This is the 29th 2008 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL).  BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   to subscribe.  Additional Factsheet information on any of these articles may be found through the OSU fact sheet database http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by major support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ and http://buckeyegardening.com/ to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape, and Turf Team (ENLTT).  Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at http://bygl.osu.edu , a web site sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective."  The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Following are the participants in the October 21st conference call:  Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Hamilton/Piketon); Julie Crook (Hamilton); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); David Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Joe Rimelspach (Plant Pathology); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); Curtis Young (Allen) and Randy Zondag (Lake).

In This Issue:

1. WEATHERWATCH
2. HORT SHORTS:  Plants of the Week [Common Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) and Toad Lily (Tricyrtis spp.)]; Evergreen Needles Not Everlasting; and BYGL Not Dormant.
3. BUGBYTES:  Ants Under Plants; Millions of Midges; Along Came a Spider; Mites Invading House; Seeing Purple [Emerald Ash Borer Trapping]; and Half of Ohio Counties Now Quarantined [Emerald Ash Borer].
4. DISEASE DIGEST:  Announcing a New Plant Disease Factsheet Series; and Not Finished With Disease Control.
5. TURF TIPS:  Grubs All Dried Up; and Save Time Raking.
6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:  Cincinnati Flower Growers Marketing Roundtable Summary; and Forgotten Sprayer.
7. COMING ATTRACTIONS:  Green Industry In 2010: The Dynamics Of Hypercompetition; Greater Cleveland Flower Growers Fall Seminar; Wintergreen Expo & Conference; Advanced Soils School; Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show;  Poinsettia Trials; Perennial And Ornamental Landscape School; OSU Nursery Short Course & CENTS; and Recert Yourself  [Pesticide Conferences].
8. BYGLOSOPHY

The following weather information summarizes data collected at various OARDC Weather Stations spanning the dates:  October 1 - October 22, 2008 with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Wednesday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, see:

• OARDC Weather Stations

*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK.  COMMON WINTERBERRY HOLLY (Ilex verticillata).  The bright red berries of this full bodied bush are now obvious against the purple tinged, yellow-green leaves, with the arrival of fall temperatures.

Winterberry holly, also called coralberry or Michigan holly provides season long interest in the landscape, as it produces small clusters of sweet scented white flowers in the spring, followed by dark green lustrous leaves in the summer.  Perhaps the most outstanding period is during the winter, when the drupes of red berries contrast against the white snow to provide color in a sometimes bleak landscape.  Unless the birds devour them earlier, the berries will persist until January.

This deciduous member of the holly family can reach 6-10' tall and wide but can become 20' tall if allowed to grow.  It will thrive in hardiness zones 3-9, so is an excellent choice for screens, bird gardens and borders in Ohio.

Typical of hollies, these plants are dioecious, and although the flowers are not large or showy, the honey bees are abuzz around the flowers for nectar, as well as other pollinating insects.  As Shakespeare wrote in his play As You Like It, "Heigh-ho! Sing heigh-ho! Unto the green holly we go!"

For more information, see:

• Winterberry Holly
• USDA Fact Sheet in Winterberry Holly

* PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE WEEK.  TOAD LILY (Tricyrtis spp.)   The unique, orchid-like blooms of this plant often stand out in the perennial garden at this time of the year after most others have faded from their earlier glory.  The approximately 20 species and large number of varieties of this Asian plant bloom from late summer into very late fall and exhibit a wonderful range of colors.  Some are creamy white and heavily flecked with purple spots.  Others are tinted with blue or purple.  There are a few yellow species.   They prefer moist, slightly acidic, organic-rich soil and abundant shade. Never allow the roots to become severely dry.  Plants are rhizomatous but not overly aggressive, forming dense, yet manageable colonies.  They are cold hardy to zone 5.

Dave Goerig visited a condominium community in Mahoning County last week at the request of the chairman of the grounds committee for the development.  The grounds committee believed the white pines on their grounds were compromised and dying.  Upon arriving at the site, Dave could see most of the white pine trees had needles turning brown.  Upon close inspection he noticed the needles were only turning brown within the inner canopy.  The needles at the end of the branches were green and did not show signs of browning.  The buds of the trees were healthy and there were no apparent signs of insect entry on the bark.  Despite the fact that we call needled conifers, "evergreen", in reality, the needles only last between 2-3 years on the pines.  Spruce needles can persist beyond 3 years whereas fir trees hold on to their needles the longest which makes them a favorite for Christmas trees.

