ARMYWORMS, ARMYWORMS EVERYWHERE ARMYWORMS.
By Doug Johnson

This season has already been too weird by half. Unless you were among the lucky few spared, most of you reading this will have already dealt with armyworms,. However, it may not be over, so let's review some information about the critters.

First, not all armyworms are the same. Several different insects are referred to as "armyworms" because they move in mass from one place to another when population pressure is too high or their food resources run out. However, these insect are not the same species, and in fact are not even in the same genus. They are for the most part in the same family of insects. But may, and often do, have very different habits.

Second, insects do have preferences concerning food and habitat BUT if an insect finds itself on the wrong plant or in the wrong place and the only choice is to eat or die...it will eat.

Recent problems are caused by the "true armyworm" Pseudaletia unipuncta. Generally, these are grass loving insects that cause problems on pastures (and hay), corn, and small grains. If fact, in the last week I have received descriptions of these insects in mixed pastures eating fescue down to nothing while leaving the clover in the field untouched. Any grass crop is a potential host for these pests.

True armyworm is generally a spring pest for Kentucky. It does not thrive here in the summer and we capture the adult moths in our pheromone baited traps. However, summer populations have never been known to grow large enough to damage crops. Part of this is because it is a grass loving pest and by the time the second and subsequent generations appear: small grains are harvested, corn is quite large and many wild hosts are available for the worm to eat. They also favor cool, damp conditions which we rarely have in a Kentucky summer. However, with this years abnormally large first generation, I think we should keep our eyes open for these pests to reappear in another three weeks to a month. I don't think this will happen, but this year who knows? Watch this space!!!

We also occasionally have problems with the "yellowstriped armyworm" Spodoptera ornithogalli. This worm has a wider host range that true armyworm, but in Kentucky we usually see them on soybeans and alfalfa. They are only very rarely a problem. This species is more often a problem in cotton states where it can be an important pest of cotton.

Up to this point, we have been discussing insects that are relatively easy to control. However, the next two species are notorious for their ability to destroy crops and escape chemical control.

In Kentucky we sometimes have problems with "fall armyworm", Spodoptera frugiperda. This is a migratory insect that most often shows up in Kentucky in mid- to late June. They overwinter on the gulf coast and fly north in the late spring and early summer. Fall armyworm is a dangerous pest in late planted corn, and to a lesser extent grain sorghum. However, it may also appear in early planted wheat, newly established grass pastures, and cover crops in the late summer / fall. This insect is also found in late soybeans but is rarely an important pest. This is a very difficult pest to control especially in corn. In more open situations, like newly established grass, control is a little easer. However, early detection is VERY important.

"Beet armyworm", Spodoptera exigua is a beast most Kentuckians rarely see. Boy, are you lucky. However, on rare occasions it does show up in the state. It has already appeared in Tennessee, Kentucky and possibly Kansas in small numbers. So far in Kentucky this worm has only been a pest of pepper production (no comfort to those folks) and only in years when there is a large planting of cotton in west Tennessee. However, this pest like its close relative the fall armyworm has a very large host range, and can show up in extremely large numbers. In addition, beet armyworms are notoriously difficult to control with insecticides. Just like fall armyworm early detection is Very important. Small worms are much easer to control than large worms.

You should understand that there are many other "worm" species called armyworm. The ones mentioned here are those with which we have experience in Kentucky. It is very important to know with which "armyworm" your are dealing. Each species has its own peculiarities which may affect control. Certainly with all species it is very important to discover the infestation as early as possible, get a correct identification, and estimate of numbers or damage.. It is always easer to deal with smaller and fewer worms that it is to try to control large numbers of large worms.

To see recent armyworm trap counts, click here.

WORKSHOP ON MICROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION OF GRAY LEAF SPOT OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
By Paul Vincelli

Most readers who work with perennial ryegrass are aware of the emergence of gray leaf spot in the past decade as one of the most destructive turfgrass diseases known. Those of you with experience against gray leaf spot know how rapid and destructive the disease can be.

Fungicides remain our first line of defense against gray leaf spot, because all commercial varieties are susceptible and cultural practices can provide only limited control under high disease pressure. Because of the high cost of fungicides, many turf managers are interested in ways to use these important products more wisely and economically. My opinion is that at this time, there is no better way to optimize the use of fungicides than to scout your own swards for the disease and to microscopically verify the presence of the causal fungus in diseased tissues. Experienced turfgrass pathologists agree that microscopic verification is important because it is often not possible to positively identify this disease based on symptoms alone.

