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This informal report by the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology is a commentary on insects, diseases, and curiosities division staff encounter on a week-to-week basis. Comments and questions about this report are welcome and can be sent to your respective Inspector.

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Division Staff

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Eric Biddinger (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From everyone here in the DEPP, we wish you all the best this holiday season! We have a few announcements and reminders to wrap up the year.

Nursery license renewals were sent out back in October. While most have been returned to us, we always have a few nurseries each year that we have to track down. Renewals should be returned by Dec. 31. If you have any questions or concerns about a nursery grower or dealer license, please reach out to your nursery inspector.

We are planning to treat for Spongy Moth in portions of Marshall, Jasper, Porter, and Starke counties in 2025. Virtual public meetings are scheduled for Jan. 27 and 28, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET (Noon CT) and 7 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. CT) each day. Please visit our Spongy Moth website for treatment maps and more information.

I received a few more recommendations for webinars to catch up on this winter.

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network has webinars featuring emerging threats and management practices.
The Midwest Invasive Species Information Network based in Michigan has several invasive ID training modules. While they are free, you do have to create an account to access some of the material.
Clean Wisconsin hosted the Wisconsin Neonic Forum in October 2024 to discuss the environmental impact of neonicotinoid insecticides. The recordings are available on YouTube.

University of Minnesota’s David Tork has a fascinating presentation on creating a genetic test to distinguish North American and European highbush cranberry (Viburnum) cultivars.

Ren Hall (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you like to purchase real greenery for the holidays, be aware of the potential for pests that can be transported on Christmas trees, wreaths, planters, garlands, etc. Invasive insects and diseases such as spongy moth, spotted lanternfly, hemlock woolly adelgid, elongate hemlock scale, and boxwood blight can be moved around on holiday decor. The real greenery you find at big box stores is often brought in from other states, which is a potential pathway for invasive species to enter Indiana.

Carefully inspect holiday greenery before purchasing and contact Indiana DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you notice anything concerning. Consider buying a tree from a local supplier to minimize risk. When you are ready to take down your greenery, check with your city or county for proper disposal locations – dumping your tree in the woods can not only introduce invasive species, it is also illegal in many places.

Jared Spokowsky (Nursery Inspector & Lead Apiary Inspector) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The results from the 2023-2024 beekeeper loss survey are out. It is a little flipped this year with more losses on the commercial side than with hobbyist beekeepers. Either way it still wasn’t a great year for losses. The total number of lost hives was the third highest since the survey started.

In total over 1,600 beekeepers took the survey nationwide accounting for about 13% of all the managed hives in the country. Unfortunately, only 10 beekeepers from Indiana took the survey. I would highly encourage any beekeeper to spend a few minutes filling this out when the next survey opens in the spring. The more data we have the better picture we will get about management practices and the wellbeing of bee colonies across the country. It only takes a few minutes to fill out and there is no identifying data given so you remain anonymous. I will send out a reminder again in May when the next survey rolls around.

From the report, “Different from previous years, backyard beekeepers during 2023-2024 experienced a lower annual loss rate than commercial beekeepers (45.1% [42.4 – 47.6 CI] for backyard vs 55.7% [48.9 – 62.9 CI] for commercial). This represented a lower loss year than average for backyard beekeepers (4.1 pp less than their running 13-year average of 49.2%), but a significantly higher loss year for commercial beekeepers (16.8 pp more than their running 13-year average of 38.9%).”

You can find the full report here.

Will Drews (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

During a nursery inspection in Owen County earlier this year, I noticed some interesting yellowing of the leaves on some American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) trees (Photo 4). A look on the underside of the leaves revealed some yellow-orange pustules, reminiscent of a rust fungus (Photo 5). With the assistance of the Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab staff, this fungal pathogen has been confirmed to be hornbeam rust (Melampsoridium asiaticum), a relatively new emerging rust fungal disease in the US.

Hornbeam rust can be identified by its yellow-orange raised bumps, called pustules, on the underside of the leaves (Photo 6 & 7). As these pustules develop, there will be corresponding yellow leaf spots that form on the upper side of the leaves. If there is a severe pustule load on the undersides, the yellowing pattern on the upper sides of the leaves may coalesce and appear as larger yellow patches (Photo 8 & 9). Besides leaves, the samaras (fruit structures) may also become infected with hornbeam rust.

