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Mark's Tips Gypsy Moth Control...with nature's help!
This past spring there was something of an increase in Gypsy Moth larvae in and around the Newtown area. This was probably a function of a relatively dry spring that did not promote a pathogenic fungi that can attack the larvae in wet weather. As a result there was some visible damage to landscapes as the larvae increased in size. In an effort to reduce potential populations for next year, if I see egg masses around the nursery I scrape them off whatever surface they're on and thus destroy a sizable number of potential larvae for next year. However, looking closely at one egg mass the other day, something caught my eye. I was amazed to see, what looked to be, a tiny parasitic wasp laying its eggs in the gypsy moth eggs! I contacted the state to find out more about this wasp and ways to possibly encourage them as a means of controlling the gypsy moth for next year and the years to come. This is what Dr. Alejandro Chiriboga had to say:
"Hi Mark,
Thanks for sending the pictures. Based on the tiny exist holes in the egg mass surface it looks like small encyrtid wasps are parasitizing the gypsy moth eggs.
There are two established egg parasitoids of the gypsy moth in North America: Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Howard) (Encyrtidae) and Anastatus japonicas Ashmead (= disparis Ruschka) (Eupelmidae), the latest (a less-common egg parasitoid).
It is very likely that the individuals in the pictures are Ooencyrtus kuvanae. For precise ID, I will try to collect a specimen during my next visit.
The average parasitism of gypsy moth eggs by O. kuvanae is very variable and inversely related to egg mass size. In general, % parasitism rates of gypsy moth eggs by O. kuvanae are in the range of 10-40%. In CT, the range is 17-42% (Brown, 1984)."
A. Chiriboga, PHD
Visiting Assistant Extension Educator, Nursery IPM Program
Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture University of Connecticut
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PC Grown Lacebark Elm 2.5-3"
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Spotlight on: Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia 'Allee' Chinese or Lacebark Elm are both common names for this beautiful shade tree. It has the graceful vase-shape habit common of Elms together with exfoliating, fluted bark in shades of gray, red and brown. The narrow, medium green foliage turns yellow in the fall. Over time it will reach about 60' high x 40' wide. Plant in rich, moist soil, in sun to partial shade. For those of you concerned with their past medical history, the newer cultivars have shown good resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and Allee is no exception. It was selected from an Elm planted in 1920 on the University of Georgia campus and it has carried the name Allee since the patent was issued in 1991. It also has shown good resistance to leaf scorch and Elm Leaf Beetle. |
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Looking down our own
Lacebark alley!
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You may remember this picture to the right taken at our Lynn Farm last March. Dug before they leafed out they are in tip-top shape for your fall planting jobs. Beautiful when in leaf and in the bleak winter landscape, this is a tree to watch throughout the seasons. |
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| | Windflowers can create a carpet-like ground cover. |
Greek Windflower Anemona blandaIf you've never planted Windflowers before, you should consider it. A nice patch seen up near an entryway or along a walkway is an awesome sight. The best effect is when they're planted in a large group forming a colorful carpet. Growing about 6" tall they'll be covered in daisy-like flowers in white, purple and pink. It has finely-cut foliage that will go dormant in the summer heat. Plant in full sun to partial shade in a well-drained, somewhat sheltered spot. Soaking the small tubers overnight to re-hydrate helps encourage them to root and become established this fall. Plant after soaking about 2-3" deep. A box of 150 will make several nice splashes of color next May - totally something to look forward to!
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News from Watertown
More Anemones!
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Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' seen here. Stop by the
perennial houses and see several fall blooming Anemone cultivars in full bloom.
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Here is another species of Windflower that shares the same genus as the spring bulbs mentioned above. They look totally different but do share a few characteristics that qualifies them to fall in the Anemone group like their basal foliage and relatively long leaf stems. Japanese Anemones grow approximately 2-4' high x 2' wide and usually flower in September. Plant in rich, well-drained soils in morning sun to partial shade. They like to spread so site them accordingly! Once established they can be quite tolerant of drier soils and are then, less likely to spread. A light dead-heading early on in their bloom keeps it looking neat as the buds open over several weeks time. Zone 4. Looking for companion plants? Try combining them with Cimicifuga (Bugbane), Heuchera 'Citronelle' (Coral Bells), Hostas & Pulmonaria 'Majeste' (Lungwort). |
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NOW!
Incoming this week: Awesome potted conifers - take a look, and more screening! |
| | Fresh load of specialty conifers came this week filling up sales yard in Newtown. |
| Specialty Evergreens |
| | Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata' | Spreading Japanese Plum Yew | | Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Fernspray Gold', 'Kosteri', 'Nana Gracilis', 'Nana Lutea', 'Verdoni' | Hinoki Cypress varieties | | C. pisifera 'Golden Mop | Goldthread Cypress | | Cryptomeria japonica 'Rein's Dense Jade' | Japanese Cedar | | Picea abies 'Little Gem', 'Pendula', | Dwarf Norway Spruce | | P. glauca 'Conica', 'Pendula' | Dwarf Alberta Spruce | | P. omorika 'Nana' | Dwarf Serbian Spruce | | P. pungens 'Globosa', 'Montgomery', 'Procumbens', 'Sester Dwarf' | Dwarf Colorado Spruce | | Pinus leucodermis 'Emerald Arrow' | Bosnian Pine | | P. mugo 'Mops', 'Slowmound' | Mugo Pine | | P. thunbergii 'Thunderhead' | Japanese Black Pine | | Sciadopitys verticillata 'Winter Green' | Japanese Umbrella Pine |
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| | The beautiful Lacebark Elm foliage |
| Incoming Trees from Our Farm |
| | Pinus strobus 6/7, 7/8, 8/10' PC | Eastern White Pine | | Quercus bicolor 2-2.5" PC | Swamp White Oak | | Quercus palustris 2.5-3", 3-3.5" PC | Pin Oak | | Ulmus parvifolia 'Allee' 2-2.5" PC | Lacebark Elm |
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This weekend take time to remember
and honor those lost September 11, 2001
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Plant I.D.
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| Last Week's Plant I.D.
Ilex pedunculosa
Longstalk Holly
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Last Week's I.D. was the evergreen Longstalk Holly. It'll grow 15-20' high x 10-15' wide. Smooth glossy leaves on long branches make it a somewhat dense and graceful shrub. Use in larger mixed borders, along larger buildings or as single specimens. They are quite pollution tolerant and are fairly salt tolerant as well. Female plants will develop red berries when pollinated. One of their biggest pluses is their cold hardiness to Zone 5.
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