Main Menu
Resources

College Resources
Search

Contact Information

S-225 Ag Science Center Lexington, KY 40546-0091

(859) 257-7450

entchair@uky.edu

Calendar for Common Kentucky Shade Tree and Woody Ornamental Pests

Calendar for Common Kentucky Shade Tree and Woody Ornamental Pests

ENTFACT-447: Calendar for Common Kentucky Shade Tree & Woody Ornamental Pests 

by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture 

This calendar shows many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky. It should be helpful in anticipating pest activity or in identifying potential pests when trying to diagnose problems during the season. The pests are listed alphabetically by month, in most cases with information on where to look for them (usually on the foliage). For pests such as scales and borers, there is information on when the vulnerable stage is active rather than when the more visible adults are present. The “When to look” column indicates when the feeding stages should be present. Pests with multiple generations appear more than once on the calendar. This publication has been prepared to serve as an aid in evaluating landscape plantings for pests, it is not intended to be a spray schedule. 

The geographical and seasonal weather variations across Kentucky will result in pests appearing sooner or later in a particular year. Both plant and insect development are temperature-dependent so seasonal appearance of particular pests should follow a predictable sequence that correlates with the flowering of particular landscape plants. More accurate predictions can be made by using ENT-66, “Timing control actions for landscape insect pests using flowering plants as indicators”. The information in ENT-66 will help you to know when to check plants for pests and to schedule control measures more effectively. ENT or Entfact publications for specific pests are listed below the pest name so that you can get more detailed information. If none are listed, you can look in other references.

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in March in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Maple gall mites Maple twigs and buds (preventive) late March through early April Snowball aphid Viburnum mid-March through mid-April Spruce spider mite Needles and twigs of conifers mid-March through April White pine aphid White pine needles - terminal foliage late March to mid-April

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in April in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Aphids New growth and lower leaf surface mid-April to early May Cankerworms Foliage of beech, elm, maple, oaks, and others April through May Eastern tent caterpillar Branch crotches of cherry, crabapples, apple and related early April to mid-May Euonymus scale Twigs and stems of Euonymus, Pyracantha, Pachysandra several generations late April through August European pine sawfly Mugho, Scotch, other pines April through mid-June Holly leaf miner Upper and lower holly leaf surfaces late April through early May Honeylocust plant bug Foliage of honeylocust and black locust mid-April through May Lilac borer Lilac trunk and branches, especially by wounds First flight late April Locust leaf miner Locust foliage June Pine needle scale Needles of pines, especially Mugho and Scotch, spruce and other conifers Crawlers in late April to early May San Jose Scale Twigs and bark Crawlers late April, several generations Woolly alder aphid Silver maple April Yellow poplar weevil Poplar, sassafras, and magnolia April and May

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in May in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Azalea lace bug Azaleas, especially evergreen varieties and mountain laurel May and July Bagworm Foliage of host, especially arbovitae, juniper mid-May through mid-June Birch leaf miner Birch early May and mid-June Boxwood leaf miner Boxwood foliage mid-May through mid-June Boxwood psyllid Underside of boxwood leaves mid-May to mid-June Bronze birch borer Bark, especially upper branches of birch late May to early June Dogwood borer Dogwood trunks and branches May to mid-June Elm leaf beetle Elm mid-May through early July European red mite Foliage of host May through June Fall webworm Tents at end of branches in various trees late May through June Juniper scale Juniper and arbovitae twigs and branches Egg hatch in May Linden looper Oaks, maples, elm, hickory, ash May through June Oystershell scale Twigs and branches of willow, lilac, apple, others Crawlers in early May Pine bark adelgid Twigs and branches of white and Scotch pines early to mid-May but several generations Pine webworm Va pine, short and longleaf pines May Poplar tentmaker Poplar and willow May through October Taxus mealybug Trunk and branches of Taxus, apple, cedar, linden, maple Active in late May, 2 to 3 generations/year Walnut caterpillar Black walnut, pecan, hickory May White pine aphid White pine terminal needles mid-May Yellow poplar weevil Poplar, sassafrass, and magnolia mid-May

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in June in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Birch leaf miner Birch foliage mid-June Dogwood sawfly Dogwood June through July Introduced pine sawfly White, red, Scotch, Austrian and other pines June Leafhoppers Foliage of many trees, especially redbud June Locust leaf miner Locust June Mimosa webworm Mimosa mid -June Nantucket pine tip moth Pine leaders early June Oak skeletonizer Oaks June Redheaded pine sawfly Pine needles mid-June through Sept, 2 to 3 generations/year Rose slugs Rose leaves mid-June Spruce needle miner Spruce June through hard frost

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in July in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Azalea lace bug Azaleas, especially evergreen and mountain laurel July European hornet Twigs of lilac, birch, rhododendron July through early Sept Fall webworm Tents at end of branches in various trees mid- to late July Japanese beetle Foliage of host July through August Orangestriped oakworm Red and white oaks July through September Pine needle scale Needles of pines, especially Mugho and Scots, spruce and other conifers mid- to late July Rose slugs Rose leaves mid-July through mid-August Spiny oakworm Red and white oaks July through September Two spotted spider mite Underside of leaves, many plants mid-July through mid-August Woolly alder aphid Alder June through September

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in august in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Locust leaf miner Locust August Mimosa webworm Mimosa August Oak skeletonizer Oaks August Pine webworm Va pine, short and longleaf pines August Tuliptree scale Tuliptree twigs and branches Crawlers in late August

many of the common insects and mites that feed on shade trees and woody ornamentals in Kentucky in September in the format: Pest, Where to look / treat, When to look Cottony maple scale Twigs of maple honeylocust others Crawlers in early September Magnolia scale Magnolia twigs and branches Crawlers in early September Spruce spider mite Needles and twigs of conifers September

Issued: 1/03 
Revised: 3/26 

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication. 

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE! 

Photos courtesy Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Entomology 

Categories

ENTfact
General Landscape-Pest Topics
Landscape

Visit Us
Kentucky Pest News
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Departmental Calendar
Weekly Seminar
Departmental Forms

Graduate Program
How To Apply
Entomology Club on Facebook
Student Awards

Programs & Units
Office of the State Entomologist
Pesticide Safety Education
Insects & Human Health

ENTOMOLOGY
at the University of Kentucky

Dr. Subba Reddy Palli
Department Chair & State Entomologist
S-225 Agricultural Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
859.257.7450
entchair@uky.edu

Our Vision, Mission, & Core Values

Close Resources

College Resources

Academics Alumni & Giving College News Publications Departments & Units Extension Research

Contact Information

S-225 Ag Science Center Lexington, KY 40546-0091

(859) 257-7450

entchair@uky.edu