Digital Commons Network^™

Sp290-C-Dogwood Borer, Infestation, Damage And Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is one of the most popular ornamental plants in Tennessee landscapes. Native trees also flourish in the forest understory.

The dogwood tree is damaged by the feeding activity of the dogwood borer larva under the bark of the trunk and limbs. In a single year, one borer can completely girdle and kill a tree 4 inches in diameter, but death is more often brought about by the combined activity of several larvae or by successive infestations with concurrent mechanical injury or pathological problems. Cultivated trees growing in full sun are usually more heavily infested than …

Sp290-E-Azalea Lace Bug, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Since its introduction from Japan in the early 1900s, the azalea lace bug has become a destructive pest of azaleas. Although this bug prefers evergreen azalea varieties, it will infest deciduous varieties. Mountain laurel can also become infested.

Sp290-R-Whiteflies In Ornamentals, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Whiteflies are economically important insects on ornamentals grown in the greenhouse. Although these pests are most serious in the greenhouse, whiteflies may also attack ornamental plants grown outdoors. Some of the preferred woody ornamental hosts include barberry, redbud, Fucshia, honeylocust, black locust, Hibiscus, Lantana, coffeeberry, rose and Jerusalem cherry.

Sp290-T-Holly Leafminers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Holly leafminers are the most injurious pests of holly in the eastern United States. The holly leafminer was introduced from Europe. This insect is a primary pest of American or Christmas holly. Injury results from the larval mining activity just under the upper leaf surface. Additional damage is caused when females repeatedly puncture the leaves with their ovipositor (egg-laying structure). Punctured leaves become deformed.

Sp290-Q-Boxwood Leafminer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Boxwoods were brought into the United States in the 1800s. With the introduction of this plant came the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus flavus (=buxi) Schrank.

The boxwood leafminer is considered to be the most serious pest of boxwoods. It occurs from the Atlantic to the Pacific, wherever boxwoods grow. All varieties of the boxwoods are attacked; however, the slower-growing English varieties are less susceptible than the American varieties.

Sp341-N-The Eastern Tent Caterpillar And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Nests or tents of the eastern tent caterpillar are a part of the landscape along fence rows and in trees in many parts of Tennessee. This insect has become an increasing problem as more subdivisions spring up in rural areas.

Sp370-K-Identifying Problems Of Garden Flowers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

There are many causes of garden flower and perennial landscape plant problems, and a number of these problems can appear to have the same symptoms on the plant.

To identify the cause of the plant’s problem, it is usually necessary to look at the plant closely; examine the flowers, leaves, stem and (sometimes) the roots; and do some detective work to determine possible causes. Often the process of elimination of the possible causes will lead to the identification of the problem. Once the cause is correctly identified, corrective measures can be taken to eliminate or reduce the problem.

Sp503-D-An Introduction To Integrated Pest Management Of Landscapes, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

A properly maintained landscape adds beauty and value to a property. Landscapes often contain a great diversity of plants and so have the potential to attract many pests. Fortunately, natural enemies of pests often regulate pest populations to low or moderate levels and chemical control is not needed. However, pests may still cause more damage than can be tolerated. We recommend using an integrated approach to managing pests.

This factsheet was written to familiarize the home or professional landscaper with the steps to using integrated pest management (IPM) in the landscape. Using this approach, you can manage damaging pests without …