ENT-68: Insects: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 7

Jonathan Larson | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Insects are the most biodiverse group of animals on earth. Amazingly, there are about one million total species of insects known currently, with the possibility of tens of millions more left to discover.

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ENT-69: Integrated Pest Management: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 10

Jonathan Larson | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Pests can be insects, weeds, vertebrates, and diseases. Any organism that causes harm to crops, livestock, or humans can be considered problematic and therefore must be managed.

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FOR-174: Fall Webworms

Ellen Crocker, Jonathan Larson | Oct. 31, 2023 (New)

Fall webworms are native tent caterpillars that can be found throughout the United States and southern Canada. This species is distinguished by its "tent" constructed at the ends of tree branches, allowing caterpillars to feed gregariously on enclosed foliage. While these insects can cause heavy defoliation, especially during periodic outbreaks, fall webworms by themselves do not cause mortality in healthy trees and are typically not a serious concern meriting management. However, other tent-forming caterpillars may be confused with fall webworm (such as the eastern tent caterpillar) and learning to distinguish these species can be useful for understanding potential impacts.

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ID-1: The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program

Sharon Bale, Tom Barnes, Jessica Bessin, Kenneth Clayton, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain, J.D. Green, Kelly Jackson, Krista Jacobsen, Jonathan Larson, Brad Lee, Kimberly Leonberger, Adam Leonberger, Gregg Munshaw, A.J. Powell, Edwin Ritchey, Rachel Rudolph, Robbie Smith, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Stacy White, Mark Williams, Erica Wood, Shawn Wright | Aug. 24, 2023 (New)

Plants are essential to life on earth. Either directly or indirectly, they are the primary food source for humans and other animals. Additionally, they provide fuel, replenish the earth's oxygen supply, prevent soil erosion, slow down wind movement, cool the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, supply medicinal compounds, and beautify our surroundings.

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PPFS-OR-H-11: Common Problems of Annuals and Perennials: An Index

Ellen Crocker, Jamie Dockery, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Kimberly Leonberger | Aug. 2, 2021 (New)

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PPFS-OR-W-30: Common Problems of Common Trees: An Index

Ellen Crocker, Jamie Dockery, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Kimberly Leonberger | Jul. 19, 2021 (New)

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PPFS-OR-W-31: Common Problems of Common Shrubs: An Index

Ellen Crocker, Jamie Dockery, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Kimberly Leonberger | Jul. 19, 2021 (New)

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PPFS-OR-W-28: Laurel Wilt Disease and Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

Ellen Crocker, Tyler Dreaden, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Kimberly Leonberger | Jul. 8, 2020 (New)

Laurel wilt is a newly discovered fungal disease that presents a major threat to sassafras in Kentucky. The disease was first detected in the U.S. in 2003 and in southwestern Kentucky in 2019. Currently, laurel wilt is known to occur in eleven southeastern states bordered by Kentucky (north), North Carolina (east), Florida (south), and Texas (west). Research is ongoing to determine the impact and distribution of both the laurel wilt fungus and the redbay ambrosia beetle that carries it.