)

• Locust Borer (2700-2900)

• San Jose Scale (1800-2900)

• Spruce Spider Mite (2900-3100)

• Willow Aphid (2700-2900)

• Wooly Apple Aphid (2900-3100)

Pests to Continue to Monitor Yellow-necked caterpillar Japanese beetles 2-spotted spider mites Azalea lacebugs Mimosa webworms Redheaded pine sawfly

Plan treatments for Japanese beetle & masked chafer grubs in late August to early Sep-tember

Pests susceptible to control-based on degree day forecasts ( )=Degree

day ranges

Hosta virus x Mike Bryan, Michigan Dept of Ag Orange-striped oakworm Yellownecked caterpillars

Bark lice

Of f ice o f State Entomologist

Hosta Virus X Pg 2

Mimosa Webworm Pg 2

General Leaf Eating Caterpil-lars

Pg 3

Controlling Adult Japanese Beetles

Pg 4

Locust Borers Pg 4

Sod Webworms on Turfgrass Pg 6

Gypsy Moth Update Pg 6

Gypsy Moth Pg 7

Degree Day Accumulations Pg 8

Herd of Barklice? Pg 8

Woolly Adler Aphids on Silver Pg 8

Locust borer adult-Clemson Univ. Saddled prominent caterpillar

Juniper webworms Mimosa webworm damage on honey-locust Michael Masiuk, Penn St

Sod webworm

Businesses with a nursery license (not nursery dealer) need to make sure they have submitted a renewal form

for the license year July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006.

This spring, MDA inspectors found Hosta virus X (HVX) in record high numbers at sales lots in Michigan. Most experts agree that HVX has become quite common in the trade. Plants infected with this dis-ease can exhibit a variety of symptoms, as the disease affects cultivars differently. The most common symptom is mottling of the leaves. Other symptoms can in-clude stunting, twisting and puckering of the leaves. The symptoms may be quite obvious or may be very subtle. As with most viral diseases, some varieties appear to be resistant while others are much more susceptible. The long-term effect of

HVX is to weaken the plant, which may eventually lead to death.

Like most plant producers, Hosta growers are always looking for new varieties. Unfortunately, before much was known about HVX, some unusually looking Hosta "sports" were cultivated and later scientists found the cause of the unusual mottling and coloration was HVX. The variety "Breakdance" is reported to be of the 100 percent-infected varieties.

The best way to avoid getting HVX in the garden is to buy quality, disease-free plants. When buying new Hosta watch for unusually mottled plants. Collectors with high value varieties may wish to have their plants tested to make sure they are disease-free. If you do find a plant

infected with HVX in your garden it should be removed and destroyed. The disease itself is mechanically transmitted through transfer of infected sap. There-fore, it is a good idea to practice good sanitation in the garden, including steril-izing cutting tools between each plant when you are trimming or dividing Hosta. A wealth of information about HVX can be found on the Internet by searching on the terms: "Hosta Virus X."

Infected plants should be brought to the attention of staff on the sales lot. Also, suspect plants may be taken to your local county extension office where they will be shipped to the UK Plant Diagnostic Lab. Plants may also be dropped off directly at the Plant Diagnostic Lab.

PAGE 2 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

The Mimosa Webworm, Homadaula anisocentra (Meyric) was intro-duced from China to the U.S. in the 1940’s. Its larvae spin unsightly gray webs around foliage and feed on it. If undetected the larvae may completely defoliate the host plant. Plants Attacked The Mimosa Webworm attack the leaves of both Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos). Insect Identification The eggs are tiny, oval and pearly white initially, turning pink when close to hatching. The larvae vary from gray to brown with five white stripes. The pupae are yellowish brown and are located in silken co-coons. The adult is a silver gray moth with wings that are covered with black dots and is rarely seen. Overwinter-The larvae over-winter as pupae encased in a cocoon. They are found under bark on the trunk of the host or in leaf litter un-der the tree. Spring-The first generation moth lays gray eggs on the leaves of the

host. After hatching in early to mid-June, the larvae spin a web around several leaves and feed on the lower surface of the leaflets. Summer-When the larvae pupate in late July through mid August, a second genera-tion of moths ap-pears. This sec-ond generation over-winters. Damage Symp-toms The larvae stage causes damage to the host plant by skeletonizing the leaves within the web that they spin. Damage is most noticeable when the second generation larvae are at the peak of their activity in August. The webs of the mimosa webworm can encase whole trees making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage. Management Options Biological-There are many insects and birds that feed on the larvae. Cultural-Prevention is the most ef-fective way to control mimosa web-

worm. Species of honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) reported to be less susceptible are ‘Moraine’, ‘Shademaster’ and ‘Imperial’. Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ is very vulnerable.

