Lexington, KY 40546

Online at: www.uky.edu/KPN

Number 1246 September 8, 2010
CUCURBITS HOUSEHOLD
-First Report of Downy Mildew on Cucurbits in -Hornets and Yellowjackets
Kentucky
DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS
SOYBEAN
-Reports of Large Populations of Stinkbugs in INSECT TRAP COUNTS
Soybeans in Western Kentucky

SHADE TREES & ORNAMENTALS

-Dry Weather Can Increase Some Woody Plant
Diseases

CUCURBITS other cucurbits are not active at the moment.

However, it is inevitable at this point that late-
First Report of Downy Mildew on Cucurbits season cucurbits like pumpkins and winter
in Kentucky squash will be affected by downy mildew.
By Kenny Seebold When it shows up, and how severe it might be,
will be determined by the weather. In general,
Downy mildew on cucumbers was confirmed on frequent rains and moderate temperatures favor
September 1st in Harrison County, KY. Nearby this disease. The overall risk from downy
pumpkins and winter squash at that location did mildew is low right now, but it’s important to
not show symptoms, indicating that the strain think ahead. Timely action now can help stave
active at the moment is likely one that goes only off severe losses to downy mildew later. Downy
to cucumbers and netted melons. The grower in mildew is an explosive disease, and entire
Harrison County indicated that the disease had plantings can be lost within a week after
first appeared about 3 weeks earlier, and had symptoms first appear if fungicides are not
spread slowly throughout his planting over that applied.
time period. Although a large number of plants
showed symptoms, the overall damage to the Cucurbit growers should seriously consider
crop appeared low – mostly likely due to the applying preventive fungicides as soon as
very warm, dry weather and also weekly possible to cucurbits in the field if they are not
applications of chlorothalonil fungicide before doing so already. Refer to Kentucky Pest News
disease set in, followed by alternations of No. 1240 (July 27, 2010) or check University of
chlorothalonil and Revus or Forum fungicides Kentucky Publication No. ID-36 (The 2010-
plus copper. 2011 Vegetable Production Guide for
Commercial Growers) for rates and a full list of
At the time of writing, this is the only report of chemicals available to commercial growers.
downy mildew of cucurbits in Kentucky. Visit
Cucumbers and netted melons are the cucurbits http://www.uky.edu/Ag/kpn/kyblue/Galleries/Cu
at greatest risk because we believe that the curbitDM/index.html to view images of downy
strains of the downy mildew pathogen that affect mildew on various cucurbits. Please keep a
close watch on this situation, and let us know if
you find downy mildew on cucurbits in your Treating after the damage is done or after the
area. plants mature will not produce a favorable
economic return.

SOYBEAN We have several species (commonly three to

four species) of stink bugs on beans in
Reports of Large Populations of Stinkbugs in Kentucky. There are both green and brown
Soybeans in Western Kentucky colored groups. They generally have about the
By Doug Johnson same shape and size. Both groups will feed on
soybean.
There have been some reports of large
populations of stink bugs in soybean especially
in the Purchase area of Kentucky. Producers,
consultants and others with interests in soybeans
are encouraged to scout their bean crop as soon
as possible and routinely until near maturity
(R7). Figure 2. Adult green
Figure 1. Adult brown stink bug (R. Bessin
Late season pests of soybean are very stink bug (R. Bessin, UK photo).
dangerous, because they feed directly on the Entomology photo).
yield and because they are often overlooked.
This includes fall armyworm, corn earworm and Adult stink bugs are about ½-3/4” long and
stink bugs. This is particularly true of soybeans,
shield shaped. They have a pair of five
but also of many grass crops especially newly
segmented antennae and piercing sucking mouth
seeded grasses.
parts. Their wings are folded across the back.
Unusual Conditions: Like most animals
stinkbugs have preferential hosts. This year’s
drought conditions in west Kentucky have likely
killed, stunted or at least reduced many
alternative hosts, on which late season stink
bugs (and fall armyworm, & corn earworm) are
likely to have been attracted to. So, feeding and
egg lay may be concentrated on the remaining
crops, like soybean. This may result in larger
insect pressure in an individual crop.

Survivorship: Never forget that all insects will Figure 3. Adult brown stink bug. Note the five
try to eat anything to stay alive and lay eggs segmented antennae and the piercing-sucking mouth
where ever they are, if dying. This is simply an parts.
effort (not a conscious effort these are not
people!) to produce offspring. Therefore you are Young stink bugs called nymphs are of a similar
likely to find them on unusual hosts. shape. However, they are smaller, often have
colored spots on their backs, and do not have
In soybeans, stink bugs (and corn earworm) are wings. They do, however, feed on soybean pods
more problematic than normal because they are like the adults.
not easily detected. They generally do not feed
on the foliage, just the pods. So, unless one goes
out into the field and looks directly at the pods
or sweeps or shakes these pests from the plant,
they are unlikely to see them until it is too late.
Figure 4. Young (nymph) green stink bug
(R. Bessin photo).
In addition, there is a brown predatory stink bug,
the “spined soldier bug” which occurs in this Management Considerations for Stink bugs in
complex. As a predator, this species will not Soybean:
damage the beans. This stink bug has a very • Adult stink bugs are strong fliers and
pronounced spine one each of its’ “shoulders”. typically migrate into fields from hosts
You might confuse this pest with a rice stink outside the field, including adjacent
bug, but we don’t find many of them in fields of maturing corn, soybean or
soybeans. cotton.
• Stink bugs are attracted into flowering
soybean fields.
• Stink bug adults tend to clump, and
early infestations within a field may be
concentrated along borders.
• Stink bug populations are often higher
Figure 5. Adult spined soldier bug. Note the
in later-maturing fields such as soybeans
definite spine on each of its shoulders
(Clemson CES photo, budwood.org). following wheat.
• Stink bugs can be scouted visually, but
We are also looking for three invasive stink most treatment thresholds are based on
bugs, but to date have not found, so they are sweep net or shake cloth sampling. In
probably not a consideration for this season. Kentucky the sweep net is generally
However, in the Purchase area, you may see a preferred because most soybean fields
green stink bug with a red line across its’ back. are planted with narrow row spacings.
This may be the “red lined stink bug” which is • With the exception of predatory (spined
making its’ way up from Louisiana. Please solder bug) species, all stink bugs (green
notify me of this if you see it. (Try to collect & & brown) should be counted when
send it in for identification!) making a decision.
• Thresholds vary, depending upon the
Stink bugs feed directly on the pods and beans, stage of plant development.
by inserting their piercing-sucking mouth parts • When sweeping:
through the pod wall and into the bean. The o Treatment from first flower
result is discolored and shriveled beans. The pod (R1) to mid podfill (≈R5.5) is
wall may have a small black spot where the recommended when an average
mouth parts penetrate, but otherwise there are no of 12 or more stink bugs are
symptoms visible until the beans are exposed. found per 100 sweeps.
o From mid podfill (≈R5.5) until
near maturity (R7), treatment is
not recommended unless 36 or
more stink bugs are found per
100 sweeps.
o Treatment later than R7 is
unlikely to be economical.
• Shake cloth: 1 per foot of row.

Figure 6. Stink bug damage to REFERENCES:

soybeans. Insecticide recommendations for control of
stinkbugs in soybean may be found in: ENT-13
I have listed below for your use some detection / Insecticides for Use in Soybeans 2010. In. 2010
control considerations. This is a composite of Insect Management Recommendations for Field
recommendations from around the southern Crops and Livestock. They are available on line
states. at:
http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/Recs/welcomerecs.ht
ml or in your county Extension Office.

To see color photos and textural description- of

soybean growth stages go here:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPMPrinceton/Soybean
Aphid/soybean%20stages.pdf.

Figure 7. Dogwood drought-induced leaf scorch (C. Kaiser

photo).

SHADE TREES & ORNAMENTALS Diseases such as powdery mildew (Figure 8),
bacterial leaf scorch (Figure 9), and Verticillium
Dry Weather Can Increase Some Woody wilt may show enhanced symptoms during times
Plant Diseases of drought. In addition, there are some diseases
By John Hartman of landscape trees and shrubs that normally do
not appear until after the drought has occurred.
Late summer weather in many parts of Kentucky Drought-related predisposition to attack by
has been dry for the past few weeks. Parts of opportunistic pathogens can occur even when
western Kentucky appear to be most affected; drought stress symptoms are not obvious. The
indeed, for the past three weeks a moderate role of water stress in encouraging opportunistic
drought had been declared for the region. Other plant pathogens is unclear. It is possible that the
parts of the state, including the central Bluegrass stress condition interferes with the plant's
region are in need of rain as well. A brief glance defense against such pathogens or, possibly, the
at un-irrigated wilting and scorched landscape reduced carbohydrate reserve leaves the plant
trees, drooping shrubs, and brown, dormant little energy to fight invasion by pathogens.
lawns confirms this observation. Unfortunately,
drought has been accompanied by higher-than-
normal temperatures for much of the summer.
In the landscape, seedlings and recently
transplanted trees and shrubs have been at
greatest risk because they lack extensive root
systems.

