“WHAT’S HAPPENING?”

The University of Tennessee/Agricultural Extension Service

Entomology & Plant Pathology - EPP #60

11 May 2007

ENDANGERED SPECIES EFFECTS DETERMINATIONS FOR 66 PESTICIDES SET BY COURT ORDER FOR THE CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG.

by Darrell Hensley

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun assessing the potential effects of 66 pesticides to the California red-legged frog (a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and native to California), and is issuing related materials. Under the terms of a Stipulated Injunction, EPA must follow a Court-ordered schedule for making effects determinations for each of the 66 pesticides named in a lawsuit brought against the Agency by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). The injunction also establishes interim injunctive measures stating that the named pesticides cannot be used for specific purposes in certain areas of California. Additionally, the injunction required EPA to develop a bilingual brochure regarding certain aspects of the injunction, the California red-legged frog and frogs in general, and pesticides. The first effects determinations for 10 pesticides are scheduled to be completed by July 20, 2007.

Once the Agency makes a determination that the pesticide's use has "no effect" on the California red-legged frog, or once EPA completes consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where EPA determined the pesticide's use may affect the species, the restrictions imposed by the interim injunctive measures would be eliminated for that use of the pesticide. .

The injunction required EPA to distribute the brochure to all commercial certified applicators within California; to all private certified applicators residing in counties where use authorizations have been set aside; to registrants of the 66 pesticides; to the California Departments of Pesticide Regulation, and Fish and Game; and to the Pacific Region of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, EPA is to distribute 250 copies of the brochure to the County Agricultural Commissioner and Cooperative Extension Agent offices in the affected counties. In addition to providing the bilingual brochure as required by the injunction, EPA has also made this brochure available on its Web site. Further, EPA has posted on its Web site maps of the areas in California where the injunctive relief applies and information to assist pesticide users in determining whether the provisions of the injunction apply to them. These materials, as well as a full text of the Stipulated Injunction and more information regarding this case are available at www.epa.gov/espp. The injunction and availability of information was announced in a Federal Register notice on April 25, 2007.

FIVE EPA WEB PAGES IN SPANISH

by Gene Burgess

Pesticide Web pages concerning pesticide safety, pest control, emergency information, illegal pesticide products, and protecting children have been translated into Spanish and posted on EPA's Pesticide Web site. They are as follows:

Protecting Children--

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/children_sp.htm

Emergency Information --

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/emergency_sp.htm

Illegal Pesticide Products --

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/illegalproducts/illegalproducts_sp.htm

Using Pesticides Safely --

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/safely_sp.htm

Dos and Don'ts of Pest Control --

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/controlling/doanddont_sp.htm

These Web pages also are incorporated into the Agency's Spanish Web

portal, EPA en Espanol at http://www.epa.gov/espanol/.

 FAQ’S ABOUT MANAGING BROWN PATCH DISEASE OF TALL FESCUE LAWNS

by Alan Windham

 Brown patch weather is not far away. Share this information with clients with tall fescue lawns.

1. I had a beautiful tall fescue lawn last fall and this spring, but by mid-summer it looked terrible. What’s causing this disaster?

A fungal disease called brown patch is the most common disease of tall fescue in the Upper South. Brown patch looks like circular patches of brown grass from six inches to three feet in diameter. As these patches become more numerous and increase in size large areas of turf may be killed.

2. How do I identify brown patch?

It’s really pretty simple. Go out early in the morning while the dew is still on the leaf blades. Look for “cob web” like strands of fungus growing from leaf blades of infected grass. Patches of diseased turf often have what is called a “smoke ring” of fungal growth at the margin of the patch. Also, look for large lesions on the blades of grass. These lesions are bluish-gray when the disease is active and bleached when weather conditions are not favorable for disease development .

3. What causes brown patch? Was my seed contaminated?

Brown patch is caused by the fungus, Rhizoctonia solani. This fungus is found in most soils and not on turf seed.

4. What environmental conditions favor brown patch?

Hot, humid weather is ideal for brown patch development. Generally, late May to July is prime brown patch season in Middle Tennessee. Cooler temperatures and low humidity stop the disease temporarily. Brown patch often develops when temperature approaches 90F during the day and 70F at night.

5. How does shade influence brown patch?

Common sense tells us that grass growing in shade is slower to dry each morning and thus has more brown patch. Right? This is one time when common sense is wrong. Brown patch development has more to do with turf density. In general, you have more tall fescue shoots/sq ft in full sun. So you are more likely to have brown patch most severe in turf areas in full sun than shade. Conditions within the turf canopy are simply more favorable for disease development in full sun.

6. How does mowing height affect brown patch?

Research tells us that brown patch is less severe at lower mowing heights. Does this mean that we should be growing tall fescue at 1inch? No! Although mowing lower does reduce brown patch, it’s not really practical or healthy for the turf. You would have to shorten your mowing frequency (to 2-3 times/week) to prevent scalping. Also, remember that shoot height is directly proportional to root growth. A tall fescue lawn mowed at 3 inches is going to have a deeper root system than a lawn mowed at one inch.

