Plant Pests and Diseases

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.

Oregon takes proactive stance against boxwood blight

By Curt Kipp — Posted February 1, 2012

So far there has been just one detection of boxwood blight in Oregon nurseries, but growers are taking the pathogen very seriously, as Mitch Lies reports in the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.). The Oregon Association of Nurseries has been out front in getting information to its members, and is holding a special meeting on Friday, […]

Box blight webinar set for Thursday at 8 a.m. PST

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 3, 2012

Cylindrocladium buxicola, a fungal blight afflicting boxwood shrubs, recently has been detected in several East Coast states. Experts believe it came over from Europe on infected plant material. At 8 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday morning, Jan. 5, Kelly Ivors of North Carolina State University will hold a free webinar to address this disease threat. […]

Boxwood blight found in Eastern U.S. states

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 20, 2011

Reports indicate that a new fungal blight of boxwood has been detected in the Eastern United States. Cylindrocladium buxicola was isolated recently and confirmed by USDA in North Carolina, Maryland and other locations. The disease can have severe effects on boxwood, causing rapid and severe defoliation. It was first detected in the U.K. and had […]

Ag inspections suffered in wake of 9/11

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 17, 2011

If you fly on an airplane, then you have experienced firsthand how U.S. security priorities changed following 9/11. A huge new agency, the Department of Homeland Security, was created and given broad powers to stop terrorist threats. Passengers were treated to body imaging, patdowns and a thicket of regulations governing what they can and can’t […]