Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects. Some of them feed on more than one type of plant— for example, apple grass aphids feed on young new leaves and blossoms of apples
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Pests and Diseases
Oystershell scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi) belongs to a group of insects called the armored scales. The “armor,” is produced by a waxy secretion combined with the insect’s own body cast during
Over the past decade, spruce trees have suffered an abundance of issues. All species of spruce, including Colorado blue and white spruce, are being affected, but particularly concerning is the
Boxwood blight is caused by the non-native fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata. American and English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) are most susceptible to this disease whereas many Asian species of boxwood, and hybrids
Pear trellis rust is caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae. It was introduced into the United States from Europe in the 1990s and has been progressively spreading through states in
Adult sawflies are often similar in appearance to flies or wasps. The larvae are also similar, though sawflies have one simple eye on each side of the head and five
Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. This disease impacts certain shade trees resulting in uneven ‘scorching’ of leaf margins in late summer and early fall.
Two common causes of root disease in California are species of the fungus Armillaria and species of Phytophthora, which are fungus-like organisms. There are many differences between the two pathogens,
Leaf curl and leaf blister are a group of diseases caused by the fungus Taphrina. Taphrina caerulescens is the causal agent of oak leaf blister, and Taphrina deformans is the
The coast live oak is an important part of both the wild and urban landscape through most of coastal California. When these beloved trees are defoliated by our native oakworm
One of the most under-diagnosed causes of tree failure are root rot pathogens. Here in southern California we have a few rots that plague our trees and I want to
If your trees or shrubs suffered badly from insect attack this year (e.g., aphid, scale, red spider mite, etc.), then there is an extremely high probability that they will be
Though strangely beautiful with their metallic green bodies and copper wings, Japanese beetles are a major pest in the eastern U.S. that feed on more than 300 different plant species.
Natural defense systems enable trees to ‘fight back’ when they’re under attack from pests or disease or facing stress from environmental conditions like drought. Even with these defense systems in
Most tree pests leave visible signs of their presence – if you know what to look for. Sometimes it’s easy to dismiss these observable symptoms. After all, it’s just a