Fertilizer and Pesticide Study Cards Flashcards
Kentucky State initial and category 3 study material for applicators license.
What is the most important law regulating the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the US?
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act or FIFRA
What does Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) allow the Environmental Protection Angency (EPA) to do?
It gives the EPA the authority to oversee the sale and use of pesticides.
What are some of the consequences a commercial applicator can face violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?
$5,000 for FIFRA violations. Criminal Penalties: $25k or 1 year in prison.
What authorities have been given to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?
- Impose civil and/or criminal penalties on anyone who misuses a pesticide or commits any other listed unlawful acts. Fines can be up to $1,000 for each offense. However, you have the right to ask for a hearing in your own city or county. 2. Stop the sale or use of any pesticide. 3. Issue removal orders and seize products to keep them out of the market if it determines the products pose an unreasonable risk. 4. Reevaluate older pesticides to ensure that they meet more recent safety standards. 5. Protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from occupational pesticide exposure.
What are some exceptions to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?
- To control a pest that is not on the label as long as the specific crop or site is listed 2. By any method that is not prohibited. For example, some pesticides cannot be applied by air. 3. At a lower dosage, concentration, or less frequently than specified on the label 4. In a pesticide-fertilizer mixture.
What are the two types of classifications for pesticides?
Restricted Use (RUP) and unclassified or general use
What Kentucky state law governs the registration, sale, distribution, proper use, storage, disposal, and application of pesticides in the Commonwealth (KY)?
KRS 217B the Kentucky Fertilizer and Pesticides Storage, Pesticide Use and Application Act of 1996.
What are the record keeping requirements of the Kentucky Fertilizer and Pesticides Storage, Pesticide Use and Application Act of 1996 (KRS 217b)?
- Record the following information within 14 days of treatment and keep the records for 3 years. 2. Give the customer a copy within 30 days. 3. The records must contain: a. Name and Address of person receiving services b. Brand or product name of pesticides applied c. Date of application. d. purpose of application. e. Size of area treated. f. Crop, commodity, or type of area treated. g. name and certification number of applicator. h. EPA registration number of the product. i. Location of application. j. Total amount of each pesticide applied.
Why are pesticide application records important?
- Documented support in complaint/lawsuit. 2. Help determine most effective pesticide treatments. 3. Provide medical staff with information needed for treatment. 4. Document steps taken to protect people and environment.
What are the 3 types of applicators?
- Commercial Pesticide Operator. 2. Commercial Pesticide Applicator. 3. Noncommercial Applicator.
When do Kentucky State commercial pesticide operator/applicator and noncommercial applicator licenses expire?
31 December each year with a 25% fine for license holders who do not renew prior to 1 March.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) requires what equipment to be registered and given a license plate/decal for application of pesticides?
Any equipment being used for the distribution of pesticides on lands of another person within Kentucky.
How many continuing education units (CEU) are required by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) to maintain proficiency to retain one’s pesticide operator/applicator license each year?
12 CEUs are required in total. 9 general units of study plus 3 category specific unites must be earned prior to December 31 of your certification period.
What types of pesticides may be used in Kentucky according to the state of Kentucky and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?
You are responsible for applying only pesticides registered or exempted from registration by the EPA and Kentucky. Usable pesticides registered and labeled: 1. Section 3: is the most common registration. An approved and registered produce will have an official EPA registration number on the label. 2. Section 18: allows the sale and use of a registered pesticide product for specific non-registered purpose during a specified time period. EPA can issue an emergency exemption at the request of the state for a public health concern or other pest crisis. The three conditions are: a. No effective registered pesticides are available. b. no feasible alternative control practices are available. c. Sitation involves the introducation of a new pest, will present significant risks to human health or the environment, or will cause significant economic loss. 3. Section 24(c)(Special Local Needs): allows states to expand or limit use of certain registered pesticides within their jurisdictions. Products under section 24 will have an SLN (special local need) number and code for the state issuing the registration. These are only legal to use in the state and local area specified in the labeling.
What are some important areas on a label?
- Make sure the product is registered for your intended use. 2. Ensure there are not restrictions or other conditions that prohibit use of the pesticide at the application site. 3. What PPE (personal protective equipment) are required for applicaiton. 4. Determine what precautions are needed to prevent exposure to people and non-targeted organisms. 5. Learn what first aid steps are required should an accident occur. 6. How long the pesticide may be able to be stored and under what conditions.
