UMass Extension Landscape Message #20
July 28, 2006

Quick Info Menu ------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REGIONAL NOTES - Cape Cod - Southeast - East - Central - Pioneer Valley - Berkshire PHENOLOGY WOODY ORNAMENTALS - Insects - Diseases - Lab Report - Weeds TURFGRASS - Insects - Diseases - Weeds INFO RESOURCES DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES Use this menu to instantly jump to any portion of the message!

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is an educational newsletter intended to guide landscape, nursery and urban forestry professionals in identifying pests in the landscape, monitoring their development, planning management strategies and creating site-specific records for future management reference. UMass Extension has updated this issue to provide timely pest management information and the latest regional news and environmental data throughout Massachusetts. The next update will be available in two weeks on Friday, August 11, 2006 . Missed a previous message? Visit the Landscape Message Archive. Interested in additional turf-oriented content? UMass Extension Turf Program Management Updates

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The following growing-degree-day (GDD) and precipitation data was collected for a two-week period, July 13, 2006 through July 26, 2006. Soil temperature and phenological indicators were observed on July 26, 2006. Accumulated GDDs represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments since the beginning of the current growing season. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

REGIONAL NOTES

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable) - General Conditions: Warm, muggy weather has been the norm for the past two weeks. Widely scattered rain showers have given parts of the Cape adequate precipitation, while other areas are beginning to dry out and need irrigation. Summer perennials are in full bloom. Pests/Problems. Red headed pine sawfly have been found on Mugo and Pitch pine; the first generation of Oak skeletonizer is damaging red oak; Japanese and Oriental beetles adults are skeletonizing foliage; Prionus beetles, a very large brown beetle, are flying to lights at night, plant hoppers are present on herbaceous material. Earwigs are extremely numerous and damaging to foliage of herbaceous plants. Botrytis has caused foliage of Asiatic lilies to turn brown. Black spot is very noticeable on susceptible roses and Powdery mildew is on everything that is susceptible to it.

Southeast Region (Hanson) - General Conditions: Hot, humid weather continues. Soils are moist. Koelreuteria paniculata, Campsis radicans, landscape roses, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea), Hydrangea macrophylla, Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa), butterflybush, clematis, hollyhocks, Yucca filamentosa, daylilies, Corydalis lutea, shasta daisy, Nepeta, Heliopsis 'Summer Sun', Echinacea, Monarda didyma, Filipendula venusta, Campanula sp., Lysimachia clethroides, Phlox paniculata, lilies, hosta, and astilbe are in full bloom. Pests/Problems: Oriental, Asiatic, and Japanese beetles are active. Earwigs are doing considerable damage to herbaceous material as are slugs and snails. Slugs, snails, ticks, biting flies and mosquitoes are all active. Mosquitoes are numerous this year. Powdery mildew is present on Phlox paniculata, dogwood, Pulmonaria, lilac, and rose. Black spot is common on susceptible roses. Trees, primarily oak, that were defoliated due to caterpillars this past season and previous seasons, are showing signs of decline. Many have not fully leafed-out and many trees are dropping branches.

East Region (Boston) - General Conditions: No report.

Central Region (Boylston) - General Conditions: No report.

Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst) - General Conditions: The weather was warm with occasional episodes of heavy rain. Lawns continue to look full and green, gardens lush with daylilies, marigolds, hydrangeas, petunias, and roses blooming. Pests/Problems. Mosquitoes and deer flies thrive. Brown spotted-yellow foliage is common on trees and shrubs, but summer flushes of growth are also restoring the appearance of many plants. And then there is powdery mildew…..

Berkshire Region (Great Barrington) - General Conditions: Some lawns have gone dormant during the latest heat wave but the landscape in general continues to look very good for mid-summer. Soil moisture level is fair to good in most areas. Warm-season annuals are starting to perk up after very slow growth earlier in summer. Pests/Problems: Ticks, mosquitoes, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, bald face hornets, deer flies and other nuisance insects are prominent. Millipedes continue to be found in large numbers in landscapes and in basements. Euonymus scale crawlers are still present. Japanese beetles are numerous. Foliar diseases and twig blights are perhaps the most common problems in the landscape.