Clearing away leaf debris around the host tree will decrease chances of infestation. Chemical-Young larvae should be targeted with insecticide just after egg hatch in mid-late June and in August. Formulations of acephate, azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis (and Mattch), Beau-veria bassiana (Naturalis T&O only), bifenthrin (Lawn & Tree Flowable and GC Flowable only), carbaryl, chlorpyrifos (Dursban TNP and Dursban 50W only), cyfluthrin, deltamethrin (5SC

only), diazinon, diflubenzuron, disul-foton, fluvalinate, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin (Astro In-secticide only), pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, pyrethrins and rotenone, and trichlorfon are la-beled for webworm management. Management hints: First generation adults appear in June and lay eggs on flowers and foliage. Manage first generation larvae as they hatch from eggs in mid- to late June. Sec-ond generation larvae may require treatment in August.

Mimosa Webworm Katherine Mazzey, Jessica Scott, Michael Masiuk, Penn State Extension

Hosta Virus X Mike Bryan, Michigan Dept. of Ag

Mimosa webworm damage on honeylocust

PAGE 3 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

The general leaf eating caterpillars, cover those immature stages of moths and butterflies that feed on a wide variety of plants, seldom doing enough damage to require treatment. However, they are often encountered, especially in late summer, feeding on lower branches of fruit trees, orna-mentals, shrubs and hardwood trees, or crawling on objects near the ground, where they may spin cocoons or enter the soil for a resting period.

Although many groups are considered "general leaf eaters," including the largest North American caterpillars, the silkworms (Family Satumiidae), the more commonly found groups are discussed below: Family Arctiidae, Citheroniidae, and Notodontidae. The caterpillars of these moths feed on the larger veins. The trees attacked are listed here and referred to later, only by the number preceding it, in order to conserve space. It should be remem-bered, however, that those listed are preferred trees; many others may also be fed upon.

1.Apple 2.Ash (Mountain) 3.Aspen(Trembling) 4.Basswood 5.Beech 6. Birch (Paper, Yellow, White) 7.Boxelder 8.Butternut 9.Chestnut 10.Dogwood 11.Elm (American) 12.Hazel 13.Hickory 14.Hop Horn-beam 15.Locust (Black, Honey) 16. London Plant 17.Maple (Sugar) 18. Oak (White, Bur, Red, etc.) 19. Per-simmon 20.Poplar 21.Sweetgum 22.Sycamore 23.Walnut 24.Willow

Description Tiger Moth and Their Allies (Family Arctiidae) Caterpillars clothed with dense clusters of hairs varying in length. The hairs of certain species may cause skin irritation. Hickory Tussock Moth Lophocaimpa caryae) Found on trees 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, and 23. The full grown cater-pillar, about 1½ inches long, is clothed with short, spreading tufts of grayish-white hairs. There is a row of black tufts and pairs of long black hairs at the end of the body. The caterpillars feed together in groups, until they ma-ture.

Sycamore Tussock Moth (Halysidota harrissi) Found on trees 16 and 22. Caterpillars have yellowish bodies clothed in whitish to yellow hairs with long, orange colored hairs.

Royal Moths (Sub Family Citheronii-nae) Caterpillars covered with horns or spines, with some being thinly hairy. The horns or spines on the front part of the body are long and usually curved. Green Striped Mapleworm (Dryocampa rubicunda) Found on trees 7, 17, and 18. Full grown larvae, about 1½ inches long, have cherry-red heads, pale yellow-green bodies with seven dark green or nearly black lines running its entire length. There are two noticeable, slender horns on the front part of the body and two rows of short spines on each side of the body with four larger spines at the end of the body. Orange Striped Oakworm (Anisota senatoria)Found on tree 18. The full grown caterpillar, about 2 inches long, is black with eight orange-yellow stripes running the entire length of the body, and a pair of black, slender, stiff recurved spines on the front part of the body. Young caterpillars occur in groups. Pink Striped Oakworm (A. virginien-sis) Occurs on trees 6, 9, 12, 17, and 18. The full grown caterpillars, about 2 inches long are greenish to brownish yellow with six rose colored stripes running the entire body length. Two slightly curved and conspicuous spines occur on the front of the body.

