All redwoods (Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, Metasequoia) are susceptible to this disease reported in California and Virginia.

 Cool, damp, spring weather favors spread of spores and their germination. Hot, dry weather favors internal growth of fungus in leaf and twig tissues, hastening girdling of twigs and browning of infected portions. Phosphorus deficiency increases susceptibility of tree to infection. Trees grown out of native environment are most susceptible.

Symptoms include, needles with purple, circular or oval spots, expanding to cover entire needle, which becomes brown. Purplish brown spots at base of needle or at needle scale, becoming cankers which eventually girdle the twig. Tiny black stromata, containing perithecia or pycnidia are evident in discolored areas. Numerous cankers may develop on the twig. Once the twig is girdled, the entire distal portion dies and needles turn brown.

 Spores are spread from infected leaves or twigs on live trees by rain or drip splash, during early, wet spring rains or fog. They are also dispersed by wind. Spores can penetrate the needles through stomata. Twig canker results from movement of the fungus through the leaf to the twig. Heat stress weakens resistance of tree to movement by the fungus. Overwintering in vegetative (mycelial) stage in infected tissues on the tree or in ground duff.

ROUNDHEADED BORERS
One of the families of beetles with the largest number of species is the Cerambycidae.

DESCRIPTION:
The adult beetles in this group are called longhorned beetles because of their long antennae.
The immature stage of most longhorned beetles is a woodboring larva called a roundheaded borer.
There are hundreds of species of longhorned beetles and many are very common. The beetles vary in size from 1/4 to 3 inches long. The longhorned beetles are attracted to dying, freshly cut or recently-killed trees where they lay eggs on the bark of the green wood.

The larvae emerge from the eggs and burrow into the tree and spend one to three years tunnelling through the wood. Tunnels may be just under the bark or in the heartwood, are usually about the size of a lead pencil, and are packed with coarse sawdust.
The larvae are wormlike and white to yellowish with a brown head, round-bodied and deeply wrinkled. Holes and piles of sawdust mark where the adult beetles emerge from the infested wood.
Adult roundheaded borers are medium to large, elongate, cylindrical beetles that are often brightly colored. They have long antennae, so are sometimes called longhorned borers or beetles.
One common species, the poplar borer (Saperda calcarata) attacks aspen, cottonwood, poplar, and willow.

LIFE CYCLE
:
Adult females of most species of roundheaded borers lay eggs in bark crevices.
The larvae bore beneath the bark and sometimes into the wood on tree limbs, trunks, and main roots. During the spring and summer the eucalyptus longhorned borer may complete its life cycle in 3 to 4 months, but in the fall and winter, it may require up to 9 months.

DAMAGE:
Holes in bark and stains or oozing liquid on limbs or trunks are common symptoms of damage by roundheaded borers. Foliage may discolor and wilt, limbs may die back, and branches or entire plants may be killed.
However, roundheaded borers attack mostly damaged or dying plants; vigorous trees are rarely attacked.

The Rugus Spiraling Whitefly has a very broad host range from palms to woody ornamentals and fruits. RSW has been infesting gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), Calophyllum species, black olive (Bucida buceras), copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana), broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), live oak (Quercus virginiana), mango (Mangifera indica) and others.
It has also been seen on several palms which include areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), Veitchia species, and coconut (Cocos nucifera). Additional hosts are likely to be added to the current list.

This whitefly is closely related to the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii, and shares similarities. Like the giant whitefly, the adult is about 3 times larger than other whiteflies that occur in the U.S., and is more docile (slower moving) than other types of whiteflies.

The adult whiteflies collect on the undersides of the leaves to feed and reproduce.
The female whitefly lays her eggs in a spiral pattern on the leaves and also deposits a white, waxy substance on the eggs.

The crawler stage hatches from the eggs and crawls around before it starts to feed with its “needle-like” mouthparts. This stage is very small and difficult to see.
The crawlers will molt and go through several immature stages that are oval and initially flat, then more convex. These stages do not resemble a typical insect. Some immature stages will secrete long white filaments of wax. It will likely survive year round in south Florida.

The Damage is most noticeable symptoms of an infestation of this whitefly is the abundance of the white, waxy material covering the leaves and also excessive sooty mold. Like other similar insects, these whiteflies will produce “honeydew”, a sugary substance, which causes the growth of sooty mold.

SAWFLIES (including Conifers and Broadleaf Trees such as; Ash and Elm.

There are over 100 species of sawflies attack conifers in the United States and Canada. All are non-stinging wasps, not flies. Most experimental work has been done with the European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer.

