Pests of Landscape Trees Wizzie Brown Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Tips for pest management Always identify the insect Pest vs. beneficial
Biological Control Using other organisms to control a pest Conservation Augmentation Classical or Importation Erik Burkness forestryimages.org potatobeetle.org
Tips for pest management Always identify the insect Pest vs. beneficial Know what is causing the plant problem
Are ANTS really killing your plant?
Tips for pest management Always identify the insect Pest vs. beneficial Know what is causing the plant problem Inspect plants regularly
Differences in Inspection From a distance- admiring Up close- inspecting klru
Tips for pest management Always identify the insect Pest vs. beneficial Know what is causing the plant problem Inspect plants regularly Use practices that help to avoid insect problems Sanitation, proper watering, proper fertilization, proper spacing
Cultural Control University of Florida Modifications to normal plant care to reduce or avoid pest problems drlawnenterprise.com urbangardencasual.com Monrovia Aggie Horticulture
Mechanical Control plantgardens101.com Black & Decker Use of labor, materials (not pesticides) & machinery to reduce pests Texas A&M University Diy network www.safesolutionsinc.com
Physical Control Environmental manipulations that indirectly control pests Altering light, humidity, temperature Leslie Doyle
Tips for pest management Always identify the insect Pest vs. beneficial Know what is causing the plant problem Inspect plants regularly Use practices that help to avoid insect problems Sanitation, proper watering, proper fertilization, proper spacing Conserve beneficial insects Make WISE pesticide choices
Using pesticides wisely Choose targeted pesticide if possible Target treatment area Read & follow label instructions Texas is a SITE state
Tent Caterpillars Description: larvae various colors; various markings (stripes, keyholes, dashes) Egg masses on twigs or bark Web in crotch of trees Do not feed within webbing
Tent Caterpillars Attacks: various ornamental & fruit trees & shrubs Damage: defoliation; unsightly webs Management: Prune twigs with egg masses Prune out webbing or knock out with a stick Tear open webs to allow beneficial insects into webbing High-pressure water sprays Pesticides: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, insecticidal soap, spinosad, azadirachtin (neem), pyrethrins, pyrethroids, carbaryl, acephate
Fall Webworms Description: larvae pale green/yellow with long tufts of hair Egg masses on underside of leaves Webs on branches Enlarge web when more leaves are needed to feed upon 2-4 generations Usually show up around May
Fall Webworms Attacks: fruit, nut, ornamental trees & shrubs (no conifers) Damage: defoliation; unsightly webs Management: Destroy leaves with egg masses Prune out webbing or knock out with a stick Tear open webs to allow beneficial insects into webbing High-pressure water sprays Pesticides: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, insecticidal soap, spinosad, azadirachtin (neem), pyrethrins, pyrethroids, carbaryl, acephate Make sure to open web!
Bagworms Description: create bags from plant parts and silk; inside is larvae Attacks: broadleaf & coniferous trees Damage: feed on leaves & creation of bags Mgmt: handpicking; apply sprays after eggs hatch in spring & larvae are small Pesticides: Bt kurstaki, spinosad, azadirachtin (neem), pyrethrins, pyrethroids, carbaryl
Cankerworms Description: color variable; striped longitudinally Two major species: spring & fall Attacks: broadleaf trees Damage: defoliation feed on leaves in April & May then drop to ground in May & June to pupate Mgmt: control early stages Pesticides: Bt kurstaki, spinosad, azadirachtin (neem), pyrethrins, pyrethroids, carbaryl
Bark Lice Description: small; black; live in clusters Create webbing on tree trunks Damage: none Mgmt: none recommended High pressure water to remove web Feed on lichens, molds & fungi growing on treebeneficial!
