WATCH FOR:
By Lee Townsend

• CRICKETS along foundations, they will enter homes thru cracks and crevices in a few more weeks
• PODWORM in soybeans
• late season HORNWORM infestations in tobacco
• LONE STAR TICK nymphs attacking humans and pets during fall outings (Entfact 618)
• nuisance YELLOWJACKETS becoming more aggressive (Entfact 620 & 634)
• FOREIGN GRAIN BEETLES may be the tiny brown beetles that appear suddenly in relatively new homes (Entfact 610).

DISEASE UPDATE
By Kenny Seebold

It looks like the blue mold situation is leveling off, as there were no new reports of the disease during the week of August 15. The week of August 22 should mark a return to cooler day and night temperatures. Scattered showers, dew, and fog will keep the threat level from blue mold at the weak-to-moderate level during this time, according to forecast provided by the North American Plant Disease Forecasting center. Any late-planted tobacco in areas known to have blue mold will be more at risk. Please check the KY Blue Mold Warning System page for regular updates.

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".

DROUGHT STRESS INCREASES MYCOTOXIN RISKS
By Paul Vincelli

Drought stress in some corn crops this year represents a serious limitation to yields in many areas. Extension agents will also want to consider the effect that drought stress can have on mycotoxins.

When significant levels of aflatoxins are detected in corn, drought stress and high temperatures are typically associated with it. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic toxins sometimes produced in corn by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Injury to kernels from insects and possibly other factors also increases the risk of aflatoxin accumulation. Aflatoxins occur very infrequently in Kentucky, and often are associated with poor handling and storage. However, where drought stress has been severe, it is possible to have high levels of aflatoxin in corn coming right out of the field.

An important fact to understand about aflatoxin contamination in the Midwest is that, when it occurs, the incidence and severity can be very, very variable. Even in a county or portion of a county with the occasional field with high levels, one can also expect to find fields with low levels and undetectable levels. Aflatoxin levels in food and livestock feed are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Recognize once again that aflatoxin contamination is often very infrequent to nonexistent, so I am not anticipating substantial problems with aflatoxins. Nevertheless, Extension agents seeking more information on aflatoxins can look to the Extension publication Aflatoxins in Corn, ID-59 (http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id59/id59.pdf). That publication includes information on utilizing aflatoxin-contaminated grain, should the toxins be detected. In addition to the overview in that publication, producers may be interested to know of research showing that the aflatoxin content of infected kernels rises rapidly as the kernel dries below 20% moisture. Therefore, if feasible, it may be advisable to harvest drought-stressed fields before the corn drops below 20% moisture content and dry the grain to 15% within 24 hours of harvest.

Producers should be aware that both families of toxins can often be found at higher concentrations in injured and broken kernels than in sound kernels. Producers who clean their corn are advised not to feed screenings to livestock, since these pose the greatest risk. Many of the cases of poisonings of horses and swine from fumonisins in the Midwest resulted from feeding of screenings to livestock.

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

QUICK REVIEW OF CURRENTLY AVAILABLE STORED GRAIN INSECTICIDES
By Doug Johnson

Listed below are the common stored grain insecticides. I have described their status and use as I understand them as of August 2005. This market is undergoing constant change and update. Watch this newsletter for further updates and new products. As always, be sure to follow the label on any product you choose to use.

Note that the section headings may be read as follows: Product Name, (active ingredient common name), Company, Use. Kentucky Crops

TalstarOne, (bifenthrin), FMC, Empty bin treatments only.
Do NOT apply to grain!

The label for this product does allow for use in "granaries" and other food and feed handling facilities. I therefore presume that it is legal to use (thought I am an entomologist not a lawyer!) in stored grain facilities.

However, in the section that applies to this "granaries" use there is no list of insect pests for which this product label claims control. Additionally, where specific insects are listed they tend to be the general structural insect problems (for example cockroaches, crickets, firebrats, silverfish, etc.), and not insects specifically known to harm stored grain. For these reasons I would expect that this product was not intended for the stored grain market. Also, since the label does not claim control of specific "stored grain" insects you may have little recourse if you were not happy with the control you get.

Tempo® SC Ultra, (cyfluthrin), Bayer, Empty bin treatments only.
Do NOT apply to grain!

The label for Tempo, unlike the label for TalstarOne, does list several common stored grain insects for which they claim control. Although the list is not exhaustive, it does include several of the most important and most common pests.

I have no reason or no data to suggest that either of these products will not work. However, it does appear that the Tempo label was written to reflect an intended use in the commercial agriculture stored grain market while the TalstarOne label was not. Just my opinion and food for thought.

