BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to subscribe.  Additional fact sheet information on any of these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by major support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/  to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT).  Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at:  http://bygl.osu.edu , a web site sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective."  The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Following are the participants in the September 8th conference call:  Pam Bennett (Clark); Barb Bloetscher (C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (Horticulture and Crop Science and Plant Pathology); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Bridget Meiring (CWEPPDC); Joe Rimelspach (Plant Pathology); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy Taylor (CWEPPDC); and Curtis Young (Hancock).

In This Issue:

1. WEATHERWATCH.
2. HORT SHORTS:  Acorns Abound (Mast Years); Hardy Bulbs Should be Planted Now for Spring Bloom; Garden Mums:  Are They Annuals or Perennials?; and Plants of the Week:  Annual (Sweet Alysum), Perennial (Sedum), Woody (Beauty Berry), and Weed (Golden Rod).
3. GREEN SHORTS:  Managing Garden Pests by Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Tactics.
4. CLINIC CLIPS. 
5. BUGBYTES:  Warm-Season Mites Color Trees (Oak, Maple, Honeylocust, and Linden Spider Mites, and Baldcypress Rust Mite); Fall Webworms Go Crawl-About; Blister Beetles - Part Two; Oleander-Milkweed Aphids; Antlions Roar in Cincinnti; and Large Cats Coming! (Giant Silk Moths and Caterpillars).
6. DISEASE DIGEST:  Reducing Disease Refuge. 
7. TURF TIPS:  Check for Grubs; and Aphids in Turfgrass? 
8. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:  Remembering Rick Thomas.
9. COMING ATTRACTIONS. Fall Fungal Foray; Southwest Ohio BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About; Horticultural Diagnostic Workshop in Central Ohio on September 16; Diagnostic Clinic in Northwest Ohio on September 17; Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Training; Farm Science Review - Something for Everyone; Pesticide Applicator Training Offered; Autumn Discovery Days (Secrest Arboretum); Why Trees Matter Forum; and Dates Set for Commercial Applicator Recertification Conferences. 
10. BYGLOSOPHY.

1.  WEATHERWATCH. 

The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates:  September 1-September 9, 2009, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.

Many BYGLers reported being on the receiving end of recent rains.  Curtis Young was thankful for the rain near Ada, but also mentioned it may have been a little too late for some plants.  Pam Bennett mentioned that last week, there were areas in Clark County that received +3.0", while other areas received much less and are still on the dry side.  Dave Shetlar observed something very similar in central Ohio this past Labor Day weekend.  We want to point out that although local weathercasters are talking about recent rains and feeling the effects of some localized thunderstorms, there are still areas that are very dry. 

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit:  http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

2.  HORT SHORTS.

A.  ACORNS ABOUND. 

Walked beneath an oak tree lately?  Watch your step.  Both Dave Goerig and Curtis Young mentioned this week they have observed exceptional numbers of nuts (not just on the BYGL conference call), but especially acorns on oak trees this year in northern Ohio.  The Genus Quercus, includes some 450 species in the Family Fagaceae, that are mostly deciduous, woody plants.  Most oaks can be classified into one of two separate groups just by examining the foliage.  The red oak group has sharp, pointed sometimes bristled lobes.  The white oak group leaves have lobes as well, except they are rounded and never pointed.  Oak trees are native to the northern temperate zones of the world and are grown as ornamentals and for timber.  Trying to predict an acorn crop more than a week or so before they begin to fall off the tree has proven difficult at best.

Oaks produce male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on the same tree (monoecious) in early spring.  The male flowers are catkins which are noticeable as they grow out and droop.  The female flowers are not noticeable and once fertilized, give rise to the acorns, which are generally located close to the leaf axils.  Pistillate flowers emerge in late April to early May, 5-10 days after the appearance of the staminate flowers.  After pollination and fertilization occurs the acorn starts to grow, maturing in late August.  Over the years there has been much written from researched observations relative to flower and fruit production of trees and oaks are no exception.     A quick search of oak flower and fruit studies revealed work done in Pennsylvania from 1949 through 1962 by W. Sharp and V. Sprague.  According to Sharp and Sprague, spring air temperature strongly affects acorn yields.  Good white oak acorn crops were obtained in years when a warm 10-day period occurred in late April, with average night temperatures between 55 F-60 F, followed by cooler periods for 13-20 days in May.  During years when April remained cool and followed by warmer temperatures in May, acorn production was poor.  The study went on to say that wind, precipitation, and relative humidity did not significantly influence acorn yields in their study.  However their study did acknowledge the fact that some trees are less likely than others to produce heavy crops of acorns.

Additional factors that could affect flower and subsequent fruit production annually are tree stress, tree hardiness, and tree fruiting cycles.  It has been observed that trees under stress tend to produce heavier than normal flower production which could go on to be mature fruits.  Tree hardiness and hard late frosts are known to damage flower buds and emerging flowers enough for them to be aborted by the tree affecting the amount of fruit the tree produces   It is always wise for nursery growers to select seed acclimated from sources located farther north than where the trees will eventually be marketed. And finally, many trees including oaks are thought to have fruiting cycles.  

A fruiting cycle can be described as a plant's ability to somehow control the amount of fruit it bears each year.  Given the ideal environmental conditions fruit production could be heavy every other year, or 4 out of every 6 years depending on the tree.  Some trees' fruiting cycles dictate them to bear heavy on the north or east side one year, and heavy on the south or west side during the next.  In any event, exercise caution when walking under these trees this fall as these nuts begin to dislodge.  You may fall victim to the uneasy sensation of walking on marbles or startle a local squirrel in the process of eating a tasty snack. 