What are the parts of a pesticide label?
- Type of pesticide. 2. Name of product. 3. Name and address of manufacturer. 4. Net contents. 5. EPA registration number. 6. EPA establishment number. 7. Ingredient statement. 8. Signal Word. 9. Warning or caution statements. 10. First aid instructions. 11. Directions for use. 12. Storage and disposal instructions. 13. Formulation. 14. Agricultural/non-agricultural use requirements. 15. Environment hazards.
What does a box at the top of the front panel identify?
Restricted use pesticides. Reasons may include concerns about ground and surface water contamination and product will specify how to apply appropriately to avoid the contamination.
What does pesticide mod of action classification number mean and why is it important?
Identifies how a pesticide/herbicide kills it’s target to prevent resistance or allow applicators to change methods when resistance is met.
What does formulation mean in reference to pesticide products?
Whether the pesticide is (F) flowable, (G) granule, or (WDG) water dispersible granule.
What are the 4 signs/symbols in order declaring toxicity levels of a pesticide from most toxic to least toxic?
- Skull and crossbones- highly toxic 2. Danger- toxic pesticide that is very likely to cause acute illness from mouth, skin, or breathing exposure, or to cause sever eye or skin irritation. 3. Warning- moderately likely to cause acute illness from oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure or to cause moderate skin or eye irritation. 4. Caution- slightly toxic or relatively nontoxic.
What does it mean if a pesticide label has an Agricultural Use Requirements box?
It means that some or all of it the products uses are subject to the federal Worker Protection Standard. This section will contain required instructions of the Restricted Entry interval (REI), early entry personal protective equipment, and notification-to-workers.
What are the 3 types of liquid formulations?
- Solutions- made by dissolving a substance in a liquid. 2. Suspensions- an even mixture of small solid particles throughout a liquid. 3. Emulsions- a mixture of droplets of one liquid in another liquid. (water and oil)
What do the following acronyms mean? (E or EC) (S or CS) (EW) (F, L, or SC) (M or ME) (A) (G) (WP or W) (SP or S) (WDG or DF) (WSB or WSP) (B)
E or EC- emulsifiable concentrate S or SC- Solutions EW- Emulsions in Water F,L, or SC- Flowables (suspension) M or ME- Micro-encapsulated pesticides A- Aerosol G- Granules WP or W- Wettable Powders SP or S- Soluble Powder WDG or DF- Water-dispersible Granules or Dry flowables WSB or WSP- Water-soluble bags/packages B- Baits
What is the acronym and the meaning behind the acronym for mixing different types of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides in a tank?
The method is the WALES method. W- Wettable powders and water dispersible granules A- Agitate tank mix thoroughly L- Liquid flowables and suspensions E- Emulsifiable concentrate formulations S- Surfactants/Solutions
What are the restrictions on mixing 2 or more pesticides together?
If a desired premix is not available, Federal law allows you to combine two or more pesticides unless the labeling of one or more of the intended products specifically prohibits it.
What do you do if you need to mix 2 or more pesticides and the label does not provide mixing instructions, but also do not prohibit mixing?
Determine compatibility by “jar testing” the combinations and then check for phytotoxicity (plant injury) by testing the mixture on a small number of plants.
What are two reasons pesticides can be incompatible for mixing together?
- Physical- they gel, curdle, foam, or stay in separate layers when mixed. 2. Chemical- their pest control activity changes when they are mixed.
What are additives/adjuvants and when should they be used?
They are chemicals that may improve the actions of a pesticide or change the characteristics of a pesticide formulation or a spray mixture. You should only use them when directed to do so by the manufacturer. Most already have the additive/adjuvant added by the manufacturer anyways.
What are the types of adjuvants and what are their purpose?
Antifoaming (defoaming) agent- reduces excessive foaming of spray mixtures. Buffer or pH modifier- allows pesticides to mix with diluents or other pesticides of different acidities or alkalines. Compatibility agent- helps combine pesticides. Drift control additive- increases average droplet size and/or lower the numbers of “fines” (very small droplets). Extender or sticker- keeps pesticides active on a target for an extended period or on waxy foliage. Plant penetrant- allows pesticides to enter treated foilage. Safener- reduces the toxicity of a pesticide formulation to the pesticide handler or to the treated surface. Sticker- allow pesticides to stay on a treated surface longer. Wetting agent- allows wettable powders (WP) formulations to mix with water. Surfactants- are commonly used as adjuvants to alter the dispersal, spreading, and wetting properties of spray droplets. a. Anionic surfactants- negative charge which are typically on contact pesticide versus absorbed systemically. b. Cationic surfactants- positive charge and are often phytotoxic (plant harming). c. Nonionic surfactants- have no electrical charge and are often used with systemic products to help pesticides to penetrate plant cuticles.
