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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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Inspector Territories


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

I’m sharing some photos of woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) on Gala apple. The ‘woolly’ part of the name is in reference to the waxy, cottony secretions produced by these insects, which help hide them from predators. You will notice clusters of white, cottony masses on tree limbs and trunks.  Inside the masses are light, purple-colored aphids.  Woolly apple aphids feed above and below the ground. Root feeding by aphids causes the most damage, particularly to young trees. Root feeding results in the development of galls that block the movement of nutrients. Yellow foliage, especially on young trees, may be a sign of root infestation by woolly apple aphid. Infestations of this pest warrant control, especially on young trees.

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

I’ve found a couple of interesting scale insects recently during inspections. Most recently, I noticed some peculiar spots on black gum ‘Wildfire’ leaves. On closer inspection, they were being caused by little scale insects feeding on them. These scale insects are most likely black gum scale (Chionaspis nyssae). This species is a type of armored scale in the family Diaspididae. Armored scales protect themselves by creating a made of wax and other excrements. The female scales tend to have bigger and rounder coverings than the males, where they’ll lay their eggs. Armored scales are sap suckers and will feed on the fluids in plant leaves, petioles, and stems. Unlike soft scales, armored scales do not produce honeydew. Black gum scale is relatively specialized, usually only feeding on its namesake, its relative water tupelo, and a handful of other tree species.

The other scale insect I found recently was on honey locust trees. It has a similar appearance to black gum scale—albeit a little smaller—but with some more prominent ridges on the waxy covering. I’m inclined to believe that it is honey locust scale (Chionaspis gleditsiae), which specializes on honey locusts and a few other tree species. That would mean that this is another armored scale species, closely related to black gum scale.

Armored scale insects in high enough populations can cause significant damage to ornamental, shade, and fruit tree species. Dormant oil applications can be used in the dormant season to control overwintering scales on the trunks and branches. During the growing season, a number of products can be used to treat crawlers (just make sure the product mentions the ability to control armored scales on the label).

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Vince Burkle (Assistant Division Director & Nursery Inspector) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We have newly detected spotted lanternfly populations near Waterloo in DeKalb County and Kendallville in Noble County. Please be on the lookout for this insect and submit any findings to our new spotted lanternfly reporting tool.

We are also noticing the 4th instar nymphal stage of spotted lanternfly in Huntington. This is when the nymphs develop red and black body coloration with white spots.

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Jared Spokowsky (Nursery Inspetor & Compliance Officer) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I have not seen much in the way of new pests this week, so it’s going to be mainly bee related info again. A lot of our summer flowers are really starting to bloom now. Mountain mints and hyssop are both just starting at my place. Both are HIGHLY attractive to honeybees as well as other pollinators. I was also fortunate to capture a honeybee working blazing star and to my surprise, it has white pollen. Blazing star isn’t particularly high on the honeybee list, but I thought it was cool anyway. I received calls from beekeepers who were afraid they had American foulbrood, but it turned out to be European in both instances. When differentiating between American and European it is important to remember that European foulbrood kills before the cells are capped while American foulbrood kills predominately after the cells are capped.

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

The Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology had the opportunity to spend some time at the Indiana Black Expo last week. We had a fantastic time chatting with folks about spotted lanternfly.

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This past week, I saw more mite damage on arborvitae, but the mites seem to have vacated the premises, at least for now. On oaks, I found jumping oak gall and oak hedgehog gall, neither of which were in any great abundance. I did see one Ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea) also just hanging out on the oaks.

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Phil Marshall (State Forest Health Specialist) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I have had Japanese beetle adults mating and feeding on my peach trees since last week. There is also some feeding on apples but not much.

The first report of an adult spongy moth was a female moth found on a white oak in Fort Wayne. This is the first time a female moth was reported before a male moth. The female had laid eggs, so the male flight likely started June 22 or 23. Male spongy moth emergence was verified on June 27 based on reports from trap tenders checking traps. The first reports were from Fort Wayne and South Bend.