For more information, see:

• Fagaceae - The Beech family focus on the Oaks

B.  HARDY BULBS SHOULD BE PLANTED NOW FOR SPRING BLOOM. 

	Hardy bulbs provide some of the earliest bloom in spring gardens.  Growing and using them successfully requires a knowledge of life cycle, cultural requirements, and use. "Hardy" refers to their ability to withstand low winter temperatures and bloom year after year.  Now is the perfect time to plant them for spring bloom. A true bulb is defined as a modified, underground stem, usually surrounded by scale-like, modified leaves, and containing stored food for the shoots enclosed within.  The scales are held together by a hardened stem tissue, known as the basal plate (at the base of the bulb).  Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilies are examples of true bulbs.  Crocus, thought by many to be a bulb, is actually a corm.  This is a mass of fleshy tissue with a bud on the top surface.  This tissue disintegrates as the stored food is used to produce roots and shoots.  A new corm forms on top of the old one's remains.  Bulbs and corms are living structures and require careful handling even while in a dormant state.
	Bulbs can be obtained from many sources in the fall.  Planting can occur from mid-August until the soil freezes.  Daffodils, however, are best planted in September or early October because they require a longer period for root development.  In the event that bulbs obtained through a mail order source arrive at an inconvenient time for planting, they should be stored in a cool and well-ventilated area. Choose a planting site in full sun, but with protection from the hottest midday summer sun. Planting under or near large deciduous trees that cast filtered shade works well.  Plants in full sun will bloom earlier than those in partial shade. A few plants that withstand partial shade include daffodils; 'Triumph', 'Parrot', and 'Fosterana' tulips; some hardy lilies; some crocus; Siberian squill (Scilla spp.); checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris); and some windflowers (Anemone spp.). Soil of a medium sandy-loam texture is ideal because it provides good aeration and drainage. Bulbs must not be planted in areas that do not drain well, or they will perform poorly or rot.  If soil is a heavy clay, mix it with one-third to one-half organic material such as peat moss, compost, or aged bark.  Raised beds also provide good drainage.  Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
	Work soil 12" deep; loose soil below the bulb is important for good root development.  Incorporate three pounds of a complete fertilizer (such as a 5-10-10) per 100 square feet as you are preparing the soil. Recommended planting depths are given to the bottom of the bulb.  For hyacinths, plant six inches deep; tulips, six inches or deeper; and daffodils, six to eight inches deep.  Smaller bulbs in these groups and the minor bulbs are planted shallower. Large bulbs should be spaced four to six inches apart; small bulbs one to two inches.  For a greater effect, plant in clumps or irregular masses rather than singly. Once planted, replace half the depth of soil, then water.  Finish covering with soil and water again. If fall weather is dry, water as needed to promote good root development.  Mulch may be placed over newly planted areas once the soil has frozen to a depth of one to two inches.  This keeps the soil frozen and prevents alternate freezing and thawing, which may cause the soil to heave and injure newly planted bulbs.

Mulch can be placed over bulbs planted very late in the season to extend the root development period. The mulch can also be used to keep prepared soil from freezing.  This method can be used for bulbs, such as hardy lilies, that cannot be obtained until very late in the season.  After planting and as soon as soil has frozen to a depth of one to two inches, replace mulch.  

Some bulbs are bothered by rodents, particularly squirrels, chipmunks, and mice.  They dig and feed on (or store) tulip, crocus, chionodoxa, and lily. Daffodils and hyacinths are not bothered. If rodents are a problem, and only a few bulbs are to be planted, consider enclosing them in hardware cloth boxes (use 1/2 inch mesh), or lay a sheet of hardware cloth over the planted area before replacing soil.  Bulbs may also be dipped in Ropel®, a taste repellent, before planting to repel rodents.

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension FactSheet on Growing Hardy Bulbs

C.  GARDEN MUMS:  ARE THEY ANNUALS OR PERENNIALS?  Back in the early 1980s, garden mums were sold in Ohio as hardy mums; unfortunately, in this area, they are not always reliably hardy so growers have slowly changed over to using the terminology garden mums.  Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) is the most well-known of fall flowers in Ohio gardens and is widely available.  They are typically hardy from zones 3-8, depending upon the cultivar.  However, they don't always last in Ohio gardens.  Therefore, BYGLers have some recommendations on trying to make them as "hardy" as possible in the garden.

First of all, plant them as early as possible in the fall in order to get a root system established.  Make sure they are located in a well-drained area as they do not tolerate wet soils.  Next, make sure you water them on a regular basis.  Some gardeners tend to forget about them after they have finished blooming.  This is the time when one needs to keep the plant growing and healthy as long as possible, right up to a frost.

In addition, after they finish blooming, deadhead to remove the dead brown blooms; however, don’t cut the plant to the ground until spring.  In addition, after a few hard freezes, mulch the plants for winter protection.  Next spring, as new growth begins to emerge, cut back the dead stems.  In addition, cut the growing stems back once or twice in May and June in order to delay blooming.  Stop cutting them back around mid-July and they will set blooms for a wonderful fall display.