PHENOLOGY

The phenological indicators are a visual tool for correlating plant development with pest development. The following are the indicator plants and the stages of bloom observed for this period:

CAPE COD REGION - Roberta Clark, Horticulturist for Barnstable County, Barnstable.

SOUTHEAST REGION - Deborah Swanson, Horticulturist for UMass Extension in Plymouth County, Hanson.

EAST REGION - James R. Allen, Horticulturist and Greenhouse Manager for UMass Biology Department, Boston.

CENTRAL REGION - Joann Vieira, Superintendent of Horticulture, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston.

PIONEER VALLEY - Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass, Amherst.

BERKSHIRES - Ron Kujawski, Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

WOODY ORNAMENTALS

INSECTS

Lepidopteran Caterpillars (moths) :

• Gypsy moth - The flight of the male moth has been quite noticeable statewide this year. However, we are very near the end of their mating cycle.
  
  
• Forest Tent Caterpillar (FTC) - The only evidence of this pest now is the small and black egg masses that are usually wrapped around small stems of the host plant.
  
  
• Fall Webworm - The webs have been becoming obvious for the past couple of weeks. When found in small numbers and at reasonable heights, they can be pruned away and destroyed, with the caterpillars inside.

Hymenopteran Caterpillars (Sawflies):

• Introduced pine sawfly remains active and may be found on many of the same host plants as European pine sawfly (e.g. mugo, scots and other pines). Inspect and treat when found. While insecticidal soap works well on the younger caterpillars, a product containing spinosad works on caterpillar stages.
  
• Redheaded Pine Sawfly - This yellow caterpillar with black spots and a rust-colored head capsule will become active soon. Treat young larvae with an insecticidal soap spray or treat caterpillars of all ages with a product that contains spinosad.
  
• Dogwood Sawfly - This yellow caterpillar with black spots is usually covered with a dense white pubescence that gives it the appearance of a bird dropping. Larger populations that go untreated can cause much defoliation. When found in considerable numbers, treat with a spinosad product.

Beetles:

• Viburnum leaf beetle - Adult beetles are no longer active. Look for eggs along the bare twigs which results in a “sandpaper” texture. Visit the Cornell University web site at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/index.html for more details.
  
• Lily leaf beetle - This pest remains very active and is well into the next generation. Monitor for its presence, and treat when found. Spinosad products work well against the larvae.
  
• Japanese beetle adults are very active statewide. This pest has a large host plant range and will continue to be very active into September. Monitor favored host plants on a regular basis, and treat when numbers begin to reach unacceptable levels. Pyrethroid products are most likely the best method for treating these adult beetles.
  
• Asiatic garden beetle adults remain somewhat active. These night feeders are most active between the hours of 9 PM and midnight. They are attracted to a wide range of host plants from the landscape to the garden. Their feeding can cause much defoliation. Inspect plants at night with a light; and if necessary, treat.
  
• Black vine weevil - Continue to monitor foliage of Taxus and rhododendron in the landscape and nursery for notched foliage, especially on the lower part of host plants. The adult weevils will become active soon and begin to feed on foliage. This insect does not fly and must walk up the host plant each night to feed. Place loosely folded burlap strips on the ground around plants and inspect during the day. Adult weevils will use the burlap as a hiding place during daylight hours; collect and destroy beetles. If found in large numbers, treat with a product that contains lambda-cyhalothrin.

Piercing-Sucking Pests:

• Spider Mites - Inspect the needles and stems of conifers now for injury from spruce spider mite. Now that the hot and humid weather has been here for a while, this pest remains in its summer dormancy but will return by the end of August and can be active well into the fall. Horticultural oil sprays (at the summer rate) can be effective once they return to feed on the plant.

• Two-spotted spider mite (one of the warm-season mites) is now very active on a wide range of host plants. Warm season mites prefer, and thrive, during hot weather. Their rate of development is greatly accelerated by the heat; and at the same time, predatory mites often leave the host plant and go into summer dormancy in the leaf litter or mulch. This gives spider mite populations the potential to explode in numbers and to create much plant injury in a short amount of time. Continue to monitor on a regular basis, and treat increasing populations before they become too large. Horticultural oil sprays used at the summer rate can be quite effective, as are the new mite growth regulator products. Avoid the overuse of chemical pesticides; spider mites are quite adept at developing pesticide resistance.

• Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) - This pest remains in its summer dormancy, and the tiny nymphs are settled along the stems at the base of the needles. Feeding will cease until mid-October. Horticultural oils can still be applied at the summer rate when the correct weather conditions prevail; avoid very hot and humid days for oil applications.

• Mealybugs - Inspect the undersides of inner branches for taxus mealybug. Treat when found. They are quite active now. This pest can greatly reduce plant growth. Also, it produces much honeydew, which leads to problems with sooty molds.

• Andromeda lacebug is extremely active. Inspect leaf undersides of Japanese andromeda for the activity of this pest. Treat the plant with a soil-applied systemic treatment of imidacloprid, or spray the leaf undersides with an insecticidal soap. Pyrethroid insecticides are also labeled for this pest.

• Azalea lacebug remains extremely active. Plants that are in sunnier locations can be severely damaged by this pest. (See Andromeda Lacebug above for recommendations.) Untreated plants in sunny locations can have foliage with a bleached appearance by mid-late August.

• Potato leafhopper - This leafhopper cannot survive a Massachusetts winter, yet it is a problem here every summer. It arrives about this time from more southern states and can be a problem on maples, especially in the nursery. They feed by sucking plant juices from the foliage, and heavy populations will create a bleached appearance on the foliage. Inspect for new piercing-sucking injury that is very fine and expanding. Also, look for the pale-colored leafhoppers on the foliage undersides. Treat with a pyrethroid insecticide when found in unacceptable numbers.

Scale Insects:

Armored (Hard) Scales: A group of scale insects characterized by a hard, convex covering over their bodies, such as pine needle scale, euonymus scale, juniper scale and white prunicola scale can be monitored now using a piece of black electrical tape that has been repeatedly daubed on the stems; the tiny euonymus scale crawlers will appear as orange spots on the tape. Treat with a horticultural oil spray (summer rate) when plant phenology and correct weather conditions prevail.

Soft Scales:

• Tuliptree scale and azalea bark scale can be monitored now. Look for sooty mold on the host plants. In the case of tuliptree scale (found on tuliptree and magnolia), one can also find the large, dark brown coverings on the stems. Azalea bark scale will appear white and cottony and will mostly be found in branch axils along the main trunk. Treat with a horticultural oil spray or systemic imidacloprid. These can be difficult to manage and may require future monitoring and treatments.

• Cottony camellia scale (a.k.a. Cottony Taxus Scale) remains active. Inspect leaf undersides for the nymphs. Females, when present, are tan-colored and round with an elongate and white egg-sac attached to their covering. When they are present in large numbers, this pest can greatly diminish plant growth and also be responsible for much unwanted sooty mold.

Leaf Miners:

• Arborvitae leafminer caterpillars have now invaded new foliage. Inspect the undersides of new foliage with a hand lens for the tiny entrance holes. Many new holes indicate a population that will cause damage in the form of browned tips. However, browning will not appear until January or February. Also, if treatments were administered for this pest earlier in the season and if new holes are being seen now, it means that the control measures were not successful. This is a difficult pest to manage at this stage. Systemic imidicloprid products do not achieve the desired levels of control.

Wood Borers:

• Dogwood borer - The adult moths remain active. Pheromone traps are available for this pest. Keep flowering dogwood free of wounds from mowers and line trimmers, which encourage invasion by this insect. Treat infested trees in August with a trunk/branch spray of entomopathogenic (beneficial) nematodes.

• Rhododendron borer - This is another clear-winged moth caterpillar that is a wood borer and a close relative to the dogwood borer (Sesiidae Family). Inspect around the base of rhododendrons, on the ground, for coarse sawdust that has been expelled by the caterpillar boring in the shoot. Physically prune out and destroy infested shoots or use a coarse spray of entomopathogenic nematodes.

• Bronze birch borer - This wood-boring beetle requires a previously weakened tree for successful colonization. Keep birches healthy by watering during drought, mulching and avoiding soil compaction. Some advise that birches not be pruned from June into September to avoid releasing plant volatiles that may attract female beetles. However, healthy trees should be able to withstand pruning at this time and still naturally defend itself against this pest.

