| Eastern Tent Caterpillar Likely
to be a Problem Again in 2003
Cliff Sadof,
Purdue Entomologist
For
the past two years, crabapples and other flowering fruit trees in
much of Indiana have been defoliated by the Eastern tent caterpillar,
Malacosoma americanum. There is a fairly good chance that they will
continue to be a problem this year. These web-making insects are
called tent caterpillars because they produce webs in the central
crotches of trees.
These caterpillars are
an early season pest, and begin feeding on leaves just as the leaves
begin to break bud. The Eastern ten caterpillar is dark in color
with a white stripe on its back, and it can grow up to 2 inches
long.
Full
Story, http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/pubs/HN-27.pdf

Fire Up the Mower!
Zac Reicher,
Associate Professor/Turfgrass Extension Specialist
Spring is sprung and mowing probably will have to occur throughout
Indiana by this weekend (3/22-23). Now’s the time to get the
mower out of the shed and to make sure it starts and is ready to
go when you need it in the next few weeks. Be sure to sharpen the
blade and make sure the mower is working well mechanically. You
should begin mowing at 3 inches or so once the grass plants start
to grow and reach a height of about 3.5 or 4 inches.
Full
Story, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/2005/mow325.htm
Timing of Preemergence
Herbicides
Zac Reicher, Associate Professor/Turfgrass Extension
Specialist
If a preemergence herbicide is justified on a turf area, the timing
of application is important. Our research, as well as research from
other universities, shows preemergence herbicides break down very
slowly in our cool spring soils. Therefore, when applying preemergence
herbicides, it’s better to err on the side of being early
than too late. We recommend applications no later than March 15
to April 1 in southern Indiana, April 1 to April 15 in central Indiana,
and April 10 to April 25 in northern Indiana.
Full
Story, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/2004/pre311.htm

|