Blue mold has not been reported in the United States as of June 20. Trajectory models from the
National Plant Disease Forecasting Center indicate that any blue mold spores present in
traditional source areas such as Pinar del Rio, Cuba and Uvalde, Texas will not affect U.S.
production areas. Current forecasts indicate that we are heading into a period of drier weather;
however, growers still need to scout fields regularly for symptoms of blue mold and other diseases.
For the latest blue mold status and other tobacco disease information, check the KY Blue Mold Warning System online.
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/kpn/kyblue/kyblue.htm
For more information about tobacco pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".
The Kentucky Soybean Association has received a grant from the United Soybean Board to establish a
soybean rust call-in line, whereby you can call a toll free number and listen to daily updates on
soybean rust. This call in line is now operational. The number is 1-888-321-6771. You will not be
able to leave messages. The call-in line will be updated daily or more often, if needed.
The call-in line only provides for a 1-min message. Therefore, by necessity, the messages I leave will be very brief and focused. For more detailed information, view the Kentucky Commentary on the USDA public soybean rust website: http://www.sbrusa.net.
For more information about soybean pests, visit
"Insect Management Recommendations".
Phomopsis cane and leaf spot symptoms are appearing in Kentucky vineyards with susceptible grapes. Phomopis cane and leaf spot weakens canes, damages leaves, blights rachises (cluster stems), and decays fruits near harvest. This disease differs from the black rot disease commonly seen here and in some seasons can be almost as destructive.
Symptoms. Infected leaves are first seen with tiny slightly puckered dark-centered yellow spots scattered over the leaf surface. On the leaf underside, tiny black lesions are often aligned with leaf veins. Heavily infected leaves may become blighted. Infected shoots, leaf petioles, and rachises develop black, elongated lesions. The stem surface may appear blackened and scabby where numerous lesions occur. Leaves with heavily infected petioles may turn yellow and drop. Infected cluster stems with lesions can appear blighted at the ends and the affected fruits wither and are lost. Symptoms on infected shoots, leaves and rachises are especially visible in late spring, mainly on the first three to four leaves, stem internodes and associated fruit clusters. The fruit rot phase of the disease appears as the fruits approach ripening. Infected fruits turn brown, shrivel, and eventually drop. In winter, cane infections can be observed, and even after pruning, dead cane stubs may contain the fungus. The over-all effect of the disease is to weaken vines, reduce yields, and lower fruit quality.
Biology of the disease. Cane and leaf spot disease is caused by the fungus Phomopsis viticola. The fungus overwinters and forms fungal fruiting bodies called pycnidia in infected canes, bark, leaf petioles and fruit cluster rachises. During early spring rains, spores ooze from pycnidia and are splashed by rain onto susceptible young tissue. Infections occur with a little as 6 hours of leaf wetness at cool (59-68F) temperatures. Leaf spots may appear a week or two after infection while shoot lesions appear 3 to 4 weeks after infection. Cane lesions do not form new spores until the following year. Fruit cluster rachises are susceptible from the time they first become visible until after pea-sized fruit have formed. Fruit infections occur early in the season, during and just after bloom, but symptoms of the dark and rubbery fruit rot do not appear until just before harvest. Thus, an outbreak of fruit rot can develop at harvest if the bloom period was cool, wet, and protection from fungicides was not present. Phomopsis cane and leaf spot, and subsequent fruit rot is most difficult to manage when the fungus is allowed to build up on dead canes in the vines, especially on highly susceptible cultivars. Inoculum can remain viable on dead canes or cane stubs in the vineyard for several years.
Disease management suggestions. Phomopsis cane blight and leaf spot can be reduced by cultural practices such as sanitation and by fungicide applications.
More attention to disease management details is needed in vineyards with a history of Phomopsis cane and leaf spot disease.
West Nile virus (WNV) was discovered in the eastern US in the early summer of 1999 and is considered to be permanently established over much of the country. The numbers of WNV cases in Kentucky has dropped precipitously since our 2002 outbreak. This is evident in the data below reported by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Dept for Public Health. The total numbers of cases (and counties reporting cases) show the trend. Hopefully, this decline will be the story for 2005.
| Year | Birds | Horses | Humans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 693 (101) | 513 (78) | 75 (34) |
| 2003 | 111 (46) | 102 (54) | 14 (12) |
| 2004 | 22 (12) | 8 (8) | 7 (5) |
WNV is transmitted mainly through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which pick up the virus from infected birds. Sixty species of mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus since 1999 but Culex mosquitoes are considered to be the primary vectors. The house mosquito, Culex pipiens, is an important vector in Kentucky. It is one of the most common pest mosquitoes in urban and suburban areas, breeding in most any type of stagnant water. Members of this species normally feed on birds but some feed on humans, too. This provides an opportunistic "bridge" for the virus to get from birds to humans and animals. House mosquitoes tend to feed at night and will enter houses in search of a blood meal.