7. Does irrigation affect brown patch development?

Watering frequently at night increases the risk of brown patch. Lawns should be irrigated infrequently to a depth of six inches. Irrigation during the day is preferred to irrigation at night.

8. Does fertilization timing affect brown patch?

Absolutely! Late spring and/or summer fertilization almost guarantees that brown patch will be a problem. If you are going to fertilize your tall fescue lawn once a year, do it in October. If you fertilize your lawn more than once, try October and early spring. Avoid fertilizing your lawn after April 15.

9. Why is fall seeding preferred to spring seeding for cool season grasses?

Fall seeding is preferred for several reasons. First, seeding in the fall allows two seasons of rapid growth prior to the heat and drought stress of summer. Also, fall seeding allows tall fescue seedlings to mature and survive a moderate amount of brown patch.

10. Are fungicides available for controlling brown patch?

Yes. Myclobutanil (Immunox) or propiconazole (Banner MAXX) applied as a foliar spray prior to hot, humid weather prevent brown patch development. Granular fungicides should be applied with a rotary spreader when the turf is wet. Foliar sprays generally are more efficacious than granular fungicides. Results with fungicides are not as satisfactory if the disease has caused significant damage. Most fungicides have to be applied at 14 day intervals when conditions favor disease development. Fungicides such as azoxystrobin (Heritage) have longer use intervals, up to 28 days of protection.

11. I don’t want to apply fungicides; what options do I have to speed the recovery of my lawn?

Save your money on fungicide applications and buy turf-type tall fescue seed. Simply overseed your damaged lawn in early fall and fertilize according to soil test recommendations. The amount of recovery is often amazing.

12. Are there turf-type tall fescue cultivars highly resistant to brown patch?

No, but there is research looking for resistance to brown patch. I would stay away from the ultra-dwarf cultivars as they are slower to recover from brown patch damage. Choose a good turf-type cultivar or a mixture of several cultivars.

13. Why do I have brown patch in my lawn when I have a lawn service? My neighbor cares for his own lawn and doesn’t have problems with this disease.

Unfortunately, brown patch is a disease found in well maintained turf areas. Brown patch is generally found attacking pure stands of tall fescue, basically a monoculture of one tall fescue cultivar. Your neighbor probably has a mixture of tall fescue, bermudagrass, summer annual weeds such as crabgrass and goose grass, and broad leaf weeds. Also, soil fertility plays a role in brown patch development.

 FIELD CROP UPDATE

by Russ Patrick

 Corn:

Black Cutworms:

Some adults were collected in the trapping system this week. Jackson trap had 12 and the trap at Milan had 4. This does not mean we have an endemic outbreak. It merely means we have some emergence. If cool weather continues at night we may expect some infestations for cutworms. Corn is still vulnerable to attack at the stages I have observed. Be vigilant be aware.

Wheat:

I don't know if wheat would even taste good at this point to armyworms. There is certainly not much in the grain heads for them to be excited about. I would really dislike having to spray for worms with wheat in such bad condition. But remember armyworms can attack corn and cause serious damage to it. That I have seen many times during past years. We had 7 armyworm moths at the Jackson trap and 12 in the Milan trap this week.

eXTENSION FIGHTS EXOTIC PEST WITH LAUNCH OF IMPORTED FIRE ANTS WEB SITE

submitted by Karen Vail; written by Margaret Lawrence

 GAINESVILLE, Fla.—One of America’s most important exotic insect pests has a new enemy—an online resource dedicated to providing information on the control and eradication of the imported fire ant.

eXtension’s Imported Fire Ants Web site puts a wealth of research-based information directly on consumers’ computer screens. It’s an excellent resource for anyone needing information about imported fire ants and how to control them. To take full advantage of the site, register at www.extension.org and choose Imported Fire Ants.

This new tool was launched April 24-26 at the Annual Imported Fire Ant Conference in Gainesville, Fla. Entomologists from throughout the world gathered to discuss the latest research and management advances to help combat this pest ant.

Two species of imported fire ants, the red imported fire ant and the black imported fire ant, and their sexually reproductive hybrids infest southern states from Florida to California.

“Fire ants arrived in Mobile, Ala., between 1910 and 1940, and have since spread over 320 million acres in 14 states and territories. They cause an estimated $6 billion in annual losses,” said Kathy Flanders, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologist and associate professor of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University.

 People and animals are also susceptible to fire ant bites and stings. Those who are sensitive to their venom may have severe medical problems or may even die. Healthy individuals can be seriously affected because the ants can sting many times when defending their colonies.

The eXtension Imported Fire Ants Web site features the following:

• Frequently Asked Questions allows users to submit queries about imported fire ants. If an answer is not already available in the FAQ section, the question is directed to Ask the Expert where local contacts provide requested information.

• Learning Sessions titled “Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas” and “Managing Imported Fire Ants in Cattle Production Systems” target unique situations facing homeowners and livestock producers.