Proper scouting can help you decide:

• when to spray
• when to switch to more costly, but more effective, fungicides
• when you can cut back on spraying
• whether to treat roughs

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will hold a workshop for turf managers and other interested professionals on microscopic identification of gray leaf spot of perennial ryegrass. Details are as follows:

Date & Time: June 20, 2001, from 1:00-5:00

Location: The University of Kentucky campus in Lexington

Cost: $900, Registration must be received by Monday, May 7
While the cost may seem high at first glance, registrants will actually be getting a lot for their money. Each registrant will receive a high-quality compound binocular light microscope (40-1000X magnifications, with halogen illumination and high contrast lenses), which you will learn to use during the workshop. In addition, each registrant will receive dissecting kits, lense cleaning supplies and other laboratory materials, a notebook including color images, a 2X desk magnifier with built-in illumination, and a field magnifying glass.

Learning Objective: As a result of this workshop, you will be able to detect Pyricularia grisea (the causal fungus of gray leaf spot) in diseased turfgrass tissue. This skill will provide the foundation for a scouting and monitoring program for gray leaf spot.

If interested in attending, please contact Pat Yancey at pyancey@pop.uky.edu pyancey@pop.uky.edu for a registration form. Registration is limited in order to provide a high- quality learning experience for those who attend. Interested Kentuckians should act soon, since out- of-state registrants will be accepted on April 20. Registration and payment must be received by Monday, May 7.

BUYERS BEWARE: SOME CHEMICALS MAY BE DUDS
By Lee Townsend

Frankfort, KY If it sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is. That's according to officials in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture who say several vendors usually appear across the Bluegrass State about this time every year, selling ineffective chemicals at cut-rate prices.

"Each spring, we in the Department receive many complaints from home gardeners, farmers, and others who purchase cheap but ineffective chemicals over the telephone or on the Internet," said Billy Ray Smith, Commissioner of Agriculture. "The sellers of these products usually claim they're comparable to well- known national brands, and for some folks, the cheaper prices are hard to resist."

Pressure tactics are frequently used by sellers of such chemicals. "If the seller tells you to buy his product now or the deal will be gone forever, that's a strong indication that his product is no good," said John McCauley, Director of the Division of Pesticide Regulation.

The KDA's Ken Franks works with licensed pesticide retailers throughout Kentucky and says if you are considering buying a chemical product over the phone or on the Internet, you should ask the seller several questions.

--Ask for the products' EPA registration number.
--Call the KDA to ensure the product is registered for use in Kentucky.
--Ask for the product's active ingredients and record the percentages of each.
--Ask how many square feet or acres the product will cover.
--Request complete directions for use of the product.
--Ask for the company's name, address, and telephone number.
--Compare the product to a similar one offered by your local retailer.
--Ask if the seller has a license to sell in Kentucky and ask for his name and license number.
--Keep a record of all of this information.

"You should never buy a product that requires cash upon delivery," Franks said. "Sometimes these vendors will send you the product whether you ordered it or not, so be careful about who you talk with."

For additional information contact Ken Franks at (502) 564-7274 or
ken.franks@kyagr.com.

CURRENT BLUE MOLD STATUS
By William Nesmith

Situation: Blue mold has not been reported from Kentucky or the neighboring states as of May 20. Conditions in the field have not been conducive for blue mold development during most of the past month, while those in most transplant production systems have been favorable if inoculum had been present. To our knowledge, inoculum was not present. However, the weather situation has changed markedly in Kentucky during the past week, with some areas receiving significant rainfall. The forecast calls for unsettled weather with a cooler, wet weather pattern moving into Kentucky and the Ohio Valley on May 21 and remaining for a week. This will provide more favorable conditions for blue mold to develop should spores be present.

The known blue mold activity is in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. But, these outbreaks are weak and of low risk for supplying windborne spores to Kentucky at this time. However, the North Carolina activity should be watched closely, because it is closer and is capable of expanding into burley. Inoculum may have been moved into western Virginia over the week end, for example.

I urge growers to remain alert to the current status of blue mold in their community and to scout frequently it. Be especially watchful of crops that involved southern transplants. Interstate movement of transplants is still occurring this week, and County Extension Agents report that southern sources are involved.