What are the two types of negative effects a pesticide can have on humans?
- Acute effects (short-term) 2. Chronic effects (long-term)
When are individuals at the greatest potential for exposure to hazards by pesticides?
When mixing and loading concentrated pesticides.
What are the 2 different broad types of effects from pesticide exposure?
- Local (contact/respiratory) 2. Systemic effects (absorbed into blood stream) and may include damage to nerves, reduced clotting ability, cancers, reproductive problems, impaired metabolism, hormonal effects, and damage to various organ systems.
What are the 4 ways pesticides enter the body?
- Skin (dermal) 2. Eyes (ocular) 3. Lungs (inhalation) 4. Mouth (oral)
What way does a pesticide enter the body most often?
97% of all exposure is through skin contact.
What areas of the body are most likely to absorb a pesticide?
Warm, moist areas, such as the groin, armpits, head, neck, backs of the hands, and tops of the feet, tend to absorb more than the palms and forearms. However, palms and forearms must still be protected because they get the most exposure.
What does acute toxicity, LC50, and LD50 mean?
Acute toxicity- The measure of harm (systemic or contact) caused by a single exposure event. LD50- lethal dose 50% or the dose required to kill 50% of a population of lab animals. LC50- Lethal concentration of a substance in air or water required to kill 50% of a population of lab animals.
Oxidizer- Can burn without air, or can intensify fire in combustible materials.
Explosive- May explode if exposed to fire, heat, shock, friction.
Corrosive- May cause skin burns and permanent eye damage.
Gasses under Pressure- Gas released may be very cold. Gas container may explode if heated.
Flammable- if exposed to ignition sources, sparks, heat. Some substances may give off flammable gases.
Toxic to Aquatic- may additionally cause long lasting effects in the environment.
Toxic- material which may cause life threatening effects even in small amounts and with short exposure.
May cause serious and prolonged health effects on short or long term exposure.
Irritant- May cause irritation (redness, rash) or less serious toxicity.
What are the toxicity levels and classes for the following?
Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution, and Caution or no signal word
Danger-poison: highly toxic, Hazard Class I
Danger: highly toxic, Hazard Class I
Warning: moderately toxic, Hazard Class II
Caution: slightly toxic, Hazard Class III
Caution or no signal word: Hazard Class IV
What are the LD50 oral trace amounts of the following signal words?
Danger-poison, Danger, Warning, Caution, Caution or no signal word
Danger-Poison: Trace to 50 mg/l
Danger: N/A
Warning: 50-500 mg/l
Caution: 500-5,000 mg/l
Caution or no signal word: is greater than 5,000 mg/l
What are the LD50 Dermal trace amounts for the following signal words?
Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution, Caution or no signal word
Danger-Poison: Trace to 200 mg/l
Danger: N/A
Warning: 200 to 2,000 mg/l
Caution: 2,000 to 20,000 mg/l
Caution or no signal word: greater than 20,000 mg/l
What are the LC50 inhalation levels for the following signal words?
Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution, Caution or no signal word
Danger-Poison: Trace to .2
Danger: N/A
Warning: .2 to 2 mg/kg
Caution: 2 to 20 mg/kg
Caution or no signal word: greather than 20 mg/kg
What does each of the signal words mean in plain english?
Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution, Caution or no signal word
Danger-Poison: a few drops to 1 teaspoon could kill
Danger: based on corrosive or irritant properties of the product
Warning: *1 ounce to 1 pint or 1 pound is toxic
Caution or no signal word: Slight toxicity to no toxicity
What are some of the signs and symptoms of poison or toxicity in a person?
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Blurred Vision
- Sweating too much
- Stomach Cramps and Vomiting
- Eye irritation
- Skin Rashes
- Trouble Breathing
- Chest Pains
What should you bring with you when going to receive emergency medical help?
You should bring the pesticide label or EPA registration number with you.
What should you do in an emergency?
