Getting samples of thrips, probably eastern flower thrips, from the flowers of blackberry. Thrips will cause flower death and deformed fruits. Treat with a registered insecticide after petal fall to avoid harming the bees.
Bulb Mites on daffodil will cause a foul smelling rot of the bulb. Dig out the rotting bulbs, replant uninfested bulbs in a new area. Soak suspect bulbs in 110 degree water for 20 minutes to kill the mites.
Iris Borer can be controled now with a spray of Sevin to the foliage. It will cause a foul smelling rot to the underground portions of the iris. It is actually a fly maggot that cause the damage.
Fall cankerworm complaints continue, but now the calls are mostly for the damage and not the insects. Defoliation is unevenly scattered both within the tree and between trees.
Boxwood leaf miner adults are at their peak at this time. This is the optimum time for adult control.
The capture of ash/lilac borer adults has ended for the season. The next clear-wing borer to emerge will be the dogwood borer.
The rains (downpours) of last week would have caused lots of mortality to the spider mite populations. Be aware that they can rebound rapidly; one should continue monitoring.
Degree day accumulations are increasing at a very slow rate as the cool weather continues. 648DD (50 deg. F base) have accumulated to date (May 5th) at Hampton Roads AREC.
Peter B. Schultz, Director
Hampton Roads AREC
1444 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
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