Lexington, KY 40546

Online at: www.uky.edu/KPN

Number 1341
TOBACCO - Tray Drench and/or Transplant Water Insecticides for Tobacco SHADE TREES AND ORNAMENTALS - Fungicide Recommendations for Home Orchards FORAGES -Darkling/Mealworm vs Blister Beetles -Root Mealybug on Alfalfa TOBACCO Tray Drench and/or Transplant Water Insecticides for Tobacco By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist This table summarizes options for tobacco insect controls available as tray drench and /or transplant water applications. The insecticide common name, brand names, and insecticide mode of action group number appear in the first column; pests appear in the others (x represents control). Tray drench / transplant water applications provide an efficient way of applying preventive controls for key pests. Pest levels may be high enough in some fields to cause damage even if preventive treatments are used. Therefore, it is important to check fields to see if supplemental control is needed. Many products have a range of rates.
Insecticide (Group #) Flea beetle Aphid

May 29, 2013

PESTS OF HUMANS - Controlling mosquito larvae wrigglers -Backyard Bug-Zappers: Dont Expect Much Help DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS INSECT TRAP COUNTS

Normally, high rates provide better control under heavy infestation pressure and for longer periods of time. For example, tray drench / transplant water applications may not provide effective cutworm or wireworm control if pest pressure is high. The insecticide is present in a small area around the plant and the insect may cause significant damage before there is an effect. Prospects for cutworm damage are greatest in fields where there was a significant flush of weed growth in late winter or early spring, especially if transplanting is delayed by wet field conditions. Wireworm injury can be anticipated in tobacco fields that have had a significant bluegrass component for several years prior to tobacco. In these instances, pre-plant incorporated insecticide applications are likely to provide better protection of transplants.
Wireworm Cutworm Budworm/ Hornworm

Acephate (1b) Orthene, etc. Bifenthrin (3) Brigade / Capture Clothianidin (4) Belay Imidacloprid Admire Pro, etc. Thiomethoxam Platinum Chlorantrahiliprole (28) Coragen

X Larvae only X X X -

X X X -

X -

X X -

Figure 1. Tray drench and transplant water insecticide options for tobacco

SHADE TREES AND ORNAMENTALS Fungicide Recommendations for Home Orchards By Nicole Ward Gauthier, Extension Plant Pathologist Home orchards and backyard fruit plantings often operate on simplified, reduced spray schedules. Following are fungicide recommendations (pg 6) and disease control products (pg 7) suitable for these situations. Feel free to copy and distribute them as needed. For more information or for specific product listings , refer to fact sheet PPFS-MISC-07 Homeowners Guide to Fungicides http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/e xt_files/PPFShtml/PPFS-MISC-7.pdf. Also available is publication ID-21 Disease and Insect Control Programs for Homegrown Fruit in KY http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id21/id21.pdf .

Figure 2. Darkling/mealworm beetle.

Darkling beetles have some features that can be used to distinguish them from blister beetles. The most obvious feature is the distinctly narrow neck area of a blister beetle which lies between the head and thorax. In contrast, the neck of the darkling beetle is wider than its head. Also, they have hard front wings compared to the soft, more flexible front wings of blister beetles.

FORAGES Darkling/Mealworm vs Blister Beetles By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist Finding beetles in alfalfa hay raises an immediate red flag. Are they blister beetles? If not, what are they and are they harmful? Darkling beetles or mealworm beetles are relatively common in stored hay and resemble the black blister beetle. These insects feed on broken kernels and fines so they are common around barns and hay storage areas. They avoid light so they can be found under, in, or between stacked hay bales. Darkling beetles do not contain cantharidin, the toxin in blister beetles; they are not harmful.
Figure 3. Blister beetle (left) with distinct "neck", the darkling beetle (right) does not have a narrow neck.

Mealworms, the larval stage of the darkling beetle, are common in stored or spilled grain or feed, where they eat broken kernels and fines. Adults often wander breeding site and enter stacked hay so it can be hard to find the source of the infestation.

Root Mealybug on Alfalfa By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist

Figure 5. Mealybugs on alfalfa tap root Figure 4. Mealworm / darkling beetle larva.

Sanitation is the key to dealing with darkling beetles but it can be difficult to find and eliminate all breeding sites of these insects. Fortunately, their development is relatively slow so it takes time for large numbers to develop. Brooms and shop vacs need to be used to clean all accessible fines. Infestations in stored bulk feed are more difficult to address, depending on the amount that is present, how quickly it will be used, and time of year. It may be best to feed out the supply and thoroughly clean the storage area and surroundings before re-filling it. A pyrethrin spray labeled for use in feed storage areas after clean up will help to eliminate surviving insects. Information on blister beetles in alfalfa is available in this factsheet www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef102.asp

Root mealybugs were found on a poor stand of stunted alfafa seeded this spring in Fleming County. The previous crop was soybean. Mealybug-iInfested plants are generally stunted and may be chlorotic, depending on the numbers of insects present. These mealybugs are sap feeders on the roots of many legumes: alfalfa, red clover, white clover, and soybean. They also have been found on the roots of corn, Johnsongrass, sorghum, curly dock, milkweed, and plantain. It is likely that the insect is widely distributed in the state and high populations will be associated with continuous legumes or undisturbed pastures. Rotation to corn or tillage are most likely control options. The species is listed from all of our neighboring states and seems to occur over much of the eastern US.