- Ensure individual is breathing and exposure to the pesticide has stopped
- Call emergency services
- Protect yourself from pesticide exposure
- If certified, CPR
What are the key points of administering first aid to a victim of pesticide exposure?
- Remove all contaminated clothing immediately.
- Rinse the exposed area with water to dilute the pesticide and prevent skin absorption.
- Was the affect area including hair, with water and soap.
- If skin has chemical burns, cover the area loosely with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use ointments, greases, powders, and other medications unless instructed to do so by a medical authority.
- Do not induce vomiting unless label indicates to do so.
- If inhalation exposure has occured, get the victim to fresh air immediately.
What are the first aid steps for pesticide exposure to the eyes?
- Hold the eyelid open and immediately begin gently washing the eye with drips of clean water. Do not use chemicals or drugs in a the wash water unless instructed to do so by a medical professional or a poison control center.
- Drip the water acress- not direction into- the eye, or use an eyewash dispenser.
- Continuously rinse the eye for 15 minutes. If only one eye is affected, be careful not to contaminate the other eye.
- Flush under the eyelid with water to remove debris.
- Cover the eye with a clean piece of cloth and seek medical attention immediately.
What are the steps to take for first aid for Inhaled Pesticide exposure?
- Immediately carry the victim to fresh air
- Do not attempt to rescue someone who in an enclosed, contaminated are unless you are wearing appropriate PPE.
- Warn other people in the area of the danger.
- Have the victim lie down and loosen his or her clothing.
- Keep the victim warm and quiet. Do not allow him or her to become chilled or overheated.
- If the victim is vonulsing, protect his or her head, turn the head to the side, and watch that breathing continues. do not attempt to inser anything into the person’s mouth during a seizure.
- Keep the person’s chin up to ensure that air passages are open for breathing.
- Give artificial respiration if breathing stops or is irregular.
What are the first aid steps for mouth or swallowing exposure of pesticides?
- If pesticide is in someone’s mouth, but has not been swallowed, rinse the mouth with plenty of water. Then, give the victim large amounts of milk or water to drink.
- If the pesticide is swallowed, one of the most critical first aid decisions is whether to induce vomiting. induce vomiting only if the label instructs you to do so. Several pesticides cause more harm when vomited than if they remain in the stomach. To provide first aid for swallowed pesticide, you must know the appropriate treatment. The decision to induce vomiting must be made quickly and accurately.
When do you not induce vomiting?
- Person is unconscious or having convulsions.
- Has swallowed a corrosive poison, such as a strong alkali or acid. The material burns the throat and mouth as severely coming up as it did going down. Also, it can be aspirated into the lungs and cause more damage.
- Has swallowed an emulsifiable concentrate or oil solution product, which is dissolved in petroleum solvents. Emulsifiable concentrates and oil solutions may be fatal if aspirated into the lungs during vomiting.
What is the primary difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion?
Heat Stroke: Dry, hot skin and very high body temperature
Heat Exhaustion: Moist clammy skin and normal or subnormal temperatures
What are some symptoms of heat stress?
Fatigue
Dizziness
Clammy or hot skin
Confusion, slurred speech, argumentative, irrational
Headache
Nausea
Chills
Severe thrist and dry mouth
Heavy sweating
What are the two typs of respirators most often required for protection from pesticide exposure?
Atmosphere supplying (oxygen tank) and air-purifying respirators (filtered air)
What are 2 different types of air-purifying respirators?
Powered and non-powered
What is a NIOSH “TC”?
It is a designation which indicates the correct respirator to use for the pesticide.
What steps do you take to clean contaminated clothing?
- Use a heavy-duty liquid detergent for EC’s (emulsifiable concentrate)
- Use 2 cycles for moderate to heavy contamination.
- Rinse the washer with an “empty load”
What are the two main types of drift when using pesticides?
Particle Drift and Vapor Drift
What are the consequences of drift?
- Damage to susceptible off-target sites
- Reduce pest control, which wastes pesticide and money
- Contaminate the environment
What is the term for a spray nozzles average droplet size?
Volume Mean Diameter (VMD)
What are the standard spray droplet spectrum categories, their symbols, and their color code?
Extra Fine- XF- Purple
Very Fine- VF- Red
Fine- F- Orange
Medium- M- Yellow
Coarse- C- Blue
Very Coarse- VC- Green
Extra Coarse- XC- White
Ultra Course- UC- Black
What factors cause drift to occur?