 D.  PLANTS OF THE WEEK. 

	Read all about perennials and landscape trees and shrubs in the ONLA publications "Perennial Plants for Ohio" and "Landscape Plants for Ohio."  The descriptions and photographs of plants were provided for these publications by the OSU ENLT Team along with other industry plant lovers.  These full-color publications are available at http://Buckeyegardening.com for $5.00.  Click on "garden store" and then "ONLA plant guides."  ONLA members can purchase these in quantities at a reduced price at  http://onla.org . *ANNUAL - SWEET ALYSUM (Lobularia maritime).  Don't give up on this cool-weather plant!  Many gardeners tend to get tired of it looking a bit straggly in the middle of summer only to find out that it comes back in the fall and puts on quite a show.  This plant doesn't tolerate heat and goes somewhat dormant during the summer season and may or may not look that great.  However, cooler fall temperatures are reinvigorating and it starts to bloom and keeps on going until a hard freeze.  It is tolerates cold temperatures quite well.
	For more information, see: Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening Fact Sheet Mississippi State Southern Gardening press release (July 30, 2009)
	*PERENNIAL - SEDUM (Sedum spp.).  This genus of succulent plants includes a wide variety of shapes and sizes with different blooms periods.  A sedum that is showing off in Ohio landscapes now is the upright variety that begins to bloom in late August and continues until a hard frost.  The most common plant is this group is S. X 'Autumn Joy'.  Plants grow around 2-3' tall and as wide and have thick, succulent green leaves during the summer.  The flower buds begin to form in mid- to late summer and open in late August, providing a mass of pink color that is attractive to bees and butterflies.  Another quite popular cultivar is S. spectabile 'Brilliant' with its clusters of hot-pink flowers.  A more recent introduction that was discovered as a sport or seedling in a block of 'Brilliant' is 'Neon'.  This plant has incredible hot-pink neon flowers that absolutely glow in the late evening sunset.  Sedum prefers hot, sunny areas in order to provide the best bloom.  These plants can also be left standing during the winter months as they provide some winter interest, especially when the snow gathers on top of the flat blooms.  Cut the plants back in early spring as new growth emerges.  They are excellent in the perennial border or in masses in a rock garden area.
	For more information, see: Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening Fact Sheet Michigan State University Extension Ornamental Plants
	*WOODY - PURPLE BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa dichotoma).  This "is the most graceful and refined of the species," according to Michal Dirr in the "Manual of Woody Landscape Plant;" the Sixth Edition is now available from Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.  The plant is a rounded shrub with arching stems that grows 3-6' tall and as wide in some cases.  The small pink flowers appear in mid- to late summer and are not quite as noticeable as the fruit.  The fruit, however, is spectacular!  The lavender-pink tiny fruits are in clusters (the flower is a cyme) and begin to color up in early September.  They appear along the stem and are perfectly displayed among the foliage.  The fruit color lasts until late October; the fall foliage color is a pale yellow to green.  When planted in masses, the effect is outstanding.  The purple beautyberry prefers full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil.  It does best in acid soil but tolerates a neutral pH.
	For more information, see: University of Illinois Extension Selecting Shrubs for Your Home Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening Fact Sheet
	*THE WEEKLY WEED - GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.).  From mid-August to October, the yellow flowering goldenrod can be seen throughout Ohio in ditches, perennial crops, abandoned fields, roadsides, riverbanks, creek margins, open woodlands, and floodplains.  Historically, goldenrod has been used as a topical agent for wounds.  The name salidago means to "make whole" which was taken from the latin root 'solidus.'  Today it is used in herbal medicines for its supposed effects as an astringent, urinary antiseptic/sedative, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, etc.  One misconception of goldenrod is that it causes hay fever but it is its distant cousin, RAGWEED (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) that actually causes all the sneezing and wheezing. Goldenrod is a perennial distinguished by numerous small yellow flowers located in pyramid-shaped clusters at the top of individual, leafy stems reaching up to 4' tall.  Leaves are lance-shaped, tapered at both ends, hairless on the upper and lower surfaces, and sharply toothed on the edge.  Plants reproduce by rhizomes emerging from the base of aerial stems and by wind dispersed seeds.  Goldenrod can be incorporated into your perennial garden but can also become a weed in undisturbed areas.  Goldenrod can be controlled by frequent mowing and by chemical.  To treat chemically be sure to select a product based on the plant crop you are trying to protect.  As always be sure to read and follow the label.

3.  GREEN SHORTS.

A.  MANAGING GARDEN PESTS BY USING INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) TACTICS.   It's getting late into the gardening season; however, that doesn't mean that gardening pest problems will cease … especially for perennial plants.  Those problems can be best managed using IPM, which includes three forms of control:  cultural, biological, and chemical. 

Chemical control includes all forms of insecticides; however, this tactic should be reserved as a "last resort" and the insecticides should have a limited impact on the biological control tactic.  Cultural control includes plant selection as well as practices that enhance the health of plants, such as proper fertilization.  Biological control primarily focuses on attracting beneficial insects, such as selecting plants that provide nectar and pollen to feed adult beneficial insects (e.g. parasitoid wasps), and you do nothing to limit the effects of beneficials, such as killing them with an insecticide. 

How can these tactics be applied to your garden?  Large animal pests such as rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and deer can be managed using exclusion methods, such as fencing, and by using chemical repellents to directly protect plants.

Small animal pests such as insects and mites should be managed using three steps:

First, you must identify the insects.  This includes separating the "good insects," such as insect predators from the "bad insects;" the pests.  Next, you must decide whether or not the pest is actually causing significant damage to the overall health of the plant(s).  There are many pests, such as aphids, that only appear to cause damage to plants; however, they are not harming the health of the plant.  Finally, you need to devise a management strategy that employs one or more of the three forms of IPM controls.

