No. 10/July 14, 2014

Woolly Aphids
Adult woolly aphids appear as flying lint, tiny drifting angels, or white fuzzies, close to ¼ inch in diameter, which seem to float through the air. If you try to catch one, you soon realize that it is capable of powered flight. These aphids are green to blue and covered with white waxy strands that stand out from the body.

Emerald Ash Borer in St. Louis Area
The emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in St. Charles County, marking the destructive insect's first known infestation in the St. Louis area. EAB was first found in Missouri in the southeastern portion of the state in 2008 south of Greenville at a campground on Lake Wappapello. Since then, EAB has been found in 11 Missouri counties, mostly in the Kansas City area.

Cicada Killer and European Hornet
We have been receiving reports of large wasps in recent weeks that some people have "identified" by using the Internet as Asian giant hornet. This is confounded by several news stories, including some in Illinois, on supposed sightings of the Asian giant hornet. From what I can tell, there have been no confirmed sightings of Asian giant hornet in the US.

Golden Canker of Pagoda Dogwood
While considered to be mostly problem free, the Pagoda dogwood is susceptible to a Cryptodiaporthe canker caused by the fungal pathogen, Cryptodiaporthe corni. This canker is also known as the golden canker, due to the yellow-orange color of infected bark. The canker causes dieback of twigs that can progress from branch tips and into main branches and stems.

Modified Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F,  March 1 through July 10)
Insect development is temperature dependent. We can use degree days to help predict insect emergence and activity. Home, Yard, and Garden readers can use the links in this article along with the listed degree day accumulations to determine what insect pests could be active in their area.

Teasel
Now is the time of year when teasel can readily be spotted while traveling interstates and highways. Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is an invasive monocarpic perennial - which means it can take a minimum of one year to flower and once it does, it dies.