	Joe Boggs reported receiving several questions from home gardeners regarding large ant mounds beneath woody and herbaceous perennials in southwest Ohio.  Soil was observed heaped high on the stems, and in some cases the affected plants were showing symptoms of dieback and decline.  The most likely culprits were either BLACK FIELD ANTS (Formica subsericea), or ALLEGHENY MOUND ANTS (F. excectoides).  Both of these ants are relatively large with foraging workers measuring around 1/4" in length.  Both are also associated with aphids, or other plant-sucking insects.  The ants protect the sucking insects by fending off predators.  In return, the sucking insects provide the ants with high energy carbohydrates in the form of honeydew.
	Allegheny mound ants are one of the true mound-builders of the ant world.  Their dome-shaped mounds may be several feet in diameter, and reach a dizzying ant-height of 30".  Mound ants range in color from chestnut red to black, to a combination of red and black.  The ants are very aggressive, and they can use their powerful mandibles to deliver a noticeable pinching bite to a probing finger.  However, their threat to people is inconsequential compared to their impact on plants.  Mound ants are capable of killing small bushes and trees by injecting formic acid into wounds created by their mandibles.  They use this ability to clear plants that shade their mounds.  All vegetation, with the exception of large trees, may be killed within 40-50' of large, well-established mounds.  They have a deserved reputation of being a serious nursery and Christmas tree production pest.
	Black field ants are much less accomplished mound-builders.  They form large, low-profile mounds of loose soil.  These ants do not inject formic acid into plants, so they are not direct plant killers.  However, they often heap soil over low-growing plants and they will pile soil high onto plant stems.  Their plant-smothering mounds have been known to cause plants to decline and die.  In particular, they are sometimes considered a serious pest of turfgrass.  These large black ants are also very aggressive, and they will attempt to bite using their powerful, well developed mandibles. Although both Allegheny mound ants and black field ants feed on honeydew produced by plant-sucking insects, they are also very effective predators.  The ants may be observed dragging their victims (presumably kicking and screaming!) back to their mounds to be surgically dismantled for protein.  Since both species are considered beneficial insects, management efforts should focus on plant protection.  Both species of ants can be persuaded to move by repeated destruction of their mounds.  If a more powerful management tool is needed, an application of a bait-formulated ant insecticide can deplete populations of these mound builders.  Of course, applicators should read closely and follow the label directions.

• OSU Extension "Bug Doc" FactSheet
• University of Kentucky Extension FactSheet

The swarms are called mating swarms, and in many midge species they are composed of a throng of lovesick male midge flies.  Swarms may be massive numbering in the thousands to tens of thousands.  Every now and then, an adventurous female midge will try to fly through the aerial mass of zooming, swooping amorous males.  The males fly with their legs outstretched in the hope they will snag the female to … get acquainted.  Love is in the air!

Midge flies are very small, measuring no more than 3/8" in length.  They strongly resemble mosquitoes.  They are about the same size as mosquitoes, they have the same delicate wings and legs, and they make an audible buzzing sound when they fly.  However, midge flies do not bite, they lack scales on their wings, and male midges flies have large, conspicuous fern-like or feathery (plumose) antennae.  Also, mosquitoes do not typically gather in close-flying swarms.

There are over 760 species of Chironomid midge flies in North America.  Midge fly larvae occur in many types of aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.  These habitats include water in pools, ponds, lakes, slow moving streams, drainage ditches, clogged drainage tiles, containers, clogged rain gutters, and in some cases, wet soil or seepage areas.  Most feed on living or decaying plant matter and are an important part of aquatic food chains.  Many species can survive in very stagnant or polluted water.  Some of the aquatic forms live in tubes or cases composed of fine particles of the substrate cemented together with salivary secretions.

Some Chironomid midge fly larvae have hemoglobin in their blood which gives them a blood-red color, and the common name of "bloodworms."  Note that the common name is spelled as a contraction to differentiate from marine "blood worms" (Glycera dibranchiata) which are "true worms" (Phylum Annelida) and are prized as fish bait.  Such are the challenges with common names!