Actellic® 5E, (pirimiphos-methyl), Douglas, Grain protectant (admixture) or Top Dressing.
Corn & Grain Sorghum

Actellic remains the only stored grain insecticide labeled for use on corn.

Reldan® 4E, (chlorpyrifos-methyl), Gustafson, Empty bin treatments, Grain protectant (admixture).
Barley, Oats, Sorghum, Wheat

Reldan is being replaced in the market with Storcide II, partially because the active ingredient does not do a good job in control of the lesser grain borer. Stocks on hand may be used through December of 2005.

Storcide™, (chlorpyrifos-methyl + cyfluthrin), Gustafson, Empty bin treatments, Grain protectant (admixture).
Barley, Oats, Sorghum, Wheat

Storcide is being replaced in the market with Storcide II, largely because one of the active ingredients in Storcide (cyfluthrin) does not have a CODEX MRL for use in international trade. The CODEX MRL is an international value, roughly similar to a residue value required by the US-EPA. Stocks on hand may used, but no new product will be sold. This product should be used on grain to be sold in the US domestic trade.

Storcide™ II, (chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin), Gustafson, Empty bin treatments, Grain protectant (admixture).
Barley, Oats, Sorghum, Wheat

Storcide II will replace Reldan and Storcide in the market place. The synthetic pyrethriod portion of the product (deltamethrin) is expected to provide the need control of lesser grain borer and has a CODEX MRL for use in international trade.

There are of course, many other methods of insect management for use in stored grain. Just remember S.L.A.M., Sanitation Loading, Aeration and Monitoring. Put clean dry grain in clean dry bins, use aeration to cool and dry the grain, and monitor for insect activity. Often, this will be all the insect management you will need.

For more information about crop and livestock pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".

DOWNY MILDEW OF PUMPKIN REPORTED IN EASTERN AND WESTERN KY
By Kenny Seebold

Two cases of downy mildew of pumpkin have been confirmed in Kentucky in the past week, one in Johnson Co. and the other in Daviess Co. Conditions should be less favorable to disease development during the week of August 22; however, growers should continue with appropriate disease management programs for their fall cucurbit crops. Along with downy mildew, we are seeing diseases such as powdery mildew and gummy stem blight (black rot) in some areas.

WHITE GRUB CONTROL IN HOME LAWNS
By Lee Townsend

White grubs are only one of the potential causes of brown patches of dead grass in home lawns. Grub- damaged turf will pull up like loose carpet if the root system has been severely damaged. Turf infestations can be from masked chafer or Japanese beetles. Very dry conditions in much of the state should result in intense grub infestations in lawns that were watered regularly so that they are green and lush when most of the surrounding turf is brown and dry. These become oases in the desert for beetles that have been seeking places to lay their eggs over the past few weeks. Moist warm soils also increase the proportion of grub eggs that hatch and the development rate. All of this sets the stage for some serious turf injury.

Rescue treatments for active white grub infestations require insecticides that act quickly and are toxic to the larger grubs that can be present now. A good choice is Bayer Advanced 24-hour Grub Control that contains the active ingredient trichlorfon. If this product cannot be found, carbaryl (Sevin) can be used. Control may not be as effective and the insecticide is very toxic to earthworms. Heavy earthworm mortality can lead to thatch build up and a general reduction in turf health. Large numbers of white grubs in turf can mean damage from skunks and birds that come to feed on the succulent creatures.

LATE SUMMER DISEASES OF LANDSCAPE OAKS
By John Hartman

Oaks are among the most important trees planted along Kentucky streets and in home landscapes. They are perceived to be durable and long-lived and, because of their size, often occupy a prominent place in the landscape. Unfortunately, many of these oaks are not in good condition from a variety of disease and stress-related problems.

Red oak leaf spot and lower branch dieback. Red oaks, many of them fairly young, in several central Kentucky landscapes are showing extensive leaf spot due to late-season spotting by the fungus Tubakia dryina (Actinopelte). Some springtime anthracnose infections caused by the fungus Apiosporina quercina or Discula quercina, are also present on these leaves. Severely affected leaves may turn brown prematurely and drop. The Actinopelte leaf spot disease, which also affects pin oaks, is worsened when trees are growing under stressful conditions such as iron deficiency associated with high soil pH or when the trees have been planted too deep some years before. In some cases, twigs and entire lower branches have died, possibly from the effects of previous seasons' defoliation, or possibly due to twig and branch canker infections. This year, drought is placing additional stress on oak trees and could be contributing to the poor condition of some of these trees. The best disease management practice is for growers to provide good growing conditions to alleviate stressful circumstances for landscape oaks.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch. Symptoms of bacterial leaf scorch are now becoming noticeable from a distance, especially on street-side pin oaks and red oaks statewide. Affected oaks show premature browning of the foliage and premature leaf fall. Healthy trees nearby are still green and have not begun to drop their leaves. These contrasting conditions will be quite visible for the next several weeks, until October when the leaves of healthy trees also begin to turn their normal brown color and drop.