4.  CLINIC CLIPS.  

Insect samples included Indianmeal moths in two different residences, red flour beetles that had spread throughout a home, and a call regarding a large swarm of field ants in an eastern county of Ohio.  Squash with cucumber beetle damage was also submitted as well as rudbeckia leaves with the diagnostic purple spots of the rudbeckia psyllid.

5.  BUGBYTES.

A.  WARM-SEASON MITES COLOR TREES. 

	Last week we reported that cool temperatures over the past few weeks could stimulate an early transition from warm-season to cool-season mites.  However, several BYGLers noted this week that a number of warm-season mites remain very active and their feeding damage may be responsible for some of the early fall coloring currently being seen in Ohio landscapes.  These include:  OAK SPIDER MITE (Oligonychus bicolor); MAPLE SPIDER MITE (O. aceris); HONEYLOCUST SPIDER MITE (Platytetranchus multidigituli); LINDEN SPIDER MITE (Eotetranychus tiliarum); and the eriophyid BALDCYPRESS RUST MITE (Epitrimerus taxodii). Maple, honeylocust, and linden spider mites feed on the lower leaf surface while oak spider mites feed on the upper surface.  Spider mites feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts (chelicerae) into host tissue and withdrawing the cell contents.  Feeding damage generally first appears as distinct tiny yellow spots (stippling).  The spots may eventually coalesce to produce leaf chlorosis (yellowing), browning, or bronzing, with subsequent defoliation when damage is severe.  Spider mites have four pairs of legs and can be seen with a 10X hand lens.
	As with all eriophyid mites, the baldcypress rust mite is almost microscopic in size.  Standard 10X and even 20X hand lenses will only render images of moving specks of dust.  When viewed using 40X magnification, the carrot-shaped, cream-colored, semi-translucent mites come into sharp focus and their unusual body arrangement can be seen.  The mites only have two pairs of legs which are clustered at the front end.  No other mite has only two pairs of legs at any stage in their development.  High magnification will also reveal the brownish, sunken areas on the needles caused by the mites rasping through the epidermis to extract the cell contents below.
	Unfortunately, it is too late in the season for control measures to reverse the feeding damage that has already occurred from high populations of these warm-season mites.  Fortunately, populations should soon decline with cool night-time temperatures.  However, trees that are showing early fall coloring should be thoroughly inspected for these mites.  Landscapers should make note of properties that suffered high warm-season mite populations this summer so trees can be closely monitored next June and control efforts applied prior to the outbreak of damaging populations. For more information, see: University of Kentucky Entomology Fact Sheet

B.  FALL WEBWORMS GO CRAWL-ABOUT. 

Dave Shetlar reported that late instar fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) caterpillars are beginning to leave their webbed nests in central Ohio to crawl about the landscape in search of pupation sites.  The hairy caterpillars feed gregariously as skeletonizers within webs spun over the foliage.  As caterpillars grow in size, they expand their nests by casting silk over more leaves to accommodate their expanding appetites.

There are two types of fall webworms, known as "races," found in Ohio.  The races are separated by the color of their head capsules (black or orange) and their nesting behavior.  Black-race webworms feed in a common web until they are half-grown, then they separate to produce small, elongated, wispy nests along tree branches that may envelope only a dozen or so leaves.  Orange-race webworms remain together throughout their development to produce truly spectacular multilayered nests at the ends of branches that envelope dozens of leaves.

Caterpillars of both races spend most of their developmental time feeding only on the leaves enveloped by their silk nest.  They may be found on a wide variety of shade, ornamental, and fruit trees.  However, once the caterpillars commence their crawl-abouts, they may appear on a wide variety of plants including annuals and herbaceous perennials.  Fortunately, they do little or no feeding so damage is inconsequential.

For more information, see:

• Auburn Univeristy Fact Sheet
• Penn State University Entomology Fact Sheet

C.  BLISTER BEETLES - PART TWO.  

Although we've already written about blister beetles in the BYGL this season (BYGL 2009-18, 08/06/09), Joe Boggs reported on an unusual sample that was brought into the OSU Hamilton County Extension office last week by a farmer.  The sample consisted of a jar containing hundreds of beetles that had been collected from defoliated tomato plants grown for the farmer's roadside market.  While it is not unusual to find hundreds of blister beetles swarming over their host plants (it's their M.O.), it is somewhat unusual to find two species feeding side-by-side to hammer the same plants.  In this case, the sample contained both MARGINED BLISTER BEETLES (Epicauta pestifera) and BLACK BLISTER BEETLES (E. pennsylvanica). Blister beetles have bulbous heads, long legs and narrow, elongated soft bodies.  Margined blister beetles are around 3/4-1" in length.  They are so named because the margins of their black wings are bounded by gray edges.  Black blister beetles are completely black and slightly smaller, measuring around 1/2-3/4" in length.

As noted in the previous BYGL report, aside from being capable of rapidly producing serious defoliation, these beetles also pack a serious defensive punch!  The beetle's blood contains cantharidin, a chemical that can cause severe blistering of the skin if the beetles are mishandled, hence the common name.  This chemical can also be toxic to people and animals if ingested.  Even the bodies of dead blister beetles can cause harm to farm animals.  Indeed, blister beetles that have been inadvertently gathered with hay have been known to kill cattle months after the hay was cut.  Thankfully, the beetles normally appear in Ohio long after the final cutting of hay for the season. The adults of both species are plant feeders and may be found consuming leaves or flowers on plants in the families Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae (= Compositae), Fabaceae (= Leguminosae), and Solanaceae (e.g. tomato).  The larvae are specialized predators feeding on grasshopper eggs. Indeed, high populations of blister beetles typically follow seasons with high grasshopper populations.  Blister beetle adults emerge en mass and produce rapid plant damage.  Fortunately, their visits are usually very short lived.  They can be easily controlled if necessary by using a gloved hand to knock them into a bucket of soapy water (to be carefully disposed!), or by using an insecticide labeled for the host plant.

