CONNECTICUT

INTEGRATED PEST

MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015

Department of Extension

Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture

www.ipm.uconn.edu

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CONNECTICUT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM

2014-2015 Annual Report

Introduction

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable, science-based proactive approach to managing plant pests, such as insects, mites, diseases, wildlife, and weeds, including invasive plants. IPM practitioners base decisions on information that is collected systematically as they integrate biological, economic, environmental, and social goals. IPM can be used within the context of both agricultural and urban environments and is flexible enough to accommodate the changing demands of agriculture, commerce, and society. IPM integrates the application of multiple tactics in a variety of settings through the selection of appropriate tools and the education of members of the Connecticut agricultural industry and Connecticut citizens to provide sustainable approaches for the management of plant pests. The IPM Program incorporates all possible pest management strategies through knowledgeable decision making, utilizing the most efficient landscape and on-farm resources, and integrating cultural and biological controls. Program objectives include maintaining the economic viability of agricultural and green industry businesses, enhancing and conserving environmental quality and natural resources, educating participants on the effective use of biological control agents, and educating pesticide users about the safe use and handling of pesticide products.

The goal of IPM is to reduce the dependence of agricultural producers and green industry professionals, Connecticut citizens, and schools on pesticides while maintaining or improving productivity, crop quality, and quality of life. Since its inception in 1980, the Connecticut IPM Program has made great strides in developing and implementing more sustainable methods for pest control throughout Connecticut. The IPM Program has educated growers statewide about the judicious use of pesticides and alternative pest control methods.

IPM Program team members conduct intensive on-site educational training for fruit and vegetable producers, garden center owners, greenhouse growers, nursery producers and retailers, and turf and landscape professionals. Growers and green industry professionals receive information on the current status and recommendations for important plant pests and training via site visits to their operations, field demonstrations, pest messages on the IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu), email alerts, pest identification, diagnostic lab services, newsletters, articles in national trade journals, social media, email and phone consultations, results from applied research projects, webinars, workshops, conferences, and short courses.

Broader adoption of IPM practices enhances responsible pest management and reduced management and production costs; minimizes adverse environmental and economic effects from pests; results in improved ecosystem quality and plant performance; and improves plant health, quality, yields, and aesthetics. The IPM Program provides on-farm training, group workshops, and individual instruction to university, state, and federal colleagues, landscape professionals, and growers to demonstrate new IPM tools and appropriate decision-making techniques. An increase in the number of producers and landscape professionals that utilize IPM strategies results in additional properties and acreage being maintained with IPM practices. Responsible decisions are made regarding pesticide use and increased safe handling practices to protect humans and the environment. The use of IPM includes cultural controls, biological control agents, biological fungicides, physical and mechanical controls, chemical controls, the use of resistant cultivars, regulatory controls, and behavioral modification. The integration of IPM pest suppression technologies reduces plant losses due to plant pests: insects, mites, diseases, wildlife, and weeds, including invasive plants.

Yellow sticky cards are used in many IPM training programs.

Photo: Donna Ellis

Cover photos: Brown marmorated stink bug (Ana Legrand); weather station (Mary Concklin)

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IPM Program contacts and contributors to this report: IPM Program Coordinator Donna Ellis 860-486-6448 donna.ellis@uconn.edu Fruit IPM Mary Concklin 860-486-6449 mary.concklin@uconn.edu Greenhouse IPM Leanne Pundt 860-626-6240 leanne.pundt@uconn.edu Invasive Species IPM Donna Ellis 860-486-6448 donna.ellis@uconn.edu Ana Legrand 860-486-0869 ana.legrand@uconn.edu Landscape & Turf IPM Ana Legrand 860-486-0869 ana.legrand@uconn.edu Victoria Wallace 860-885-2826 victoria.wallace@uconn.edu Nursery IPM Alejandro Chiriboga 860-486-6585 a.chiriboga@uconn.edu Donna Ellis 860-486-6448 donna.ellis@uconn.edu School IPM Victoria Wallace 860-885-2826 victoria.wallace@uconn.edu Donna Ellis 860-486-6448 donna.ellis@uconn.edu Candace Bartholomew 860-570-9067 candace.bartholomew@uconn.edu Vegetable IPM Jude Boucher 860-875-3331 jude.boucher@uconn.edu Mary Concklin 860-486-6585 mary.concklin@uconn.edu IPM Curriculum Donna Ellis 860-486-6448 donna.ellis@uconn.edu Plant Diagnostic Laboratory Joan Allen 860-486-6740 joan.allen@uconn.edu This report was edited by Donna Ellis, IPM Program Coordinator. For additional copies or more information about the UConn IPM Program, please contact: Donna Ellis University of Connecticut Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture 1376 Storrs Road, Unit 4067, Storrs, CT 06269-4067 donna.ellis@uconn.edu; 860-486-6448 IPM website: www.ipm.uconn.edu

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IPM Program Funding

The IPM Program is the result of a joint collaboration between UConn Extension and the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture. Several private, state, and federal funding sources support the program, including the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the USDA/Connecticut Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. In addition, the IPM Program staff acknowledges support from the following entities:

Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Connecticut School IPM Coalition

Grower donors and municipal and school grounds research participants throughout Connecticut

Hartford Vegetable Growers’ Association

Multi-state Hatch Project NE-1032

National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)

New England Grows

New England Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Association

Northeastern IPM Center (NEIPMC)

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

The University of Connecticut

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program

USDA NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Extension Implementation Program (EIP)

USDA Northeast Region IR-4 Program

USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Program

USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)

USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program

Mary Concklin conducting an IPM training workshop.

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UConn IPM Program Delivers Outreach That Impacts Many

IPM Conferences Highlight Outreach Education UConn Ornamental Plant Extension Team Members: Joan Allen, Alejandro Chiriboga, Donna Ellis,

Jessica Lubell-Brand, Richard McAvoy, Dawn Pettinelli, Leanne Pundt, and Victoria Wallace

Two major plant conferences, the Perennial Plant Conference and the Garden Conference were developed and presented by the UConn Ornamental Plant Extension Team in 2015 to address the needs of Connecticut’s Environmental Horticulture Industry and to provide outreach education to stakeholders and the general public.

Perennial Plant Conference The full-day conference for landscape and horticultural professionals was presented on March 5, 2015 at the UConn Storrs campus. The conference was attended by 257 landscape professionals and designers, nursery and greenhouse producers, and retail garden center operators. The attendees traveled from New England and other Northeastern states. Eighty-nine percent of those who completed the evaluation forms rated the conference as good to excellent, 76% stated that they would benefit economically as a result of the program, 95% stated they are likely to use the information from the conference in their business or practice, and 96% would recommend the conference to others. Attendee comments included: “Every speaker was knowledgeable and expert”; “Very interesting! Thank you for providing this”.

UConn Garden Conference. Photos: Donna Ellis

Garden Conference The Garden Conference on March 19, 2015 at the UConn, Storrs campus was attended by 212 gardening enthusiasts who traveled from New England and the Northeast. The attendees included gardeners of all levels, from the casual gardener to the Advanced Master Gardener. Of the attendees who completed the evaluation forms, 100% rated the conference as good to excellent, 100% would recommend the program to others, and 100% learned new information from the educational sessions. Comments from the attendees included: “Excellent, diverse speakers”; “First time attending – really impressed”.