• White-spotted pine sawyer (WSPS) adult beetle remains active. This species is only attracted to previously weakened pines and is not considered to be a pest. However, it looks very much like the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), which is not yet known to exist in MA. The adults of ALB are a very shiny black with crisp white spots. Their antennal segments alternate between white and black segments. The WSPS also has the same type of antennae, but its body coloration is more of a dull grey and has a varying number of dull white spots. For more details visit the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area home page for the ALB at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/alb Under the heading for Information, select Publications; then open the link to the fact sheet titled Asian Longhorned Beetle vs. Whitespotted Sawyer.

• The tilehorned prionus (tilehorned beetle) remains active as an adult. This very large (2 inches long) and robust dark-colored beetle is somewhat common. It often lays its eggs in the buttress roots of oaks, often in specimen oaks in parks. The larvae tunnel these roots and can kill the tree. The presence of this pest is generally not known until the infested dies. Fortunately, only a small number of trees are attacked. No controls are available.

Reported by Robert Childs, Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

Mushrooms in lawns often develop from thatch, buried logs, dead roots, stumps, or even construction debris. They have many different sizes, colors, shapes, and habits of growth and develop fruiting structures or mushrooms in lawns after prolonged wet weather. The fungi that produce these mushrooms are beneficial because they decompose organic matter in the soil, making nutrients available to other plants. These mushrooms usually are harmless to grasses, but some people consider them unsightly or want to get rid of them because young children play in the area. Neither spray applications nor drenches of fungicides are effective in controlling these mushrooms. Remove mushrooms growing from buried wood or roots by picking them as they appear or by digging out the wood. Elimination of excess thatch and aerating the soil to improve water penetration also helps in some cases. In addition, the mushrooms left alone disappear when the weather becomes dry.

Cedar-apple rust is visible as orange-yellow spots on susceptible hawthorn, apple, and crabapple leaves. Tiny needle-like fruiting structures extend from the spotted areas on the underside of leaves. From mid-summer to autumn, spores are wind-carried from the infected leaves and twigs of rosaceous hosts, to infect wet green shoots and needles of junipers. Pea-sized to 2” diameter round, brown galls develop on susceptible juniper needles and twigs between 12 and 20 months after infection. The best long-term approach to manage this disease is to grow cedar-apple rust resistant apple and juniper varieties. Also, prune dormant galls on juniper during the summer, fall, winter, and early spring (before jelly-like horns form). Avoid growing susceptible junipers close to apples. The time to apply fungicides to protect high value apples from cedar-apple rust has passed for this spring. If desired, apply fungicides to protect high value eastern red cedar and Rocky mountain junipers from August through September.

Horsechestnut (Guignardia) leaf blotch is visible as scattered, irregular-shaped orange-brown blotches on infected leaves. As the summer progressed the impact of the disease may be more noticeable. Fungicide intervention at this time for this season is of little benefit. Keep in mid that horsechestnut infected year after year continue to grow vigorously in spite of Guignardia leaf blotch.

Powdery mildew fungi are evident as dusty, gray to white spots on a number of plants including horsechestnut, dogwood, sycamore, phlox, lilac, and rose leaves. Once established on plants, powdery mildews grow superficially on both upper and lower leaf surfaces as well as green shoots and flower buds. Later this summer, spherical, black fruiting structures are visible with a hand lens on the underside of leaves in the dusty, gray mycelial masses. Generally, the damage caused by powdery mildew is of minor consequence to healthy woody plants and does not warrant chemical control if unsightliness is not a critical concern. If considering chemical control, there are a number of unconventional applied materials labeled to protect susceptible plants. They include summer horticultural oil, commercial baking soda preparations (sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate), anti-transpirants, as well as a number of conventional fungicides. Chemical spray programs are most effective when begun just as symptoms of powdery mildew begin to show. Once powdery mildew is extensive on the plant, there is little benefit from chemical control that season. Applications need to coat both surfaces of all susceptible plant parts to prevent infection. Spray on a regular schedule, and repeat more often during warm, humid weather.

Oak leaf blister is showing up on red, white, and pin oak leaves as brittle, brown, puckered spots. This is a not a serious fungal disease problem in our area. Yet, if a severe outbreak is occurring on high value trees, note that for future reference. Next spring, start chemical control activities just as buds open and repeat at labeled intervals if wet weather persists.