Leaves of diseased trees show symptoms of scorch, in which the leaf tissue between the veins and at the edges of the leaves turns brown while the leaf tissue nearest the veins remains green. Some of the fallen leaves still show the near-veinal green color pattern. This premature browning of infected trees is repeated each year, and after several years, diseased trees begin to show symptoms of twig and branch dieback. Finally, after many years, affected trees decline and die. Bacterial leaf scorch appears to affect mainly older trees, but young trees can also die from this disease. Bacterial leaf scorch also occurs on other landscape trees such as maples and sycamores, but oaks are most commonly seen with the disease.

The causal agent, Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-inhabiting bacterium, is thought to be transmitted from tree to tree or from other landscape plants to trees by xylem-feeding leafhoppers. Since the disease seems to spread slowly from one tree to another, the insects may not be very efficient carriers of the pathogen. In any case, once inside a susceptible tree, the bacteria grow systemically and are probably impossible to control with the technology we have now. If a tree is showing early bacterial leaf scorch symptoms, be prepared to lose it gradually over the next decade. Plant another tree nearby as a future replacement.

Powdery mildew. Pin oaks are now showing signs of powdery mildew disease. The causal fungus, Phyllactinia guttata, is appearing now on leaves as a white or gray mat of fungal mycelium and spores. The fungus produces tiny black spherical fruiting structures called cleistothecia, which are embedded in the white mycelium. The dusty coating peppered with black dots is easily visible on the leaves and is often found on the leaf underside. On oaks, powdery mildew appears late enough in the growing season that attempts at treatments to reduce fungal infection are generally unnecessary.

FALL WEBWORMS ON TERMINALS
By Lee Townsend

Fall webworms are covered by pale green or yellow hairs and have rows of black spots along their backs. Groups of these caterpillars can be found in webbing at the end of branches on American elm, maples, hickory, sweetgum, and other deciduous plants. Usually, the infestation is limited to a branch or two on a plant and the impact is aesthetic rather than a plant health threat. Removal and destruction of the web and caterpillars is an effective control measure.

ELIMINATING WASP AND HORNET NESTS
By Mike Potter

Wasp stings are a serious health threat to humans and animals. Many people in the United States die each year from allergic reactions to the venom of these insects. Paper wasps, hornets and yellowjackets are more dangerous and unpredictable than honeybees. Workers foraging away from the nest are seldom aggressive, but nests should be eliminated with great care and in a specific manner. "Folk" remedies such as dousing nests with gasoline or a garden hose seldom work and can result in multiple stings.

Paper Wasps -- Paper wasps (as well as hornets and yellowjackets) construct nests of a paper-like material containing finely chewed wood fragments and salivary secretions. Paper wasps typically build their umbrella-shaped nests in protected locations, such as under eaves, gutters and ledges or in attics and outbuildings. Nests also may be located behind shutters, or inside exterior light fixtures, gas grills and mailboxes. Most paper wasps are brownish or rust-colored, although one increasingly common variety, the European paper wasp, has yellow and black markings much like a yellowjacket. Paper wasps have a "waist" that is very thin, however, which distinguishes them from hornets and yellowjackets.

Paper wasps are not very aggressive, but stings can occur when householders inadvertently disturb nests that are hidden. If the nest is accessible, it can be eliminated rather easily with a wasp and hornet spray sold at most retail stores. One advantage of these formulations is that they can be sprayed as far as 20 feet. Although it's best to treat all wasp nests at night, paper wasps can be eliminated during the daytime provided you do not stand directly below the nest during treatment. Most wasp aerosol sprays cause insects to drop instantly. Standing directly under a nest increases the risk of being stung. After treatment, wait a day to ensure that the colony is destroyed; then scrape or knock down the nest.

Hornets -- Hornets are far more difficult and dangerous to control than paper wasps. The nests resemble a large, gray, bloated football, which typically is attached to a tree, bush or side of a building. Oftentimes the nest is concealed among branches, especially in densely canopied trees such as Bradford pear. Hornet nests may contain thousands of wasps that are extremely aggressive when disturbed. The nests often are located out of reach and elimination is best accomplished by a professional pest control firm.