- Sprayer droplet size
- Temperatures over 85 degrees
- Wind speed and direction
- Nozzle height
- Temperature Inversion: exists when air at ground level is cooler than the air above it.
What are the 4 characteristics of a pesticide?
- Solubility
- Adsorption
- Persistence
- Residue
What are the three ways that pesticides are broken down or degraded?
- Chemical Degradation: chemical reaction which usually occurs with water.
- Microbial Action: breakdown of chemicals by soil micro-orgaminsms, such as fungi or bacteria.
- Photodegredation: breakdown of chemicals by sunlight.
What does volatility mean in regards to pesticides?
The tendency of a pesticide to turn into a gas or vapor.
What are the two terms for how a pesticide enters a water source?
- Runoff: an example is rain may bring the pesticide to a larger water source.
- Leaching: downward movement through the soil.
What are the 4 soil characteristics which affect a pesticide’s potentional for leaching (downward movement through the ground into a water source)?
- Texture and structure (Clay versus Rocks versus Sand)
- Organic Matter
- Depth to groundwater
- Geology (permeability of layer between surface soil and groudwater)
How far away from a water source should you be before mixing and loading a pesticide?
50 feet or more
What type of grass is this?
What encourages growth?
When does germination begin?
Where does it thrive?
Is it a Summer or Winter annual?
- Crabgrass
- Alternating wet, dry soil surface in spring
- Mid April
- Sparse turfgrass stand, low mowing, heavy traffic, and full of sun areas.
- Summer Annual
What type of grass is this?
Where does it tyically grow?
How does it spread?
Is it a summer or winter annual?
- Foxtail
- Heavy traffic areas, full of sun, and low mowing
- Bushy, cylinderical seed head at top of stem
- Summer annual
What type of grass is this?
When does it germinate?
Where does it grow best?
Is it a summer or winter annual?
- Goosegrass
- May to June
- Sparse turgrass stand, low mowing, compacted soil
- Summer Annual
What plant is this?
When does it germinate?
Where does it grow best?
Is it a summer or winter annual?
- Common Knotweed
- Early Spring
- Heavy traffic, along roads or driveways
- it is a summer annual
What type of weed is this?
When does it germinate?
How does it spread itself?
Where does it grow best?
Is this a summer or winter annual?
- Annual bluegrass
- Fall to early spring
- Produces seed heads even with low mowing
- Irrigated turf and moist shade
- Winter annual
What type of weed is this?
When and how does it grow?
Is it a summer or winter annual?
- Common chickweed
- From seed in autumn and creeping stems
- Winter annual
What type of weed is this?
How does it spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it a summer or winter annual?
- Henbit
- From seed and roots form lower joints
- Moist soil in shade
- Winter annual
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- Broadleaved plantain
- From seeds and new shoots from tapoot
- weak, thin turf
- It is a perennial
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- White Clover
- From seed and creeping stems
- Can survive close mowing
- Perennial
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- Wild Garlic
- From underground bulbs and aboveground bulbets
- Poorly maintained or thin turf
- Perennial
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- Yellow Nutsedge
- From seed, rhizomes, and tubers
- Wet Soil
- It is a perennial
What type of weed is this?
How does it spread and grow?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- Nimblewill
- Stolon root at nodes produce dense stands
- Especially in Kentucky bluegrass and mowing is not effective
- Perennial
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is this an annual or perennial?
- common dandelion
- From seeds and root shoots
- N/A
- It can be either perennial or annual
What type of weed is this?
How does it grow and spread?
Where does it thrive?
Is it an annual or perennial?
- Wild Violet
- From seed and underground root
- In shade
- It can be either annual or perennial
What type of insect is this?
Which category of damage does this insect fall under?
What is noteworthy about how it eats or its features?
- Aphid (arthropod)
- Piercing-sucking
- It is a sap feeder that falls under piercing-sucking categorization. Much of what they eat is not process in their digestive system and is excreted as “honeydew” which is a sticky. This may lead to sooty mold growing to the deposits.
What type of insect is this?
What type of feeder is this insect?
What is notable about this insect?
When should you treat or retreat plants to control for this insect?
- Scale Insect
- Piercing-sucking
- Scale insects are arthropods that do not have legs, eyes, or antennae. They reproduce by spawning “crawlers” which move out from undereneath the mother and finding a place of their own to latch on to plant. At which point the “crawler” loses it’s eyes, antennae, and legs. It spends the rest of it’s life this way. They then build a large shell or waxy coat around themselves.