Prominent Moths (Family Notodonti-dae) Caterpillars usually occur singly, although some are nest builders. When disturbed, the caterpillars often hold their ends erect and remain at-tached by the four pairs of legs at the middle of the body. Yellow Necked Caterpillar (Datana ministra) Found on trees 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, and 23. The full grown caterpillars, about 2 inches, are moderately clothed with long soft, white hairs. The head is black and the first part of the body behind the head is bright orange-yellow. The body is marked with alternating yellow-white and black stripes. Saddled Prominent (Heterocampa guttivitta) Found on trees 5, 6, 17, 18, and 20. The full grown caterpillar,

about 1¼ inches long, is usually green with purple, gold and brown markings on the back. Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar (H. manteo) Occurs on trees 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 18, 19, and 23. The full grown caterpillars, about 1½ inches, are yellowish-green and usually with a broad band down the back. Red Humped Caterpillar (Schizura concinna) Attacks trees 1, 3, 6, 10, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, and 24. The full grown caterpillars, about 1 inch long, have red heads and red humps on the end of the body. Black and yel-low alternating lines and on top a double row of short, black spines run down the entire length of the body. When at rest, the caterpillar holds the rear end in an elevated position and a pungent, disagreeable odor is given off, when disturbed. The cater-pillars occur together in groups and completely strip one branch of leaves before moving onto another. Red Humped Oakworm (Symmerista canicosta) Found on trees 4, 5, 6, 11, 17, 18, and other deciduous trees. Full grown caterpil-lars have rounded orange-red heads and yellowish bodies that increase in width back to an orange-red enlargement on the end of the body length.

Damage In the forest, damage is seldom seri-ous, although heavily infested trees may be completely stripped of leaves in isolated spots. Fruit, shade, and ornamental trees are injured most severely. In many cases, doing nothing is the best course of action because predators, parasites, and other factors will often reduce the population naturally. Tree mortality caused by outbreaks of these creatures is usually not seri-ous unless several years of com-plete defoliation occur in a row, and even then, most trees of sapling size or larger may survive, losing only large branches. However, defoliation may weaken younger or newly transplanted trees and most shrubs, making them susceptible to other insects or diseases.

General Leaf Eating Caterpillars John Baniecki, Ph.D. West Virginia University Extension Service

PAGE 4 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

Japanese beetle adults are flying now and feeding on many different landscape plants. Last year's rela-tively wet summer may have re-sulted in greater egg hatch and grub survival. This appears to have led to some resurgence of the insect in areas where populations had de-clined.

Attempts to keep plants beetle-free or to prevent any feeding damage at all generally lead to frustration if many beetles are in the neighbor-hood. There are very effective insec-ticides to use against the pest but they produce less than satisfactory results if beetles are abundant and continually re-infesting the land-scape.

Here are some points to keep in mind: -- Japanese beetle flight is greatest on clear days with temperatures be-tween 84 and 95 F and winds less than 12 miles per hour. This can bring new beetles into your land-scape to challenge any control pro-gram that you may have. When these conditions exist, check plants

frequently to see if beetles are start-ing to feed again. -- A few beetles on plants, or some moderate damage, will bring in more. Japanese beetles apparently produce aggregation pheromones that will attract more males and fe-males to feed and find potential mates. In addition, volatile odors from damaged plants may attract more beetles. These conditions also can keep beetle numbers high. Keeping numbers and damage low can mean fewer new arrivals. -- Japanese beetles begin to feed at the tops of plants and move down as defoliation occurs. This makes damage obvious, in terms of brown leaves and esthetic damage, but also can pose coverage problems on large trees. Hose end sprayers may allow applications to reach the target but spray drift and applicator exposure are potential problems. -- Some of the effective insecticides for Japanese beetle control, such as carbaryl (Sevin) and the pyrethroids (permethrin and others) can contrib-ute to build-ups of mites or aphids. Watch closely for signs of these pests and use acephate or malathion if needed. While these insecticides have a shorter residual life, they may help to reduce prob-

lems with secondary pests.

Examples of insecticides for adult control include acephate (Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Insecticide), carbaryl (Sevin and many other brand names), cyfluthrin (Bayer Ad-vanced Garden Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate), lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide® Triazicide® Soil & Turf Insect Killer Concentrate), es-fenvalerate (Ortho Bug-B-Gon Gar-den & Landscape Insect Killer Con-centrate), and permethrin (Spectracide® Bug Stop Multi-Purpose Insect Control Concentrate and many other brands). Neem ex-tracts (Bon-Neem) deter Japanese beetle feeding but may not be ade-quate against high populations.

Japanese beetle traps are good tools for detecting new infestations and may reduce small, isolated popula-tions under favorable circumstances but single traps or small scale multi-ple trap arrangements did not reduce damage to landscape plants in UK research experiments.

Some species of Tiphia wasps and a tachinid fly have become established in some beetle-infested areas. They can cause local reductions in beetle numbers but they no not provide reli-able control for specific sites.

Controlling Adult Japanese Beetles Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist

The locust borer, Megacyllene robiniae (Forst.), is a native insect. Its original range probably coincided with that of its host tree, the black locust, which once grew only along the Allegheny Mountains from Penn-sylvania to Georgia and in the Ozark Mountain region.

Black locust grows readily on poor sites and is used extensively in land-reclamation plantings. Its widespread use to reclaim land damaged by farming and strip mining, its use as a shade tree, and its use in reforesta-tion have dispersed the borer with its host tree over most of the United States. The borer is now found from eastern Canada south to the Gulf States and west to Washington, Colorado, and Arizona.

The borer attacks only black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and its cultivars (horticulturally derived va-rieties in the genus Robinia); the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) is not affected.

Damage and Signs of Infestation Borer larvae tunnel into a tree's trunk and branches, weakening the tree and making it susceptible to wind breakage. The damage from borer tunneling and wind breakage often results in deformed trees or clumps of sprout growth.

The most obvious signs of severe borer attack in a stand of black lo-cust are the many dead and broken limbs and the knotty swellings on the trunks

Depending on the season, symp-toms of borer attack vary. In the early spring, at about the time of bud

swell, wet spots appear on the bark. These wet spots are the result of young larvae tunneling in the inner bark. In late spring or early summer, white-colored wood dust can be seen on the bark; the dust is pushed out of holes in the bark by the developing larvae, which are boring into the sap-wood. By late summer, the larvae burrow into the heartwood, and the boring dust on the bark appears yel-low. If the tree is heavily infested, the wood dust may accumulate in a ring around the tree's base. Tree and Stand Susceptibility The degree of damage varies in dif-ferent locations according to the vigor of the trees and the influence of environmental factors such as light, temperature, drought, grazing, and pruning. The healthier the tree the lower the incidence of borer damage. (con’t)

Locust Borers Jimmy Galfrd, US Forest Service

PAGE 5 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

In locust stands 10 or more years old, fast-growing dominant trees are usually able to withstand attack, but slower growing overtopped trees are badly damaged or killed. Older trees also have thicker bark, and there-fore, are often less damaged. How-ever, during severe epidemics, the branches and tops of older trees frequently become infested. Some-times even dominant large trees are killed by epidemic borer populations Light and temperature influence at-tack by their effects on egg-laying behavior. When the air is warmer than 75° F, the female locust borers prefer to lay eggs on the shady part of the tree trunk; below 70° F, they prefer trunks receiving full sunlight. Thus, when the weather is cool dur-ing the egg-laying season, the bee-tles lay fewer eggs in densely shaded locust stands. Consequently, the trees in these stands are sub-jected to fewer attacks. Black locust trees are shallow rooted but grow readily on poor sites. Trees growing on such sites are subject to serious damage during periods of prolonged drought. Drought-weakened trees are especially sus-ceptible to borer attack. Grazing of livestock also contributes to borer damage in black locust. In addition to weakening the tree by feeding on young succulent growth and bark, cattle reduce site quality and tree vigor by compacting the soil. Pruning creates favorable conditions for egg laying: callus tissue around pruning wounds is ideal for oviposi-tion. Individual trees in infested stands may show little or no sign of borer attack. This suggests possible ge-netic resistance to locust borers. However, studies using genetically identical cuttings of such trees planted in different locations have shown that good growing conditions are more important than genetic re-sistance in reducing susceptibility to borer damage.

