No. 9/June 18, 2010
International Herb Conference
The International Herb Association is holding its annual conference this year in Collinsville, Illinois on Saturday, July 10 through Monday, July 12, at the DoubleTree Hotel (618) 345-2800. Pre- and Post-Conference tours will be held on Friday, July 9, and Tuesday, July 13.
NPDES Webcast Postponed
Due to technical difficulties with the webcast vendor, EPA's Draft NPDES Pesticides General Permit (PGP) webcast has been postponed to Thursday, June 24th at 1:00 pm EDT.
Warm Spring Causes Early Insect Emergence
Central and northern Illinois has had a warm spring this year. This is probably causing several insects including bagworm, Japanese beetle, and the masked chafers to emerge early this year in those areas of the state.
Japanese Beetle
Japanese beetles are emerging throughout the state. The warm spring weather in northern and southern Illinois has probably resulted in their emerging early in the northern two-thirds of the state.
Dutch Elm Disease or Elm Yellows?
A distinction is made between Dutch elm disease and elm yellows, both of which cause decline and the death of elm trees.
Slime Molds, Mushrooms, and Algae, Oh My!
Everyone seems to understand the value of landscape mulch. It does, unfortunately, have a few inhabitants that are offensive to people. There are aesthetic problems like slime molds and mushrooms. There are also some health and safety concerns such as mushrooms and algae.
Wetwood
Wetwood is a condition caused by bacteria that enter wounds in a tree. Although you see the oozing, wet areas coming from cracks in the wood, the bacteria usually enter wounds in the roots. Other than sound horticultural practices, you probably cannot do anything to stop the condition.
Viburnum Leaf Beetle: Garden Menace
Viburnum is one of America's most popular shrubs because of its beautiful flowers and wildlife attracting berries. However, this pretty plant is being threatened by the invasive viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni), a native of Europe that has been moved to North America on infected viburnums.
Beautiful but Dangerous: What You Should Know About Purple Loosestrife
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) has become a common sight in many places in the United States, including Illinois. This plant's prevalence and beautiful appearance causes many to write it off as a harmless wild flower. However, purple loosestrife is a very aggressive non-native plant that posses a very real ecological and economic threat.