PESTS OF HUMANS Controlling Mosquito Larvae Wrigglers By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist Most any accumulation of standing water is a potential mosquito breeding site. Clogged gutters, abandoned tires, empty containers, stock watering troughs, and float tray beds can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. If the sites cannot be emptied, then a mosquito larvicide provides a means of treating the water to reduce or prevent

mosquito production. While there are no products for use in swimming pools or drinking water, many are labeled for animal watering troughs and other common water collection areas and ornamental pools and ponds. The two basic mosquito larvicides are microbial toxins produced by common soil and water bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bts) and Bacillus sphaericus). They are formulated into solid blocks or granules that can be tossed into or sprinkled over water. The matrix slowly erodes, releasing the insecticide into the water. The microbial toxins are effective only against actively feeding mosquito larvae Microbial insecticides - Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus toxins Summit B.t.i. Briquets 10.31 % 1 briquet / 100 sq ft surface area. Summit Quick Kill Mosquito Bits 2.86% Bti 1 tsp per 25 square feet Mosquito Dunks 10.31% Bti 1 briquet / 100 sq ft surface area. suppresses mosquito development for up to 30 days. Safe for use in fish habitats. Place in containerized standing water wherever it accumulates near the household: flower pots, tree holes, bird baths, roof gutters, rain barrels, old tires, unused swimming pools, animal watering troughs. Do not apply to treated finished drinking water reservoirs or drinking water receptacles when water is intended for humans consumption. FourStar Briquets 45, 90, 180 for 45, 90, and 180days of control. Contains 1 briquet / 100 sq ft surface area. Can be applied to areas that contain aquatic life, fish and plants as well as areas used by or in contact with humans, animals, horses, livestock, pets, birds or wildlife. Examples of application sites include, but are not limited to: storm drains, catch basins, underground drainage systems, storm water retention areas, retention ponds, abandoned swimming pools, ornamental fountains and ponds, fish ponds, water gardens, animal drinking troughs, standing water,

water holding receptacles, man-made and natural sites where mosquitoes may develop. Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) Prestrike Mosquito Torpedo 8.62% Methoprene 60 day pretection 500 sq feet Bird baths and animal watering troughs, containerized water gardens, privately-owned ponds, unused swimming pools or spas, flooded areas, roof gutters and tree holes, rain barrels, pool covers and ornamental fountains, any other waterholding container. Check the labels for higher treatment rates in highly polluted water.

Backyard Bug-Zappers: Dont Expect Much Help By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist Insect electrocuters provide some impressive crackles, flashes, and sizzles on summer nights but apparently little pest control around the home landscape. Homeowners expect to rid the area of mosquitos, and perhaps a variety of other pests, by using these devices. Research has generally shown little positive effect. A study from Delaware investigated the "catch" from electrocuters placed around some homes near potential mosquito breeding sites during June and July. Of the 13,000+ insects eliminated by the electric grids, only 0.2% (31 specimens) were biting flies. On the other hand, more than 1,800 beneficials- including predators and parasites- were dispatched (about 13% of the catch). Not much return on the investment -actually a loss, considering that more than 45% were aquatic insects that were at least, harmless and at best, important fish food. Several factors contribute to this performance. For example, UV lamps that give off a lot of visible light are less attractive to mosquitoes and other nightbiting flies than those that give off only UV light. That is, the more visible the light to us, the poorer

it is in luring biting flies. Also, many species of mosquitoes are not attracted by black lights at all. For species that do respond to UV, only a portion will actually make it to the charged grids.

2013 INSECT TRAP COUNTS

DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY HIGHLIGHTS By Julie Beale and Brenda Kennedy Agronomic samples diagnosed in the PDDL in the past week have included barley yellow dwarf virus, wheat mosaic virus and powdery mildew on wheat; Rhizoctonia damping off and target spot on tobacco transplants. On fruit and vegetable samples, we have diagnosed common leaf spot on strawberry; cedarapple rust and frogeye leaf spot on apple; leaf curl on peach; cane and leaf rust on blackberry; orange rust on black raspberry; Fusarium wilt on basil; angular leaf spot on squash; timber rot and Fusarium wilt on tomato; and gummy stem blight on watermelon. On ornamentals and turf, we have seen Sclerotinia stem blight on petunia; cedar-hawthorn rust on hawthorn; Phytophthora foliar blight on rhododendron; anthracnose on ash, beech, elm, maple and oak; Rhizosphaera needlecast on spruce; and Pythium root dysfunction and anthracnose on bentgrass.

May 17 - 24 Location Princeton, KY Black cutworm 3 Armyworm 9 European Corn 0 Borer Corn earworm 0

Lexington, KY 0 353 0 0

Graphs of insect trap counts for the 2013 season are available on the IPM web site at -

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/ipm.htm.

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.

Homeowner's Guide to Fungicides

Apple & Pear Apple & Pear scab fire blight powdery mildew rust fruit rots Peach, Plum, Cherry brown rot peach leaf curl scab black knot of plum cherry leaf spot Grape black rot powdery mildew downy mildew phomopsis cane & leaf spot Brambles anthracnose cane blight spur blight Strawberry leaf spot fruit rots powdery mildew Blueberry mummy berry phomopsis twig blight

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Nicole Ward Gauthier, Extension Specialist Department of Plant Pathology www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/people/ward.htm Facebook: www.KYPlantDisease.com UK - Diseases of Fruit Crops, Ornamentals, & Forest Trees Twitter: @Nicole_WardUK Blogger: nicolewarduk.blogspot.com