IDENTIFICATION:
Eggs are laid Eggs in slits. And pupae are Spun on ground or in duff under host tree, occasionally on twigs of host and are about 5/16 in. long. The larvae are Approximately 7/8 in. long when mature. Head shiny black; body dirty gray-green with lighter back; two white lines laterally border a green to black line which breaks up into spots. Rear legs and back of anal segment black; more than 5 pairs of legs. Many black hairs, those on back, in rows.
The adults are approximately 1/2 in. long. Antennae; contains 13 or more segments are saw-like in female, tooth-like in male. Mid-breast sutures atrophied; mid-shield with front margin v-shaped; rear margin narrow, cord-like. Special spurs on front legs only, others simple.

Hosts include:
Jack, Japanese red, mugho, red, Scots, and Swiss mountain pines and others.
BroadLeaf Trees such as; Ash and Elm.

They’re found in the United States northeastern, central, and Lake States and in Ontario, Canada.

Spotted on the outer portions of older needles eaten by young larvae; entire needles eaten by older larvae. Older needles preferred. Partially eaten needles look like fine straw hanging from twigs.
They are known to have one generation annually. Overwintering cocoon spun in duff or on twig of host tree. Pupation completed in spring, with adults emerging a few weeks later. Females lay rows of eggs in slits on edges of older needles; may occur without mating; unfertilized eggs produce only males, but fertilized eggs may produce either sex. Larvae hatch in about a month and feed sporadically for another month or so, before dropping to ground in order to spin cocoons

Gloomy Scale, Melanaspis tenebricosa (Comstock), Hemiptera: Diaspididae, Lepidosaphes ulmi (Oystershell)

The distinct adult females are ovel reddish-brown, with waxy fringe along body margin.

There are numerous host plants and are scattered Worldwide.

Cool temperatures are favored.

When present in large numbers, scale insects cause yellowing and premature drop of foliage. Young trees may be killed outright, older trees are so weakened that they are susceptible to borers, diseases, and drought. During egg-laying, females excrete honeydew covering the bark and leaves, which then becomes covered with sooty mold.

After feeding starts, adults remain immobile for most of their lives. Eggs are deposited from spring to mid-summer. Eggs laid in June hatch in July. First instar nymphs (crawlers) migrate to rough bark cracks to overwinter. Active development and feeding occur in spring. Some feed on leaves while others settle down to feed on twigs of small branches.

Dendroctonus frontalis,
The Southern Pine Beetle, is a species of bark beetle native to the forests of southern United States, Mexico and Central America. It has a hard reddish brown to black exoskeleton and measures approximately 3 mm (0.12 in), about the size of a grain of rice. It is short-legged, the front of its head is notched and the hind of its body is round.

Dendroctonus frontalis attacks many Pinus species.
Host trees in the United States include primarily P. taeda, P. echinata, P. elliottii, P. virginiana, P. rigida, P. palustris, P. serotina, P. pungens and P. strobes, P. ponderosa, P. engelmannii and P. leiophylla.
Host trees in Central America include P. caribaea, P. engelmannii, P. leiophylla, P. maximinoi and P. oocarpa.
In the south-eastern United States it is considered one of the most important causes of economic loss in forestry…..

Southern pine beetles are 1/8 inch long and have cylindrical, reddish-brown to black bodies. There are several overlapping generations each year.
All stages of the life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) can be found in trees at any time. Development is faster in the summer (26 days) than during the winter (54 days). Following a period of relative inactivity in the winter, adults begin to fly again in the spring.
Females attack 6 to 30 feet above the ground on mature trees and bore into the bark. They create galleries in which they mate and lay eggs. The yellowish white, legless grubs feed in the inner bark, enlarging their tunnels as they grow. Mature larvae move to the outer bark and create a cell in which they pupate.
New adults chew through the bark, leaving small, clearly visible, open exit holes. Adult emergence may continue for an extended period of time. Generally, they leave the host tree and aggregate on a nearby tree; however, some may fly several miles before attacking a new tree. When adults successfully attack a new host tree, they produce a pheromone or chemical scent that attracts other males and females. Within a few days, thousands of beetles may attack a tree and overwhelm its defenses. Excess beetles land on and colonize nearby trees, creating “hot spots,” and the infestation expands.