The 2005 mosquito season is underway. As of June 14, 2005 avian or animal WNV infections have been reported to Centers for Disease Control from: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, and Texas. No human cases have been reported yet. There are several resources to help stay informed. The CDC West Nile virus page (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm) gives a look at the national picture, while the CH&FS page (http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/westnile.htm) covers the situation in Kentucky.
It is too early to tell what the 2005 WNV story will be but the basic points are the same-
In the past week, we've diagnosed several cases of bacterial leaf spot (BLS) on pepper. The cases were reported on 'Olympus', a pepper variety with resistance to races 1, 2, and 3 of the BLS pathogen, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (XCV). It is likely, then, that we are dealing with a race of XCV that is relatively uncommon to Kentucky. This week, we'll take a quick look at the biology, epidemiology, and management of BLS of pepper.
Symptoms. Symptoms of BLS can appear on all parts of the pepper plant; however, leaves and fruit are most commonly affected. On leaves, lesions initially appear as yellow-green to brown, water-soaked spots. The center of the lesions eventually becomes necrotic and sunken on the upper leaf surface and slightly raised on the lower surface. Often, the center will fall out of the lesion, giving the leaf a "shot-hole" appearance. Lesions may also coalesce, or join, to form large necrotic areas along veins and leaf margins. Symptomatic leaves will eventually turn yellow and drop, exposing fruit to direct sunlight. This in turn results in high levels of sun scald that renders the fruit unmarketable. Under severe conditions, plants are killed. On fruit, first symptoms of BLS are round, green, raised spots. The spots turn brown and take on a cankerous, cracked appearance and result in unmarketable fruit.
Biology and Epidemiology. There are 11 known races of the BLS pathogen, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. Along with pepper, BLS will also affect tomato. The primary means of survival and spread is on infested seed; it has been reported that XCV can survive up to 10 years on dried pepper seed. Long distance movement can take place on seed or on infected transplants. The pathogen can also survive between pepper crops on debris (up to 6 months), on weeds, and on susceptible crops such as tomato.
Warm temperatures, high humidity, and precipitation favor development and spread of BLS. Wind and rain will disperse XCV in the field, as will human and insect activity. The pathogen enters plant parts through wounds made by insects or by handling, or through natural plant openings such as stomates and lenticels. Disease progresses rapidly after XCV enters the plant.
Management. Prevention is the most important step in managing BLS on pepper. Use certified, pathogen-free seed and transplants. Seed can be treated with hot water or with a bleach solution to eradicate XCV and other seedborne pathogens. Specific instructions on these procedures can be found at http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Pepper_BactSpot.htm. Crop rotation is extremely important - never grow pepper after pepper, tomato, potato, or eggplant. Rotations of 2-3 years away from BLS-susceptible crops can be very effective in reducing disease severity down the road. Also, keep fields and field borders as weed-free as possible to eliminate potential reservoirs of inoculum.
Pepper varieties with resistance to BLS (usually races 1, 2, and 3, and sometimes other races) are commercially available and should be used. Refer to UK CES ID-36 (Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers) for a listing of BLS-resistant pepper varieties.
Chemical control options for BLS are limited. Transplants can be treated with streptomycin (Agri-Mycin) at 200 ppm prior to transplanting. Streptomycin is not labeled for greenhouse use, but can be applied to outdoor plant beds and to transplants held outdoors. Tanos, a new fungicide available from DuPont, has been shown in Florida to reduce bacterial spot as well as several fungal diseases. The application rate is 8-10 oz/A (72 oz product/season maximum). Tanos must be tank-mixed with copper or maneb. We have no experience with this product in Kentucky and cannot attest to any additional benefits beyond those that would be achieved with copper plus maneb alone. Fixed coppers are labeled and should be incorporated into a disease management program as early as possible. Tank-mixing copper with maneb will improve the efficacy of the copper against XCV. Apply these materials on a 7-10 day schedule, shortening the interval to 7 days if rainy conditions prevail. Even if BLS-resistant peppers are planted, copper/maneb sprays should be part of the disease management program. Why? Because resistant varieties still develop disease, just at a lower level than BLS-susceptible varieties. Copper/maneb also protects resistant varieties against races of XCV for which they lack resistance genes. Usually, spray schedules can be stretched to 10-14 days when BLS-resistant varieties are planted.
Ants are the most frequent and persistent pests encountered around homes and buildings. Besides being a nuisance, they contaminate food, build unsightly mounds on clients' property, and cause structural damage by hollowing out wood for nesting.
