Happy Spring!  At least nature is not shut down.  There is a robin singing its head off right outside my office.  Perhaps it’s the lack of people walking by.

I’ve switched the Long Island Station to Riverhead.  One Woman was always really high even compared to the other Southold Station.  Riverhead splits the difference

GDD 3/20/20                      Predicted GDD 3/25/20

Champlain                           0                                              0

Geneva                                11                                           11

Riverhead                           13                                           13

Something to try – Soil temperature as a way to determine when the white pine weevil adults are emerging from the soil.  (Might also work for other insects that overwinter in the soil.).  Insert a temperature probe at 2” deep under a tree (in an area that has had WPW previously) on the sunny side.  When the soil temperatures are above 50F check traps and leaders for adults.  We need all the help we can get!  If someone tries this, let me know!

Let’s talk traps.  Not many people use them but they are very handy for knowing that the insects are actually present.  Rarely are they used to reduce the number of insects – mostly used to determine if populations are high enough to warrant pesticide use and the optimum time to apply them.  GDD still is a good indication of when to put out the traps – put them out BEFORE you expect emergence.

White pine weevil traps  – white pine and other weevils

A pyramid shaped trap that sits on the ground.  The top has a funnel shape that is baited with turpentine and alcohol.  You can make your own or buy one. Instructions at https://ento.psu.edu/extension/christmas-trees/information/whitepinewvtraps.pdf  To buy:  https://www.greatlakesipm.com/

Yellow sticky cards  – for midges like Doug fir needle midge and scale like Cryptomeria to catch flying males

Attach to twigs in areas where the pest has been found previously – Clothespins work (and you can get double duty out of a card by only taking the covering off one side at a time). Date the card and check frequently.  If it is windy or dusty you will need to check  and probably change more frequently.

Box traps – soil overwintering midges like Doug fir needle midge

A waxy cardboard box with a clear jar coming out of one side placed with the open side down on the ground under a tree that has previously had the issue. Rocks help hold them down. (I can provide more instructions if needed) The emerging midges are attracted to the light and fly into the jar.

Pheromone traps  – for the insect attracted to the specific pheromones – bagworm, Gypsy moth

Pheromone traps have lures baited with a chemical that attracts the specific insect(s) – sometimes just the males, sometimes both sexes.  The insects have to be flying to get into the trap.  These are often cardboard ‘tents’ with sticky surfaces inside that hang from the branches – place them in an area that has had the issue previously and check frequently.  One source is Great Lakes IPM. https://www.greatlakesipm.com/

Excellent information on pest management including an appendix on traps.

https://extension.psu.edu/integrated-pest-management-for-christmas-tree-production

Stay healthy everyone and let me know if you try trapping!