For more information, see:  

• Texas A&M Fact Sheet
• University of Kentucky Fact Sheet

D.  OLEANDER-MILKWEED APHIDS.  

Joe Boggs reported that he observed high populations of oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) feeding on ornamental milkweeds in a southwest Ohio landscape.  The non-native aphid carries the approved common name of "oleander aphid" because it is a commonly found sucking juices from oleander (Family = Apcocynaceae).  It will also suck juices from milkweeds (Family = Asclepiadaceae), giving rise to another commonly used, but non-approved common name of "milkweed aphid."

It is no accident that the aphid feeds on oleander and milkweeds since the sap in these plants contains cardenolide glycosides (heart poisons).  These are very serious toxins, and as with a number of other insects that feed on plants in the two families, the aphid incorporates the glycosides into their flesh as protection against predators.  It is speculated that the bright coloration of the aphid warns predators against taking a taste.  This is called "aposomatic" or "warning" coloration.  Research has shown that predators dinning on insects protected by cardenolide glycosides suffer a range of malevolent consequences including death.

For more information, see: 

• Texas A&M Field Guide
• University of Florida Featured Creatures Fact Sheet

E.  ANTLIONS ROAR IN CINCINNTI. 

Joe Boggs also noted that recent dry conditions have provided perfect environmental conditions for pitfall-type antlions to develop impressive numbers of traps in Greater Cincinnati.  Antlions are the larval stage of insects that belong to the order Neuroptera (neuro = nerve, optera = wing).  Adults have finely veined wings that are held tent-like over their bodies.  The grayish-brown, slightly hairy larvae are heavily plated, almost armor-like, and they sport impressive out-sized, sickle-shaped mandibles; necessary equipment for a predator.  These fascinating pitfall-type antlions excavate small, funnel-shaped pits in open areas of dry, powdery soil.  Favored locations include loose soil near building foundations or around the base of trees.  Their conical pits are around 3/4-2" wide and 1/2" deep. The antlion buries itself in the loose soil off to one side at the very bottom of the pit with only its long mandibles exposed.  The loose dry soil particles provide no traction for escape when a hapless victim blunders into the pit-fall trap.  The antlion seizes its prey and pierces the victim's exoskeleton with its sharp-pointed mandibles allowing the essence-of-insect to drain into the antlion's mouth.  Their dinning menu includes their namesake prey as well as any other arthropod the antlion can skewer with its mandibles.

Antlions are sometimes commonly referred to as "doodlebugs;" however, as with many common names for insects, geography plays a role in exactly which insect is attached to the moniker.  In some parts of the U.S., the doodlebug name is attached to DUNG BEETLES (Order Coleoptera; Family Scarabaeidae) while in other locations the name refers to the larvae of TIGER BEETLES (Family Carabidae). For more information, see: Utah State Univ. Extension Fact Sheet University of Florida Antlions in the Classroom Fact Sheet

F.  LARGE CATS COMING!

Several BYGLers reported sightings of the large caterpillars crawling across a sidewalk or yard.  Most of these finger width diameter, 12" long caterpillars are the larvae of the GIANT SILK MOTHS Family Saturniidae.  These caterpillars are far from being pests as few caterpillars survive per tree causing minimal defoliation.  Like other caterpillars, they are controlled by natural predators such as spider, wasps, and birds plus many parasitic wasp and fly species. Common silk caterpillars encountered are that of the cecropia and Royal walnut moths.  The caterpillar of the Imperial and Polyphemus moth may be seen in wooded areas.  Silk moth caterpillars are impressive to see and hard to miss!  The cecropia caterpillar is lime green with rows of yellow and blue nobs running down the sides and back and 4 orange nobs above its head.  Most impressive is the hickory horned devil, caterpillar of the Royal walnut moth which when fully developed is lime green with 3 pairs of bright orange-red and black horns on top of its head that will wobble and flare if the caterpillar is threatened.  Many people call when they see this caterpillar thinking that it is a morph or creature from space!

The reason that we are seeing them now is that once they have eaten all they can and in their final instar of development, they wander off the host plant in search of a suitable, protected area to pupate.  The cecropia and promethia caterpillars spin an oval cocoon within the branches of a tree or shrub, while the Imperial and Royal walnut moth caterpillars moult one more time and form a bare pupa with a brown "skin" like covering.  These caterpillars burrow into the soil about 4" to protect themselves from freezing temperatures. If you find these caterpillars, either leave them alone or put them in safe place in the woods.  If you wish to care for it, give it sufficient leaves and room to either spin a cocoon with fresh leaves, or soft soil in which to burrow.  The pupae can be challenging to keep alive as they need cold temperatures and some humidity to survive the winter, without freezing.  Keeping them in a protected garage in a screened terrarium may afford the best environment.  Occasionally during the winter, add some damp leaves to keep the humidity even.  Stay tuned as a new, color illustrated OSU HYG Fact Sheet on the giant caterpillars written by Dave Shetlar is on its way!