Borers Long-horned/Roundheaded Adults with long antennae Larvae whitish; elongate; small head area Round to oval tunnels Metallic wood-borers/flatheaded Adults bullet-shaped; short antennae; metallic colors Larvae whitish; elongate; widened body behind head Oval to flattened tunnels
Borers Management: Keep plants healthy! Select species for given area Select proper site for planting Water & fertilize properly Avoid tree damage by mowing, etc. Residuals will kill adults laying eggs & larvae hatching out, not larvae already tunneling in the wood (acephate, carbaryl, pyrethroids) Systemics are usually ineffective for borers, especially on larger trees
Thrips Description: small; single mandible; fringed wings Hide in folded areas of the plant Attacks: Damage: silvery streaks; transmit viruses to plants Mgmt: high pressure water; insecticidal soaps; horticultural oils; azadirachtin (neem), spinosad, permethrin; pyrethrins
Insect Galls Description: abnormal plant growths caused by insects, mites, fungi, nematodes or bacteria Attacks: numerous plants Damage: deformity on plant Mgmt: prevention
Lace Bugs Description: small; flattened; rectangular; lacey Attacks: various Damage: spotting on leaves; discoloration; leaf drop Mgmt: high pressure water; insecticidal soaps; horticultural oils; pyrethrins
Leafminers Description: small flies or wasps Attacks: various Damage: damage plant material by feeding between leaf layers Mgmt: allow natural enemies to control population; remove infested leaves
Aphids Small; cornicles Yellowing, stunting, curling, honeydew (sooty mold), transmit viruses NCSU Weed management Proper watering & fertilization High pressure water spray Control ants Pruning, removal of infested areas Row covers Pesticides Insecticidal soap Horticultural oils Botanicals Synthetic contacts Systemics
Mealybugs & Scale Insects Often do not look like insects Mealybugs are mobile Scales mobile in 1 st instar Yellowing, stunting, curling, honeydew (sooty mold) Pruning* High pressure water spray Pesticides Insecticidal soap Horticultural oils* Botanicals Synthetic contacts Systemics* * Scale insect control
Whiteflies Small, whitish, waxy coating Remove sap, reduce plant vigor, secrete honeydew (leads to sooty mold), transmit viruses Conserve beneficial organisms Maximize distance between host crops Sanitation Weed management Reflective mulches Pruning, removal of infested leaves Traps Control ants High pressure water spray Pesticides North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Hoppers Various colors & shapes Yellowing, stunting, curling, honeydew (sooty mold), transmit viruses Weed management Proper watering & fertilization High pressure water spray Row covers Pesticides Insecticidal soap Horticultural oils Botanicals Synthetic contacts Systemics Tom Bentley
Stink bugs/ leaf-footed bugs Shield-shaped; triangle on back, variable color Brownish-black, expanded region on hind leg Yellowing, curling, stunting Conserve beneficial organisms Vacuuming Row cover Pesticides K-State
Grasshoppers Description: nymphs look similar to adults Attacks: crops, gardens, trees & shrubs Damage: defoliation Mgmt: chickens; cover prized plants with screening; Nosema locustae; botanicals, spinosad, pyrethroids, carbaryl
Texas Leaf-Cutting Ants Description: size varies; three pairs of spines on thorax & one pair on head Nest marked by several crater-shaped mounds 5-14 inches high surrounding an entrance hole Interior has various chambers (some 15-20 feet deep) Underground foraging tunnels can be 500 feet long Above ground will travel over 600 feet for suitable plants
Texas Leaf-Cutting Ants Attacks: grasses, many fruit, nut & ornamental trees & shrubs Will attack pine trees in winter when other plants are not available Damage: cut pieces off plant to take to nest for fungus gardens Management: Difficult...can be up to 2 million ants per colony! Bait for around mound areas Temporarily protect with contact insecticides
Spider Mites Description: green; two dark spots Attacks: vegetable crops Damage: color loss; green to yellow to reddish Mgmt: natural enemies (predatory mites, ladybugs, minute pirate bugs); oils; soap; Treat underside of leaves!
CONTACT INFORMATION Wizzie Brown 512-854-9600 ebrown@ag.tamu.edu www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com Facebook: Urban IPM Twitter: @UrbanIPM