Treat hornet nests at night when most insects are within the nest and less active (follow night treatment precautions discussed below for yellowjackets). A full wasp suit, sealed at the wrists, ankles and collar, is recommended. Apply an aerosol-type wasp and hornet spray or dust formulation (e.g., Sevin, Drione, DeltaDust) directly into the nest opening. Hornet nests generally have a single opening, usually toward the bottom, where the wasps enter and exit. It is crucial that the paper envelope of the nest not be broken during treatment or the irritated wasps will scatter in all directions, causing even greater problems. Following treatment, wait at least 2-3 days before removing the nest to ensure that all of the wasps are killed. If hornets continue to be seen, the application may need to be repeated.

If the nest is located away from frequently used areas, another option is to wait and do nothing. In Kentucky, wasp, hornet, yellowjacket, and bumblebee colonies die off naturally after the weather turns cold, and the paper carton disintegrates over the winter months.

Yellowjackets -- Yellowjackets are probably the most dangerous stinging insects in the United States. They tend to be unpredictable and usually sting if the nest is disturbed. Yellowjacket nests are often located underground in old animal burrows (e.g., chipmunks), or beneath rocks or landscape timbers. They also build nests in walls, attics, crawlspaces, and behind exterior siding of buildings.

If the nest can be located, it often can be eliminated by applying an aerosol-type wasp and hornet spray into the opening. Insecticide dust formulations containing Sevin (sold in lawn and garden shops), DeltaDust, or Drione, are especially effective but require a hand duster to dispense several puffs of the dust into the nest opening. In lieu of a commercial duster, a workable alternative is to use a dry, empty liquid detergent bottle filled with an inch or so of dust. A few pebbles or marbles added to the bottom prevents the dust from caking, and the bottle should be shaken before dispensing. (Remember to dispose of the bottle after use, or store it away from children and pets). Dusts tend to be more effective than aerosols when the nest itself is located some distance from the entrance hole - as often occurs when yellowjackets construct nests behind exterior siding or deep within abandoned animal burrows. Insecticide dust blown into the opening penetrates farther than sprays, and the workers transport it throughout the nest.

Ideally, treatment should be performed at night, when most of the yellowjackets are in the nest and less active. Pinpoint the nest opening during the daytime, so you will remember where to direct your treatment after dark. Approach the nest slowly and do not shine the beam of your flashlight directly into the nest entrance as this may startle the wasps and cause them to fly toward the light. Instead, cast the beam to the side to illuminate the nest indirectly. If possible, place the light on the ground rather than in your hand.

When contemplating extermination of a yellowjacket or hornet nest, clients should be informed that they are entering a DANGER ZONE - there is no pest control scenario more frightening than a 'blown' wasp or hornet treatment. It is often prudent to refer homeowners to a professional, especially when access to the nest requires a ladder or is difficult.

Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be life threatening to persons who are allergic to the venom. People who develop hives, dizziness, breathing or swallowing difficulty, wheezing, or similar symptoms of allergic reaction should seek medical attention immediately. Itching, pain, and localized swelling can be reduced with antihistamines and an ice pack.

CATTLE GRUB CONTROL
By Lee Townsend

Kentucky cattle should be treated for grubs between July 31 and October 15. During this period the grubs are very small and vulnerable. Animal complications can occur if treatments are applied later, when the grubs are in esophagus or spinal cord tissue.

Use care when treating for cattle grubs. Accurate animal weights allow economical and effective treatment. Over- dosing wastes money and may cause animal stress while under-dosing may result in unsatisfactory control.

Grubs damage muscle tissue along the back line of cattle and cut holes in the hide to breathe. The result of their handiwork isn't visible until February or March but now is the time for applying the preventive treatment that will keep them under control. See ENT 11 - Insect Control on Beef Cattle and ENT 12 - Insect Control of Dairy Cattle for options.

For more information livestock pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".

DIAGNOSTIC LAB - HIGHLIGHTS
By Julie Beale and Paul Bachi

Recent samples in the Diagnostic Laboratory have included charcoal rot and potassium deficiency on soybean; black shank, blue mold, target spot, soreshin, angular leaf spot, frogeye leaf spot, alfalfa mosaic virus and frenching on tobacco.

On fruit and vegetable samples, we have diagnosed brown rot on peach; common bacterial blight on bean; Alternaria leaf spot on cabbage and kale; bacterial stalk rot and gray leaf spot on sweet corn; blossom end rot on pepper; downy mildew and Cercospora leaf spot on pumpkin; Rhizoctonia root and crown rot on salsify; and sour rot on tomato.

On ornamentals and turf, we have seen black root rot on boxwood and holly; bacterial scorch and Actinopelte leaf spot on oak; Cercospora leaf spot on honeylocust and hydrangea; Verticillium wilt on redbud; Botryosphaeria canker on willow; and anthracnose and Pythium blight and root rot on bentgrass.

By Patty Lucas, University of Kentucky Research Center

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

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