Apple scab is causing curling and discoloration as well as some loss of leaves on susceptible crabapple. Within weeks after infection, the olive green fruiting bodies produce new spores. New infections can occur essentially the entire growing season during wet and mild conditions. Now is a favorable time to maintain scab‑susceptible crabapples in the landscape in which infection has just begun with fungicides. These fungicides act primarily to prevent new infections, especially those infections that would develop on newly emerging leaves. Apply fungicides to reduce the incidence of apple scab as the season develops if the weather continues wet on high value trees. In addition, prune to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation to promote rapid drying of wet foliage. This fall collect and destroy fallen leaves near the tree to reduce primary inoculum available for initial infections next spring. If apple scab is a chronic problem, consider planting resistant varieties of crabapple if replacement is an option.

Ramorum Blight, also known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Since the early 1990’s, oaks and tanoaks were dying in the coastal counties of California. Since then, other types of plants have been found to be infected or associated with this disease, referred to as Sudden Oak Death, ramorum leaf blight or ramorum dieback, or by regulation as Phytophthora ramorum. The first positive identification of the disease was in 1995 on tanoak in Mill Valley ( Marin County), California. Since that time, surveys confirmed Phytophthora ramorum on various native hosts and nursery plants in several locations in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. When nursery surveys find infected plants, prompt quarantine and/or eradication activities ensue. Research conducted by the Agriculture Research Service, US Forest Service, universities, and others is under way to better identify hosts, improve methods of detection, and develop effective treatments. USDA APHIS currently regulates 84 plants, two of which are at the genus level (Camellia and Rhododendron). There are no chemical treatments currently available to eliminate Phytophthora ramorum from infected plants.

Status of Phytophthora ramorum Monitoring Surveys. The 2006 National Nursery Survey is underway.

New Hosts Detected - Two additional species of plants not yet listed as hosts or associated host plants by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Pest Quarantine (PPQ) tested positive for P. ramorum on May 1, 2006. The plants are Osmanthus fragrans (sweet olive) and Osmanthus heterophyllus (false holly). On June 9, APHIS confirmed Oleander as positive as a new P. ramorum-associated host plant. Oleander is a plant that grows outdoors in warmer regions, and it grows as a shrub or sometimes to the size of a small tree and produces showy flowers. The Oleander samples were part of a delimitation survey in Humboldt County, California.

National Survey - As of the most recent reports, forty-three states reported compliance inspection or national survey results. Puerto Rico, Iowa and Missouri are not participating in the National Survey. Wisconsin is looking for P. ramorum as part of their regular nursery inspection. The national survey visited 2,786 nurseries and collected 88,973 samples. Out of the samples collected, 327 were positive for P. ramorum. Five states identified 42 positive sites in through national survey or Federal order and annual cleanliness compliance surveys.

Forest Service Survey - The US Forest Service (USFS) and states are conducting nursery perimeter and general forest detection surveys, as well as a pilot ten state stream survey. As of July 3, USFS reports 332 nursery perimeter surveys in 22 states with 791 samples collected. In addition, the USFS conducted 152 general forest surveys in 17 states and collected 326 samples.

Dan Gillman, Plant Pathologist, based in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab at UMass, Amherst.

WEEDS

Monitor landscape beds for annual weeds that may be germinating in areas where mulch is thin and treat as needed. Spotted spurge, carpetweed and crabgrass have the potential to rapidly cover mulched areas. Treat when weeds are small to prevent unsightly dead weeds.

Reported by Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

TURFGRASS

Insects:

Just a quick reminder - now that the hot weather is here and rains are a bit less constant, turf may be going into heat-related stress. Remember to check for insect activity. Chinchbugs and billbugs are active now, and may be contributing to the stress.

Also we are getting numerous reports from around the region of heavy beetle flights, and I certainly have witnessed some remarkable flights of Japanese beetles and of Oriental beetles. Right now the potential exists for a very heavy grub year, so be thinking about managing those areas that have historically been ravaged by grubs (and skunks and raccoons and crows). You should be thinking about protecting your turf now with a preventive material like imidacloprid (Merit™).