Hornbeam rust originates from Japan and China and was first detected in the US in a couple counties in Florida in the fall of 2018. In 2019, similar rust reports were made in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. This new find in Owen County is the first detection of hornbeam rust in Indiana and is likely the northernmost report in the country to date.

Hornbeam rust has been confirmed on American hornbeam, European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), and Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) trees. Unlike a number of common rusts like cedar apple rust which alternate between two very different hosts (e.g. Apples [Malus spp.] and Cedars [Juniperus spp.]) depending on life cycle stage, hornbeam rust appears to stay on its host throughout its life cycle.

Because of its recent discovery, not much is known about spread and control. If you think you have some infected Carpinus or Ostrya trees, you can contact your nursery inspectorhere or send a sample to Purdue PPDL.

Gary Moughler (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I attended the Aerial Pesticide Applicators Training in Gettysburg, Penn. back in September. Classroom time was spent learning about spray systems, nozzle basics, avionics, and aviation safety. Meanwhile, outdoor portions included learning how to inspect aircraft and ground equipment and calibrate spray equipment. The highlight of the training for many attending was the demonstration of a spray drone which can be used to treat up to 4 acres at a time.

Recently announced, JB's Barnyard and Risin' Creek Creamerywere awarded funding from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) for value added facilities to their farms.

JB's Barnyard, located near Evansville, was awarded $100,000 for ice cream machinery. JB's Barnyard produces 16% butterfat ice cream that is available for purchase from its mobile ice cream trucks, at a private event booking or at various wholesale locations. JB's Barnyard will use the funding to further develop its wholesale ice cream business by expanding its delivery capabilities. This project aims to increase production and sales, creating new jobs and expanding market reach.

"JB’s Barnyard is a dream of ours, and by receiving this funding from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance we will be able to further expand our offerings to wholesale locations beyond our local region,” said Briley Simpkins of JB’s Barnyard. “We are excited to continue growing our business while providing our community with high quality, delicious ice cream.”

Risin' Creek Creamery, located in Martinsville, was awarded $49,206 for a fluid milk bottle filler to grow its goat milk processing and expand into drinkable yogurts. Risin’ Creek Creamery currently produces award-winning fresh Chèvre, a smooth classic spreadable goat cheese, goat milk feta, a goat milk caramel sauce and several hard cheeses. All of Risin' Creek Creamery's products are made from milk that is produced by its herd of Nubian goats.

“We are so honored to be the recipient of this very sought-after grant from DBIA,” said Tim Vanzant of Risin' Creek Creamery. “Our goat business started as a 4H project in 1984, but now has grown to encompass three generations of our family! We produce award-winning fresh goat cheeses, and we are excited to embark on a fluid goat milk and yogurt journey thanks to this grant funding.”

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), awarded 39 grants totaling more than $3.3 million to farmstead operations and dairy processing businesses across the Midwest. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture serves as the Indiana state collaborator. Since 2022, ten Indiana dairy businesses have been awarded more than $833,000 from DBIA to grow their operations.

The grants will be awarded through the DBIA’s Dairy Business Builder and Dairy Industry Impact grant programs. The Dairy Business Builder grant program is targeted at small-to-medium size farmers or processors. DBIA’s grant programs advance the organization’s mission to support small and mid-size dairy processors across its 11-state service area of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

“We are delighted to be able to assist the growth of our regional cheese plants and small dairy businesses; once again farmsteads were an important focus. We are also happy to help companies with their exports and sustainability challenges,“ said John Lucey, CDR Director.

The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Since then, the DBIA has awarded over $20 million across more than 250 grants to Midwestern dairy farms and businesses. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry is accepting orders for seedlings for the 2025 spring season. Order forms are available online with seedlings available for spring pick-up with DNR. Orders are accepted October 2, 2024 through May 1, 2025, as supplies last at thhe DNR Vallonia Tree Nursery. To order trees contact the Vallonia Tree Nursery at 812-358-3621 or online at www.INForestryX.com.

Garden

Sunscald affects young trees with thin, smooth bark. It is most common in late winter on the southwest side of the trunk. Exposure to sunlight and warm temperatures during the day heats up the tissues causing them to lose their dormancy. After sunset, when the temperature drops, these cells freeze and die. The result is large, irregular, wounded sections of the bark on this side of the trunk.