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

I have seen a lot of irrigation and watering issues over the last couple of weeks. In the middle of that hot, humid streak through mid-June, I was actually seeing a good bit of overwatering. The humidity was so high that plants struggled to move water through transpiration. Now that the temperature has broken it is even more important to pay attention to watering. Plants may be transpiring more water on these cooler, sunny, windy days with lower humidity. I’ve always been an advocate for watering containers based on weight. Pick up a few containers before you water. You might be surprised at the weight difference even across a single bench or table.

Has anyone else noticed issues with the red maple ‘Burgundy Belle’? The last few times I have seen this cultivar in nurseries, they have been almost uniformly chlorotic, especially when compared to other maple cultivars. I think they might not be well adapted for some of our heavier clay soils. This is something I will be looking at going forward.

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“A Taste of Lamb” Event Planned for April 4

04 Mar 2025

    The Washington County Sheep Association is hosting “A Taste of Lamb” on Friday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Hills Church (1645 S. St. Rd. 135, Salem). “A Taste of Lamb” will feature the very popular lamb cook-off. Attendees will enjoy approximately six lamb dishes, prepared with locally raised lamb, and vote for their favorite ...

Update: Avian Influenza Continues to Affect Wild Birds Across Indiana

03 Mar 2025

  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties. HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl.Counties where a ...

Indiana Grown Symposium Welcomes Agriculture Focused Businesses For One-Day Training Event

28 Feb 2025

    Indiana Grown , the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’slocal marketing initiative, will be hosting a day-long conference focused on educational seminars for Indiana’s food and farming businesses. The event is March 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds (1900 E. Main St., Da ...

IN State Board of Animal Health "ISSUES" Newsletter

26 Feb 2025

  20 February 2025 Message from the State Veterinarian When I think back to 2011 when a BOAH veterinarian visited my family’s Dearborn County cattle farm to place a quarantine because bovine tuberculosis had been diagnosed nearby, I did not imagine that I would have the honor of being named Indiana State Veterinarian. In fact, before this v ...

Washington County Farmers’ Market Hosting Annual Meeting

25 Feb 2025

    The Washington County Farmers’ Market Board of Directors is hosting a meeting for past, current, and potential market vendors for 2025.  The meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Washington Co. Farm Bureau Office (813 S. Jackson St., Salem) and will cover information such as the 2025 Vendor Contract, ...

Pork Producers Annual Meeting Scheduled for March 13

25 Feb 2025

    The Washington County Pork Producers will host their Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Salem Lions Club, located at 1791 N. Shelby St. in Salem. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required by Monday, March 10 to Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601. Anyone interested in the swine indu ...

Soil Sampling Program Available For Hoosier Farmers

24 Feb 2025

  The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations. The program, titled Indiana’s Mississippi Rive ...

Over $1.3 Million Awarded To Indiana Soil Conservation Districts And Organizations

20 Feb 2025

    The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Indiana State Soil Conservation Board SSCB) announced that 16 soil and water conservation districts and one organization were awarded over $1.3 million in Clean Water Indiana competitive grant funding. This funding will support water quality impro ...

Avian Flu Detected In County Turkey Operation

20 Feb 2025

    HPAI Situation Update #3919 FEBRUARY 2025 Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (19 February 2025) LATEST DETECTION County & Flock #:  Washington 02Flock ...

Webinar On Avian Influenza: Impact On Wild Birds and Human Health

19 Feb 2025

    BOAH Quarterly Lunch-and-Learn Thursday, February 27, 2025  at Noon (Eastern)  The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) continues the quarterly lunch-and-learn webinar series with a second offering in February focused on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) away from the farm. BOAH's partners at Indi ...

FFA Week Celebrated At Indiana Statehouse

18 Feb 2025

     In honor of National FFA Week, the seven Indiana FFA State Officers met in the Statehouse to receive a proclamation and resolution declaring Feb. 15-22 FFA Week.“Indiana FFA and their membership embodies agriculture, youth education and development like no other organization,” said Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s Secre ...

Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation Clinic Is March 12

10 Feb 2025

    Evaluation of bulls for breeding soundness is one of the most neglected management practices of Indiana’s cattle producers. A bull is expected to breed 20 to 50 cows during the breeding season and too often his ability to do so is taken for granted. The evaluation should be done prior to the breeding season. Breeding problems that ...