CONTROLS:

Transplants: Because they are needed for other diseases as well, preventive fungicide spray programs should remain in place at all tobacco transplant productions sites - greenhouses, float beds, plant beds, and distribution/holding sites. Remember that Ferbam can be use on small seedlings, while Dithane may cause injury if applied to plants with leaves smaller than dime-size. However, most plants are large enough to tolerate Dithane, which will provide better control than Ferbam in the larger plants. See issue 908 of Kentucky Pest News (March 12, 2001) for more specifics on chemical options for disease control in tobacco transplant production. Terramaster 35 W is labeled for Pythium control in float beds and greenhouses, at the rate of 2 oz/100 gallons of float water. Also, promptly destroy all transplants once the transplanting season is over, but keep them protected with fungicides until they are destroyed. Recall 1999's drought when we let blue mold build up in abandoned float plants in the drought areas after the transplanting season was over, to cause serious problems for those eastern and northern counties that received some timely rains. Folks, let's all appreciate that a key to the management of blue mold is centered around the tobacco community managing blue mold in the transplants - and it does not stop with transplanting!

Field: Two sides of the disease triangle are also in place in some field, but we should not have inoculum at this time. Thus, fungicide applications for blue mold control in the field are not warranted as of May 20. However, growers should become prepared to spray in a short order should a watch be issued and they should also be incorporating cultural controls. If you cannot remain informed, then start your Acrobat MZ spray program now. See issue 910, April 2, 2001, Kentucky Pest News for those guidelines and the fungicide options. Also, see issue 913, April 23, 2001, Kentucky Pest News for information on Actigard for blue mold prevention. Our crop is too small for this treatment now. Nevertheless, some will approach treatment-stage by late May, so become familiar with how to use the product before that time. Correctly used, Actigard can be a valuable tool, but when poorly used it can cause problems. Do not apply it too early or to stressed plants!

For the latest blue mold status and other tobacco disease information, check the KY Blue Mold Warning System.
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/kpn/kyblue/kyblue.htm

BLACK SHANK ALERT
By William Nesmith

Activity of the black shank pathogen should be increasing rapidly in fields with the pathogen that also received repeated moisture events last week. Plant infection, production of secondary inoculum, and spread of that inoculum have been occurring. In some places the soil has been saturated for 48-96 hours as of Monday, May 21, so the pathogen could have completed two infection cycles within that period. Because our soils are warmer than normal for this time of year, the disease could strike early. The cooler weather in the forecast could markedly slow disease development and symptoms, but don't let that mislead you. With a return to hotter and drier weather later in the season, very damaging levels of black shank could appear quickly, when the infections actually occurred in May. Fields of greatest concern are those with a history of the disease and not being rotated. Cultivation and layby applications of mefenoxam-containing fungicide (Ultra Flourish at 2 qts/A or Ridomil Gold at 1 pt/A) should be helpful in reducing black shank losses from this activity. See issue 915, May 7, 2001, of Kentucky Pest News for details on black shank control.

For the latest blue mold status and other tobacco disease information, check the KY Blue Mold Warning System.
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/kpn/kyblue/kyblue.htm

EUROPEAN CORN BORER: EARLY AND STRONG
By Ric Bessin

European corn borer moth flight has been unusually early and strong this spring. The flight, which is all but over except in some eastern parts of the state, was about two weeks earlier than what had been typical. Because it was so early, some trapping locations failed to get records of the entire flight as the traps were not up in time for the start. What we do know is that the flight for this first generation was intense. Weather conditions for mating and egg laying have also been favorable for most of the state. Keep in mind that ECB has had peak populations about every five years in Kentucky since 1986. So if the pattern holds this is a year to watch your corn fields carefully. Because corn borers have had such an early start this year, it is likely that we will have three complete generations this summer. We usually have two complete with a partial third. This may mean more problems for late planted corn and peppers.

Degree day records for Lexington (845DD), Princeton (1041DD), Henderson (960DD), Bowling Green (960DD), and Mayfield (883DD) for May 21 indicate that the flight is nearly complete, egg laying has occurred or is occurring at all of these locations, and larvae activity is underway in the western portion of the state. This means that this next week will be ideal for monitoring fields for European corn borer.