Description The adult locust borer is a slender, "long-horned" beetle, about three-quarters of an inch long, with red-dish legs and black antennae. Bright yellow bands encircle its jet-black body. A W-shaped band extends across the elytra, or wing covers. Males and females are similar in appearance. Mature larvae are white, about 1 inch long and one-quarter of an inch in diameter. Newly formed pupae are creamy white and about three-quarters of an inch long. Both the larval and pupal stages are spent within the tree and are not readily seen. The conspicuous, brightly colored adults appear when goldenrod (Solidago sp.) is in bloom. Adults are most abundant during September, when they are commonly found feeding on pollen of goldenrod blos-soms. Egg laying occurs from early after-noon until late evening from late Au-gust through early October. The fe-males lay eggs prolifically under bark scales, in callus tissue around pruning wounds, in cracks in the bark, and in other hiding places. The eggs are rarely laid where they can be seen. In about a week, the eggs hatch and small, white larvae bore into the in-ner bark. Each larva makes a small hibernation cell and overwinters there. In the spring when the leaf buds begin to swell, the larvae begin to bore into the woody part of the tree, causing sap to ooze around small holes. Throughout the spring and early summer, the larvae enlarge their tunnels until they are 3 to 4 inches long and about one-quarter of an inch in diameter. By mid-July, most of the larvae have matured and transformed into the pupal stage, which is completed be-tween the end of July and the first 2 weeks of August. Mature beetles emerge from the trees through the openings made by the larvae. The

timing of these events in the life his-tory of the locust borer varies in dif-ferent parts of the country because of differences in climate. Control Black locust shade trees or lawn specimens can be protected from borers by spraying the trunks and the larger limbs with an insecticide la-beled for borers anytime from late August through September, since the female beetles continue to lay eggs during this period.

Spraying with chemicals is not con-sidered practical for the protection of black locust in a forest. Severely in-jured forest stands can be regener-ated by clearcutting during the dor-mant period. The sprouts that follow clearcutting should be thinned by re-moving all but the most vigorous in each group. This procedure has re-sulted in a good second crop of trees with very light subsequent injury. Moderately to lightly injured stands on medium-to-good sites benefit from thinning. In such stands, injury is con-fined mainly to overtopped, interme-diate, or decadent trees. Removal of these trees should reduce the borer population and thereby help protect the more desirable trees. Borer injury is usually less serious when black locust is grown with other tree species. Mixed stands usually produce denser shade and more leaf litter than do pure stands of locust. Trees are more vigorous when nutri-ents from decomposed leaf litter are available. In pure locust stands, the addition of several inches of hard-wood leaves results in accelerated growth for several years after the treatment and should reduce chances of serious borer damage. Old black locust trees with dying tops serve as brood trees for the borer. Removing these trees from the vicin-ity of planting areas should be helpful in reducing damage to the young planted trees. These large brood trees should be cut during the dor-mant period and either peeled or burned to destroy the borer larvae.

PAGE 6 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

Workers are now taking down gypsy moth traps as the flight pe-riod for this year is over. While we won’t know the complete number of moths caught until sometime in late August or early September, we do know some of the early trapping data. We had single moth captures in Lawrence and Trimble counties. Usually these single captures are nothing to worry about and are only indicative of a hitchhiking moth or a possible blow-in from Ohio. There is one area in Campbell county that we are monitoring closely. We de-limited (set out several traps in a small area) an area where, last year, one trap had eleven moths.

So far this year, in that area, 15 moths have been captured in 4 traps. We will continue to closely monitor this site in the coming years. Past experience has taught us that by pinpointing the source of the moths, we can eliminate the problem before it gets out of hand by using mass trapping. Mass trap-ping was employed in Fleming county in the mid 1990’s and in Jef-ferson county in the late 1980’s and it proved effective in eliminating gypsy moths from those areas.

Gypsy Moth Update

Male gypsy moth

Sod Webworms on Turfgrass Frank Hale, Univ. of Tennessee Tenn. Agricultural Ext. Service SP 290-L

Sod webworms are a large, de-structive group of turfgrass pests that are usually found infesting the sunny areas of lawns or golf courses. Adult moths of most spe-cies are 1/2 inch long with a promi-nent forward projection on the head (labial palpi), from which they get the name snout moths. The fore-wings are dull ash gray with a con-spicuous whitish or silver-colored streak or with less noticeable streaks from the base to the mar-gin. Hind wings are whitish grey or light brown. The moths fly erratically over the lawn laying eggs between 7:30 and 10:30 in the evening. Dur-ing the day, they rest in the grass or on plant foliage with their wings folded back over the body, giving the moths a slender, tapering sil-houette.