• News & Upcoming Events keeps the news and calendar of events current at the local, state and national levels.

• Imported Fire Ant Management Decision Module, to be added soon, asks users a series of questions and then offers suggestions to help them decide what to do about fire ants in their urban landscapes or cattle operations.

The eXtension Imported Fire Ants Web site has been developed through the collaboration of experts in entomology and pest management at land grant universities, federal, state, county, and municipal employees, and communications and information technology specialists, who formed a Community of Practice to develop a nationwide, Web-based site on imported fire ant management.

“This site will be regularly maintained and kept current with new features and dates of events. For homeowners and producers needing fire ant information, this site will be a valuable resource,” said Bart Drees, Extension entomologist and professor with Texas Cooperative Extension.

 eXtension is an educational partnership of more than 70 land-grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site, at www.extension.org is customized with links to local Cooperative Extension Web sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects and share the university's knowledge with people throughout their states.

PASTURES

by Russ Patrick

FMC has recently been approved for use of Mustang Max to control insects in pastures. This is an important step since we have been working with EPA for a couple years to get it passed. Contact me if you are in need of a label.

2007 Milan Trap Catches

2007 Jackson Trap Catches

PLANT & PEST DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

by Bruce Kauffman

We received 74 samples from April 10 to May 8, 2007 including 49 samples via the UT Distance Diagnostic Web Site.

INSECTS, SPIDERS, and MITES :

Armored scale on Japanese holly; euonymus scale on euonymus; dance flies by the river; dead flies on oak twigs; gouty oak gall on oak; assassin bug on red maple; hemlock woolly adelgid on eastern hemlock; elongate hemlock scale on Fraser and Canaan fir; aphids and sooty mold on euonymus; leaf beetle (Phaedon desotonus) on coreopsis; boxwood leaf miner on boxwood; cyclamen or broad mite on African violet; cottony camellia scale on holly.

In and around the house :

Brown recluse spiders; varied carpet beetles; termites; winged ants; solitary ground-nesting bees; flat-headed borers in old oak flooring; odorous house ants; ticks; crane flies; clover mites.

ANIMAL DAMAGE :

Woodpecker damage on viburnum.

ORNAMENTAL :

February winter injury on yew, magnolia, and holly; loss of older needles on spruce; transplant problem with magnolia; over-mulching on red maple; root disease of yew and blue rug juniper; phytophthora root rot of Leyland cypress and Blue Pacific juniper; pythium root rot of African violet; lichen on Washington hawthorn; volutella leaf and stem blight of boxwood and pachysandra; crown gall of Leyland cypress, azalea, and fig; root rot of dwarf Alberta spruce; entomosporium leaf spot of photinia; botryosphaeria canker of rhododendron; pestalotiopsis leaf and twig blight of Leyland cypress; April freeze injury on dogwood; cylindrosporium leaf disease of American and Foster holly; bacterial shot hole disease on cherry laurel; needle defoliation by hot, dry weather on blue spruce.

TURF :

Leptosphaerulina, ascochyta, bipolaris, and curvularia diseases of bermudagrass; ascochyta leaf blight of fescue; fairy ring fungi in lawn.

FRUIT and VEGETABLES :

Wirestem (Rhizoctonia solani) of broccoli; April freeze injury, anthracnose, and thrips on strawberry; April freeze injury and fire blight on apple; sun scald and transplant shock on tomato.

TOBACCO and FIELD CROPS :

Transplant shock and fungus gnats on tobacco.

BATTLING FIRE ANTS

by Darrell Hensley

Fire ants have plagued farmers, livestock and residents of Tennessee for several years now. However, in 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers have pinpointed a naturally occurring virus that kills fire ants. The USDA is now seeking commercial partners to develop the virus into a pesticide that may aid in the control of this ant. Hopefully, Tennessee will have another product in its arsenal to control this pest. More information concerning this topic may be found at: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/13255135/detail.html

OTHER UT NEWSLETTERS WITH PEST MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Fruit Pest News

http://web.utk.edu/~extepp/fpn/fpn.htm

Tennessee Crop and Pest Management Newsletter

http://www.utextension.utk.edu/fieldCrops/cotton/cotton_insects/ipmnewsletters.htm

This and other "What's Happening" issues can be found at http://web.utk.edu/~extepp/whatshap.htm

Disclaimer Statement

Pesticides recommended in this publication were registered for the prescribed uses when printed. Pesticide regulations

are continuously reviewed. Should registration or a recommended pesticide be canceled, it would

no longer be recommended by the University of Tennessee.

Use of trade or brand names in this publication is for clarity and information; it does not imply approval of the

product to the exclusion of others that may be of similar, suitable composition, nor does it guarantee or

warrant the standard of the product.

Precautionary Statement

To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is everyone’s responsibility,

especially the user. Read and follow label directions carefully before you mix, apply store or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label.

Persons who do not obey the law will be subject to penalties.

Visit the UT Extension Web site at http://www.utextension.utk.edu

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