Prior to the rains of last weekend, much of the corn has been growing very slowly. Small corn is less attractive to corn borer moths for egg laying. We are likely to see some corn borer activity on other crops this spring. Last week, commercial squash fields in Daviess county were scouted and what appeared to be ECB egg masses were very common on the undersides of the squash leaves. Some plants had as many as 4 or 5 egg masses.

Generally, first generation corn borer damage results in physiological yield loss. That is, tunneling in the stalk reduces water transport nutrient efficiency and increases the likelihood of some stalk infections. This can reduce grain production by the plant.

The best time to control ECB with foliar sprays is when they are actively feeding in the whorl. This means that they need to be controlled while they are small larvae. Larger larvae leave the whorl and bore into the stalk. Once in the stalk, they cannot be controlled with foliar sprays. For best control, sprays should be directed over the row and downward toward the whorl.

Generally, an action threshold of 50% infested plants with active larvae in the whorl is used as a guideline for treatment. However, a more exact economic threshold can be obtained by using expected yields and grain prices, plant stage, level of infestation, and cost of control. You can find this threshold in ENT-49, European corn borers in corn. Producers that have used Regent at planting will get some first generation ECB protection, on the order of 60 to 70% control. These fields may still need to be monitored. Those using Bt corn varieties should have near complete control of this early generation.

For more information about corn pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".

DRY WEATHER AND POSTEMERGENCE WEED CONTROL IN CORN
By James R. Martin

Rainfall from the recent cold front provided temporary relief from the prolonged dry conditions. In some cases the dry conditions limited weed emergence, particularly where no-tillage practices are used. In other situations weeds emerged, but growers decided to delay spraying. The much needed moisture occurred with the last day will be beneficial for spraying postemergence herbicides by improving weed control efficacy and limiting the risk of crop injury.

If dry conditions return and postemergence treatments have not yet been applied, then it may be wise to check fields to determine if a postemergence is needed. In cases where weeds are present and precipitation is in the immediate forecast, it may be better to wait to see if moisture conditions improve before spraying. However, if weeds and/or corn are approaching the maximum size according to the label, then a decision to spray may have to be made.

The fact that some weeds tolerate dry conditions and compete for moisture better than corn may help justify spraying. Weed species that probably need the greatest attention are those that require spraying when they are small.

Corn injury is obviously a major concern when spraying during drought-stressed conditions. Timing and method of application are factors that can influence the risk of injury from postemergence herbicides. For example, when using products such as Accent, Beacon, Exceed, or Spirit in corn that exceeds 20 inches in height or the 6th collar stage (whichever occurs first), it is recommended to spray below the whorl of corn with drop nozzles rather than apply as a broadcast spray over top corn. The specific timing and method may vary depending on the herbicide. Some of this information is summarized in an article that appeared in Kentucky Pest News No 915, May 7 th. Always consult product label for specific directions.

WATCH FOR BEAN LEAF BEETLE IN YOUR SOYBEANS
By Doug Johnson

Don't let the problems with armyworms in your grass crops keep you from watching your soybeans. Though soybeans are a very robust crop, they can be damaged during their very early growth stages. These insects are out and active at this time in Kentucky.

Young soybeans, especially those that have not yet reached the first trifoliate stage, are subject to damage from bean leaf beetle. In addition to the presence of these pests, we are now in a slight to moderate drought, depending upon where you farm. This means that the plants will be 'sitting' instead of growing rapidly while at least the grasshoppers will have increased survival.

Unlike corn and other grass crops which have a long underground growing point, the soybean's growing point is above ground almost from emergence. Additionally, soybean is especially dependent on food reserves stored in the cotyledons (seed leaves). Both bean leaf beetle (BLB) attack these important plant parts directly.

Bean leaf beetles damage plants from emergence through the first trifoliate then again during pod fill. (In fact they are in the field all season long, but during the vegetative growth stages soybeans are putting on too much foliage for the beetle to be dangerous.) BLBs are abut 1/8" to 1/4" long. The body is slightly convex and the beetle is longer than wide. Color is variable, ranging from light brown to dark red, spots and or stripes may be present. However, all beetles will have a black triangle pointing backward behind the head. BLBs feed on cotyledons, leaves and pods. Leaf feeding consists of very distinctive almost circular holes. Feeding on cotyledons and pods usually appears as scooped- out holes in the surface. If the cotyledons are completely consumed the plants will die.

