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Ornamentals and Turf |
One of the relatively common species of tip borer that attacks maples is Proteoteras aesculana (Riley). This pest has been found boring terminals and crumpling leaves of maples in May and early June. Adults occur from March through late August. Apparently the caterpillars feed on some other kind of tree or shrub later in the season. In nurseries, the best time to apply Orthene plus Tame or Talstar is mid-April when plants are with one or two pair of leaves. Orthene alone is labeled for use on maples to control several kinds of caterpillar pests and it is safe for homeowners to use. Early treatment is important. After that, pruning may be needed for retraining the plant.
Springtails are among the smallest insects in the home landscape. They are flea-like and barely visible. Springtails possess a forked structure folded under the body that when flicked, allows it to catapult around quite well. Springtails may differ in size, shape and color. They are slightly smaller than a flea and do not bite. Springtails prefer moist environments and feed on decaying plant material, fungi, etc. and are most often seen in mulch. Sometimes they may annoy people if they occur by the millions in a yard and show up on the foundation, the driveway or in the swimming pool. If they are very prolific, they may be found indoors on floors.
Control is not very effective. If desired, they can be hosed off hard outdoor surfaces with or without a little soap added. Infestations are short lived and rarely justify the expense of control. Determined homeowners may use one of the available lawn products containing a pyrethroid such as permethrin, bifenthrin or cypermethrin.
The azalea lace bug is among the most frequently reported insect pest in the landscape. Lace bugs are currently active in the Raleigh area. Lace bugs feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into leaves and injecting saliva. When the lace bug sucks out the predigested fluid, the empty cells left behind are conspicuously pale. After what appears to be a short time, lace bugs cause the leaves to become completely bleached and have a bronzed appearance on the upper leaf surface. Lace bugs also leave shiny, black excrement on the lower leaf surface. Azalea lace bugs are relatively difficult to completely eliminate. Fortunately, they rarely kill plants.
Insecticidal soap can control small populations, or Orthene may be used for control is pressure is high. Be sure to treat the undersides of the leaves. Imidacloprid can be used as a soil drench in specimen or small, valuable plantings. The azalea plant bug, Rhinocapsis vanduzeii, is a predatory bug that can provide some azalea lace bug control when used in conjunction with insecticidal soap. There has been some success with the release of green lacewings for azalea lace bug control as well. Azaleas planted in full sun will have more lace bug problems than those planted in partial sun or shade. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note Number 39 contains additional information on the azalea and other lace bugs.
Scale insects in the genus Pulvinaria (including cottony maple scale and cottony camellia scale = cottony taxus scale) are currently depositing their ovisacs. These are recognized as white cottony masses on the leaf undersides of hollies, camellia, yew, and maple. Crawler hatch is several weeks away. Ladybird beetles will prey on these scales before crawler activity and can provide some control. Horticultural oil is recommended once crawlers are active in late June/early July.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on May 12, 2003 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.