- Two to three weeks after the initial treatment.
What type of insect is this?
What type of feeder is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Mite (arthropod)
- Piercing-sucking
- Mites are not insects, but their damage and the methods of control are similar. They have 8 legs and 1 body region. Damage usually appears as a dusty appearance on foilage.
What type of insect is this?
What type of feeder is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Japanese beetle
- Chewing
- The larvae stage of the Japanese beetle is a white grub that feeds below ground on plant roots and is a serious pest to turfgrasses.
What type of insect is this?
What type of feeder is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Bronze birch borer (arthropod)
- Chewing
- The beetle leaves “galleries” underneath the bark and usually causes serious damage to host plants. Girdled plants usually die.
What type of insect is this?
How does this insect feed?
What is special about this insect?
- Fall webworm (caterpillar)
- Chewing
- They build tents at ends of branches. They are generally easily controlled if in a small number by removing them. If there are to many either burning them with a torch, cutting the ends off the branches, or pesticides will kill them.
What type of insect is this?
How does it eat?
What is special about this insect?
- Clearwing Moths (Caterpillar)
- Chewing and boring
- This moth resembles a wasp or hornet. The larvae bore through the cambial layer, causing stress, decline, and occasionally the deth of a plant. Dogwoods, lilacs, and ash are affected by clearwing borers.
What type of insect is this?
How does it eat?
What is special about this insect?
- Sawflies (caterpillar)
- Chewing
- They are wasp-like inseects and are related to typical wasps, bees, and ants. The larval stages of most sawflies resemble naked caterpillars, but they have more than 5 pairs of fleshy legs on the body while caterpillars have 4 sets or less. Some sawfly larvae are sluglike in appearance such as the pear or rose slug. Additionally, some sawflies eat the entire leaf and other skeletonize the leaf. A few types are wood borers or leaf miners. They differ by having fleshy abdominal legs. The most dangerous in KY are ones that feed on coniferous shrubs and trees in packs.
What type of insect is this?
How does it eat?
What is special about this insect?
- Flatheaded borers (Caterpillar Moth or Beetle)
- Chewing
- The larvae make winding tunnels beneath the bark, detroying phloem and combium which girdle the trunk or branch. The tunnels may be visible externally as spiral ridges or cankers on the limbs or trunks.
What type of insect is this?
How does this insect eat?
What is special about this insect?
- Clearwing Borer
- Chewing
- They are delicate, day-flying moths that resemble small wasps. The moths feed only on nectar or not at all, so they do not do damage. The larvae are whitish, hairless caterpillars with brong head. There are a number of different species, but the most damaging clearwing borer are associated with dogwood, lilac, ash, oak, rhododendron, and ornamental Prunus species which include flowring peach, plums, and cherries.
What type of insect is this?
What is special about the insect?
- White grub
- This is the larval stage of certain beetles and chafers. They cause damage because they eat the grass roots and during the hottest part of the season the grass dies from needing water which it can’t absorb because of its roots being damaged.
What insect is this?
What is special about this insect?
- Sod Webworm
- They graze baseball-sized patches of grass that turn brown and die. Dirty silk tubes containing the inch-long caterpillar or pupa can usually be found in the thatch of killed spots. The adut stage of the pest is a small buff moth. There are up to 3 generations per year.
What is the name of this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Armyworm
- They move across areas in groups striping grasses in their path. Fescue is more often attacked than bluegrass.
What insect is this?
What is special about this insect?
- Cutworm
- Cutworms occur in turf and some are hard distinguish from armyworms based on body characteristics. However, they never occur in large numbers as armyworms do.
What is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Pink spotted lady beetle
- This insect feeds on aphids, mites, insect eggs, and small larvae. Plant pollen make up to 50% of the diet.
What is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Multicolored Asian lady beetle
- The large orange lady beetle with variable number of spots. It can be recognized by the black ‘M’ on the white segment over the head. Aggregations of these insects find their way into homes and can ruin rugs and furniture.
What type of insect is this?
What is special about this insect?
- Convergent lady beetle
- Important natural enemy of aphids, scales, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects. It will also feed on pollen and nectar from flowers when prey is scarce. Larger larvae are voractious feeders and may consume between 30 and 50 aphids per day.