When scouting look for areas of stand reduction or heavily damaged cotyledons. If stand is reduced on average 30% or when feeding on leaves if the defoliation level reaches 30% then treatment is warranted. A more precise scouting method and economic threshold calculation can be found in IPM-3, KY ICM Manual for Field Crops 'Soybean'. You may view or obtain this manual from the IPM web page

If insecticidal controls are warranted you may find products labeled for control in ENT-13, In your County Extension office or on our Insect Management web site at: www.uky.edu/Agriculture/PAT/recs/rechome.htm "Insect Management Recommendations".

WHEAT DISEASE UPDATE
By Don Hershman

Dry weather across most of the state has greatly restricted disease development in a large percentage of Kentucky's wheat. I have seen significant levels of powdery mildew in a few fields, but the moisture requirements for that disease are minimal. Other diseases, such as leaf rust, Stagonospora leaf and glume blotch, speckled leaf blotch, tan spot, and Fusarium head blight, which are usually prevalent this time of May, are at very low levels. Similarly, the incidence of all wheat virus diseases and take-all disease are at very low levels. The down side of this situation is that wheat has been looking fairly stressed for some time now. Many fields have leaves in the lower canopy "firing up" and it looks like many fields may ripen prematurely. The rain we received across the state on Sunday night and Monday will probably be too little and too late to help wheat grain fill in at least west Kentucky. It is unlikely that the 2001 wheat crop will have a record state average yield, despite the low level of fungal diseases. Low levels of head disease, however, may translate into good seed quality as long as conditions in mid to late June favor timely harvest.

Although it may seem early to begin thinking about next year's wheat crop, take advantage of the numerous public and industry field days available throughout the state this spring. Variety selection in particular is very important in determining which diseases are likely to develop next year (provided we have some rain ). Take good notes and consider selecting multiple varieties for planting in October. Often producers tend to plant most of their wheat acreage to a single variety, perhaps two, and this greatly increases the risk that a serious disease epidemic will affect a large percentage of their wheat crop. To reduce the risk, consider planting three or four different varieties, each with varying maturity and disease resistance characteristics. The bottom line is that between variety selection, field tillage, field selection, planting date and density, fall fertility and various seed treatment fungicides and insecticides, most of what you can do to limit disease in your total wheat crop is done by the time the wheat is planted.

ADJUSTING AND MAINTAINING BACTERICIDE/FUNGICIDE SPRAYS CRITICAL IN COMMERCIAL VEGETABLES PRODUCTION DURING RAINY SEASONS
By William Nesmith

Commercial vegetable growers may need to adust their spray schedules to react to the changing disease potential resulting from the change in weather. The dry weather experienced most of the past month helped to keep diseases in check. However, the warm wet weather experience last week in some areas should result in a marked increase in summer disease potential, while the very cool and wet weather forecast for this week will favor a different group of diseases. Bacterial diseases could quickly get out of hand and late blight could become a problem.

Growers need to be maintaining good spray programs for both bacterial and fungal diseases (timely applications of the correct materials at recommended intervals) to minimize losses, along with regular scouting to obtain the needed information to adjust for specific needs in each field. Spray intervals need to be closed to at least weekly, rather than the 10-14 days used most of the past month. The fixed-coppers are the main chemical tools for bacterial diseases, while chlorothalonil- containing and EBDC-containing fungicides (mancozeb and maneb) are mainly being used for controlling fungal diseases.

In tomatoes and potatoes, it may be cool and wet enough that we could even see late blight, which is not common here in the spring. We normally can control late blight here if the fungicides are in place and well applied on a 5 to 7 day schedule.

See ID-36, Commercial Vegetable Crop Production Guidelines, for the details of disease controls. Also, appreciate that these changing disease situations are where some of the newer fungicides (Quadris, Flint, and Nova) in alternation with the older materials should provide an advantage in disease control. But, check the labels carefully. See ID-36 - " Vegetable Production Guidelines for Commercial Growers"

BURROWER BUGS
By Lee Townsend

Burrower bugs are 1/8 to 1/4 inch long insects with sucking mouthparts. The adults are black with a thin gray line around the edge of the body. The smaller nymphs, or immatures, are red and black . Both stages can be seen crawling over and under the soil and surface residue or accumulating in cracks in the soil surface. Burrower bugs can be abundant in and around no-till soybean and corn fields, as well as gardens and lawns. The species uses its sucking mouthparts to feed on sap from the roots of a wide variety of plants.