Keep in mind that egg laying may take place in different areas this year. In places where soil moisture remains high, beetles may lay eggs in higher and drier places than you usually see.

Pat Vittum, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, UMass Amherst.

Weeds:

Crabgrass is become coming very large and control should be limited to quinclorac applications.

Broadleaf herbicides applications can continue only in areas with irrigation and/or good soil moisture. Do not treat drought or heat stressed turf. Avoid application on days when air temperature will reach 85 degrees F.

Turf areas that will be renovated this fall can receive an application of glyphosate in early August. Treatment should be targeted at least three weeks before seeding. If bentgrass or other perennial grasses are at the site, treat early and leave enough time for a second treatment if needed.

Reported by Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program, Amherst.

Don't forget to visit the UMass Extension Online Weed Herbarium!

The freshly revised 2006-2007 Professional Guide for IPM in Turf for Massachusetts features the latest techniques critical to environmentally sensitive, integrated management of lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. The guide, intended for use by professionals, presents research-based material regarding turfgrass selection and water conservation, as well as current approaches for managing disease, insect, weed, and nematode problems. Municipal and school officials charged with establishing IPM programs in their communities and gardeners and homeowners serious about sensibly caring for their properties will find unique and critical information in the guide as well.

The 2006-2007 Professional Guide can be used effectively in a wide range of management schemes: from organic, to low-maintenance, to high-intensity care of high-use turf. Alternative and cultural pest control options are highlighted, and pesticide selection advice is based on least environmental impact. While certain portions of the guide are specific to Massachusetts, much of the information is applicable throughout New England. Initially developed in 1991, this revision for 2006-2007 marks the 8th edition of this popular publication.

To obtain a copy, order online from the Outreach Bookstore (http://umassoutreachbookstore.com); or call the UMass Outreach Bookstore. The phone number is (413) 545-2717. In either case, payment may be made by credit card. Alternatively, you may visit the UMass Outreach Bookstore during normal business hours; Monday through Thursday from 9AM-3PM, closed Friday. The bookstore is located in Draper Hall on the UMass campus.

UMass Extension’s Turf Management Guide and IPM Facts: For more information about the turf pests mentioned in this message, you will need to refer to the following publications: the freshly revised Professional Guide for IPM in Turf for Massachusetts, 2006-2007 edition and Turf IPM Facts . Call (413) 545-2717 to order these publications from the UMASS Outreach Bookstore

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

UMass Laboratory Diagnoses for Turf and Landscape Problems - Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Send specimens and payment (payable to the University of Massachusetts) to UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, 160 Holdsworth Way, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003. The fee for a woody plant disease analysis is $50; the fee for turf disease analysis or nematode assay is $75. All insect, weed and turfgrass identification samples are $25 each. For more detailed submission instructions see http://www.umass.edu/agland/diagnostics

Lyme Disease Diagnostics - UMass Extension, in cooperation with researchers at UMass Amherst, will assess deer ticks for the presence of Lyme Disease. There is a fee of $35 per sample. To submit a sample, follow the directions at the UMass Extension tick diagnostics website at http://www.umass.edu/agland/diagnostics/lyme_disease.htm (or Google: UMass Extension Tick). After submission, results will be reported within 10 business days. Be advised: If someone has been infected by a tick bite, symptoms may begin to occur even before the results of tick testing are available. People should not wait for tick testing results before seeking medical advice should any symptoms develop. For specific information, contact: Dr. Craig Hollingsworth, (413) 545-1055, chollingsworth@umext.umass.edu.

NEXT UPDATE: The next issue will be available in two weeks on Friday, August 11, 2006.

This message is produced by the UMASS Extension, Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program. The copy is prepared by Anna Greene from data and reports provided by the staff and faculty of the UMass Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program and the UMASS Extension Turf Program as well as cooperating horticulturists and Green Industry professionals. The text is adapted for access via the internet by Jason Lanier and made available to subscribers via electronic transmittal by Ellen Weeks.

DISCLAIMER. This message is intended for commercial use. UMass Extension assumes no liability for recommendations. It is the responsibility of the applicator to verify the registration status of any pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different regulations as well. The use of trade names (*) does not imply endorsement. Similarly, there may be other products you prefer to use.

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