Life Sciences Commons^™

Sp503-I-Identifying The Flathead Appletree Borer (Chrysobothris Femorata) And Other Buprestid Beetle Species In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The flatheaded appletree borer, Chrysobothris femorata (Olivier) (FHATB) is a well-documented, native pest of deciduous trees. It has a wide host range and is particularly problematic in commercial nurseries and urban landscapes, where it can cause rapid decline of economically important hosts. When infestations are high, FHATB has been known to attack healthy trees as well as those stressed by drought, plant disease, mechanical injury and other environmental factors. Its distribution is ubiquitous, covering the entire continental United States and extending into Canada.

Sp341-U-The Bagworm And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), is one of the more curious and interesting insect pests of trees and shrubs. Its carrot-shaped bag is constructed of bits of material from the plant upon which it is feeding and is enlarged as the bagworm grows. The bag is carried wherever the worm goes. When disturbed, the bagworm merely pulls its head back into the bag for protection.

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.

W208-Vegetable Pests - Colorado Potato Beetle, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is found throughout most of the United States and Mexico and has been introduced into Europe and parts of Asia. Mexico is considered the center of origin for this pest. The Colorado potato beetle is an important pest of Solanaceous plants. Potato is the preferred host, but this insect pest also will feed on tomato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco, ground cherry, horse-nettle, nightshade, belladonna, thorn apple, henbane, buffalobur and other related plant species.

W206-Vegetable Pests - Pickleworm, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The pickleworm, Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll) (Family Crambidae, previously Pyralidae), is found from Canada into parts of South America, and as far west as Oklahoma and Nebraska. It is an important pest of numerous cucurbits. Summer squash is the preferred host, but it also feeds on cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin and winter squash. Late-planted cantaloupes are heavily attacked in some areas.

W207-Vegetable Pests - Melon Aphid, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is found throughout most of the temperate, subtropic and tropic regions of the world. Although it is a cosmopolitan species, its origin is unknown. The melon aphid has a wide host range and can feed on watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, asparagus, spinach, bean, beet, cowpea, tomato, pepper, eggplant, okra, citrus, cotton, hibiscus and many weeds (such as jimsonweed and pigweed). In the South, cotton is an important host, which explains the use of the second common name, “cotton aphid.”

Sp341-F-Periodical Cicadas, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The periodical cicada, Magicicada species, has the longest developmental period of any insect in North America. There is probably no insect that attracts as much attention in eastern North America as does the periodical cicada. Their sudden springtime emergence, filling the air with their high-pitched, shrill-sounding songs, excites much curiosity.

Two races of the periodical cicada exist. One race has a life cycle of 13 years and is common in the southeastern United States. The other race has a life cycle of 17 years and is generally more orthern in distribution. Due to Tennessee’s location, both the 13- year and …

Pb595-You Can Control Garden Insects, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Insect infestations reduce yields and lower the quality of harvested garden vegetables. Three to seven generations of many insect pests attack garden vegetables during the growing season. All plant parts may be injured by insects. Some insects bore into roots, seeds or stems. Many suck large quantities of plant sap. Others destroy crops by chewing on the succulent foliage, stems or fruits. Plant diseases are carried by certain insects.

Safe, effective and economical control measures can minimize the loss from insects. Control can be maintained all season by a combination of cultural practices, mechanical control, biological control and chemical applications. …

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.

Pb1622-Disease And Insect Control In Home Fruit Plantings, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Growing fruit in the home garden can be an interesting, fun and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect fruit off trees in their yards. This does not happen without a great deal of work. Control of pests (insects and diseases) is an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results.

This publication provides guidelines for spraying home fruit plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the only action taken. Cultural practices such as pruning, sanitation, variety selection and selecting open, sunny sites for planting are necessary for good pest control. Specific cultural …

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.

Sp290-W-Euonymus Scale, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock), is the most reported insect pest of euonymus, pachysandra and American bittersweet species in the Southeast. Other known host plants for this insect include hollies, camellia, twinberry, boxwood, Daphne, English ivy, hibiscus, jasmine, privet, honeysuckle, Pachistima and Prunus. Winged euonymus is usually free from this scale.

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.

Sp341-H-Boxelder Bugs And Red-Shouldered Bugs, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittata (Say), are a nuisance, especially during the cool autumn months when they cluster in large numbers on the sides of trees, houses and other structures. This pest enters buildings through cracks and openings and spends the winter hibernating behind exterior siding and in attics, soffits, wall voids, window/door casings and similar protected areas. Boxelder bugs may also take refuge in soil and leaf litter next to foundations. With the onset of warmer weather in late winter and spring, these bugs become active and emerge from their overwintering sites. As they attempt to escape to their natural …

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.

Pb1215-Disease Control In The Home Vegetable Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Control of vegetable pests (diseases, insects, weeds) involves a total production program that includes both chemical and non-chemical means of pest control. The establishment of a healthy, vigorous crop is central to a successful pest control program. Production practices such as maintaining proper soil pH and fertility are helpful in reducing potential losses from all types of pests.

This publication deals mainly with chemical and biological pest control, because these recommendations change more often than do cultural practices. Cultural practices of pest control are extremely important and are addressed throughout the publication.

Pb1157-Insects And Related Pests Of House Plants, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

No abstract provided.

Sp341-L-Nematode Control In The Home Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Plant-parasitic nematodes are slender, worm-like animals that usually can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. There are thousands of different kinds of nematodes, but few are pests in vegetable gardens of Tennessee. The southern root-knot nematode is the most serious pest in the home garden, although lesion and lance nematodes occasionally can cause damage.

Pb1158 Lawn Insects, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Many insects and insect-like pests damage lawns and other turf. They cause the grass to turn brown and die, or they build unsightly mounds that may smother the grass.

Some pests infest the soil and attack the plant roots, some feed on the plants’ leaves and stems, while others suck juice from the plants.

Other insects and insect-like pests inhabit lawns, but do not damage them. The pests are annoying and some of them attack people.

These pests can be controlled with insecticides. The recommendations in this publication are applicable not only to lawns, but also to such places as …

Sp277-F-Azalea Leaf And Flower Gall, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Leaf and flower galls are commonly found on many flowering woody hosts, most often on azalea and camellia. This disease occurs on plants in the Ericaceae or heath family, as well as on some species in the Empetraceae, Lauraceae, Symplocaceae and Theaceae families; including andromeda, arbutus, azalea, blueberry, camellia, huckleberry, Labrador tea, leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), leucothoe, kalmia (mountain laurel) and rhododendron. Azalea leaf and flower gall, caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii can occur on woody ornamentals growing outdoors in landscape plantings and in greenhouses. Disease is more common on plants growing in humid, sheltered areas with little …