Chironomid midge flies are considered beneficial owing to their status as decomposers in aquatic ecosystems, and because they serve as an important food item at the base of aquatic food chains.  While their swarms may re-appear in the same locations for several days, they are usually just a nuisance to joggers and bicyclists passing through.  However, large numbers of mating swarms have been known to present a traffic hazard because of smashed midge bodies on windshields.  It is assumed some of the midges died with a smile on their midge faces!

For more information, see:

• University of Missouri FactSheet
• N.C. State Department of Entomology Insect Notes

Bolas spiders are fascinating because of the way they hunt.  Unlike other orbweavers, they do not produce a web.  Instead, they hang from a single silk thread, and dangle another silk thread that is tipped with a sticky ball of silk.  When a perspective meat-item, which is usually a moth, draws near, the spider uses their front legs to swing the sticky-tipped thread like a bolas towards their prey in an attempt to snag a meal.  Their success rate is enhanced by chemical trickery.  Bolas spiders produce and release chemicals that mimic sex pheromones produced by certain female moths to attract male mates.  Of course, the male moths attracted by spider's faux pheromones are not the object of the spider's affection.

The spiders are relatively small in size and most species have mottled, bulbous, irregularly shaped abdomens with protruding knobs.  The knobs on some species strongly resemble eyes.  Indeed, Dave described the species he observed as looking like "bird poo with two eyes."  Like all spiders, bolas spiders sport fang-like chelicerae that they use to inject digestive enzymes into their hapless (confused?) prey; however, their bites to people are not considered dangerous.

Black widow spiders, on the other hand, are capable of inflicting a dangerous bite.  Fortunately, bites are extremely rare.  Unfortunately, the black widow's malevolent reputation and secretive nature makes them the subject of several misconceptions.

Two misconceptions are represented by the old saying, "hour glass red, you are dead."  While a black widow's bite is very serious, the spiders are not aggressive and they seldom venture into occupied homes or buildings.  The widows in Ohio prefer to live outside in old abandoned buildings, barns and wooden outhouses.  The deep red marking on the underside of the bulbous abdomen is not always shaped like an hour-glass, and it may be orangish-red or yellow.  Some individuals have no markings, while others sport a red line on the top of the abdomen.

A final misconception is that black widows are rare in Ohio.  Our state is home to two species of black widow spiders:  the common black widow (L. mactans); and the northern black widow spider (L. variolus).  Both species are commonly found throughout the state; however, their secretive nature contributes to the misconception that black widow spiders are rare.  The widow spiders are grouped with "cobweb weavers," and produce a small, tangled web.  Their inconspicuous web coupled with their black color makes widow spiders difficult to spot among the stems and leaves of vegetation.

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension FactSheet

A BYGLer reported dealing with a client battling mites from birds that had nested in a house.  The birds had been dealt with to get them out of the house, but now mites, apparently from the nests of the birds, were entering the house on a regular basis.  Dave Shetlar reported that mites from birds could survive in some houses from a week to several months depending on the environmental conditions in the house.  In some cases, the bird mite problems may persist year round when their hosts are present year round, such as when pigeons are constantly present.

There are several species of mites that could potentially infest birds, but two are very common:  NORTHERN FOWL MITE (Ornithonyssus sylviarum), and the CHICKEN MITE (Dermanyssus gallinae).  These mites typically infest domestic fowl, pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, robins and other wild birds.  Mite populations can build rapidly while birds and nestlings are present in the house.  When the birds are removed or leave at the end of the breeding season, mites left in the nest will wander away from the nest in search of new hosts to feed upon.  These mites can get on humans and bite humans but they do not reproduce on humans or other animals other than birds. 

Mites that find their way indoors are easily removed by vacuuming or can be killed with an aerosol insecticide, such as bifenthrin.  The best way to deal with bird mite problems is to prevent the birds from nesting on or in structures and to remove abandoned nests quickly.  Although pigeons, starlings and sparrows can be removed at any time, other birds that may choose to nest or roost in or on houses must be dealt with carefully because they are protected under the 1918 Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be disturbed. They must be left to leave on their own and once they leave, then actions can be taken to prevent them from coming back.

For more information, see:

• Mites Affecting Humans
• Bird and Rodent Mites in the Home

This year, 47 states including Ohio, placed purple traps in the search of the EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB).  The three sided corrugated plastic traps covered with glue were placed in the canopy of ash trees.  Each trap has a lure that hung in the center of the trap making it more attractive to the adult beetles. 