Southern pine beetle infestations are characterized by trees with reddish brown crowns surrounded by those with green needles. Obvious signs of infestation include white pitch tubes, running pitch, sawdust at the base of the tree, and many small emergence holes in the bark.
Larvae chew curved or S-shaped galleries under the bark in the inner bark and cambium layer, and can girdle and kill the tree. In addition, the beetles introduce a fungus that can be lethal to the tree. Other species of bark beetles can be present in the same tree but their larvae produce I-, Y-, or H-shaped galleries.
The beetles usually are attracted to weakened mature trees, those more than 15 years old and with a trunk diameter of less than 6 inches.
During outbreaks, they attack trees that appear to be healthy and vigorous. Infestations usually begin on the mid-trunk area and then expand up and down the length of the tree. Resistant species such as slash, longleaf, and eastern white pine, have a high resin exudate that provides an effective defensive mechanism against the beetle. However, even resistant trees can be attacked successfully when the beetles are very abundant.

SPIDER MITES BROADLEAF and CONIFERS

SPIDER MITES (BROADLEAF)

Species of:
Bryobia, Eutetranychus, Oligonychus, Panonychus, Schizotetranychus, Gall Mites, Eriophyid, Palm, Rust and Tetranychus.

The adults range in size from 0.25 mm. – 1.0 mm  and vary from pale yellow and pale green to dark green and red. Size, color, host, and location on plant must be observed for proper identification.
Practically all broadleaf plants are susceptible to one or more species of spider mites.
They arte found to be worldwide with some species limited by host ranges.
A dense plantings  of favorable hosts induces rapid spread. Dust on leaves also favors rapid infestation. Activity greatest at temperatures between 54∞-100∞ F.
Fine flecking or stippling of foliage followed by chlorosis can be seen. Entire portions of leaves may become yellow or bronze. Many species form webbing on undersides of leaves.
All spider mites have basically the same life cycle. Most overwinter as eggs on foliage; a few overwinter as adults in bark crevices. Spring hatching with warming weather leads to the six-legged larval stage, progressing through several nymphal stages to adults. Many generations develop during a single season,  with a generation repeating in from  7-10 days. Mites may increase during the summer heat, depending on the species.

SPIDER MITES   (CONIFER)

Species of:
Oligonychus ununguis  (spruce mite), O. subnudus, O. milleri, and Eurytetranychus admes, Gall Mites, Eriophyid.

They are usually dark red, but may be dark green; legs and front of body buff or tan; young mites lighter, with most coloration due to food or waste material in body; coloration most pronounced just prior to molting in young nymphs and mature adults.

Found on most conifers including arborvitae, chamaecyparis, Douglas fir, hemlock, juniper, pine, spruce and occasionally, coastal redwood and are found throughout United States and Canada (O.ununguis). Other species in the western U.S.

Infestation may become epidemic in monocultures of host trees. Hot, cool or dry  conditions, depending on species.

The stippling of needles resulting from feeding punctures and the foliage becoming silvery, yellow, then brown. Inner mature needles showing first damage. Webbing may be abundant, the strands catching dirt, are sparse. Positive evidence of mite presence by shaking a branch over some white paper: tiny flecks which move indicate presence of mites.

Conifer spider mites overwinter as eggs on foliage and twigs; eggs hatch in March or April, depending on climate. Repeated generations with new needle growth; activity reduced with onset of hot weather or when most food material in tree is exhausted; renewed activity with cooler fall weather. During hot weather, adults are dormant or only slightly active. Migration from tree to tree by adults riding on windblown webbing.

Conifers.
Several species of “froghoppers” embracing the genera of Aphrophora, Clastoptera, Philaenus, and Prosopia.

The adults are blunt, wedge-shaped, 1/4 in. – 1/2 in. long; gray to brown, sometimes with colorful stripes encircling the thorax; capable of jumping or flying; prothorax not extending over the back; antennae arise from in front of eyes; tibia with 1-2 teeth before tip, crowned with short, stout spines.

Their eggs are tiny, laid on host plant or weeds and other vegetation nearby. Eggs hatch after 30^o F days. Nymphs are very small; black with light-colored thorax. Feed almost immediately after hatching by inserting sucking mouthparts into living vegetation to feed on sap. Bubbly droplets of fluid emitted from anus, eventually enveloping the insect with froth.

Fir, juniper, pine, and spruce are favored.

They are found throughout the United States.

Temperatures above 60∞ F. with high relative humidity are favored conditions.

Easily noticed by the frothy masses of “spittle” clinging to foliage. Dieback of plant tips, loss of needles, and eventual death are the results if not treated

There are one to two generations annually, depending on species. Eggs overwinter on host trees or on nearby vegetation, hatching in the spring. Nymphs begin to feed immediately or crawl back onto host trees, feeding until October. Adults are plentiful by mid-summer, laying eggs by August.