Getting to know Giant Hogweed

This time of year, the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project's Pest Hotline gets a lot of calls and emails about Giant Hogweed. Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a large, stout plant in the Carrot family, and due to its toxic sap, is a federally listed noxious weed. It has been present in Massachusetts for several years. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is actively managing all hogweed populations with the goal of eradication.

If you think you've seen Giant Hogweed, we encourage you to file a Pest Report or call our Pest Hotline at 617-626-1779. But first, take a look at this excellent resource from IPANE that will help you determine if you've really got Giant Hogweed, or one of several similar-looking plants:



Related resources:

• A list of confirmed sightings in Massachusetts
• Our Giant Hogweed fact sheet
  

(Photo by David Marrison, Ohio State University Extension)

Plum Pox Virus in New York

Plum pox virus (PPV) has been discovered once again in New York, this time in Wayne County. This marks the third year in a row that the virus, which can impact plum, peach, apricot and other stone fruits, has been found in that state. State agricultural officials have places a one mile quarantine zone around the orchard where the infected trees were located. The discovery was during a statewide PPV survey undertaken by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the USDA.

Pennsylvania and parts of Canada have also had outbreaks of PPV over the past several years, but the virus has not yet been found in New England. For more information about PPV, check out our fact sheet on the MIPOP website.

Fighting Chrysanthemum White Rust

The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and the Society of American Florists (SAF) recently released an excellent Powerpoint presentation for growers and sellers concerned about Chrysanthemum White Rust (Puccinia horiana, "CWR"). CWR is a rust fungus that is able to infect twelve different chrysanthemum species, including pot mums, cut mums and garden mums. It can cause serious economic damage, and is currently considered a pathogen of quarantine significance in both the USA and Canada.

Over the past thirty years, there have been several outbreaks of CWR across North America, including in Massachusetts, but these local outbreaks have always been eradicated. The threat remains, however, and it is extremely important to detect this pathogen early in order to minimize economic losses.

If you grow or sell mums, please take a few moments to view the Powerpoint presentation to learn how to recognize the symptoms of Chrysanthemum White Rust infection. Early detection, and a rapid response if CWR is found, are two important steps in preventing the establishment of this pathogen.

Because this is a pathogen of quarantine significance, anyone who detects the presence of CWR is required to inform the USDA, state or county officials. If you think you see signs of Chrysanthemum White Rust, you can let the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources know through our Pest Reporting form, or call our Pest Hotline (617-626-1779).

(Source: ANLA and SAF press release. Photo of CWR courtesy of the Central Science Laboratory, Harpenden Archive, Bugwood.org)

Emerald Ash Borer Sightings

Over the past couple of weeks, there have been two new sightings of the emerald ash borer beetle (Agrilus planipennis, "EAB") in the USA and Canada, including Quebec (a first for the province) and Mercer County, Pennsylvania (the fifth county in PA since the beetle was first found there in 2007).

The end of June is considered "peak emergence" time for the species, when adults are most likely to emerge from underneath the ash bark they spend the beginning part of their lives burrowing in. With many states and Canadian provinces actively trapping for the EAB, there may be further reports of the presence of this invasive species throughout the summer. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation monitors emerald ash borer traps placed throughout our state, which remains EAB-free.

(Photo of EAB courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org)