Frost cracks are long splits in the trunk or stems. They are caused by old wounds and drastic changes in temperature heating and cooling the outer and inner layers of bark at different rates.

Tree wraps can be used during the winter to protect young trees from weather-related injury. Wraps can be purchased for this purpose and should be light-colored with some elasticity. The trunk should be wrapped starting at the base of the tree upward and stopping just below the lowest branches. This is only seasonal protection for trees during their first few years of establishment. Remove the wrap in the spring and never staple the wrap onto the trunk.

Cynthia Domenghini, Kansas State University Instructor & Horticulture Extension Specialist

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated specific federal traceability requirements for electronic identification (EID) in cattle and bison, effective November 5, 2024. Under the updated federal requirements, all official ear tags applied to cattle and bison must be readable visually and electronically when used for interstate movement. The Indiana Board of Animal Health has provided answers for common questions. A few are listed below.

Q. To what species does this change apply?

A. This change only applies to cattle and bison.

* All sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older.

* All dairy cattle as defined by 9 CFR 86.1 of any age.

* Cattle and bison of any age used by rodeo, exhibition, or recreational events.

Q. What cattle and bison are exempted from the official EID requirement?

A. Official ID is not required for cattle and bison during the following movements: directly to slaughter; as part of a commuter herd agreement; or directly to an approved tagging site, such as a livestock market.

Q. Can I continue to use the visual-only official ID tags I have on-hand for my cattle or bison herd (840s, metal NUES, etc.)?

A. No. Visual-only, non-electronic tags may NOT be used as official ID in cattle or bison after November 5, 2024. Producers are advised to either destroy existing tag inventories or use them in other approved species. NOTE: Visual-only, non-electronic official ear tags will continue to be considered official ID in all other species of livestock except cattle and bison.

Q. My cattle or bison have visual-only (non-electronic) official ID tags. Do they need to be retagged?

A. No. Visual-only official ID applied before November 5, 2024 will be recognized as official ID for the life of the animal; however, all new official ID tags, including retags, applied to cattle and bison after November 5, 2024 need to be both visually and electronically readable.

Q. If I add a new visual EID tag to an animal that already has a visual-only official ear tag, which ID needs to be recorded on test charts and movement documents such as a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI)?

A. All official animal ID numbers must be recorded, including dairy-breed offspring, steers, and spayed heifers.

Q. If I need to retag my animal after it lost an old, non-electronic tag, do I need to follow the updated rule?

A. Yes. The new tag must be an official EID tag.

Q. Can I apply a new EID tag if my animal already has an older, non-electronic ID?

A. Yes. USDA continues to support upgrades in tag technology. Do not remove the old tag. Instead, make a note in your records of both ID numbers along with the date when the new tag was applied and maintain a copy of those records for 5 years.

Q. Can I remove old official ID if I have retagged to meet the new requirements?

A. No. Official ID is intended to provide permanent identification of livestock and may only be removed in limited circumstances, such as a malfunction of the old electronic component, deterioration of the tag, or a infection at the attachment site. The owner must maintain records to correlate the old/removed tag with the new ID number.

Q. Is USDA providing free EID tags during this change?

A. Yes. USDA is supplying a limited quantity of tags to states for distribution. Indiana's allocation is 61,000 tags. USDA will be shipping EID tags directly to 15 Indiana livestock market facilities based on officially reported past sale volumes of cattle. At this time, logistics prevent shipping smaller quantities to individual producers. Tags are not available through BOAH. Tags continue to be available for purchase from suppliers.

Q. Are backtags still an option for use in slaughter channels?

A. Yes. USDA-approved backtags may be used at markets only for direct-to-slaughter cattle and bison that are slaughtered within 3 days of their movement to the slaughter plant.

Q. Does USDA still offer an exemption for direct-to-slaughter cattle moving interstate?

A. Yes. Cattle moving directly to a recognized slaughter establishment or to no more than one approved livestock facility, where the cattle are shipped for slaughter within 3 days of arrival, are exempt.

Requirements for interstate movement may be found online at:

http://www.interstatelivestock.com or www.aphis.usda.gov.

Producers, veterinarians and others who need to purchase official EID tags should refer to the online buyer's guide or visit: www.in.gov/boah/traceability-and-premise-id/.

For questions regarding interstate movement of livestock, including shipments to or from an approved livestock facility in Indiana, contact BOAH at (317) 544-2400.