To most householders, all ants look pretty much the same. In truth, dozens of different species occur around homes and buildings, each having unique characteristics, which may influence the method of control. In Kentucky, the most common household-invading ants include pavement ants, carpenter ants, acrobat ants, and odorous house ants. The latter ant species has become a huge problem in recent years, causing fits to householders and pest control professionals alike. Knowing which ant(s) you have often requires the help of an entomologist or knowledgeable pest control firm. Collecting a few of the non-winged worker ants in a plastic bag or vial will help with subsequent identification.
Dealing with ants can be very frustrating. The following recommendations pertain to all common structure-invading ants in Kentucky except carpenter ants, which will be discussed in a subsequent newsletter. For additional information, see the newly revised entomology publication, Ant Control for Homeowners (Entfact- 619).
THE BATTLE PLAN
The mistake most people make when trying to control ants is only spraying the ones they see. This approach usually fails because the ants seen foraging over exposed surfaces is only a small portion of the colony. Typically, there will be thousands of additional ants, including one or more egg laying queens hidden somewhere in a nest. Eliminating queens and other colony members within nests is often the key to effective control.
Ants Nesting Indoors Buildings contain many favorable hiding and nesting sites for ants. Preferred sites include spaces behind walls, cabinets, or appliances; behind window and door frames; or beneath floors and concrete slabs. Most of these areas are hidden, making it difficult to determine their precise location. When the location of the nest cannot be determined or are inaccessible, insecticide baits often are a good option, especially for homeowners. The advantage in using baits is that foraging ants take the insecticide back to the nest and feed it to the queen(s) and other colony members. As a result, the entire colony often is destroyed.
Most baits sold to homeowners come pre packaged with the insecticide and food attractant confined within a plastic, child resistant station. Some of the more effective ant baits sold in grocery, hardware and retail stores are Combat Quick Kill® Formula bait stations and Combat Ant Killing Gel; Raid Ant Bait II, and Terro® Ant Killer II.
Place the baits next to wherever ants are seen, preferably beside ant "trails" - invisible odor trails that worker ants follow between food and the nest. Do not spray other insecticides or cleaning agents around the baited locations as this will deter ants from feeding on the bait. Initially you should see an increase in the number of ants around the bait station. Do not spray them. This indicates that the ants are feeding on the bait and transporting the insecticide back to the nest. Ant activity often will subside in a matter of days as the number of ants in the colony declines. Continue to place additional baits wherever ants are seen.
Ants are rather finicky in their food preferences and may alter them throughout the year. If one bait product isn't attractive or doesn't seem to be working, try another. Optimal results usually require a sustained period of feeding, not just a brief visitation by a few ants. Professional pest control firms have a wider selection of products to choose from, and can usually provide relief when homeowner efforts are unsuccessful. Retail baits usually will not control carpenter ants, although the Combat® Ant Killing Gel or Terro® baits may be worth a try.
Ants Nesting Outdoors Ants noticed inside the home may actually be nesting outdoors in the yard. Try to trace the ants back to the point where they are entering from outside; this may be along a windowsill, beneath an entrance door, or where the exterior siding meets the foundation wall. Ants usually prefer to trail along lines and edges. When tracing ant trails indoors or outdoors, pay particular attention to seams and edges created by baseboards, the tack strip beneath perimeter edges of carpeting, mortar joints, foundation/siding interface, etc. Nests often will be located in the ground, marked by a mound or anthill. Other times, the nest will be concealed under stones, mulch, landscaping timbers, pavement, or beneath grass adjoining the foundation wall. Some kinds of ants prefer to nest behind exterior siding or wood trim that has been damaged by moisture. While it takes patience to locate an ant colony outdoors, results will be more permanent than if you spray only where ants are seen trailing. One way to entice ants to reveal the location of their nest(s) is to place small dabs of honey or jelly next to where ants are observed. After the ants have fed, they will head back to the nest.
When a belowground nest is discovered, the colony can often be eliminated by spraying or drenching the nest location with a liquid insecticide such as carbaryl (Sevin), or a pyrethroid insecticide such as Spectracide Triazicide®, Ortho Home Defense Max®, or Bayer Advanced® Lawn & Garden Multi-Insect Killer. Large colonies will require greater amounts of liquid to move the insecticide throughout the network of underground galleries within the nest (using a bucket to apply the diluted insecticide is an effective method). Follow label directions for treating ant mounds, paying attention to precautions for mixing and application. Another effective and convenient way to control some species of outdoor and indoor-nesting ants is with a granular bait product, such as Combat® Ant Killing Granules. Sprinkle the bait in small amounts beside outdoor ant mounds, along pavement cracks, and other areas where ants are nesting or trailing.
Ant entry into homes can be reduced by caulking around door throesholds, windows, and openings where utility pipes and wires enter buildings. Ant entry can be further reduced by spraying one of the above mentioned liquid insecticides around the outside perimeter of the building. Consider applying a 2 to 6 foot swath along the ground adjacent to the foundation, and a few feet up the foundation wall.