• OSU Extension FactSheet on Giant Caterpillars
• "Saturniid Moths" University of Kentucky

6.  DISEASE DIGEST.

A.  REDUCING DISEASE REFUGE.  As late summer turns in to early fall, we can see the end of our 2009 growing season on the horizon.  This year we have seen many plant disease challenges in our gardens and landscapes.  In some ways the 2009 growing season was “the perfect storm”, as it brought about ideal environmental conditions required for plant disease development.  Landscapers and Gardeners become familiar with disease symptoms soon after they infect their host.  A close review of any plant disease life cycle offers some interesting information.  Many organisms like fungi for instance, remain alive during the winter months as structures known as spores.  Spores are the plant pathogens in a dormant condition.  Spores take up shelter on the dead plant tissue they infected earlier in the year.  By recognizing the places that offer this shelter and if you want to increase your chances of success for next year, there are a few things you may want to consider doing before the first snow fall.

Practice good garden sanitation.  Infected desirable plants that have not bloomed or fail to produce quality fruits should be treated as weeds throughout the growing season.   These underperforming plants need to be uprooted and disposed of away from the garden.  This practice will reduce the amount of refuge in which pathogens can hide.  Taking the time to dispose of all infected plant residues in the garden can significantly reduce the quantity of overwintering pathogens.  Collect as much of this garden trash as possible and dispose of it in a proper way.  The two recommended ways to deal with garden residues include burning and or burying.  If diseased plant parts have been thrown onto a compost pile, remember this material will remain infectious material until the pathogens are destroyed through the composting process.  If your compost pile is not active, take steps this fall to heat it up. 

Keep control of the weeds in and around the garden.  Weeds can be attacked by the same plant pathogens as our desirable garden favorites making them ideal overwintering refuges. Keep plants tidy in and around the garden area, and as you prune away infectious leaves and twigs from ornamentals, remember to disinfect your tools.  Pruning equipment can be sterilized using either isopropyl alcohol of chlorine bleach dips.  Other integrated pest management strategies that should be employed next year include buying plants that are resistant to disease, maintain a balanced fertility program, practice crop rotations, seed treatments, and application of a fungicide program that utilizes products with more than one mode of action.

For more information, see: 

• OSU Extension Bulletin 614 - Disease Control in the Landscape
• OSU Extension FactSheet on Fungal and Fungal-like Diseases of Plants

7.  TURF TIPS.

A.  CHECK FOR GRUBS. 

Dave Shetlar noted as a result of the recent rains in some parts of Ohio putting the green back into brown drought stressed lawns, now is the time to examine lingering brown spots or wilted turfgrass for "C" shaped white grubs.  He reported that in central Ohio, MASKED CHAFER (Cyclocephala spp.) grubs are currently in the 2nd instar stage, with a few 3rd instars, and JAPANESE BEETLE (Popillia japonica) grubs are predominantly in the 3rd instar stage.  White grubs feed voraciously at this time of the year in order to accumulate fat to survive the winter.  They can rapidly damage turfgrass, particularly on lawns suffering from poor cultural practices such as a thick thatch layer (greater than 1/2"), poor soil conditions (e.g. compaction), or poor fertilization. White grubs live and feed on a horizontal plane where the thatch layer meets the soil.  Browned grass may be easily peeled back by hand to reveal underlying grubs while a shovel may be required to look for grubs under wilted turfgrass.  Use the shovel to slice and lever-out a small square of sod.  Interpreting the true impact of the number of grubs found per square foot is tricky.  Over the years, various numbers of grubs per square foot have been presented in the literature as "thresholds" for justifying insecticide applications.

However, researchers and turfgrass managers have learned that the true impact of the number of grubs found per square foot depends heavily upon turfgrass culture.  For example, irrigated turfgrass growing on good soil can withstand a much higher grub population without showing damage symptoms compared to non-irrigated turfgrass growing on poor soils.  The thickness of the thatch layer also plays an important role both in making lawns more or less attractive to grub-producing beetles, and in enhancing the damage caused by grubs. Consequently, long-term grub management strategies should focus on implementing good turfgrass cultural practices.  This includes proper fertilization to support root re-growth and core aeration to reduce thatch, loosen soil, and enhance oxygen, water, and fertilizer infiltration.  Insecticide applications should be viewed as a short-term grub management activity.  Dave noted that for lawns that require an insecticide rescue treatment, the organophosphate trichlorfon (e.g. Proxol, Dylox, Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules, etc.) and the neonicotinoid clothianidin (e.g. Arena) should provide an effective knockdown of grub populations.

• University of Rhode Island GreenShare Fact Sheet 
• Penn State University Entomology Fact Sheet

B.  APHIDS IN TURFGRASS?  Joe Rimelspach reported receiving a turfgrass sample with greenbugs.  These small light green aphids can be identified by the dark stripe running down the back and black tips on their cornicles, legs and antennae.  They are seen lining up along leaf blades of Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass, fescues and perennial ryegrass in shaded areas, often under trees.

Often confused with rust disease, symptoms appear as yellow or orange oval areas that are most obvious after a rainfall.  Close examination will reveal large numbers of adult and/or immature aphids.  Damaging levels may have as many as 50 aphids per leaf blade.  As they suck nutrients from the leaf blades, they inject saliva into the plant which causes the discoloration and eventual death of the entire plant.  Greenbugs can be found from June to November.  Greenbug infestations in northern states stems from females blown north or from eggs that have overwintered in the turfgrass.

Control is usually not necessary, however when populations reach damaging levels, most contact insecticides sprayed in the affected areas will stop them.