Biological Controls: Putting it All Together for Success Conference Organizer: Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator for Greenhouse Crops

A full day conference co-sponsored by UConn Extension and UMass Extension for greenhouse growers of ornamental and vegetable crops was held on July 31, 2014 at the Tolland County Extension Center. The conference was attended by 71 wholesale and retail greenhouse growers, vegetable growers, retail garden center operators and those with educational or municipal greenhouses. Attendees were from CT, MA, NY, NH and RI. Of those that completed evaluation forms, 75% are currently using biological controls (beneficial insects, biological fungicides, beneficial nematodes). Topics presented included: Growing Greenhouse Plants with Water Soluble Organic Fertilizers by Douglas Cox UMASS, Greenhouse Pest Control: A Systems Approach and Innovations in Greenhouse Pest Management by Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Ontario, Canada, A Softer Approach to Managing Diseases in the Greenhouse by Cheryl Smith, UNH Extension and Biocontrol Programs in Greenhouse Vegetable Crops, by Doug Barrow, Biobest. Of those who completed evaluation forms, 100% rated the conference as useful to very useful, 81% stated that they will adopt a new practice within the next year, and 97% stated that they would benefit economically as a result of the program.

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Biological Control Conference in Vernon, CT. Photos: Tina Smith

Proven Biological Control Programs for Indoor and Outdoor Production of Ornamentals

Conference Organizer: Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator for Greenhouse Crops

A one day conference co-sponsored by UConn Extension and UMass Extension was held at UConn, Storrs on June 18, 2015. Eighty wholesale and retail greenhouse growers, nursery growers, garden centers, industry support (extension, suppliers) and educational greenhouse managers attended from CT, MA, NY, RI, NH, ME, and PA. Of those that completed the evaluation forms, 89% currently used biological controls (beneficial insects, biological fungicides, and beneficial nematodes). Topics presented included: Biological Controls of Disease: Fungus vs. Fungus in the Greenhouse by Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University, LIHREC, Evaluating Your Biological Control Program and Using Biological Controls in Outdoor Production by Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting, and Implementing a Biological Control Program at Longwood Gardens by Grant Jones, IPM Specialist, Longwood Gardens. A Grower Panel on IPM and Biologicals featured Steven Courcy and Keith Salcines DS Cole Growers, Loudon, NH and Michael Calhoun, Broken Arrow Nursery, Hamden, CT. Of those that completed the evaluation forms, 100% rated the conference as very useful or useful, 93% stated that what they learned would help them better use biological fungicides within the next year, 97% stated that what they learned would help them better evaluate their biological control program, 95% stated that what they learned would help them better use or conserve natural enemies outdoors, 92% stated that what they learned would help them adopt a new practice within the next year, and 87% stated that they would benefit economically as a result of the program.

Biological Control Conference in Storrs, CT. Photos: Leanne Pundt

“Great topics, good speakers, awesome crowd with diversified interests.”

“Great resources provided today, great day!”

“I am a beginner at this and found the talks to be very helpful. Thank you.”

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Invasive Plant 2014 Symposium Sells Out with 500 Attendees Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group Co-chair: Donna Ellis, Senior Extension Educator

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) is a consortium of members of environmental organizations and affiliates of municipal and state agencies whose mission is to promote awareness of invasive plants and their non-invasive alternatives. The seventh biennial symposium was presented on October 7, 2014 at UConn in Storrs, CT. The theme of the all-day conference was Invasive Plants 2014: Where Are We Now? As occurred in 2012, the 2014 conference also sold out, with 500 registered attendees. The symposium featured national, regional, and local experts as well as citizen volunteers sharing practical solutions for managing invasive plants, promoting non-invasive alternative plants, and improving wildlife habitat.

Invasive plant identification display at General session at CIPWG symposium in Storrs, CT. CIPWG Invasive Plant Symposium. Photos: Donna Ellis

“I appreciated the variety of presentations and expertise of the speakers. Hearing directly

from other growers was excellent addition.”

“Thanks for a very well run meeting. It was glorious to see all the interaction, and all the growers actively pursuing biological control. 20 years ago it was a totally different story. I sat next to a fellow whose greenhouse I have visited a number of times in the last 6 years. Only now is he ready to take the leap. The meeting helped to make him a believer.” Carol S. Glenister, Entomologist, IPM Laboratories, Locke, NY

“Beautifully put together, good site, great speakers, grower panel wonderful.”

“Really liked the lineup today.”

“Excellent intro to invasive problems, good range of topics.”

“Well organized and informative.” “Speakers did an excellent job.”

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Vegetable IPM Program Program Leader: Jude Boucher, Extension Educator for Commercial Vegetable Crops

Reinventing the Weekly Vegetable IPM Pest Message Due to a late-season ski accident, I was unable to get into the field in 2014 to train growers in IPM or gather crop scouting and monitoring data to share with hundreds of growers across the state through the Vegetable IPM Pest Message. But necessity is the mother of invention, so the usual weekly pest message was transformed into “Reports from the Farm”. Up to 25-30 previously-trained IPM farmers from across the state reported in on a weekly or every-other-week basis on what pests or problems they were seeing, what they were doing about them, and submitted photos of pests that they didn’t recognize. I would cut and paste and edit the reports into one long weekly message and answered the individual questions for the benefit of all who received the email blast each week, downloaded the message from the UConn IPM website, or called the 24-hour telephone message. Evaluations submitted at the end of the season were all very positive and asked for a hybrid between the old crop-by-crop and the new farmer-report models in 2015. Fortunately, I was back in the field in 2015 and worked with 18 farms on a regular basis throughout the summer. These included new and experienced farmers, conventional and organic growers, and even Dave Roston (supervisor) and the inmates learning how to farm at the Enfield Prison. My reports and data from these farms were added to the reports that experienced IPM farmers submitted on their own, and we sprinkled in even more color pictures of new and exotic pests from the South or overseas, equipment for small farms, trellis systems, and high tunnel production systems. Growers loved both participating and having a voice to their fellow farmers, and receiving all of the pest management and production help. Sometimes it takes a little adversity to show you how improvements can be made!

First-ever occurrence of bacterial Carrot weevil larva/damage. Caterpillar tunnels protected canker on peppers in CT. Photo: Ian Gibson tomatoes from dew/wet leaves and Photo: Jude Boucher defoliation by Septoria leaf spot. Photo: Jude Boucher

Jude Boucher with inmates from Enfield Prison.

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Fair Weather Acres – Billy and Michele Collins, Rocky Hill, CT UConn Extension has worked with the Collins Family at Fair Weather Acres for three generations. The grandfather, Bill, established the largest fresh-market (green and yellow) snap bean farm in New England, with over 1,200 acres of beans and 150 acres of sweet corn. His son Chris and wife Mary managed the farm in the next generation until their son Billy took over the wholesale end in 2003. Billy’s wife, Michele, joined them in 2009 and eventually took over the retail end of the business. The farm still produced over 700 acres of beans as late as 2011 when flooding from Hurricane Irene, washed away all their crops, and left the business in debt. It convinced them they needed to expand their retail sales and find new marketing methods that didn’t leave them so dependent upon the price offered by a few wholesale buyers.