Also treat ant trails and points of entry into the home, such as around doors and where utility pipes and wires enter from outside.
In Kentucky, spraying or applying granular insecticides to the entire yard is not recommended, and will seldom if ever, solve an ant infestation indoors. Whole-yard treatments also eliminate beneficial ants, which help to keep other damaging pests of lawns and gardens in check.
BATTLING ODOROUS HOUSE ANTS
The odorous house ant has become the most common and difficult ant species to control in Kentucky and throughout much of the United States. The ant is small (1/8-inch), darkish, and forms distinct trails along outdoor and indoor surfaces. It is often mistaken for the pavement ant, which can readily be controlled with most baits. The most accurate diagnostic difference, visible under magnification, is the absence of a noticeable "bump" (node) along the constricted area between thorax and abdomen of the odorous house ant. Pavement ants have two obvious nodes, and fine grooves or striations along the head and thorax. Pavement ants also are more likely to displace bits of soil from their typical nesting location under sidewalks, driveways and other paved areas. Odorous house ants emit what's been described as a rotten coconut or pine scent when crushed with the finger and sniffed.
Odorous house ants will nest in almost every imaginable location. They commonly nest outdoors under pavement, stones, mulch, woodpiles, flowerpots, and house siding, foraging indoors for food and moisture. Nests also occur indoors within wall cavities, appliances, potted plants, etc., especially near sources of moisture. The nests tend to be mobile; colonies relocate fast and often in response to changes in weather and disturbance. Odorous house ant colonies usually have numerous, egg-laying queens and the primary colonies may split into smaller ones for no apparent reason. Ants foraging indoors feed on all manner of foods, ranging from the trash can to the cereal bowl.
This particular ant is VERY DIFFICULT to control, especially by householders. The better baits to try are often syrupy ones, such as Combat® Ant Killing Gel or Terro® Ant Killer II. As with all ants, activity indoors can sometimes be reduced by removing ready access to food and moisture (water leaks, spillage, trashcans, pet food dishes, etc). Temporary relief can sometimes be had by wiping away the invisible odor trails with a kitchen cleanser or mild detergent. Do not disturb foraging trails, however, if you are using bait. Caulking obvious ant entry points also may be helpful, along with trimming back shrubs and limbs touching the building. In nature, this ant feeds extensively on plant nectar and honeydew excreted by plant-sucking insects such as aphids.
When odorous house ants are the problem, homeowners may be better off calling a professional, although they, too, are challenged by this ant. Some products used by professionals (e.g. Termidor®/Phantom® sprays, certain baits) can be effective, but are not available to the public.
During the past week, field crop samples diagnosed included potassium deficiency on corn; thrips injury on soybean; bacterial blackleg, Pythium root rot, black shank, stem canker/soreshin (Rhizoctonia), and tomato spotted wilt virus on tobacco.
On fruit and vegetable samples, we diagnosed iron deficiency on blueberry; Botryosphaeria canker on blackberry; fire blight, frogeye leaf spot, plum curculio injury and cedar-quince rust on apple; fire blight on pear; bacterial spot and nitrogen deficiency on peach; black knot on cherry; Fusarium root and stem rot on bean; bacterial wilt on cantaloupe; fertilizer burn on pepper, squash and tomato; and bacterial speck, Sclerotinia stem rot, southern blight, bacterial soft rot of stem (Erwinia), and tomato spotted wilt virus on tomato.
On ornamentals and turf, we diagnosed bacterial soft rot and Heterosporium leaf spot on iris; black root rot on holly; Armillaria root/crown rot on hydrangea; powdery mildew, Discula anthracnose and spot anthracnose on dogwood; leaf/flower gall on azalea; Phyllosticta leaf spot on maple; Pythium root dysfunction on bentgrass; and brown patch on fescue.
UKREC-Princeton, KY, June 10 - 17, 2005| Black Cutworm
| 0
| True Armyworm
| 2
| Corn Earworm
| 1
| European Corn Borer
| 1
| Southwestern Corn Borer
| 15
| | |
Hardin Co., KY, June 10-17, 2005| Black Cutworm
| -
| True Armyworm
| 2
| Corn Earworm
| -
| European Corn Borer
| 3
| Southwestern Corn Borer
| 113
| | |
View Princeton trap counts for the entire 2005 season at - http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPMPrinceton/Counts/2005trapsfp.htm
Fulton County trap counts are available at -http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fulton/anr/Insect%20Counts.htm
For information on trap counts in southern Illinois visit the Hines Report at - http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/pubs/hines_report/comments.html The Hines Report is posted weekly by Ron Hines, Senior Research Specialist, at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center.
NOTE: Trade names are used to simplify the information presented in this newsletter. No endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named.
Lee Townsend
Extension Entomologist