What is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Seven-spotted lady beetle
- A medium-sized, orange beetle with seven black spots. it is a European specias that was introduced into the US to aid in managing some aphid pests.
What is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Spider
- Natural predators that feed on many types of prey including pest and beneficial species.
What is this insect?
What is special about this insect?
- Beneficial wasp
- It develops in the bodies of caterpillars. Adult wasps can be very selective when choosing prey.
What is going on in this picture?
What type of creature causes this?
- Worm castings (undigested soil)
- Earthworms and nightcrawlers are abundant in soil. These annelids help to recycle organic matter and their burrows allow osygen and water to enter the soil more easily. However, when many are present their activities and casting can csue the surface to be very lumpy. In additon, new species are beginning to appear in some locations. These worms can cause significant problems in lawns, athletic fields and on golf greens.
What is this creature?
What is important about this creature?
- Skunk
- Skunks damage turf when they discover abundant white grub populations. Skunks dig through the sod and feed on the white grubs, thereby uprooting the sod and aggravating the damage already begun by the grubs. Skunks also may spray a disagreeable smelling substance on unwary people or pets who disturb them.
What is this creature?
What is important about it?
- Birds
- Birds and expecially crows, starlings, and grackles commonly tear up infested turf in search of grubs. Flocks of blackbirds fequenting a turfe sit, or holes left in the turf by their beaks, may indicate a grub problem.
What is this animal?
What is important about this animal?
- Mole
- Moles feed primarily on eartworms, but they may also feed on white grubs, wireworms, beetles, and many other invertebrates. They do not feed on plant roots or other underground plant growth. However, as they tunnel along in their surface runs, moles damage turf roots and may destroy newly seeded lawns. In established turf, the mower may skin the tops of the runs and dull the mower blad as well as create gaps in the sod. Moles also tunnel deep, throwing the excavated soil out of surface openings, thus forming moldhills.
What are the parts of the disease triangle?
What is being shown in the picture?
A fungal leaf spot.
What is being observed in this picture?
Leaf blights from a fungal infection. Leaf blights are generally less regular shaped than leaf spots.
What is being observed in the picture?
Rusts which often produce spots called pustules thar are similar to leaf spots. Pustules may be on either side of a leaf survace and will leave a rust like appearance on your fingers when touched.
What is being observed in the picture?
Powder mildew. The most common symptom is the white or gray layer of fungal growth produced on surfaces of the plant leaves and stems. Crooked stems or bubbled and curled leave may develop if plant buds or very young tissue are infected. Powdery mildew fungi are host specific.
What is being observed in the picture?
Leaf gall diseases which are caused by fungi and are favored by cool, moist weather. When leaves die and fall to the ground they become a source of spores. Most galls seen on plants are caused by insects or mites, however.
What is being observed in this picture?
Root rot. The first signs are yellowing of leaves or wilting. Attempts to correct the problem with fertilizers and water generally yeild little or no response. In order to identify the disease the soil must be carefully dug up around the tree and roots observed for decay which is generally brown to black or mushy/spongy.
What is being observed in the picture?
Stem rot/Stem blight
The pathogens commonly associated with stem rot of ornamentals include the fungus-like water molds Pythium and Phytophthora, and the fungi Rhizoctonia, Sclerotium, and Botrytis. All are common soil inhabiting fungi. Once soild is infected with soilborne fungi it is difficult to disinfest soil. Plants with stem rot show early symptoms of wilt.
Damping-off, a similar disease of seedlings, kills ornamental seedlings during the first few weeks after seed germination.
What is being observed in this picture?
Cankers which are localized sunken lesion areas on trunks, stems, or branches of woody plants. Canker diseases cause bark tissues to shrink and die. Cankers typically begin as small, discolored yellow, brown, or red spots that sometimes appear water-soaked. Fungi which causes cankers usually infect the plant through a wound.
What is being observed in this picture?
Vascular Wilt Diseases. Fungal pathogens such as Fusarium, verticillium, and ophiostoma can cause wilting of many ornamental species by restricting the water flow to leaves and stems. Sometimes the disease is caused by toxins by the pathogen and others because fungi builds up in the water-conducting vessels of the plant and block the transportation of nutrients.
What is being observed in this picture?
Bacteria, single-celled organsims that usually reproduce by simple cell division, some as often as every 30 minutes. They can build up quickly under warm, humid weather conditions. Lear, growing shoots, and fruit diseases are most common types of this disease in Kentucky.