Prior to that time, UConn Extension had mostly helped the Collins’ learn Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices on just three crops (beans, sweet corn, and peppers), but began advising Billy and Michele on ways to diversify both their marketing efforts and the number of crops they were growing to satisfy a retail customer base. As Michele took over responsibilities and spruced-up their retail stand, she breathed new life into it, adding colors, new items, displays, and even ice cream. They also added additional greenhouses to accommodate the added crops they now grow as well as all the specialty flowers and bedding plants for spring flower sales. This also allowed for additional hydroponic and high tunnel tomatoes for their increased stand sales.

Extension also encouraged and advised her on how to develop a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture on their farm and even introduced the couple to other successful CSA farm operators for additional consultations. The CSA provides their member-customers with a mix of fresh, in-season vegetables each week for an 18-week growing season. Because customers support the farm by paying for membership before the harvest season starts, it provides much needed capital for seed and supplies to plant the crops, and replaces money that would normally be borrowed to start the season. The CSA also builds customer loyalty, provides a dependable and fair price even when wholesale prices drop, and spreads the farm’s income over more people, so it is less vulnerable to the loss of a single, or multiple wholesale customers. Michele started the CSA with 120 members in 2012, and through a variety of methods has expanded to over 400, and expects to reach 500 summer shares in 2016. In 2013, they started offering separate fall CSA shares to their customers, which now has over 300 members. Having several pick-up days for CSA members has also helped double the sales at their retail stand by increasing foot traffic through the stand on CSA pick-up days, and because Michele provides recipes for using less common vegetables and stocks items needed in the recipes.

Billy has limited his bean production to just over 350 acres, and sold only to wholesale customers who were willing to meet his minimum price. By doing this he was able to produce beans on his best land and improve yields and profits. He also hired an Extension-trained private consultant to help monitor and scout pests on his crops and learned to implement many new water management techniques aimed at reducing losses due to Phytophthora blight: a scourge of many vegetable crops that has recently expanded its host range to include beans. Billy also started producing pumpkins, winter squash, and 55 different varieties of vegetables to supply their retail customers throughout the spring, summer and fall. Extension assisted by teaching him pest management techniques for his new crops: he learned how to prevent losses from downy mildew, tomato hornworms and an array of new pests for each crop.

Michele and Billy have contributed back to Extension, and helped their fellow growers, by presenting talks at state and regional conferences on their CSA experiences and diversification and downsizing to improve profits. They have also helped educate their fellow growers and students by hosting a twilight meeting, research plots on their farm, and UConn student tours.

The couple also decided to get into the business of “agrotainment” by opening up a harvest fair, with corn maze, pedal cars, pick-your-own pumpkin, a food stand, a “corn-kernel wading pool” and many other items to entertain kids. The harvest festival has expanded each of the last 5 years until it now hosts over 25,000 visitors in just 7 fall weekends. With these new successful ventures the farm has succeeded in moving from an uncertain income and future to one that looks bright for this and the next generation.

Billy Collins with bean variety trial for Phytophthora resistance. Photo: Jude Boucher

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Fruit IPM Program Program Leader: Mary Concklin, Visiting Associate Extension Educator for Fruit Crops

Plant Nutrition In a grower survey in the fall of 2013, growers identified a better understanding of plant nutrition, fertilizer decisions, and of plant and soil health as the leading area where additional programming was needed. A two-day workshop was held March 17-18, 2015 at Maneeley’s Conference Center in South Windsor, CT for 41 growers. The workshop covered soil and fruit plant nutrition (tree fruit, berries and grapes) including evaluation of soil chemical properties; nutrient movement in soils, uptake and translocation; factors affecting nutrient availability; nutrient requirements; nutrient deficiency symptoms and disorders; fertilizer materials and methods of nutrient applications, including fertigation and foliar sprays; and developing and understand fertilization programs for tree fruit.

Following the workshop, 29 fruit growers (12 tree fruit, 6 berry and 11 grape) were selected to participate in a 3 year grant funded study (2015-2017) comparing fertilizer programs developed based on the use of soil analysis combined with petiole/foliar analysis, crop load, and environmental conditions to the grower’s standard method.

Mating Disruption for Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth Mating disruption (MD) is an important IPM tool for several insect pests of tree fruit. Past effective mating disruption demonstrations have dealt with the Lesser Peach Tree Borer and the Peach Tree Borer, and took place at several peach orchards in Connecticut. In 2013, mating disruption for Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth was done at two orchards in Connecticut – peaches at a certified organic farm, and peaches and apples at a non-organic farm. At the organic farm the MDs provided control of the two insect pests in year 1 but the fruit was unmarketable due to other insect infestation. At the non-organic orchard, a 5 acre block was treated in 2013 and 2014. In both years, the MDs worked very well. In 2015, MD was expanded to include 30 acres. The grower saved money in pesticides, application time and equipment usage. However, with the cost of MDs and labor to hang then, the grower lost money. On the positive side, less pesticide was applied reducing the environmental impact.

Mating disruption for Oriental Fruit Moth and

Codling Moth in an apple orchard. Photo: Mary Concklin

Mary Concklin receives the Award of Merit from the Connecticut Pomological Society. Photo: George Looby

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys – Managing a New Invasive Pest BMSB began as a nuisance pest in Connecticut in 2010, and by fall 2014 it was an agricultural pest in portions of the state. Trapping in 2015 confirmed the presence of this invasive pest in all areas of the state with the exception of the far northeast corner, and with numbers high enough to be treatable in western and central Connecticut. Presentations were made at the Connecticut Pomological Society Annual Meeting, December 2014, as well as during Connecticut Master Gardener trainings in 2014 and 2015. A presentation was made in New Hampshire where BMSB is seen as a nuisance, on November 7, 2015 at the Fruit Industry Meeting.

BMSB on peach in early July. Photos: Mary Concklin BMSB trap captures in apple orchard, late August.

Mary Jawlik, The Hickories, counting the number of BMSB caught in the trap. Photo: Mary Jawlik

Fruit IPM Messages 215 fruit IPM messages were sent electronically to 387 growers and industry members throughout the year and placed on the UConn IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu).

“Your emails are absolutely terrific, so much useful, practical information in them.”

