Pamlico County Horticulture & Environment
Questions and Issues
Apple Cedar Rust 
Question Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Oriental
PDIC Cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) was identified from the images. The fungus completes part of its life cycle on Eastern redcedar, on which it produces galls, and in the spring produces orange elongate telia on the galls on which spores are borne that infect apple. The fungus does very little damage to cedar, and unless there are apples nearby, the fungus is of no consequence on this host.
On apple both leaves and fruit may be infected. Control on apple depends on routine fungicide sprays, especially in early spring, as recommended in the North Carolina Agricultural Chemical Manual and in Fruit Diseases Information Note #2. Home gardeners may consider using resistant cultivars such as Liberty, Redfree or William`s Pride. For more information please go to http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Fruit/fruit_contents.html>NC Fruit Disease Information Notes (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Fruit/fruit_contents.html)
Annual Bluegrass 
Question Date: April 25, 2008 Location: Oriental
Annual bluegrass is a light green bunch-type to slightly spreading winter annual weedy grass. Some subspecies exist which are classified as short-lived perennials (Poa annua ssp. reptans). One reason annual bluegrass is so unsightly is its ability to produce a light colored seedhead even at very low mowing heights.
Control: Apply preemergence herbicides in late sumer or early fall before emergence for effective control. In dormant bermudagrass, glyphosate, simazine, or atrazine can provide control (Simazine and atrazine can also be used in other warm-season turf species). Postemergence herbicides in late winter may be effective for actively growing weeds, but as spring approaches chemical control will not warrant the expense or the effort. Look for annual bluegrass to die back as temperatures begin to rise.
Bee Swarms 
Question Date: All of April Location; County Wide
Bee swarms are a common sight in April, June, and into July. The spring bloom period coincides with honeybee population increase leading to the need for swarming to alleviate crowded hive conditions. If you see a swarm, either contact a local beekeeper or simply leave them alone. Swarms with not stay around for long and with soon move to a new hive location.
Control: Simply leave them alone. If bees do become a problem (bees in a house or wall), contact a beekeeper or area bee inspector for names of individuals willing to remove them from structures.
Polyphemus Moth
Question Date: April 25, 2008 Location: Oriental
This cocoon was found lying under a river birch. About 2 inches long and 1 inch across. No insect was found inside. The cocoon has what appears to be the imprint of a leaf with veins showing on the outside and the actual leaf inside of the cocoon. The cocoon is covered with very find silk thread, is hard, with a shiny appearance.
PDIC This is an old polyphemus moth cocoon. This is good that you have some in your area. No action required.
Suspected Large Patch in Centipede 
Question Date: May 6, 2008 Location: County
Large patch appears in roughly circular patches that are yellow, tan, or straw-brown. The patches are initially 2 to 3 feet in diameter, but can expand in size rapidly up to 10 feet or more in diameter, hence the name "large patch". Multiple patches may coalesce to encompass even larger areas of turf. When the disease is actively developing, the outer edge of the patches are often red, orange, or bronze in color. Close examination of individual plants reveals the presence of reddish-brown or gray lesions on the leaf sheaths. It may be necessary to peel away the older, dead leaves in order to reveal the lesions on the younger leaf sheaths below.
Control: Establishment of a disease-resistant turfgrass species is the most effective means for management of large patch. Fungicides are available for large patch control, but must be applied on a preventative basis. Applications should be initiated in the fall when soil temperatures decline to 70°F, regardless of when symptoms have appeared in the past. One or two well-timed applications provide season-long control of large patch in many situations. In severely affected sites, repeat applications should be made on 4 to 6 week intervals as long as soil temperatures are between 40°F and 70°F. Mapping of affected areas in the spring for spot-treatment in the fall can substantially reduce fungicide expenditures. Chemical control: ProStar, Bayleton, Heritage.
Azalea Leaf Gall 
Question Date: May 2, 2008 Location: Oriental
PDIC Leaf gall, caused by the fungus Exobasidium, was identified on the sample images. The disease is temporary and will not kill plants. Chemical control is not practical at this stage of disease. Hand pick and destroy affected leaves if practical. Pentathalon DF (Griffin) is labeled for control but spraying must be done at leaf bud break early in the spring and it is usually not needed unless the infection was extremely widespread the previous year. Remove leaf galls from site, to prevent inoculum for re-infection next spring.
Millipede 
Question Date: May 2, 2008 Location: Unknown
Millipedes are common occasional pests that sometimes invade buildings, particularly when the weather turns hot and dry. While millipedes sometimes enter in large numbers, they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases, nor do they infest food, clothing or dry, structurally sound wood. Millipedes vary in both color and size. The most common species that invades buildings is the" garden millipede", which is brownish-black in color and about one inch long. Although millipedes are often called "thousandleggers", they actually have far fewer legs, but each body segment has two pairs of very short legs. When disturbed, millipedes often curl up into a "C" shape and remain motionless. They crawl slowly and protect themselves by secreting cyanide-like compound that has an unpleasant odor . Some people confuse millipedes with centipedes, which look somewhat similar. Centipedes have only one pair of legs per body segment and the legs are usually longer than those on millipedes. Centipedes also tend to move about more quickly than millipedes.
Control: Try this Insect Note http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/millipedes.htm
More Galls 
Question Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Olympia
Similar to Azalea Leaf Gall but this occurred on the flower of a tree, species uncertain.
Disclaimer: Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your county Cooperative Extension agent.
Aphids 
Question Date: April-June Location: Pamlico
Aphids are sometimes pests of ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers. They feed by inserting microscopically thin mouthparts into the plant phloem and sucking out sap that is rich in sugars. As they feed, aphids also inject saliva. This saliva causes some plants to develop curled, hardened or distorted growth. Overall plant vigor may suffer. Aphids are slow, fragile, insects that vary from 1/16 to 1/4 inch long. They can be black, brown, yellow, red, gray or green. Most of the aphids are without a waxy covering, although the bodies of some of the woolly aphids are covered with white, waxy threads. For control see insect note 38 .