USDA Announces 2025 Enrollment Periods for Crop and Dairy Safety-Net Programs

10 Feb 2025

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs – Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Agricultural producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year ...

Discount of Cover Crop Premium Available For Farmers

07 Feb 2025

    The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, The Nature Conservancy, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency have joined forces to implement the Cover Crop Premium Discount Program for the fifth year in a row. This program will re ...

Grain Bin Safety Week

31 Jan 2025

  Since 2014, Nationwide has been collaborating with industry leaders and agricultural professionals to host Grain Bin Safety Week, an annual event held the third full week of February. Grain Bin Safety Week 2025 (February 16-20) raises awareness about the dangers of working in and around grain bins. It emphasizes the importance of grain bin ...

From Plows to Wows: Salem FFA Takes on Nationals

30 Jan 2025

  By Valerie Bravo, SHS Student Writer The National FFA Convention is held every year. Thousands of students clad in iconic blue jackets fill the halls, their energy buzzing with excitement. It’s a place where passions light, connections are made and young leaders take one step closer to uncovering their futures. For members of Salem High Sc ...

Update: Latest Detection Of Pathogenic Avian Influenza

22 Jan 2025

  HPAI Situation Update # 30January 22, 2025 Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (22 January 2025) LATEST DETECTION County & Flock #: Allen 05Flock Size:  26,066Type of Operation: Commercial Eg ...

Million Meals Program Transforms into “Hoosier Hogs to Homes”

22 Jan 2025

    The long-standing Million Meals program, a partnership between Feeding Indiana's Hungry and Indiana Pork, which has provided invaluable support to communities across Indiana by combating food insecurity, is undergoing an exciting transformation. Effective immediately, the initiative will be rebranded as Hoosier Hogs to Homes, s ...

2025 Indiana Horticultural Conference and Expo

31 Dec 2024

  The annual Indiana Horticultural Conference and Expo (IHC) will take place Jan. 14-15 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville. Current and aspiring vegetable and fruit growers, crop consultants, and allied industry members are invited to join Purdue Agriculture specialists for two days of educational sessions and networkin ...

Cover Crop Premium Discount Program Available To Hoosier Farmers

31 Dec 2024

    The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, The Nature Conservancy and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency have joined forces to implement the Cover Crop Premium Discount Program for the fifth year in a row.Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, this program will provide farmers with ...

DNR Weekly Review for December 18, 2024

18 Dec 2024

    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. Our Website Division Sta ...

Two Indiana Dairy Businesses Awarded Funding

12 Dec 2024

    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 cre ...

IDNR Tree Orders And Information

06 Dec 2024

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 th ...

Wrap Trees To Prevent Sunscald And Frost Cracking

06 Dec 2024

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 se ...

Updates to Federal Official Identification Requirements in Cattle and Bison

04 Dec 2024

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. ...

Indiana State Parks Closed For Deer Hunts

26 Nov 2024

Indiana State Parks Some Indiana State Parks will be temporarily closed to the public for deer hunts on Dec. 2-3, 2024. The properties will be closed on the evening before the hunt and reopen the morning after. Only individuals selected from the draw may participate at any site. Participating properties include: Brown County State Park Chain O’ ...

Hoosier Poultry Producers Were Generous With Their Communities Again Throughout 2024

25 Nov 2024

   Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb and the Indiana State Poultry Association recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the 77th annual Governor's Poultry Presentation at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers and businesses hav ...

Indiana Pork Sponsors World Food Championships to Showcase Pork and Support Culinary Excellence Amongst Youth Competitors

18 Nov 2024

  Indiana Pork was a proud sponsor of the 2024 World Food Championships, which took place this month in Indianapolis. Through its sponsorship, Indiana Pork aimed to promote proper cooking temperatures of pork, educate youth competitors about pork, and engage with some of the best-known Indiana chefs in the restaurant and catering industry.& ...

Calving Academy Will Be Dec. 21

15 Nov 2024

    Beef and dairy cattle producers are invited to attend Purdue Extension’s Calving Academy. This hands-on event will cover topics including cow restraint, calf manipulation, and triaging the neonatal calf. Dr. Bethany Funnell (DVM, DACT), clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicin ...

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