The tiny oblong eggs are white to pale yellow and hatch in 7 to 10 days. Larvae range from pinkish

white to yellowish to light brown. When fully grown, they are about 1 inch long with coarse hairs; most species have paired dark spots on their tops and sides.

Sod webworms overwinter as lar-vae in silk-lined tubes below the soil surface. In the early spring, they feed on the upper roots, stems and leaves of grass. On steep slopes and in sunny areas, larvae build protective silken webs where they feed and develop. In April and May, they pupate in underground co-coons with the first adults emerging in early May.

Larvae cut off grass blades near the thatch line and pull them under-ground for consumption. Small brown patches of closely cut grass appear, and if populations are large, patches run together to form large irregular brown patches. Most of the severe damage occurs in July and August when grasses are growing slowly. Two to three gen-erations may be expected each year, with six weeks per generation. Adult moths fly up in front of a lawn-mower, fly a zigzag course for a short distance and land in the

grass. Sod webworm larval populations may be detected by applying 2 tea-spoons of liquid dishwashing deter-gent in 1 gallon of water over 4 square feet of grass concentrated within a wooden or metal frame. After a few minutes, the webworms begin to surface and a careful 10-minute inspection between grass blades will reveal them if present. Control measures should be taken if four to six or more larval sod web-worms are found in 4 square feet of sod.

This economic threshold is based on good growing conditions for turf. If the turf is under stress from insuf-ficient water, poor fertility, extremes in temperature, or bird feeding dam-age, treatment may be required at lower sod webworm densities to maintain turf quality. Several insec-ticides may be used to control sod webworms.

Apply one of the recommended in-secticides whenever sampling indi-cates potentially damaging larval populations.

Gypsy moth trap

Gypsy Moth

In 1869, gypsy moth larvae that were being evaluated for silk production, were blown from a window sill in Med-ford, Massachusetts. The first outbreak of European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) occurred in 1889. By 1987, the gypsy moth had established itself throughout the Northeast. It is one of the most damaging pests of hardwood forests and urban landscapes, defoliat-ing a million or more forested acres annually. This insect has spread into parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan. The gypsy moth has not yet become established in Kentucky. However, male moths are caught each year in survey traps that the US Depart-ment of Agriculture uses to monitor the movement of this important pest.

Gypsy moths are spread one of two different ways. Natural spread over short distances occurs as newly hatched larvae spin short lengths of silken thread which allow them to be blown by the wind. Over the last 10 to 15 years, gypsy moths have moved long distances on outdoor household articles such as cars and recreational vehicles, firewood, household goods, and other personal possessions. An estimated 85 percent of new infestations have been through the movement of outdoor household articles.

Once established in an area, gypsy moth numbers can fluctuate widely from year to year. Seasons with severe damage can be followed by seasons with relatively few caterpillars and light damage. In periods of heavy out-breaks, gypsy moth caterpillars crawl on walls, across roads, over outdoor furniture, and sometimes will come inside homes.

Gypsy moth caterpillars feed on ap-proximately 500 different plants. Older larvae will sometimes eat several spe-cies of hardwood that the younger lar-vae will avoid. However, when food is scarce, the larvae will feed on almost any vegetation.

The gypsy moth has four different life stages: egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa and adult moth. Female moths lay eggs in sheltered areas. Each egg mass will contain between 500 and 1,000 eggs and will have a tan, fuzzy appearance. This comes from the body and wing scales that the female uses to cover the eggs to provide some additional protec-tion during the winter. The egg masses can be found all winter long however, they will not hatch until spring. Larvae emerge from egg masses from early spring until mid-May. Hatching usually coincides with the budding of most hardwood trees.

Only the caterpillar stage of the gypsy moth feeds. When fully grown the cat-erpillar will be approximately 2 inches

FOLIAGE PREFER-

ENCE

Preferred Generally avoided

apple american holly

cherry arborvitae

hawthorn ash

hickory balsam fir

maples black walnut

oak butternut

sassafras catalpa

sweetgum flowering dogwood

willow mountain laurel

red cedar

rhododen-dron

sycamore

yellow pop-lar (tuliptree)

FOLIAGE PREFER-

ENCE

Preferred Generally avoided

apple american holly

cherry arborvitae

hawthorn ash

hickory balsam fir

maples black walnut

oak butternut

sassafras catalpa

sweetgum flowering dogwood

willow mountain laurel

red cedar

rhododen-dron

sycamore

yellow pop-lar (tuliptree)

long, very hairy and have five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots along its back. The larval stage lasts about seven weeks.

First instar larvae begin feeding in the top branches and chew small holes in the leaves. The second and third instars feed from the outer edge of the leaf toward the center. When population numbers are low, the young larvae pre-fer to feed during the daytime while the older larvae feed at night. During the day, these older larvae hide in protected areas at the base of the tree. However, when populations are high, the larvae will feed day and night until the tree is stripped of its foliage.

While in the larval stage, the gypsy moth might be confused with fall web-worms or eastern tent caterpillars. However, both of these insects form webs; the gypsy moth does not. The eastern tent caterpillar appears in early spring and makes its tents in the crotches of tree branches. The fall web-worm appears in mid to late summer and builds its tents on the ends of branches. Eastern tent caterpillars are generally black with a white stripe down the back. They also will have blue spots on their sides that are located between two yellow lines. The fall webworm will be yellow to green in color and will have ten pairs of black dots along its back.

Gypsy moth pupae are about two inches long, dark brown and are lightly covered with hairs. Pupation usually occurs in protected areas of the tree and are often accompanied by the molted skin of the last caterpillar instar.

The moths have a distinctive inverted V-shape that points to a dot marking on their wings. The dark brown males are smaller than the females, and have feathery antennae. Female moths have creamy white wings with a tan body. Although the female possesses wings, she is unable to fly.

PAGE 7 INSPECTOR FINDINGS IN KENTUCKY VOLUME IX, ISSUE 5

S-225 Agricultural Science Center - North Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0091

OFFICE OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST

State Entomologist— John Obrycki, Ph.D

Joe Collins: nursery inspections, newsletter, pest surveys & phytosanitary certificates

Carl Harper: Slow-the-Spread gypsy moth trapping coordinator, nursery inspections, web

design & phytosanitary certificates

Beth Choate: nursery inspections

Phone: (859) 257-5838 Fax: (859) 257-3807

Email: joe.collins@uky.edu carl.harper@uky.edu

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NurseryInspection

"Herds" of barklice can be found on tree trunks during the summer. These soft-bodied insects have long antennae and a banded body. Members of this group (Order Pso-coptera) have chewing mouthparts that are used to feed on fungi, al-gae, dead plant tissue, and other debris. One species can cover tree branches with a light layer of silk. They are a curiosity but cause no harm and can provide some enter-tainment, if you have tendencies toward wranglin'. Barklice occur in groups on the bark of ornamentals. They tend to stay in a cohesive unit but will disperse if you move a fin-ger toward them. When you take it away they will move back together.

Woolly Adler Aphids on Silver Maple Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, Univ. of Kentucky

Woolly alder aphids are among the more conspicuous shade tree pests because they produce large fuzzy white masses on the underside of silver maple leaves. While these sap feeders can cause heavily in-fested leaves to pucker and drop prematurely, they probably don't have an adverse effect on long term tree health. The aphids can be a considerable nuisance because they excrete large volumes of a sticky liquid waste called "honeydew". A rain of honeydew can leave the ground sticky, at-tracted many bees, wasps, and flies to a free, sweet meal, and support the growth of sooty mold on in-fested trees. Control is rarely justi-fied.

For the next few weeks, the blue-black winged form of the woolly al-der aphid will disperse through the air as a floating mass of white waxy filaments. This curious sight can be alarming but is of no consequence. Lucky floating aphids will land on alders, the other host needed for

their life cycle.

Degree Day Totals through July 26, 2005 Bardstown—2176 Bowling Green—2329 Covington—2039 Henderson—2311 Huntington WV—2258 Lexington—2129 London—2107 Louisville—2185 Mayfield—2225 Paducah—2417 Princeton—2429 Quicksand—2230 Somerset—2162 Degree Day Totals through July 28, 2004 Bardstown—2343 Bowling Green—2566 Covington—2140 Henderson—2464 Huntington WV—2381 Lexington—2258 London—2294 Louisville—2418 Mayfield—2402 Paducah—2658 Princeton—2663 Quicksand—2310 Somerset—2312

Herd of Barklice? Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, Univ. of Kentucky