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2024 Pest Watch
Spruce Beetles- Multiple Varieties
Introduction: Native to Canada and United States these insects can become pests when trees are stressed (most often environmental conditions ie. Drought and logging or die back of stands). Bringing a fungus with it, this pest should be managed quickly before populations exceed reasonable thresholds and health of tree declines.
Signs and Symptoms: Stunted foliage this spring is followed by die back the following spring, due to reduction of nutrients to a limb or trunk. Sometimes a red interior canopy or pale green effect can be seen before die back occurs. Exit wounds can be found on limbs and stems from emerging adults. Die back is sometimes misidentified as wood pecker or drought die back as well as Needle Cast Fungi as they look similar.
Treatments: Foliage sprays, systemic injections, trapping, health management required with this pest.
Cottony Ash Psyllid- Psyllopsis discrepans
Introduction: This invasive insect from Eurasia was reported in Saskatoon as an outbreak in 2006. Because this pest is not native to Canada, limited predators exist and we rely mainly on cold winters (-40 or colder winters, several weeks with low humidity). A program if designed properly can control populations until favorable winters occur to offer mass drops in population. This pest has two generations per year, increasing their ability to damage plants and spread from tree to tree.
Locations: So far, it has been reported in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as south into the northern states. This pest is found on Manchurian Ash, Black Ash and Northern Treasure Ash trees. Eggs laid in between the bud and twig overwinter, as they hatch in spring they move towards the bottom of the leaf. Adults can be found on leaves, twigs, stems and other yellow or bright objects near infested trees such as sticky cards for monitoring.
Treatments: Dormant sprays, Contact sprays, systemic injections, health management of tree is required.
Bronze Birch Borer- Agrilus anxius
Introduction: Bronze Birch Borer can affect all Birch species, some being more resistant than others. Causing die back aggressively, this pest if left untreated or ignored can in fact kill your tree. The populations will rise and fall as infested trees perish and are removed or treated. It is believed that it has a 2 year life cycle in Saskatchewan. It is common to see top-downward die back in limbs. Trees growing vigorously may survive treatment if 40%die back or less is evident and health is maintained during treatment.
Signs and Symptoms: Stunted foliage this spring is followed by die back the following spring, due to reduction of nutrients to a limb or trunk. D shaped exit wounds can be found here from emerging adults. Feeding may be observed in the foliage in June/ July. A rusting ooze is sometimes observed from exit wounds and fresh entrances by larva. Die back is sometimes misidentified as wood pecker or drought die back as they look similar.
Treatments: Foliage sprays, systemic injections, trapping, health management required with this pest.
Poplar Borer- Saperda calcarata
Introduction: Poplar Borer can affect all Poplar species, some being more likely infected than others, Such as Tower Poplar. Causing die back aggressively, this pest if left untreated or ignored can in fact kill your tree and pose significant safety risks. The populations will rise and fall as infested trees perish and are removed or treated. It is believed that it has a 2 year life cycle in Saskatchewan. It is common to see top-downward die back in limbs. Trees growing vigorously may survive treatment if 30%die back or less is evident and health is maintained during treatment.
Signs and Symptoms: Stunted foliage this spring is followed by die back the following spring, due to reduction of nutrients to a limb or trunk. Exit wounds can be found near wood dust (frass) from emerging adults. Red oozing is commonly found here as well. Feeding may be observed in the foliage from June to August. Die back is sometimes misidentified as wood pecker or drought die back as they look similar.
Treatments: Foliage sprays, systemic injections, trapping, health management required with this pest.