Bridal wreath spirea or Vanhoutte spirea (Spiraea x vanhouttei) is blooming in southern and central Illinois. This is a major phenology plant in Don Orton’s book Coincide, available from the publisher, Labor of Love Conservatory, 468 S. President, Suite 103, Carol Stream, IL 80188-2894; (630)668-8597. When a phenological event predicts that a pest is susceptible to control, one needs to scout to verify that the pest is indeed present and in a susceptible stage before using a control measure. Following are the most common pests that are in susceptible treatment stages during Vanhoutte spirea bloom.
Full bloom
Birch leafminer young larvae
Elm leaf beetle young larvae
European pine sawfly feeding larvae
Gypsy moth feeding larvae
Pine needle scale crawlers (first generation)
Full to late bloom
Lilac (ash) borer newly hatched larvae
Oystershell scale crawlers (brown race)
Finishing bloom
Bronze birch borer newly hatched larvae
Most blossoms brown, still a few white
Flat-headed appletree borer larval hatch
Peach tree borer newly hatched larvae
Viburnum borer newly hatched larvae
Bloom finished
Oystershell scale crawlers (gray race)
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