Most of us are familiar with wilting and leaf

scorch (Figure 7) symptoms associated with dry
weather. Leaves of drought-stressed plants close
their stomata which reduces their rate of Figure 8. Dogwood powdery mildew-induced
photosynthesis. Depending on species, they leaf scorch.
may not recover their former photosynthetic
capacities, even when irrigated following
drought. Reduction in photosynthesis may not
kill a tree, but it means fewer carbohydrates are
made and stored for future use. In addition,
leaves of many drought-stricken trees and shrubs
turn yellow or brown and drop to the ground.
Some species increase their production of leaf
abscission chemicals in response to drought.
Fewer leaves means less water loss but also less
photosynthesis.
Figure 9. Scarlet oak bacterial leaf scorch.
 best left to a pest control operator who is has the
Certain fungi such as Hypoxylon, an oak protective equipment, expertise, and products to
pathogen, and Armillaria, which attacks many handle the task. Here is a look at the common
woody plants, are influenced by drought stress. species.
Similar relationships to drought may exist with
other fungi such as Thyronectria, cause of honey
locust canker, Cytospora or Valsa, causes of
cankers on prunus, poplar, willow, maple,
spruce and other conifers, Diplodia, cause of
pine tip blight, and Botryosphaeria, cause of
cankers of many woody plants. Symptoms of
these cankers may not appear until next season
following the dry weather. In addition, the
current dry weather is placing stress on woody
plants with Phytophthora root rot infections
which may have occurred last year when soils Figure 10. Bald faced hornet nest (P.
were often overly saturated. These plants with Meads photo).
impaired root systems are dying back.
The exposed nest of the bald faced hornet
Thus, it is important to continue watering woody usually is attached to a tree branch but may be
landscape plants through this dry period. When affixed to a shrub, utility pole, or building.
the rain returns, grasses gone dormant will These black insects with whitish markings on
recover, but for woody plants the damage done their faces and abdomens are about an inch long.
may be irreversible. Normally, there are 100 to 400 workers in a
colony by this time of year. They will defend
their nest against anyone who approaches within
about 3 feet or accidentally jostles it. The
football-shaped nest is easily recognized but
HOUSEHOLD often hidden in by foliage. Fortunately, this
species tends to nest relatively high which
Hornets and Yellowjackets reduces chances of inadvertent contact. The nest
By Lee Townsend is abandoned at the end of the year and not used
again.
Hornet and yellowjacket nests that have gone
unnoticed during the summer often become
painfully apparent in early fall. These stinging
insects pose a threat to people who wander too
close to or disturb a nest. However, attempting
to deal with them as a do-it-yourself project can
be even more dangerous. Only overwintering
queens survive the winter, all other colony
members die in the fall and the abandoned nest
deteriorates. As Falstaff said, “The better part of
Valour, is Discretion; in the which better part, I Figure 11. European hornet.
have saved my life”. Unless the nest inhabitants
are attacking people frequently or pose a direct The inch-long yellow and brown European
and serious threat because of the location of hornet is a formidable creature whose paper nest
their nest, Falstaff probably would vote for usually is built in a hollow tree; however, they
leaving the colony to run its course and die may live in attics, walls, and other voids with an
naturally, or let someone else deal with it. outside entry hole. The nests are usually 6 feet
Elimination of an active nest that is a threat is or more above ground level and are rarely
exposed. The resident population of a large and sponged onto outdoor tables and
colony could be 1,000 workers but usually is in food preparation surfaces may help to
the 200 to 400 range. repel yellowjackets.
• Clean up fallen cracked and fermenting
fruit.
• Thoroughly rinse recycled soda and
juice containers that are stored in
accessible areas.
• Stay away from known nests and be on
the lookout for them when outdoors.
• Keep food and beverage containers
covered when eating outside,
yellowjackets will enter open soft drink
cans and can be ingested with the liquid,
• If you are attacked, brush off wasps or
wasps and hornets – wild swatting may
Figure 12. Indoor nest of
attract more and crushing them may
European hornet.
release an alarm chemical that attracts
others to you.
European hornets nesting in or close to • Don’t use scented soaps, shampoos, or
dwellings will hunt in human-use areas, strip lotions if you are going to be working or
bark from ornamental plants, eat tree fruits, and hiking outdoors. These odors can attract
raid domestic honey bee hives. They will defend wasps and hornets to you.
their nest if it is disturbed. Foraging workers • Do not pour gasoline into yellowjacket
generally mind their own business but will sting nests or hollow trees.
if handled. Workers will fly at night and are
attracted to lights. This makes evening control
attempts much more exciting.

