No. 14/September 8, 2014
Fall Armyworm
We have been receiving reports of large fall armyworm infestations of turf in southern Illinois. These caterpillars are stripping lawns of grass blades, then moving to and stripping adjacent lawns. They are causing damage throughout the St. Louis metro area extending east to Greenville. It is likely that other areas of southern Illinois are also being impacted.
Fall Webworm
Fall webworm is numerous throughout the state, particularly in the southern half. It lives as a group of caterpillars that spin a communal silk web. This silk nest typically encloses the end of the branch and associated leaves. The caterpillars remain in the webbing, feeding on these enclosed leaves. When the leaves inside the web are eaten, the silk webbing is expanded to include more leaves.
Impatiens Downy Mildew
Impatiens Downy Mildew (IDM) was covered in Issue 3 of this year's newsletter. At that point of the growing season, the plant clinic had not received any reports of the disease. The article's intent was to provide some suggestions to help avoid problems with IDM during the 2014 season. Unfortunately, IDM development is influenced by many factors.
Mistakes People Make in Weed Control
I read once on a bumper sticker that "Mistaeks Happen". It's true. We're all human. Fortunately, we learn from our mistakes, most of the time. As Groucho Marx put it so well, "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself."