Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic Update – April 27, 2018

The following are highlights and updates about samples and questions recently received in the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Visit the PIDC's Facebook page for updates and more pictures. For more information on a particular disease or insect problem listed, follow the article cited.

The following are plant diseases and insect damage highlights of last month's sample submissions from fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals.  

PlantPest/Problem typeDiagnosis (link to encyclopedia article)
Scarlet OakInsect damageWoodborer activity in dead limb
ArborvitaePathogensPhyllosticta needle blight

Eastern White Pine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abiotics 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suspected winter injury

 Winter injury symptoms
Scots PineInsect damagePine tortoise scale

Mandevilla

 

 

Pathogens

watermold (Phytophthora) structures

 

Phytophthora crown rot and shoot blight

Crown rot symptoms (discolored areas)

 

Million BellsPathogensPowdery mildew
GeraniumAbioticsSuspected abiotic disorder

Tomato

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pathogens

Botrytis fungal structures

Gray Mold -Botrytis Stem canker

Gray mold canker signs in tomato stem 
TomatoAbioticsSuspected injury
Green BeanPathogens, Insect damageThrips, Twospotted spider mites
TomatoAbioticsSuspected nutrient imbalance

 

Identification summary:

ServicePest CategoryIdentification 
Insect ID ArthropodsBed bug
Insect ID ArthropodsMulticolored Asian lady beetle
Plant ID Plants/WeedsInsufficient sample
Plant ID Plants/WeedsCommon Chickweed
Plant ID Plants/WeedsEuropean black alder

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Yard and Garden, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on April 27, 2018. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.