Fall Webworm

The next expected but unwelcome visitor to your landscape may be the Hyphantria Cunea (Drury) or fall webworm. This native pest feeds on about 90 deciduous trees from hickory to crabapple. Though often confused with the eastern tent caterpillar, the fall webworm constructs its nest over the ends of branches whereas the eastern tent caterpillar makes its home in the tree crotches. These webs contain caterpillars, dead and partially eaten leaves, and droppings.

The fall webworm overwinters in the soil as pupa with adults appearing in mid-June. As the new generation grows so does the spinning as their conspicuous webs enclose more and more foliage. Nests of two or three feet are not uncommon. It is the larval stage that does most the damage as they skeletonize and consume the leaves inside their web, as they grow so does their nest.

While they may defoliate a tree occasionally they rarely kill a tree. Most damage reduces its ornamental value but does not injure the tree. With that in mind, here are the recommended control measures:

• Mechanical Control: Removal of Nests - Small nests can be pruned out of small to medium trees. Do not burn or torch the nests while in trees as this may do additional damage to the tree.
• Biological Control: Encourage Predators and Parasites - Various species of natural enemies help manage this pest - birds, parasitic flies, and some wasps will help you manage the fall webworm. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - The bacterial insecticideis quite effective against fall webworms if it is applied when the larvae are small.
• Chemical Control: Standard Insecticide Sprays - Apply a registered insecticide when webs and larvae are small. Generally this is done in July. Remember, all pesticides are poisonous so follow all labeled directions.

For more information on the fall webworm or other timely gardening issue please contact the Penn State Master Gardener Helpline at 570-963-6842 or email at LackawannaMG@psu.edu

Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

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Vegetable Garden Update

Here are a few observations of what is happening in vegetable gardens this week.

• Harvest is finally in full swing, yeah!
• Late blight continues to spread to additional gardens. It is infecting more tomato plants than potato plants.
• Early blight and bacterial spot are abundant also.
• Downy Mildew has arrived. Downy will kill cucumbers and other vine crops.
• Powdery mildew is showing up on early planted summer squash. I expect to see it attack pumpkins and winter squash soon.
• Squash bugs are out in force on summer squash.
• You should have fall cole crops planted by now. You will need to check them for cabbage worms.
• You have time for a fall lettuce and spinach planting if you do it this week.
• If you have not harvested your onions, do it ASAP. Store them in a cool place.
• Be prepared to water. Because the soil has been wet all season, your plants do not have a deep root system so they are more susceptible to dry periods.
• Finally, keep the fruit picked. If fruit is allowed to stay on the plant beyond its usable stage, the plant will put energy into the old fruit and stop producing new fruit.

For more information contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County call 963-6842 and ask for the Garden Helpline or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu

John Esslinger, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

So. What's happening in YOUR garden, be it vegetable, fruit or flower? We'd love to hear from you!

Have You Been 'Blighted'??

It's front page news. It's sad news for home gardeners. It's really bad news for commercial growers.

'It' is Late Blight, which usually starts showing up at the end of the growing season in small patches here and there, started showing up in the beginning of July and it seems like it's everywhere! Below is a link to a PSU article about it but we'd like to hear from you. Have you heard about it this year? Have you been hit by it this year? What's your story? We'd like to know!


Lackawanna County Master Gardeners
Georgiann Eccleston

Late Blight Link

Trees!

Shade on a hot summer day, solace found resting underneath a favorite spot, strength and stature added to our landscape, or the refuge they provide, are all tangible benefits of trees. We often become attached or even rooted to a tree because they are symbols and memorials as they slowly live their long lives next to ours

Trees also represent a substantial investment in the home landscape. Proper inspection, mulching, and providing fertilization of essential elements will pay dividends in the years to come. Conversely, a poorly kept tree becomes a liability, harboring diseases, stability issues, and a haven for insects.

The Penn State Master Gardeners can assist you maintaining your trees. We have several publications you may find helpful. ”Preserving Trees” and “A Guide for Selecting Trees” will help you choose the right ones for you. “Pruning Landscape Trees” and “Think Before You Top” will guide you as you trim. “Common Diseases” gives tips on preventing as well as managing affected trees.

We also have publications and fact sheets on the varied insects that feed on trees. For more information on these topics, come join us at our upcoming question and answer time to held Saturday August 15th from noon to three pm at Bill’s Hardware Store, Route 435 Daleville, PA. This is free and open to the public.

For more information on this or other home horticulture issues, please call the Penn State Master Gardener helpline at 570-963-8642.


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County