Nearly 8,000 traps were placed in the buckeye state, with the focus of ODA surveyors in counties where EAB had not yet been discovered.  The purple traps replaced the previously used detection trees, where living ash trees were girdled, left standing during the flight season of the adult beetles, and then cut down and the bark peeled looking for larvae feeding in the phloem tissue.

ODA has removed over 60% of the purple traps in Ohio and are working hard to remove the traps that remain.  Once the traps are taken down, surveyors examine the purple panels for EAB.  If the surveyor suspects EAB, specimens are collected and submitted to USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Brighton, Michigan for confirmation.  If the specimen was determined to be EAB, and official announcement is made by ODA.

For more information, see:

• Trapping Map

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) expanded the state’s EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) quarantine on October 14 to include Clermont County, in the southwestern portion of the state.  The quarantine, which is designed to slow the spread of the ash tree-killing insect, prohibits the movement of ash trees, parts of an ash tree, and all hardwood firewood from infested areas.

Since EAB was first discovered in Ohio in 2003, the department has placed 44 counties, or half of Ohio's counties under quarantine.  This quarantine has been established to stop the movement of firewood and ash logs, which are the largest contributors to the spread of EAB.  For the latest quarantine map, visit the ODA website at http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab/plnt-eab-maps.stm .

With the quarantine in effect, it is illegal to take ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood from any quarantined county into a non-quarantined county without a compliance agreement from ODA.  Firewood dealers, businesses, or woodlot owners interested in marketing and transporting ash trees, ash logs, or firewood from quarantined areas can do so only with a department approved compliance agreement.  These agreements stipulate handling practices that reduce the spread of EAB.  Violators of this quarantine may face fines up to $4,000.  It is also illegal to take these items out of the state, per the federal quarantine.  Fines associated with the federal quarantine can be as high as $250,000. 

For information on the EAB, compliance agreements, firewood restrictions, purple traps, and quarantine updates, call 1-888-OHIO-EAB.  Three websites that should be on your favorites include ODA's at http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab/ ; OSU Extension's at http://ashalert.osu.edu/ ; and a regional website maintained by Michigan State University at http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ .

For more information, see:

• Ohio Agriculture
• Ashalert
• EAB Info

The OSU Department of Plant Pathology has released of a new series of factsheets designed to provide an overview of key plant disease concepts including the reasons why plants get sick, how to diagnose plant problems, and how to control disease and manage for healthy plants.  Coauthored by faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology in conjunction with OSU Extension colleagues from around Ohio, this new series will be useful to those who teach, both in the classroom or in the field, and for those wanting to learn some plant pathology essentials.

The Fact Sheets listed below can be found in OSU Extension's "Ohioline" web site:  http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/index.html .  The Introduction to Plant Disease Series includes the following pdf files:

• Plants Get Sick Too!  An Introduction to Plant Diseases
• Diagnosing Sick Plants
• 20 Questions on Plant Diagnosis
• Keeping Plants Healthy: An Overview of Integrated Plant Health Management
• Viral Diseases of Plants
• Bacterial Diseases of Plants
• Fungal and Fungal-like Diseases of Plants
• Nematode Diseases of Plants
• Parasitic Higher Plants

Check-out the new Fact Sheets in this series!  Each provides excellent background information that augments information found in other factsheets dealing with specific diseases.

Though many people have to be educated that it is too late to apply pesticides to control leaf diseases on plants it is not too late to school them on use of garden hygiene to reduce disease pressure next year.  Insect and disease problems often overwinter on infected leaves and stems left in the landscape.  Removing these safe harbors will not prevent a disease outbreak next year, but it can reduce the severity.  Most perennials can be pruned down to the ground and leaves of woody plants can be raked out of the beds.  If there were pest problems this past year, you should be extra careful to do a good cleanup this fall.  If the garden trash is added to a compost pile, be sure the pile is well constructed so it heats up and decays completely or else you may just spread insect and disease troubles with the compost the following season.

Dave Shetlar reported that overall, the annual white grub population in Central Ohio was disappointing this year, due to the extended drought this summer.  As the turf was pulled back during the "Annual Grub Dig" a few weeks ago in Franklin County, many of the grubs had shriveled and stayed within their earthen cells.  Overall, 50-60% of the Japanese beetle grubs were still in their 2nd instar and withered, while the masked chafers had made it to the 3rd instar.  Those in unirrigated areas were greatly reduced in size, with no relief of rainfall in the near future.