There is no indication that burrowing bugs cause any injury to crops but densities of several dozen of these bright insects per square foot have raised the concern of farmers, dealers, commercial applicators, and homeowners. In some cases, migrating burrowing bugs have covered the sides of buildings.

They can be accidental invaders in lawns, and occasionally may enter houses. Sevin may be used for control - see turf section of the label.

BORERS ARE FLYING
By Mike Potter

Four serious pests of landscape trees dogwood borer, bronze birch borer, flatheaded appletree borer, and honeylocust borer are beginning to emerge. The dogwood borer is the most serious pest of ornamental dogwoods, especially stressed trees in full sun. The bronze birch borer is a severe pest of white or paper birch, especially cultivated trees under stress. Flatheaded appletree borers are major pests of red maples, hawthorns, flowering crabapple, and several other hardwoods, especially those which are newly transplanted or under stress. Honeylocust borers are serious pests of transplanted and established urban trees with limited root zones. Mated females of all four species fly to host trees and lay eggs on the bark.

Management -- Borers rarely injure healthy trees or shrubs growing in their natural environments. When transplanted into landscape settings, every effort should be made to minimize plant stresses such as drought, soil compaction, sun scald, lawn mower/weed trimmer injuries, etc. Because newly planted trees are under considerable stress, preventive sprays are advisable during the first 2-3 growing seasons after planting. Timing is crucial in order to have a lethal residue of insecticide on the bark to intercept newly-hatched larvae before they burrow into the tree. Now is about the time to apply protectant sprays for all four species. Lindane or Dursban (chlorpyrifos) are effective, and should be sprayed to runoff on the trunk and main scaffold limbs. A second application, three weeks after the first, provides extended protection.

Although the registration for residential usage of chlorpyrifos has been withdrawn, many retail outlets still have product and existing supplies can be used up. Nonresidential uses by ornamental nurseries and golf courses are still permissible. Permethrin (Astro) may be used as an alternative protectant for borers, although the residual effectiveness may be somewhat shorter.

For further information, see the recently revised extension publication, ENT-43: Insect Borers of Trees and Shrubs.

STEM BLIGHTS CAN KILL VINCA GROUND COVERS
By John Hartman

Stem blight, caused by the fungus Phoma exigua var. exigua is a serious disease of Vinca minor (periwinkle, ground myrtle) in Kentucky. Symptoms begin as shoots gradually fade, wilt, and turn dark brown. Black stem blight lesions girdle the base of affected shoots and tiny black pycnidia (fruiting bodies of the fungus) can be found in the lesions. The fungus overwinters on old infected runners, often hidden from view by the new growth. Dieback symptoms may progress to death of entire clumps or patches of vinca, resulting in an uneven ground cover. Stem blight can be mistaken for root rot caused by Rhizoctonia, which can also develop black stem lesions. However, stem lesions from root rot infections do not contain the tiny black pycnidia.

Infected plants should be removed from the bed. Thinning of vinca beds and reduction of overhead shade will help reduce stem blight. Chipco 26019, Cleary's 3336, Domain, or Zyban can be used if fungicides are needed for control.

PERIODICAL CICADA EMERGENCE
By Lee Townsend

Periodical cicadas emerge at 13- to 17-year intervals across the eastern US. We are due brood XXIII (23) in 2002 that occurs mostly west of I-65 (See ENT -53 for details). However, some are coming out this year.

Cicadas began to emerge last week in Bracken county and are out in southern Campbell, and parts of Mason county, also. For each brood there commonly are "stragglers" that are off a year or more either way. That seems to be the case here. Some may appear in the western part of the state if a rain loosens the soil.

The damage from these insects will result from the egg laying activities of females. They slit the bark on pencil-sized twigs and lay their eggs in the wounds. This damage can easily destroy the current year's growth and increased pruning is needed to get rid of the damaged area. Damage is usually worse on newly-set or young trees.

Because egg laying is the real danger from these insects, consider emergence as the signal to begin protecting plants. A week or so after emergence, females are ready to lay eggs. Plants can be protected in three ways: covering, spraying and pruning.