What is being observed in this picture?
Viruses, recognized by their effects on plants. These include stunted growth; change in plant color; abnormal formation of infected roots, stems, leaves, or other fruit. Mosaic diseases, characterized by light and dark blotchy patterns, usaually are caused by viruses. It can be difficult to distinguish between diseases caused by viruses and those caused by other plant disease agents, such as fungi and bacteria. A positive diagnosis requires sophisticated testing, such as inoculating indicator plants and observing the results or using specifically identified antibodies to test for the presence of the organism.
What is being observed in this picture?
Nematodes. The life cycle of a nematode includes an egg, several larval stages, and an adult. most larvae look like small adults. In adverse conditions, females of some species form inactive and resistant forms called cysts. The cysts are difficult to penetrate with pesticides and may protect the egg for up to 10 years.
What is being observed in this picture?
Helminthosporium leaf spot. It is a common disease problem of Kentucky bluegrass and is often referred to as “melting-out.” At a distance leaf spot-affected areas appear chlorotic or yellowed. Individual spots on the leaves have dark margins with tan centers. The spotting is most noticeable in spring and early summer.
What is being observed in this picture?
Dollar spot which affects a wide variety of grasses including Kentucky bluegrass, bermuda grass, perennial ryegrass, zoysia, tall fescue, and bentgrasses. The fungus is active throughout the growing season, especially when there is low soil moisture and an excess of dew or fog. It is most prevalent in the spring.
What is being observed in this picture?
Pythium blight which is caused by a number of species of the fungus Pythium. The fungus primarily attacks perennial ryegrass and bentgrass although other grasses can be affected. Conditions that favor Pythium blight include abundant moisture and poor air circulation. The disease is most active in hot, humid wather when the night temperature does not go below 70 degrees.
What is being observed in this picture?
Brown patch which is a common fungal disease of fescues, perennial ryegrass and bentgrass. It develops most readily when daytime highs exceed 80 degrees fahrenheit and nightime lows are in themid 60’s or higher.
What is being observed in the picture?
Summer patch which affects Kentucky bluegrass and annual bluegrass. Circular to irregular patches of dead turf up to 1-2 feet in diameter develop during hot weather in mid-late summer. Below ground, roots and crowns of affected plants ar brown and decayed, a result of fungal colonization. A tuft of healthy, green grass is sometimes evident in the center of affected patches, giving them a characteristic “donut” appearance.
What is being observed in this picture?
Necrotic Ring Spot which is another disease of bluegrasses with symptoms similar to summer patch. In contrast to summer patch, symptoms of necrotic ring spot can develop following cool, wet weather in late spring or mid-autumn. Necrotic ring spot is less common in Kentucky than summer patch.
What is being observed in the picture?
Rust which is a problem on Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, zoysia, perennial ryegrass, and bermuda grasses. Rust infection results from rust spores whcih are blown to the plant from distant areas or from nearby alternate hosts. Large numbers of spores are produced in the leaf spot (pustule). These spores are then the source of new infections. The disease is most fequently found during cool, humid weather during autumn. Grass varieties differe in susceptibility to rust.
What is being observed in this picture?
Red thread which is irregularly shpaed patches of blighted turfgrass, ranging from a few inches to a few feet in diameter. often, as diseased leaves turn brown, pink or reddish fungal growth can be observed on the leaf surface or emerging from the cut ends o fleaves. This disease affects most of the common grasses grown in Kentucky and is often found during spring and early summer. The disease is favored by conditions of low nitrogen fertility.
What is being observed in the picture?
Mushroom Fairy Ring which can occur in any turf. The ring appears as a circular discoloration of grass from several inches to many yards in diameter. Mushrooms (toadstools) may appear at the edge of the ring during warm, moist periods. The ring of grass is generally a darker green than the grass inside and outside the ring. During periods of moisture stress, the grass inside the ring may die. Fairy rings gradually increase in size.
What is being observed in the picture?
Slime molds which are commonly found on lawns in warm, moist weather. This fungal growth on grass leaves may be either a small, crust like, light to dark mass with a sooty appearance or a tan to orange shapeless mass. The fungus causing this unsightly problem does not infect the grass blade. It simply uses it for support. The only effect it has on the plant i sto temporarily reduced food production by the grass leaf is a result of the shade from the slime.