For more information, see:

• OSU Bulletin, "Management of Turfgrass Pests, Weeds, Diseases and Insects"
• "Greenbugs" IPM of Midwest Landscapes"

8.  INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.

A.  REMEMBERING RICK THOMAS.  This past Friday a great friend of the green industry, a great friend of OSU Extension, and a great friend of many readers, Richard Gareth Thomas, 57, passed away in Akron after several years of illness.  Rick and his beloved wife Pam, his children Matthew, Justin and Devon and their spouses, his brother Dave and his mother Mary Jane have built R.G. Thomas Landscaping and Pam's Perennials with great determination and skill.  Rick was a licensed landscape architect, a landscape designer, a landscape installer, and a family man of great dedication.  He loved plants, he loved to draw, he loved to learn, and Ricky loved to teach and serve others.

As we looked through his family scrapbooks there were letters of thanks from so many, from members of the Akron Regional Landscape and Nursery Association he helped found, from Keep Akron Beautiful to whom he unstingily dedicated time, materials and expertise over the years, from vocational schools where he did a considerable amount of volunteer teaching, and from Ohio State University Extension for whom he did a great deal of volunteer work and where he did stints as a Program Assistant in the late 80s and early 90s with the Yard Waste Composting program.  His greatest teaching joy was when he taught landscape design classes for the green industry, making a big difference for his students, including many Extension educators and specialists.

Rick accompanied ENLTTers on several study tours, always providing practical and thoughtful perspectives which helped us learn and which helped in our teaching.  He put up with a lot, clambering out of the van at stop after stop, and was ever indomitable, once recovering from a diabetic coma and hospital stay in the morning, only to walk five miles later the same day in route to horticultural attractions.  One of his specialties in landscape design classes was to emphasize the importance of the client interview, to try to understand the best as possible what the client really needed.  One client tells from personal experience, when he contracted with Rick for some off-season home improvement, Rick interviewed him on what he wanted in a bathtub, as the client - took a bath!  It has been a great tub now for the past decade.

As his brother Dave remembers, "Ricky traces his love of plants and trees to his childhood playing on the lawns of Stan Hywet Hall (they lived next door) in Akron and later working in landscaping while a college student."  He and Pam started R.G. Thomas Landscape and Design in 1974 and Pam's Perennial Plant Farm.  Rick was a graduate of Firestone High School, graduating in the rocking class of 1969 along with Chrissie Hynde soon thereafter of the Pretenders, and Rick himself was a drummer in the legendary "Roots of Evil."

Rick was a secret (from his family - at least for a while) skydiver, a snow skier (his romance with Pam blossomed on a University of Akron ski club trip to Taos, New Mexico) and an avid student.  Rick attended the University of Akron and Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, and was a State of Ohio Registered Landscape Architect and Certified Landscape Technician.

Rick designed the gardens for the restoration of historic Alexander Park in Akron, and designed and built projects for the Akron Zoo.  He served as a design consultant and volunteer for Keep Akron Beautiful, served on the Park Board of the City of Norton, helped create Frashure Park, and was a volunteer for many community beautification projects.     

He was a driving force in the creation of the Akron Regional Landscape and Nursery Association, a Trustee of the Summit County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Crown Point Advisory Board, the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, the International Ornamental Crabapple Society, and the American Society of Landscape Architects.  In 2005 he received the Distinguished Service Award of the Summit County Farm Bureau Federation.

Above all Rick had a generous heart.  His son Matthew relates a story told by Rick's mother, Mary Ann.  When Rick was a young boy his mother lost a cherished pearl from a ring.  Little Ricky worked all summer, saving as best he could.  He marched off to the jewelers to buy his mom a new pearl with his hard-earned monies.  Behind the scenes, Rick's father, Gareth called the jeweler and told them no matter what pearl Rick picked the money he presented was just the right amount.  His mother still has this huge pearl, a cherished remembrance of Rick - and Gareth.

As OSU Extension educator Denise Ellsworth says, "Rick was a sweet, thoughtful person, and will be missed by all who knew him."  He has a great spirit. 

Years ago, Rick had a sailboat and loved to embark on sails with family members.  Thus, the following by Tennyson:

"Crossing the Bar"

Sunset and evening star
   And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
   When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
   Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
   Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
   And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
   When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
   The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
   When I have crossed the bar.

9.  COMING ATTRACTIONS.

A.  FALL FUNGAL FORAY.  For people who just cannot get enough of fungi, especially the fruiting bodies of certain club fungi (Basidiomycetes) and sac fungi (Ascomycetes) that are popularly called mushrooms, check out the Fall Foray held by the Ohio Mushroom Society ( http://ohiomushroom.org ) on September 11-13, 2009 in Hocking County at Clear Creek Metropark Nature Preserve.  Check out their website for details on this event that will include extensive mushroom hunting.  For details, contact Andrea Moore at (740) 969-8049 or Shirley McClelland at (740) 536-07448.  Thalli ho!

B.  SOUTHWEST OHIO BYGLIVE! DIAGNOSTIC WALK-ABOUT.  The sixth 2009 S.W. Ohio BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About will be held on Monday, September 14, from 12:00-3:00 p.m., at the Boone County Arboretum at Central Park.  The Walk-About will be hosted by Dr. Mike Klahr, County Extension Agent for Horticulture, UK Cooperative Extension Service, Boone County, and Kris Stone, Director, Boone County Arboretum.

