Plant Pests and Diseases

Asian longhorned beetle outbreak reported on Long Island

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 2, 2014

Officials are redoubling their efforts to stamp out the Asian longhorned beetle in New York City and Long Island, according to a report in the New York Times. The invasive insect destroys maple, willow, birch and other trees by laying eggs under the bark. Overwintering larvae destroy infested trees, and their vascular systems, from the […]

Website educates public on invasive pest threats

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 3, 2014

Although the agriculture community is well aware of invasive pests and pathogens — including the emerald ash borer, sudden oak death, the giant African snail, the citrus psyllid, the Asian longhorned beetle and many others — agriculture cannot fight them alone. These pests can be transported unwittingly by the general public; therefore, public awareness is needed to […]

Oregon gets a B- in invasive species management

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 15, 2014

Oregon, as a whole, could be doing better in its fight against invasive species. That’s the verdict from the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC), which gave the state a B-minus on its annual Invasive Species Report Card (PDF). That’s down a full letter grade from 2012, when the state received an A-minus. The main difference? […]

USDA revises Phytophthora regulations

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 14, 2014

Update, Jan. 15: The Capital Press agricultural newspaper (Salem, Ore.) has published a news story about the change in rules and what it means, including more in-depth comments from OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone. ——————————— The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it has revised regulations (PDF) that are intended to […]

Sudden oak death wreaking havoc on the Isle of Man

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 11, 2013

One might expect an island to be less susceptible to an invasive plant pathogen than most places. Phytophthora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death, can’t cross the sea on its own — it has to be carried across via infected plant material. At some point, that’s exactly what happened on the Isle of Man. The island […]

Azalea lace bug arrives in Oregon

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 24, 2013

Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) There is a relatively new pest in Oregon that can damage azaleas, rhododendrons and pieris (Ericaceae): The azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) was first confirmed in Oregon in 2009 by Oregon State University (OSU) researchers after it was found in Washington in 2008. The pest becomes active in mid- to […]

Oregon gets an A minus on invasive species report card

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 15, 2013

Oregon deserves an A-minus for its efforts to limit and control the introduction of invasive plants, animals and pathogens into the state, according to the Oregon Invasive Species Council. The group issued its annual Invasive Species Report Card on Jan. 9. Some highlights pertaining to the nursery industry include the following: The Oregon Legislature passed […]

Minnesota enlists dogs against emerald ash borer

By Curt Kipp — Posted May 21, 2012

The invasive emerald ash borer, a 1/2-inch beetle, has carved a path of destruction through the American Midwest and the East Coast. But now Minnesota officials are trying something new to combat the pest:

Friday webinar will bring update on boxwood blight

By Curt Kipp — Posted March 21, 2012

The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) will hold a webinar at 8 a.m. Pacific time, Friday, March 23, updating growers on the latest developments with boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum). Growers who wish to participate must register in advance. The disease was first confirmed in the United States last fall, and causes defoliation and branch […]

Asian longhorned beetle traps developed

By Curt Kipp — Posted March 14, 2012

Researchers have developed a trap (PDF) for luring in the destructive and much-feared asian longhorned beetle (ALB), which has no natural enemies as it cuts a path through neighborhoods and forests. The secret? Bug pheromones. Hat tip to “bug ladies” Suzanne Wainwright-Evans and Robin Rosetta for passing this information along.