The term yellowjackets includes several species

of bright yellow and black wasps that frequently
nest in the ground or in fallen trees. It is easy to
disturb yellowjacket nests when cleaning up
around tree stumps, landscape timbers, or in
shrub lines. Colonies may have 300 to 700
individuals. Some species are notorious Figure 13. Yellowjacket (wings removed to
scavengers that will return to sites for food and show typical markings).
water.
Wasp and hornet sprays that shoot a 20 foot
Here are some general tips to reduce encounters stream of insecticide are sold for treatment of
with hornets and yellowjackets: active nests. They products typically have an
ingredient that will provide quick knockdown of
• Avoid leaving attractive resources wasps emerging to defend the nest. If this
outdoors. Keep pet food and water from approach is used, be sure to follow directions on
being available for long periods of time. the container. Wear thick clothing to reduce
Use garbage bags in trash cans and keep penetration of stingers and have eye and head
lids in place. A dilute solution of protection.
ammonia and water (approximately 6 oz
of ammonia (not bleach) per gallon of Wash sting wounds with and water to reduce the
water) sprayed in and around trash cans chance of secondary infections. Use an ice bag
to reduce the effects of the venom and apply INSECT TRAP COUNTS
lotions that recued itching from insect stings. August 20-27
Seek medical attention if you are stung in the Location Princeton, Lexington,
mouth or throat or if you experience severe KY KY
swelling, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
Black cutworm 8 13
The following fact sheets are available –
Armyworm 214 152
Controlling wasps and yellowjackets -
www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef620.asp and
Corn earworm 484* 79
Foraging yellowjackets - European corn 1 6
www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef634.asp borer
Southwestern 112 0
corn borer
Fall armyworm 1,084* 2

DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS *The August 20 – 27 trap counts for corn earworm
By Julie Beale and Paul Bachi and fall armyworm at Princeton were a record high.
The corn earworm, also known as the soybean
Recent agronomic samples in the PDDL have podworm, feeds on soybean pods and seeds. Grass
and alfalfa forages may be at the greatest risk for fall
included Southern leaf blight and Southern rust armyworm damage. For more information on
on corn; charcoal rot, frogeye leaf spot and identifying and scouting for corn earworm and fall
Cercospora leaf blight, downy mildew and root armyworm see the August 31 edition of Kentucky
mealybug on soybean; black shank, frogeye leaf Pest News at -
spot, target spot, hollow stalk and weather fleck http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/extension/
on tobacco. KPN%20Site%20Files/pdf/KPN1245.pdf

On fruit and vegetable samples, we have August 27 – September 3

diagnosed frogeye leaf spot and cedar-apple rust Location Princeton, Lexington,
on apple; Coccomyces leaf spot on cherry; KY KY
brown rot on peach; angular leaf spot, Black cutworm 31 24
Cercospora leaf spot and common rust on bean; Armyworm 109 209
Alternaria stem rot on cabbage; anthracnose and Corn earworm 82 261
downy mildew on cucumber; Phytophthora fruit European corn 0 14
rot on pumpkin; early blight, bacterial spot, borer
Rhizoctonia root rot and tomato spotted wilt Southwestern 33 5
virus on tomato. corn borer
Fall armyworm 52 4
On ornamentals and turf, we have seen Pythium
root rot on chrysanthemum; Rhizoctonia root rot Graphs of insect trap counts for the 2010 season are
on sedum; Phoma stem blight on vinca; available on the IPM web site at -
Phloeospora leaf spot on boxelder; Cercospora http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/ipm.htm.
leaf spot on honeylocust; black spot and View trap counts for Fulton County, Kentucky at -
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fulton/InsectTraps
Pseudocercospora leaf spot on rose; powdery
mildew on dogwood and lilac; bacterial leaf
scorch on ash; tar spot on maple; Actinopelte
leaf spot on oak; Stigmina needle cast on spruce;
and brown patch on fescue.
Note: Trade names are used to simplify the
information presented in this newsletter. No
endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is
intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products
that are not named.