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Greenhouse IPM Program Program Leader: Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator for Greenhouse Crops

Adopting Biological Controls – Season Long Hands on Training

10 businesses participated, with 8 businesses using some biological controls (beneficial nematodes, biological fungicides, biological control agents). Here are some highlights:

Success Stories from the Field – Integrating More Biological Controls into IPM Gresczyk Farms in New Hartford, CT has 22,000 sq. ft. under greenhouse production. They produce leafy greens, herbs, and a variety of spring ornamental crops in their greenhouses for sale at their farm stand. They also sell field and greenhouse vegetables thru their CSA and farmers markets. With year round greenhouse production, western flower thrips were challenging to control. (Western flower thrips are very difficult to control in greenhouse production due to their wide host range, high reproductive capacity, rapid life cycle, tendency to hide in unopened buds so they are hard to contact with insecticides and widespread resistance.) During the 2015 spring season, their head grower, Bruce Gresczyk Jr. released mini-sachets of a predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris that feeds upon the first instar larvae of the western flower thrips. (See photo). During routine scouting visits, we were not able to find thrips or their feeding damage on their spring greenhouse crops. Aphids were managed with insecticides compatible with the predatory mites. They also used the biological fungicides Bacillus subtilus for foliar diseases such as Botrytis blight and Trichoderma sp. (Rootshield Plus) for root diseases. The beneficial nematodes, Steinernema feltiae, were drenched against fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae in the growing media. According to Bruce Greczyk Jr., “They worked! I will recommend them to anyone who asks me.”

Neoseiulus cucumeris mini-sachets Photos: Leanne Pundt

Waterfield Farms in Bethany, CT is a wholesale grower of annuals, vegetables and perennial with 40,000 sq. ft. under greenhouse production and two to three acres of outdoor production. As you can see, their biological controls for thrips worked extremely well, as this gerbera daisy crop shows no signs of thrips feeding damage. (Thrips are pollen feeders so gerbera daisies are very hard to produce without thrips feeding damage which results in distorted flowers). The predatory mites (Neoseiulus cucumeris) were released on a regular basis and worked extremely well. Both compatible insecticide drenches and aphid natural enemies were released (Aphidoletes aphidimyza, an aphid midge and Chrysoperla sp., lacewings) for aphid hot spots. According to their head grower, Liz Cecarelli, many naturally occurring beneficials such as syrphid or hover flies and minute pirate bugs were commonly observed in their outdoor production. Liz also had observed naturally occurring beneficials inside on the lobularia and alyssum crops once greenhouses were opened in spring. Predatory mites were also preventively released against spider mites and worked very well.

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Waterfield Farms Photos: Leanne Pundt

Michaels Greenhouses in Cheshire, CT is a wholesale grower of spring pot crops, garden mums and poinsettias. They have four acres of poinsettia production. During poinsettia production sweet potato whitefly can be a serious pest due to the occurrence of a highly resistant stain known as the Q Biotype. Their head grower, Mary Beth Martin, has been releasing parasitic wasps (Eretmocerus sp. and Encarsia formosa) and predatory mites (Amblyseius swirskii) preventively against the sweet potato whitefly. End of the season clean up sprays helped with any hot spots of whitefly activity. They also used Steinernema feltiae against fungus gnats in the growing media and Bacillus subtilus for Botrytis blight. According to Mary Beth Martin, “Crop quality was better than last year. The biological control agents combined with late season clean up sprays worked well.”

White cards contain pupae of parasitic wasps Poinsettias. Michaels Greenhouses. for whiteflies. Photos: Leanne Pundt

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Nursery IPM Program Program Leader: Alejandro Chiriboga, Visiting Assistant Extension Educator for Nursery Crops

Dr. Chiriboga was hired as a Visiting Assistant Extension Educator in October 2014 to conduct full-season IPM programs for Connecticut nurseries. A statewide bilingual Nursery IPM Program was implemented in 5 of the 8 Connecticut counties. Dr. Chiriboga conducted 62 on-site visits to 6 Connecticut wholesale and retail nurseries to provide hands-on training to manage plant pests. The average size of the nurseries is approximately 223 acres ranging from 8 to more than 500 acres. A total of 151 participants were directly impacted and 298 participants were indirectly impacted by increasing their knowledge, skills, and use of IPM methods to reduce plant problems. Dr. Chiriboga and program participants inspected and monitored ornamental crops for plant pests, natural enemies, and cultural problems. Management recommendations and overall plant health was discussed with participants during site visits and pesticide application records were reviewed.

Dr. Chiriboga developed and disseminated Nursery IPM outreach materials including fact sheets featuring key nursery arthropod pests within the newly created Nursery IPM Mini Fact Sheet Series, and a pilot version of Nursery Bi-weekly Electronic Updates posted on the UConn IPM website. A series of adapted evaluative surveys and forms were created to properly evaluate the program impact including an On-site Intensive Educational IPM Training Assessment form to document nursery IPM program activities, Pre- and Post- Surveys, and a Qualtrics Needs Assessment Survey for Nursery IPM Program 2015. Furthermore, Dr. Chiriboga presented 4 bilingual workshops and delivered 2 invited presentations at CNLA events, training a total of 160 participants.

Sustainability Speaking: Summer Twilight Series for Nursery & Landscape Professionals. Nursery IPM bilingual workshop, Casertano’s Greenhouse & Farms, Inc., Cheshire, CT. Photos: Alejandro Chiriboga

Nursery Research, Cooperative Project CT DEEP/CAES/UConn Dr. Chiriboga served as Principal Investigator at UConn for the cooperative research project “Quantifying Exposure of Honey Bees and Bumble Bees to Neonicotinoids in Nectar and Pollen of Nursery Plants”, K. Stoner, B. Eitzer, R. Cowles, funded by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). This research project aims to determine whether neonicotinoid-based pesticides in ornamental plant nectar and pollen poses risk to honey bees or other bee species. Concisely, Dr. Chiriboga collected reference samples of pollen and plant tissues from blooming ornamental plant species from one of three selected wholesale nurseries in Connecticut. Data collection included phenological information of blooming ornamental plants along with geospatial and photographic data as follows: total genera recorded: 30, total species/cultivars monitored: 186, total reference sampled: 138, plant phenological database created: 770 inputs, photographic material taken: over 3400 photos.

Collection of pollen and plant tissues from blooming ornamental plant species in CT. Photos: Alejandro Chiriboga

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School IPM Provides Training for School Grounds and Athletic Field Managers Program Leaders: Victoria Wallace, Donna Ellis, and Candace Bartholomew

Since July 1, 2010, there has been a ban on the use of pesticides for daycare facilities and K-8 schools. The state of Connecticut requires the use of an IPM plan for care of all school grounds and athletic fields, even if these school properties are obligated to manage and care for these properties without the use of pesticides. The Connecticut School IPM Coalition was formed as the result of the pesticide ban and has served to provide educational opportunities, via training workshops for school grounds and athletic field managers and their staff, on maintaining grounds and fields without the use of pesticides. Assessment tools and methods to assess the impact of the management and quality of school grounds and athletic fields have been developed to better serve school grounds managers.

UConn IPM Program team members who are active in the Connecticut School IPM Coalition include Victoria Wallace, Donna Ellis, Candace Bartholomew, and Alejandro Chiriboga. A day-long workshop was held in Newtown, CT on August 14, 2014, with 137 school and municipal employees and landscape professionals attending. Two day-long hands-on educational workshops were developed in 2015 to promote pesticide-free care of school grounds. The first workshop, with 123 attendees, was presented on July 29, 2015 in Hamden, CT and focused on school athletic fields and grounds along with a demonstration of infield maintenance, weather stations used in turf care programs, and a presentation on rain gardens on school properties. A video was produced from the July workshop that is available for viewing on YouTube (“CT School IPM Workshop”). The second workshop was held on September 23, 2015 in Storrs, CT and focused on athletic field research. Seventy-nine attendees traveled to the Plant Science Research and Education Facilities for the program. The UConn Extension document, “Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Pesticide-Free, Cool Season Athletic Fields” was referenced at the workshop. Technical assistance was provided to school grounds managers through on-site visits and email/telephone communications. The UConn BMP document has been forwarded to school managers throughout the northeast, referenced in numerous state and regional turfgrass conferences, and is included in current multi-state research projects. School IPM workshop attendee comments included: “Excellent seminar and program”; “Quite impressed with the presentations.”

School IPM workshop, Storrs, CT Photos: Donna Ellis

Attendees at the 2014 School IPM workshop in Newtown, CT. Photo: Donna Ellis

Connecticut Extension IPM Implementation Grant Victoria Wallace managed a Summer Intern, who began assessments of landscape plantings at 25 pilot school properties, with the intent to improve the current landscape assessment form as a tool for school grounds managers. She also managed a Summer Intern involved with the second year of athletic field assessments at 25 pilot school properties, with the intent to trial and refine the athletic field assessment form as a tool for school grounds managers to quantify field quality and safety.

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Sustainable Landscapes Program Leader: Victoria Wallace, Associate Extension Educator for Sustainable Landscapes

“Overseeding to Enhance IPM for School, Community, and Athletic Fields” Multi-state Overseeding Demonstration Project and Training Grant Ten athletic fields were selected and evaluated to be part of the Connecticut portion of the multi-state program. In mid-August, a team began pre-assessment data collection of the athletic fields participating in the research project prior to 3 overseeding applications. Post assessments were taken after the last overseeding event. This process of pre-and post-assessment data collection, as well as overseeding events, will be repeated in the spring of 2016.

Efficacy of Minimum Risk Plots were seeded during the fall of 2014. Individual plots were seeded to: crabgrass, white clover, broadleaf plantain, dandelion, and perennial ryegrass. Weeds selected were those weeds that are most problematic for athletic field managers adjusting to the Connecticut pesticide ban. In August 2015, weed plots were treated with 10 different minimum risk (25b) products, which are permitted for use in Connecticut. Daily ratings were taken during the fall of 2015. Treatments will be repeated in the spring of 2016.

Cooperative Turfgrass Breeder’s Test-Perennial Ryegrass Plots were seeded in the fall of 2013, and monthly rating evaluations were taken April-October during 2014 and 2015.

Cornell “Short Cuts” Turfgrass conference call and newsletter (33-35 weeks/year; April-October) IPM recommendations for turfgrass managers along with current research and weather forecasting is made available to turfgrass managers in the northeast.

Healthy Homes Invited to become a member of the Healthy Homes (HH) Connecticut Advisory Board to support questions dealing

with landscape and turf concerns for HUD properties.

Supported UConn Extension student intern in selecting IPM information to post as social media links for national distribution on HH social media sites. Landscape IPM information was featured on HH Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages.

National HH November newsletter featured Connecticut HH programs. Connecticut School IPM Coalition July and September 2015 workshops were highlighted.

Sustainably Speaking-Twilight Series Funded by UConn Risk Management Agency. The programs focused on sustainable practices and topics for nursery producers and landscape professionals. All programs were awarded pesticide credits. Three programs were held in the summer and fall of 2014, and four programs were held in the summer and fall of 2015. Topics included fall fertilization practices, an update on landscape and turfgrass diseases prevalent in 2015, and IPM programs for the nursery grower and landscape professional.

Invasive Species IPM Program Leader: Donna Ellis, Senior Extension Educator and IPM Coordinator

Invasive Plants Continue to Spread Integrated pest management (IPM) methods can be used to control invasive plants and other plant pests (weeds, insects, and plant pathogens) in residential properties, communities, and natural and managed landscapes. IPM technologies include the use of biological, mechanical, cultural, and chemical controls. The Connecticut General Statutes now include regulations on invasive plants, and the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council was established in 2003 to address invasive plant issues. Increasing educational awareness of invasive plants through identification, control, and the use of alternative, non-invasive plants is the focus of this program. The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG; Donna Ellis, Co-Chairperson and Nicole Gabelman, 2015 Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator) is a consortium of members of environmental organizations and affiliates of municipal and state agencies whose mission is to promote awareness of invasive plants and their non-invasive alternatives. CIPWG’s news and events list serve has approximately 800 members. The CIPWG website (www.cipwg.uconn.edu) provides information on invasive plant identification and management, the Connecticut list of invasive plants, photos, native plant and other non-invasive alternatives, and legislative updates. The website received 111,293 page views by 51,289 users during the reporting period, and the project team responded to 2,090 plant pest

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inquiries. Invasive plant outreach was provided to over 42,448 Connecticut business owners and citizens via invasive plant educational materials and CIPWG exhibits at more than 128 local, statewide, and regional events. In collaboration with Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station scientists, 45,624 beneficial insects (Rhinoncomimus latipes weevils) have been released onto invasive mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) at 21 Connecticut locations to date in a biological control project that began in 2009.

(Left) Donna Ellis and Emmett Varricchio releasing Japanese knotweed growing along a roadside in beneficial weevils (center) in Glastonbury, CT for Mansfield, CT. biological control of mile-a-minute weed. Photos: Donna Ellis and Carole Cheah

Invasive Insects – Be on the Lookout Invasive, exotic insects such as Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer (EAB), and lily leaf beetle (LLB) represent new pests of concern for Connecticut and the region. Although ALB has not yet been found in the state, this destructive pest was first detected in Massachusetts in 2008. EAB was confirmed in Connecticut in 2012 and is now found in seven counties. ALB and EAB kill trees quickly over a few years and have significant negative impacts to state forests, agriculture (forestry, the maple sugar industry, the green industry, tourism) and homeowners as infested trees are removed from the landscape. Part-time assistant Jessica Stern conducted ALB and EAB outreach at farmer’s markets and Donna Ellis provided EAB and ALB educational outreach during several training programs. A volunteer network of UConn Master Gardeners conducted additional exotic pest educational outreach. Master Gardener Coordinator Jude Hsiang conducted surveys for exotic insects at 15 northeastern Connecticut nurseries and sawmills, and Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator Nicole Gabelman completed surveys for exotic species at 15 vineyards and 15 orchards in northeastern Connecticut. Survey results for all exotic insect surveys were negative.

Donna Ellis continued to serve as Principal Investigator for a USDA APHIS biological control project for lily leaf beetle, a serious pest of lilies and other herbaceous ornamental plants. Ms. Ellis supervised UConn Master Gardener Coordinator Gail Reynolds, who recruited private landowners and businesses that grow or sell lilies to participate in the applied research project. A lily leaf beetle biological control agent (parasitoid wasp) was introduced onto lilies at 2 release sites during 2015, for a total of 23 release sites in Connecticut to date. A new fact sheet and an infographic for lily leaf beetle biological control were developed and are now available on the IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu). The introduction and establishment of biological control agents to reduce populations of lily leaf beetle will provide a sustainable method of managing this important ornamental plant pest to help protect Connecticut agriculture.

Gail Reynolds releasing beneficial wasps Lily leaf beetle. Photos: Donna Ellis onto lilies in Hebron, CT.

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Invasive Insects: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Egg Parasitoid Survey Project leaders: Dr. Ana Legrand, Assistant Extension Professor and Zach Donais

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys is an invasive insect from Asia. It was first detected in Connecticut in 2008 and as of 2015 BMSB has been detected in 42 states and two Canadian provinces. This insect is a pest of vegetables, fruits and of ornamental plants in several of the states where it is found. It is also considered a nuisance pest for its habit of entering homes in September and October in search of overwintering shelter. Research is being conducted by the USDA on exotic parasitoids for the biological control of this stink bug in the US. Information is also needed on native predators and parasitoids that could attack this pest, and our goal is to develop this information for Connecticut. In 2014 and 2015, a stink bug egg parasitoid survey was conducted in the Storrs Mansfield area by placing frozen sentinel egg masses in three habitat types: field corn, natural areas (forest edges) and ornamental plantings. Sentinel eggs were produced from BMSB, green and brown stink bug colonies maintained in the lab. The egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi was found attacking the native green and brown stink bugs as well as BMSB eggs. An Ooencyrtus sp. was found on green stink bug eggs only and no parasitoids were detected in field corn. This work is part of Zach Donais master’s thesis. Future work will follow up on these results and expand the survey to other crop systems and areas.

Telenomus podisi egg parasitoid emerging from a BMSB egg. Photo: Zach Donais

Community and Urban IPM

Urban Agriculture and IPM Training Program Leaders: Dr. German Cutz, Associate Extension Educator and Dr. Ana Legrand, Assistant Extension Professor UConn Extension in collaboration with Nuestras Raíces, a grassroots organization from Massachusetts, implemented an Urban Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training project in Fairfield County for Hispanic adults. This project includes three components: training on urban agriculture using lower-risk IPM tactics and organic production methods, vegetable and food production, and agricultural entrepreneurship. The Northeastern IPM Center provided funding for training activities and Candlelight Farms in New Milford allowed students to use an acre of farmland to produce vegetables. The project participants produce fresh food locally to supply food desert areas in Fairfield County. Participants are enrolled in the Danbury Farmer’s Market program to sell their produce and gain agri-business skills. For example, in 2014 more than 4,000 pounds of locally produced organic vegetables were distributed among 150 low-income families at the Danbury Farmer’s Market. From April to October students produced more than 10 different vegetables and herbs including spinach, cilantro, dill, basil, carrots, beets, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, squash, radishes, and cabbage. All vegetables were produced applying organic production methods and IPM lower-risk tactics. Students completed 180 hours of classroom instruction covering: botany, vegetable production, entomology, crop risk management, and IPM.

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Urban Agriculture Program participants tour urban gardens in Holyoke, MA.

Landscape and Turf IPM: White Grub Biological Control Workshops Program Leader: Dr. Ana Legrand, Assistant Extension Professor The Japanese beetle and Oriental beetle are considered key pests of turfgrass. Their larvae or white grubs primarily feed on the roots of all cool-season grasses. A diverse array of pest management tools is always the ideal for IPM, as IPM practitioners seek to integrate all available options into a comprehensive program. Thus, research efforts in landscape and turf IPM have focused on Tiphia parasitoids that had not been studied much in our state and region as one more resource for white grub management. The parasitoid wasp Tiphia vernalis or spring Tiphia attacks the larval or grub stage of Japanese and Oriental beetles during spring. Many parasitoid wasp species typically visit flowers to obtain nectar and/or pollen that provide essential nutrients, thereby increasing their survival. During the time when spring Tiphia are active, there are limited plant resources that they can use to obtain nectar. So how can we help these beneficial insects? One approach is conservation biological control, which among other actions calls for the addition of flowering plant habitats that could provide nectar resources. The spring Tiphia has been found to parasitize on average 53% of grubs in various locations so it makes sense to give them a hand. In 2015, two field workshops were presented at the Plant Science Research and Education Facilities to explain the use of peonies for Tiphia conservation biocontrol. Hands-on activities included demonstrations of peonies attracting Tiphia parasitoids, Tiphia feeding on peony extrafloral nectar and Tiphia monitoring. Live Tiphia parasitoids were also distributed to a diverse audience of homeowners, Master Gardeners and landscape care professionals. In addition to these Tiphia workshops, other presentations given during the report period dealt with white grub identification and management with an emphasis on beneficial nematode use. All participants indicated through workshop evaluations that they increased their knowledge on the topics covered and that the information will help them in their pest management decisions. These presentations were supported by the USDA NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management Program. Visit www.ipm.uconn.edu to learn more about peonies for conservation of Tiphia wasps.

Biocontrol workshop participants observe Tiphia parasitizing a white grub. Tiphia parasitoids feeding on peony Photo: Piyumi Obeysekara extrafloral nectar. Photo: Kevin Noonan

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Plant Diagnostic Lab Program Leader: Joan Allen, Assistant Extension Educator for Consumer Horticulture

The UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory and UConn Home & Garden Education Center processed over 850 samples during the time period from July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015. These include plant and insect identification and plant problem diagnosis. Samples are accepted from both private and commercial clients. Fees of $15.00 per sample were covered by a USDA NIFA IPM grant for 150 plant diagnostic samples from Connecticut commercial growers. Included in the samples were fruits and vegetables, nursery crops, greenhouse crops (both ornamental and vegetable), and Christmas trees. Two vegetable pest and disease workshops were held during February 2015. The UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN).

Joan Allen examines a specimen under the microscope.

Princettia poinsettias diagnosed with early browning and drop of flower buds due to environmental and cultural conditions. Photos: Joan Allen

“This course was a good introduction to vegetable pests. I am going to use the resources….for pest ID.”

“Very informative, well presented.”

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2014-2015 Projects Allen, J. Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Allen, J., A. Chiriboga, D. Ellis, J. Lubell-Brand, R. McAvoy, D. Pettinelli, L. Pundt, and V. Wallace. UConn Ornamental Plant Extension Team.

Allen, J. and J. Boucher. Vegetable Pest and Disease Workshop II: Solanaceae and Legumes. UConn Extension. Allen, J. and E. Ruuttila. Vegetable Pest and Disease Workshop I: Cucurbits and Brassicas. UConn Extension. Bonelli, J, M. Concklin. Crop Insurance and Risk Management Promotion, Education and Training for Connecticut Farmers and Growers, 2014-2015. USDA-RMA. Bonelli, J, M. Concklin. Crop Insurance and Risk Management Promotion, Education and Training for Connecticut Farmers and Growers, 2015-2016. USDA-RMA. Boucher, J. Season-Long Protection of Cabbage and Summer Squash with a Single Application of Coragen. UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facilities/UConn Extension.

Boucher, J. Soil Erosion and Soil Health Assessment between Plastic-Mulched Beds. David and Nancy Bull CAHNR Innovation Award. Boucher, J. (Judge) and R. Durgy. 2015 All-America Selections Trial Garden - Edibles. International AAS Plant Breeders Awards. Boucher, J. and T. Gordon. Bejo Seeds, 2015 Brussel Sprouts Trial. UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facilities/UConn Extension. Campbell, B., J. Berning, Y. Liu, M. Concklin and L. Pundt. Increasing the Value of CT Specialty Crops through Increased Labeling and Access. CT DOAG Specialty Crop Block Grant Farm Bill Grant. Concklin, M. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Monitoring. Cooperating growers: Blue Hills Orchard, Rogers Orchards, Bishop’s Orchards, Belltown Orchards, Lyman Orchards, Holmberg Orchards, Woodstock Orchards, Scott’s Yankee Farmer, Easy Pickins Orchard, The Hickories, Starberry Farm, Averill Farms, Buell’s Orchards. USDA NIFA EIPM and USDA NIFA CPPM. Concklin, M. Demonstrating the Use and Value of Scientific Based Management Tools for Fertilizer Decisions. Cooperating growers: Evergreen Berry Farm, Allyn’s Red Barn, Hopkins Vineyard, Beckett Farm, Bishops Orchards, Orchard Farm, Fox Run Vineyard, Drazen Orchards, Dzen Brothers Farm, Starberry Farm, Land of Nod, Hayward Farm, Blue Hills Orchard, Holmberg Orchard, Burdick Road Orchard, The Hickories, Jones Family Farm, Chestnut Hill Vineyard, Sunset Meadow Vineyard, Applebrook Farm, Rogers Orchards, Buell’s Orchard, Savino Vineyards, Preston Ridge Vineyards, Heartstone Farm, Woodland Farm, Lapsley Orchards, Joseph Preli Farm & Vineyard. USDA/Connecticut Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant. Concklin, M. Demonstrating the Use of Mating Disruption for Tree Fruit Pests. Cooperating growers: Buell’s Orchard, The Hickories. USDA-EIPM, USDA NIFA CPPM. Concklin, M. Incorporating Weather Data from CT Farms into IPM Decisions Utilizing the NEWA System. Rainwise weather stations located at 22 farms. Involves all fruit growers in CT. Cooperating growers: Rogers Orchards, Wright’s Orchard, Easy Pickins Orchard, Clark Farms, Raspberry Knoll Farm, Buell’s Orchard, Bishop’s Orchard, Belltown Hill Orchards, Holmberg Orchards, The Hickories, Jones Family Farms, Blue Hills Orchard, Scott’s Yankee Farmer, Dzen Brothers Farm, Starberry Farm, Woodstock Orchards, Lyman Orchards, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Preston Ridge Vineyard, UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facilities. USDA NIFA CPPM. Concklin, M. Investigating Forage Radish and Compost as a Means of Alleviating Soil Compaction in Established Bramble and Blueberry Fields. Cooperating Growers: The Hickories, Holmberg Orchards, Raspberry Knoll Farm. USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant. Concklin, M. Trap Cropping for Spotted Wing Drosophila Control. Cooperating grower: Easy Pickins Orchard. USDA/CT Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant.

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Cutz, G. and A. Legrand. Training Hispanics in Urban Agriculture and IPM to Address Food Deserts in Connecticut. Northeastern IPM Center. Ellis, D. Biological Control of Mile-a-minute Vine. In cooperation with The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). USDA APHIS. Ellis, D., J. Allen, C. Bartholomew, A. Chiriboga, M. Concklin, A. Legrand, L. Pundt, and V. Wallace. Connecticut Extension Integrated Pest Management Program. USDA NIFA CPPM EIP. Ellis, D., N. Gabelman, and J. Hsiang. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys: Bundled Tree Pest Survey, Grape Commodity Survey, and Orchard Commodity Survey. In cooperation with CAES and Connecticut growers. USDA APHIS. Ellis, D. and G. Reynolds. Biological Control of Lily Leaf Beetles in Connecticut. USDA APHIS. Ellis, D. and G. Reynolds. Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project. In cooperation with CAES. USDA APHIS. Ellis, D., V. Wallace, and C. Bartholomew. Connecticut School IPM Coalition. In cooperation with CT DEEP and School Districts in Connecticut. USDA EIPM. Henderson, J., V. Wallace, and J. Campbell. Best Management Practices for Pesticide-Free, Cool-Season Athletic Fields. UConn Extension. Legrand, A. Evaluation of Beneficial Nematodes for White Grub Management. USDA NIFA Hatch NE-1032. Legrand, A. Organization of Spanish Program for Green Industry Employees. CNLA 2015 Winter Symposium. In cooperation with CNLA. Legrand, A. Producing Cut Flowers for Profit and to Enhance Biological Control of Vegetable Pests. CT Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant. Legrand, A. Use of Peonies to Conserve Spring Tiphia Parasitoids of White Grubs – Outreach Programs. USDA NIFA CPPM Program. Legrand, A. and Z. Donais. Survey of BMSB Egg Parasitoids. USDA NIFA Hatch NE-1032. Martin, J., J. Boucher, L. Pundt, J. Bonelli, and M. Concklin. Scaling Up – Helping CT’s Beginning Farmers Evolve from Small Scale Enterprises into Viable Farm Businesses. USDA NIFA BFRDP. Stoner K., B. Eitzer, R. Cowles, PI at UConn: A. Chiriboga. Quantifying Exposure of Honey Bees and Bumble Bees to Neonicotinoids in Nectar and Pollen of Nursery Plants. CT DEEP/CAES. Cooperative Agreement.

Brussel sprouts trial, Seedway LLC. Photo: Jeff Eckert

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IPM Program Partners

A number of individuals, organizations, and groups were instrumental in the success of many IPM Program efforts. The IPM Program staff is grateful for their cooperation and assistance. In addition, the IPM Program team acknowledges the assistance of municipal staff (departments of public works, parks and recreation, conservation commissions, inland wetlands commissions, and Town Mayors/Managers/First Selectman) from many Connecticut towns.

Bob Alex, Evergreen Berry Farm, Watertown, CT All America Selections Fred Allyn Jr, Allyn’s Red Barn, Ledyard, CT American Phytopathological Society, Northeastern Division Tim Angel, Town of Colchester, Colchester, CT Audubon Society of Connecticut Tyson Averill, Averill Farms, Washington Depot, CT Jim Baker, Hopkins Vineyard, New Preston, CT Ed Ball, Town of East Lyme, East Lyme, CT Nancy Barret, Scantic Farm, Somers, CT Tom Barry, Green Farms Academy, Westport, CT Bartlett Arboretum, Stamford, CT Chip Beckett, Beckett Farm, Glastonbury, CT Steve Bengtson, Cold Spring Brook Farm, Berlin, CT Jonathan Bishop and Michaele Williams, Bishop’s Orchards, Guilford, CT Monica Bragdon, Town of Coventry, Coventry, CT Dina Brewster and Mary Jawlik, The Hickories, Ridgefield, CT Richard Calarco, Director, Town of Hebron Parks and Recreation Department, Hebron, CT Michael and Andrew Calhoun, Orchard Farm, Bethany, CT Ben Campbell, UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Steve Carroll, Montville Schools, Montville, CT John Casertano, Casertano’s Greenhouse & Farms, Inc., Cheshire, CT Nelson Cecarelli, Cecarelli Farms, Northford, CT Becky and Allen Clark, Clark Farms, Granby, CT Wayne Coats, North Stonington Schools, North Stonington, CT Michelle and Billy Collins, Fair Weather Farm, Rocky Hill, CT Peter Concklin, Raspberry Knoll Farm, North Windham, CT The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (Dr. Carole Cheah, Robert Durgy, Dr. James LaMondia, Dr. Robert Marra) Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions (CACIWC) Connecticut Botanical Society Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Connecticut Department of Agriculture Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) Connecticut Environmental Council (CTEC) Connecticut Farm Bureau Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association (CGGA) Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association (CGKA) Connecticut Horticultural Society Connecticut Invasive Plants Council Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) Connecticut nursery, sawmill, orchard, and vineyard owners participating in commodity surveys Connecticut Parks Association (CPA) Connecticut Pomological Society Connecticut River Coastal, Eastern, North Central, Northwest, and Southwest Conservation Districts Connecticut School Building and Grounds Association Connecticut School IPM Coalition Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge John Cordes, Fox Run Vineyard, Brooklyn, CT Cornell University Cooperative Extension Tom Curtis, GLB Enterprises, Bridgewater, CT Dave DeNoia, Town of New London, New London, CT Bruce Dinne, Town of Vernon, Vernon, CT

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Eli Drazen, Drazen Orchards, Cheshire, CT Mr. Carl Dunham, Jr., Candlelight Farms, New Milford, CT Donny Dzen, Dzen Brothers Farm, East Windsor, CT Dave Emory, Town of Plainville, Plainville, CT Eversource Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. Greg Foran, Town of Glastonbury, Glastonbury, CT Dave Fortin, Harwinton-Burlington School Department, Harwinton, CT Kevin French, Lebanon Schools, Lebanon, CT Sally and Bob Futh, Starberry Farm, Washington, CT John Gemmel, Town of Meriden, Meriden, CT Chris Granger, Land of Nod, East Canaan, CT Bruce Gresczyk and Bruce Gresczyk, Jr., Gresczyk Farms, New Hartford, CT George Hamilton, University of New Hampshire Hartford County Extension Council Hartford Vegetable Growers’ Association Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University Peter Hayward, Hayward Farm, New Hartford, CT Eric Henry, Blue Hills Orchard, Wallingford, CT Rick and Russ Holmberg, Holmberg Orchards, Gales Ferry, CT Donna and Marty Howard, Burdick Road Orchard, New Hartford, CT John Hower, Town of New Canaan, New Canaan, CT Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) Carl Johnson, Town of Portland, Portland, CT Jamie Jones, Jones Family Farms, Shelton, CT Brian Kelliher, Easy Pickins Orchard, Enfield, CT Shane LaBrake, MD Bill Lamont, Pennsylvania State University Andrew Lyons Ben March, March Farms, Bethlehem, CT Henry Maskaitis, Town of Canton, Canton, CT Massachusetts Tree Fruit Growers’ Association Garry McDonald, Chestnut Hill Vineyard, Columbia, CT Barbara McKrell, Town of Stonington, Stonington, CT Bill McMinn, Madison Schools, Madison, CT Fred and Stacia Monahan, Stone Garden Farm, Shelton, CT George Motel Sr and George Motel Jr, Sunset Meadow Vineyard, Goshen, CT Sharon and Tom Muska, Applebrook Farm, Broad Brook, CT Brian Musumeci, Town of Woodstock, Woodstock, CT The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Chapter Kathleen Nelson, Mad Gardeners, Inc. New England Floriculture, Inc. New England Invasive Plant Group New England Sports Turf Managers Association (NESTMA) New England Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Association New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference Steering Committee New England Vegetable Management Guide Editing Committee New Jersey Department of Agriculture Anne and Eric Nordell, Beech Grove Farm, PA Dr. Piyumi Obeysekara Don O’Leary, Washington School Department, Washington, CT Walter Parkus, Town of East Haddam, East Haddam, CT Paul Peckham, Seedway LLC Robert Potter, Town of Clinton, Clinton, CT Don and Mike Preli, Belltown Hill Orchards, South Glastonbury, CT Dr. Marvin Prits, Cornell University Jay Pytel, Chaplin Schools, Chaplin, CT Dale-Ila Riggs, Stone Wall Hill Farm, NY John and Peter Rogers and Greg Parzych, Rogers Orchards, Southington, CT Carl Samuelson, Town of Newtown, CT Jeff Sandness, Buell’s Orchard, Eastford, CT Jerry Savino, Savino Vineyards, Woodbridge, CT

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Steve Sawyer, Preston Ridge Vineyards, Preston, CT Karen and Tom Scott, Scott’s Yankee Farmer, East Lyme, CT Dr. Warren Stiles, Cornell Professor Emeritus Walter Sykes, Town of Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill, CT Bill Syme, Crop Production Services Nancy and Walt Tabor, Heartstone Farm, Columbia, CT Erica and Peter Teveris, Woodland Farm, South Glastonbury, CT Tolland County Agricultural Center Trustees Tolland County Extension Council John Torgerson, Town of Hamden, Hamden, CT Mike Tupper, Town of Manchester, Manchester, CT UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture faculty and staff: John Bartok, Jr., Faculty Emeritus, Greenhouse and Nursery Engineering Dr. Mark Brand, Professor Dr. Bill Dest, UConn Emeritus Professor

Dr. Jason Henderson, Associate Professor Dr. John Inguagiato, Assistant Professor Dr. Yi Li, Professor Dr. Jessica Lubell-Brand, Associate Professor

Dr. Richard McAvoy, Professor and Head Dr. Thomas Morris, Professor

Dawn Pettinelli, Assistant Extension Educator, UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory UConn Extension faculty and staff: Joseph Bonelli, Program Associate

Dr. German Cutz Joyce Meader, Assistant Extension Educator Dr. Carl Salsedo, Extension Educator Stacey Stearns, Program Coordinator, Agriculture UConn Home & Garden Education Center UConn Master Gardener Program UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facilities UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Maine University of Massachusetts University of New Hampshire University of Rhode Island University of Vermont USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Tim Webb, Town of Ellington, Ellington, CT John Wolchesky, Lapsley Orchards, Pomfret, CT Todd and Joyclyn Wright, Wright’s Orchard, Tolland, CT Doug Young, Woodstock Orchards, Woodstock, CT John Yushkevich, Joseph Preli Farm and Vineyard, South Glastonbury, CT

Sara Blersch with CSA vegetables from Daffodil Hill Farm in Southbury. Photo: Jude Boucher