May Invasive Plant Journal

A few quick reference photos taken on May 21st, showing what to look for......

GARLIC MUSTARD:

Look for distinctive leaves and flowers. Pull garlic mustard NOW before the seeds disperse.

 

Garlic mustard spreads rapidly and crowds out other plants.

Garlic mustard root system. Plants are usually pretty easy to pull with roots intact.


JAPANESE KNOTWEED:

ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET:

Vines are already wrapping onto tree branches. This spruce is already suffering from cytospora canker.

Oriental bittersweet vines are almost completely covering this white pine.

 

Garlic Mustard: Do It Now

If you haven't pulled up garlic mustard (GM) infestation, do it as soon as possible because time is quickly running out. The seeds will be maturing very soon, dispersing, and then it's too late. A single plant produces thousands of seeds and they can remain viable for up to 5 years. CLICK HERE for a great fact sheet with more information. You may have also seen GPIP's garlic mustard fact sheet in a recent issue of Glastonbury Life. Read about Newton's (MA.) experience with garlic mustard here.

Tips: When you pull GM place it directly into a large black contractor's clean-up bag. Don't carry around the pulled GM in your hands as you move from place to place pulling more weeds because seeds may dislodge from the pulled plants and now you're acting as a dispersal agent not an eradicator. Once you have filled the bag close it up and place it on the driveway in direct sun to cook the plants, then dispose of them via the trash.

Keeping this post short- gotta go pull garlic mustard now! Film at 11:00.

Winter Moth

If it's not one thing, it's another. UConn asks that we be on the alert for an invasive moth that originated in Europe and entered Nova Scotia in the 1950's. It has been spotted in the New London area and inland areas of eastern Connecticut as far north as Woodstock. It is also in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. According to the UConn Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program:

"This exotic insect is of great concern in our state due to its propensity for significant feeding damage to a number of fruit crops, trees, shrubs, and perennials. Winter moth has a broad host range, including apples, blueberries and a wide range of ornamentals.

 

At this time of year the larvae have moved from within the expanding buds and leaves and are now openly feeding on the foliage. Young larvae feed in and cause severe damage to developing buds on host plants, while older larvae become free feeders on plant foliage, which may cause complete defoliation.

 

Larvae are pale green caterpillars with a white stripe running down each side of the body. They have 2 pairs of prolegs, which are located at the back end of their body. They grow to a length of about 1 inch. Larvae are expected to be feeding on foliage within the next 2-3 weeks.The larvae will continue to feed until pupation, which will occur in late May or early June."

 

Please see the following sites for fact sheets, pictures and control information on winter moth:

• Insect Fact Sheets
• Winter Moth, Introduced Pests Outreach Project

Contact Donna Ellis or call 860-486-6448 if you suspect you have this pest.