Although Japanese beetles will intentionally lay eggs in green turfgrass to ensure their progeny's survival, rainfall was plentiful in the spring, but the faucet was plugged from July to September.  Central Ohio was actually 3" above the average rainfall by the end of June, but the rate steadily plunged, so by the 1st of September, it was 6" short of the average monthly rainfall since July 1.  What seemed like prime feeding sites for her larvae dried up, along with the grubs' chance of survival.  Southwestern Ohio counties are considered to be in a serious drought and in even worse shape.  At this point it is possible that Japanese beetle and masked chafer populations will be lower or later in these areas.

For more information, see:

• White Grub Identification
• White Grubs in Turfgrass

It's great to have large shade trees but disposal of the leaves can be a challenge. There is good news, however.  Studies done at Michigan State University, Purdue University and Cornell University demonstrate that you do not have to rake and bag leaves or have the municipality haul them away. Instead, mulch them with your lawn mower.  It will save work, improve your soil, add nutrients to the lawn and reduce yard waste disposal.  Here's how to do it.  These studies conclude that there were many more benefits than negatives for turf managers and homeowners who mulch tree leaves into existing sites.

Use a mulching mower or take the grass catcher off your mower and mow over the leaves.  Any kind of rotary-action mower will do the job, and any kind of leaves can be chopped up.  Depending on the depth of the leaves several passes may be required to chop the leaves fine enough to work down into the lawn canopy.  Once the shredded leaves settle in, microbes and worms will recycle the leaf tissue.

For more information, see:

• Mulching Leaves
• Leaf Mulching and Turf Performance

It is no secret that pesticide application costs a great deal of money.   Properly maintained and calibrated equipment can substantially reduce a spray budget. The list for pre-storage sprayer maintenance should include:

• Run a non-toxic antifreeze through the system to prevent damage to pumps, hoses and valves.
• Check for leaks and crack in hoses and tanks.
• Clean screens and nozzles.
• Replace worn or damaged nozzles.
• Remove pressure gauge and store in a warm indoor area (hopefully the gauge is calibrated).

November 6, 2008.  Join us at Eagle Creek Growers, 10151 Asbury Rd, Mantua, for tours and program including web design, water testing and greenhouse monitoring.  Pesticide credit available.  Registration flyer available at:  http://lorain.osu.edu/horticulture/commhort/programs

November 12 - 13, 2008, IX Center, Cleveland.  Sponsored by Ohio Landscapers Association [OLA].  Pesticide applicator credits available.  For registration call OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or look online at:  http://www.ohiolandscapers.org

Poinsettia Trials  for growers:  December 3, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., Krueger Madduxx, 8166 North State Rd., Highway 101, Sunmam, IN 47041; December 8, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bostdorff Greenhouse Acres, 18832 N. Dixie Highway, Bowling Green, OH 43402; December 10, 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Dill's Greenhouses, 5800 Rager Rd., Groveport, OH 43125; December 12, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Barco & Sons, Inc., 6650 Branch Rd., Medina, OH 44256.  Pesticide credit available at the Medina location.  Flyer posted at:  http://lorain.osu.edu/horticulture

The Pesticide Education Program Commercial Recertification Conference Registration is open on-line at, http://pested.osu.edu .  Note that there are no price increases for this winter.  ODA will be mailing their recertification status letters and recertification brochures to Ohio commercial applicators in late October.  Copies of the brochures will be sent to county offices in 2 weeks.  There are a number of local private pesticide schools throughout the coming months.  The first of our commercial conferences will not occur until December.  The later date is to allow more time after the end of the licensing year (Sept. 30), and new programming for the winter.  The following are the dates for upcoming conferences:

COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES
General Conferences
January 21, 2009 – Dayton Convention Center
February 10, 2009 – Sandusky, Kalahari Conference Center
February 25, 2009 – Columbus Convention Center (held in conjunction with field crops conference)
March 11, 2009 – Akron, John S. Knight Center

FIELD CROP CONFERENCES
December 17, 2008 – Lima, Reed Hall, Ohio State University, Lima Campus
February 25, 2009 – Columbus Convention Center (held in conjunction with general conference)

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz