Pests to Watch
Pests to Watch
Plant pests and diseases are invasive. They eat away at our trees and shrubs, hamper tree growth, and damage natural and cultivated plants. They can destroy parts of a plant or all of one. If left untreated, they can become uncontrollable as their numbers multiply. But different pests attack different locations. Below is information on the plant pests of most concern to Rhode Islanders
RITree helps homeowners and seasoned pros deal with difficult plant pests. We present lectures and workshops on plan pest topics, including how to treat them. We publish a monthly newsletter, called ROOT TIPS, which provides pest alerts and the latest information on combatting these pests. Plus, we respond to individual questions about plant pests. To get help with a specific plant pest or schedule a plant pest lecture or workshop, contact RITree.
Latest Update on Beech Leaf Disease in New England
Beech trees are a keystone species in many ecosystems. Their fruit – the beechnut – is a food source for many animals, including squirrels, deer, birds, and bears. Their canopies shelter animals and provide nesting sites for birds. Their wood is solid and hard with a beautiful grain. Beeches are also famous for their fall […]
DEM Warns of Invasive Insects Set to Appear This Spring
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is warning RI residents to remain vigilant for two invasive species as their lifecycles progress and they emerge this spring. The spotted lanternfly (SLF) and the winter moth are two plant pests threatening Rhode Island’s agriculture and forest. These threats remain the focus of DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment‘s Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) […]
Spotted Lanternfly, an Invasive Pest Targeting Plants and Trees, Detected for the First Time this Year in Rhode Island
Published on Monday, August 22, 2022 PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the spotted lanternfly (SLF), an exotic pest that targets various plants and trees, has a detected population for the first time in Rhode Island. Native to Asia, SLF is most frequently associated with Tree of Heaven plants (Ailanthus […]
Caterpillar Damage
While most spring defoliators (Winter moth, Cankerworms, Gypsy moth and Eastern Tent Caterpillar are mostly done for the season, the larvae of the Forest Tent Caterpillar (FTC) are still feeding on foliage. The larvae are black with hour-glass-like spots running down the middle of their abdomen. Treat with registered pesticide, if the infestation is heavy.
Caterpillar damage is pretty bad this year. For some plants, this was the second year in a row that they defoliated.
Trending Pests and Weather Conditions Impacting Plants
The following is an excerpt of the lecture presented by RI Tree Council’s Technical Advisor, John T Campanini, Jr at the RI Federation of Garden Clubs Annual Education Day Program- Roger Williams Park Casino, November 4, 2019. The lecture’s title was “Trending Pests and Weather Conditions Impacting Plants.” In this article, I abridge my earlier lecture to examine specific pests which loom as future threats to woody ornamentals.
Trending Pests and Weather Conditions Impacting Plants
Trending Pests and Weather Conditions Impacting Plants The following is an excerpt of the lecture presented by RI Tree Council’s Technical Advisor, John T Campanini, Jr at the RI Federation of Garden Clubs Annual Education Day Program- Roger Williams Park Casino, November 4, 2019. The lecture’s title was “Trending Pests and Weather Conditions Impacting Plants.” […]