No. 16/September 23, 2013
Last Regular Issue
This is the last biweekly issue of the Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Newsletter for this year. In mid-October we will publish the last issue for this year containing the index of articles for this past year along with a few pest articles. We welcome your feedback concerning this newsletter.
Sycamore Lacebug and Leafhoppers
Sycamore leaves are attacked by several piercing-sucking insects that cause stippling of the leaves. As the insect populations rise and fall and weather conditions vary, this aesthetic damage can be more or less noticeable. This year, the damage by these insects is quite noticeable.
New Pesticide Labeling for Bee Protection
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instituted new pesticide labeling requirements on August 15, 2013 to better protect honey bees and other pollinators. Recent research on the honey bee, bumblebees, and other insect pollinators have shown that pesticide use is partially involved in colony collapse disorder (CCD) of honey bees and the decline of other pollinating insects. There have also been several off-label applications of the insecticide dinotefuran, particularly in Oregon, that have drawn attention to this issue.
Neonicotinoids in Garden Centers
Friends of the Earth recently published a pilot study on neonicotinoid insecticides found in bedding plants purchased at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Orchard Supply Hardware in California, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. The research results are presented in five pages with an additional five pages of materials and methods.
Horsechestnut Leaf Blotch
Horsechestnut leaf blotch or Guignardia leaf blotch, can affect many different Aesculus species. In Illinois, this disease is commonly seen on common horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Symptoms begin as rapidly enlarging, irregularly shaped, water-soaked areas. These will continue to enlarge and turn red-brown with a yellow halo that merges with the surrounding healthy green tissue. Small lesions will initially be limited by veins, but can enlarge, coalesce and lead to distortion and partial shriveling of leaflets.