The state-of-the-art Arboretum is celebrating its 10th anniversary (1999-2009).  The Arboretum is truly an impressive ever-growing work in progress that now encompasses 121 acres of park-land, has over 2 miles of paved pathways, and includes over 2,700 trees and shrubs, all labeled and G.P.S. cataloged.  For more information on the Walk-About, call Joe Boggs at 513-946-8993.  For more information on the Arboretum as well as driving directions, visit their website at:  http://www.bcarboretum.org/ or call the UK Boone County Cooperative Extension Office at:  859-586-6101.

C.  HORTICULTURAL DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP IN CENTRAL OHIO ON SEPTEMBER 16.  OSU Extension in Delaware County is proud to present a Horticultural Diagnostic Workshop in Delaware Ohio from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on September 16, 2009.  The speakers for this all-day program will be Jim Chatfield, Gary Gao, and Dave Shetlar.  They will show attendees how to diagnose common fruit and vegetable insects and diseases, late-season diseases in the landscape, late-season insects and mites in the landscape and what to do now to prevent these critters from causing damage next year.  Attendees are welcome to bring samples to the workshop.  Instructors will bring samples as well.  There is a $25 fee, which includes the program, lunch, handouts, and a certificate of completion.  Space is limited.  The registration will be accepted on first come, first served basis. 

Please follow this link http://delaware.osu.edu/horticulture/upcoming-programs

and then click "2009 Horticultural Diagnostic Workshop" for the program flyer.  You may also email Cindy Kaelber at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call OSU Extension in Delaware County at 740-833-2030 for a program flyer.

D.  DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP IN NORTHWEST OHIO ON SEPTEMBER 17.  OSU Extension in Hancock County is proud to present a Diagnostic Workshop in Findlay, Ohio from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on September 17, 2009.  The speakers for this all-day program will be Jim Chatfield, Curtis Young, and other OSU Extension personalities.  They will show attendees how to diagnose common fruit and vegetable insects and diseases, late-season diseases in the landscape, late-season insects and mites in the landscape and what to do now to prevent these critters from causing damage next year.  Attendees are encouraged to bring samples to the workshop for diagnosis.  Instructors will bring samples as well.  There is a $30 fee, which includes the program, lunch, and handouts.  Space is limited.  The registration will be accepted on first come, first served basis. 

Please follow this link http://hancock.osu.edu/hort/mg.htm and then click "2009 Diagnostic Clinic Information" for the program flyer.  Registration Deadline: September 11, 2009.  Make checks payable to: Hancock County Master Gardeners.  Mail registration with fee to:  OSU Extension 7868 CR 140 Suite B Findlay, OH  45840.  Contact Nancy Kronberg at 419-422-3851 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for answers to questions.

E.  WOOD DESTROYING INSECT INSPECTION TRAINING.  Mark your calendars for training on September 16, 2009.  This training will be held at ODA in Reynoldsburg.  Recertification credit will also be available in Core, 10b and 12.  For additional information, check out http://pested.osu.edu .

F.  FARM SCIENCE REVIEW - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.  OSU's Farm Science Review (FSR) is the place for agriculture and natural resources.  FSR is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), OSU Extension, and OARDC.  The show attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.  Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance when purchased from county offices of OSU Extension or participating agribusinesses.  Children 5 and younger are admitted free.  Hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. September 22-23, 2009 and 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. September 24, 2009.

For more information, see: 

• FSR Website
• FSR on twitter
• FSR on facebook
• FSR on Ning

G.  PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING OFFERED.  A Trained Serviceperson and New Applicator Commercial School is planned for September 30, 2009.  This session will be taught at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  For additional information on this school, and other educational opportunities, check out the Pesticide Education website at http://pested.osu.edu .

H.  AUTUMN DISCOVERY DAYS.  Secrest Arboretum will host its 7th annual Autumn Discovery Day from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2009.  A tree and shrub sale highlights the program, with proceeds going to help support the facility.  Admission is free and open to the public.  You can find the arboretum at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), 1680 Madison Avenue in Wooster, Ohio.  Call 330-263-3761 or go to http://secrest.osu.edu/ for more information.

For more information, see:

• Secrest Arboretum

I.  WHY TREES MATTER FORUM.  Registration is now open for the 4th annual "Why Trees Matter Forum."    This year's forum will be held in Wooster at Fisher Auditorium on Thursday, October 22nd. 

We are excited to welcome Joe R. McBride, University of California, Berkeley as our keynote speaker.  Dr. McBride is Professor of Urban Forestry in the Department of Landscape Architecture, University of California, Berkeley.  His research in urban forestry has focused on the reduction of air pollution by trees in urban areas, the relationship between urban forest characteristics and the characteristics of the biomes in which cities occur, history of the reconstruction of urban forests following bombing during World War II, the transition of natural forests to urban forests in California, and tree selection for California in the face of global climate change.  McBride is a member of the Society of American Foresters and International Society of Arboriculture.  His presentation for the forum is titled, "Trees Do Matter" and will focus on the importance of the urban forest to children.

John Lloyd of Rainbow Tree Care will also join us to talk about the Urban Forestry Institute, Minnetonka, MN and its connection to Ohio State University.

For a copy of the registration flier which features a full list of speakers and events for the forum please visit our website at:  http://treesmatter.osu.edu  or contact Lynn Vogel at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

J.  DATES SET FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES.  The following dates have been set for recertification conferences this winter.  Mark your calendars now!

• January 13, 2010, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton
• February 17, 2010, Kalahari Conference Center, Sandusky
• March 3, 2010, John S. Knight Center, Akron
• March 9, 2010, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus

10.  BYGLOSOPHY.

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new." - Ralph Waldo Emerson