Landscape Message: Jun 30, 2017

Mass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.

Happy Independence Day! The Landscape Message will be updated bi-weekly July through September. The next message will be available on July 14. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.

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From the Cape Cod Region Report:

Pests/Problems: The primary insect news for the past week is the massive die off of gypsy moth that began being seen on June 21 and 22 on the Cape. Really an amazing sight to see the thousands of caterpillars per tree dead on the lower trunk in many locations the lower 10 feet on white oaks were completely covered. This is great news ending the several year buildup in gypsy moth populations. It will be interesting to see if there is much survival.

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From the Southeast Region Report:

Pests/Problems: Gypsy moth caterpillars are about done for the season. There are still some large, mostly 6th instar, females feeding but their numbers are dwindling and feeding should be done by July 1. Some caterpillars have started to pupate, but a great number are dying in masses and may be found hanging head-down on the bottom trunks of trees. Most of these dead caterpillars were killed by the Entomophaga maimaiga fungus. The fungus needs moisture to infect the caterpillars and luckily, this spring has been a very wet one.

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