Small trees can be covered with a protective netting cheesecloth. Be sure to secure the bottom around the trunk. This covering will have to stay on for the next four to six weeks or until egg laying is complete. Trees can also be sprayed. Orchards under a routine spray schedule should be sprayed roughly twice a week during the cicadas' peak activity period. Spray requirements will vary according to intensity of the outbreak, which range from a few cicadas in some areas to massive numbers of the insect in other areas.

A third alternative is to prune out egg-laying wounds before eggs hatch, especially in fruit orchards where juveniles' feeding on roots may decrease fruit production. Although this is a time-consuming process, it may be a viable alternative considering the production life and long-term value of fruit trees.

EUROPEAN PINE SAWFLY ACTIVE
By Lee Townsend

European pine sawflies are active, at least along the southern tier of counties. These are gray-green caterpillar-like insects with shiny black heads and legs and two light stripes and one dark stripe on each side of the body.

The larvae feed in clusters on old foliage in the tops of Scots, white and Austrian pines. Bark of new shoots may also be eaten. The damage is unlikely to kill trees but individual shoots may die or be deformed and diameter height growth may be reduced. There is only one generation each year.

Insecticides such as Insecticidal Soap, Sevin or Orthene may be used. Bacillus thuringiensis, ideal for caterpillars, cannot be used successfully against these sawfly wasps.

WHAT ARE THOSE TINY, RED THINGS?
By Mike Potter

Several calls have been received about tiny, red, mite-like "specs" crawling over pavement, patios, foundations and other outdoor surfaces. Oftentimes the critters make their way indoors and wander over floors, walls, counter tops, computer monitors, etc. When crushed they leave a reddish stain, further elevating their status as pests.

Technically speaking, these are mites in the family Trombidiidae a large group of outdoor, free-living mites that prey on insect eggs, collembola and other tiny soil arthropods. They breed outdoors in moist, organic, vegetative environments such as often occur around the foundations of buildings. The mites cannot breed indoors, nor will they bite pets or humans. They are often mistaken for clover mites which have similar outdoor origins and habits. (Clover mites tend to be reddish, orange or olive- brown in color and when viewed under magnification, the front pair of legs extend much farther forward than the others.) Some people also mistake the mites for chiggers.

Control- Most clients will not tolerate the mites once they have made their way indoors. Tremendous numbers often appear on foundations, patios, and other adjoining surfaces. Given their abundance and very small size, it's virtually impossible to prevent their entry by caulking and sealing alone. The most efficient and immediate solution is an outdoor perimeter application of insecticide around the base of the foundation in a 2 to 6-foot-wide band along the ground, and 2-3 feet up the foundation wall. Also spray along the base of exterior doors, beneath the bottommost edge of siding, along the crack where brick veneer meets foundation wall, and around window and door frames. Several different homeowner products are effective when applied with a pump up or hose end sprayer, including Dursban, Sevin, Ortho HomeDefense® , Spectracide Bug Stop^TM , and Bayer Advanced Lawn & Garden Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate. Professional pest control firms also perform such "barrier" treatments.

Mites occurring indoors are best removed with a vacuum cleaner to minimize red smears and stains. Indoor insecticide applications are not needed nor recommended. Finally, the occurrence of this mite around structures is a temporary event. For clients who opt to do nothing, the problem usually corrects itself in a matter of days or a few weeks.

DIAGNOSTIC LAB - HIGHLIGHTS
By Julie Beale and Paul Bachi

Samples seen in the Diagnostic Lab this past week included temporary phosphorus deficiency and herbicide injury on corn; semi-loose smut on oat; Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia damping off, Sclerotinia collar rot, blackleg and bacterial soft rot, target spot, chemical injury, and temporary phosphorus deficiency on tobacco.

Fruit and vegetable samples included black rot on grape; fireblight and cold injury on apple; sunscald on cucumber; Sclerotinia stem rot, Rhizoctonia stem canker and Pythium root rot on tomato; and wirestem (Rhizoctonia) on broccoli.

On ornamentals, we have seen fairy ring on bentgrass; leaf and flower gall on azalea; anthracnose and petiole borer on maple; insect galls on maple and oak; and herbicide injury on a variety of woody plants.

By Patty Lucas, University of Kentucky Research Center

Insect Trap Counts

To see recent armyworm trap counts, click here.

Lee Townsend
Extension Entomologist

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