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"Fig. 4. Box tree moth adults. Image credit: Szabolcs Sáfián, University of West Hungary"

Blight, Leafminers, and Moths: The Plight of Boxwoods

Blight, Leafminers, and Moths: The Plight of Boxwoods Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) were introduced into the United States during colonial times, and still today they are one of the most popular evergreen shrubs used in landscapes. They are frequently selected for hedges and topiaries because they are easily trimmed into geometric[Read More…]

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honeysuckle red berries and yellow leaves

Consider Fall Eradication of Asian Bush Honeysuckle

Asian bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) is an extremely invasive plant that is a serious problem in most areas of the Midwest.  These invasive plants grow very fast, especially along woodland edges, and shade out most of the understory plants that are found in these areas.  Honeysuckle can also significantly reduce[Read More…]

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Tree of heaven

Tree-of-Heaven is not so Heavenly

Despite the sublime name, tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a particularly bad actor when it comes to trees encountered in the Midwest. This native of Asia was introduced to North America more than 150 years ago and has since become a widespread invasive pest. Rapid growth, extremely high seed production (hundreds[Read More…]

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Spotted lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly egg hatch is here

It’s that time of year when we remind everyone to watch for spotted lanternfly (SLF) infestations. Spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since spread throughout the eastern USA. Its preferred host is the invasive Tree-of-Heaven, but it also feeds on a wide[Read More…]

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signs

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Distribution update

The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) continues its eastward spread across the US. In 2022, seven new counties were added to the distribution map of this invasive insect. While it is not present in Indiana yet, it is confirmed throughout the eastern USA from northern Georgia to Maine, extending west[Read More…]

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Columbine

Throwing Shade on the Perennial Garden

For some, the term “shade garden” may be an oxymoron. When imagining a garden, most will think of a sunny area filled with flowering plants. So, it’s not surprising that gardeners would often fill shady areas with a hardy, evergreen ground cover and never look back. However, ornamental shade gardens[Read More…]

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box tree moth larvae

Box tree moth on Indiana’s doorstep

The problem There is another invasive species close to Indiana that landscaping and nursery professionals should look for. Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is native to East Asia, and was first detected in 2021 in New York. Detections in Michigan in 2022 have resulted in a quarantine zone for boxwoods[Read More…]

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asian jumping worm

Asian jumping worms: Where to get started

Identification is key to prevention and management of this invasive worm

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Karner butterfly

Is my urban garden helping native pollinators?

If you spend any time reading about native landscapes, you will quickly find numerous articles and guides for plants that are good for pollinators. Many native pollinator species are in decline, and choosing plants that support their lifecycle is a great way homeowners and landscapers can engage with the effort[Read More…]

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rose shoots

Rose Rosette

Rose rosette disease is a severe problem for rose growers and occurs widely throughout many rose growing regions of the US, especially from the mid-South into the Midwest. The problem was described on roses in the early 1940s but actual cause of the disease remained murky until the pathogen was[Read More…]

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garlic mustard

Managing Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard (Alliara petiolata) can be found in public parks, backyards, meadows, forests, gardens, and along roadsides throughout Indiana. The leaves have a strong garlic smell to them. Garlic mustard was first introduced from Northeastern Europe in the 1860s in Long Island, New York. Immigrants from Europe used it for[Read More…]

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Emerald Ash Borer

Exotic Forest Pest Webinar Series to Start Fall Session October 20.

EAB University is about to start its fall semester, bringing you the information you need about emerald ash borer and other invasive pests and diseases that are now impacting our trees, forests and woodlands. Here’s a schedule of the webinars we have locked in so far. We will update you[Read More…]

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Litylenchus crenatae subspecies mccanni

Beech Leaf Disease: Another worm to worry about

A new disease called Beech leaf disease (BLD), associated with native and ornamental beech trees (Fagus spp.), has been making its way eastward from Lake Erie. First observed in 2012, trees show dark interveinal leaf banding, deformation of the banding tissue, and leaf curling under increased disease severity. Leaves can[Read More…]

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invasive workshop

Free Early Pest Detector Workshop

Learn how to protect Indiana from invasive species at a free workshop. Professor Cliff Sadof of Purdue University and Carrie Tauscher, Arboretum Director of the Crown Hill Heritage Foundation will show you the best way to look for and report invasive species and provide a chance to practice reporting on[Read More…]

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Welcome Screen

Plant Problems? There’s a mobile-friendly website for that!

All plants can fall victim to insects, diseases, and environmental problems. How they respond to this stress is often the same: Wilting, yellowing, holes, rots, blight—it’s a long list! With so much overlap in symptoms, it can be quite a challenge for people to identify their plant health problems accurately,[Read More…]

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Spotted Lanternfly Now in Northern and Southern Indiana

Hoosiers Citizens Report Spotted Lanternfly in Northern IN. Report finds to 866-663-9684.

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National Tree Check Month? Check your Pool Filters Too!

Checking your pool filter and your trees could save your neighborhood from invasive pests.

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Droplets of honeydew produced by the tuliptree aphid accumulated during dry weather.

Beware the Honeydew List

Honeydew, or the sticky liquid excrement that accumulates beneath trees infested with sucking insects, can attract stinging insects, pit the finish of your car, and coat your plants and picnic tables with black sooty mold. Learning which trees are prone to these problems can keep you from getting tied up in a sticky mess.

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The image shows a person’s hands repotting a plant. Photo by Ivan Radic, flickr

Avoiding Jumping Worm When Landscaping and Gardening

Jumping worm is spreading in the Midwest. Take these steps to avoid spreading it when planting this spring.

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The image shows a black insect with white spots clinging to a green stem. The photo is by Stan Lupo, flickr.

Update: Spotted lanternfly has hatched

Spotted lanternfly has hatch. Keep your eyes peeled for them and report them if you see them.

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