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This calendar is an ever-expanding database on information about life cycle events for common Missoula County plants, pests, and diseases. Below, you will find information about LEAST-TOXIC treatments (those that have the smallest impact on humans, pests, wildlife and insects, like bees and ladybugs, which benefit the garden) as well as HARD PESTICIDE treatments (those that have greater impact on humans and the environment).
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strives to optimize plant health by:
IPM also means knowing as much about each pest as possible.
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Spruce BudwormsThe larvae have olive brown to reddish brown bodies with brownish heads. They have prominent, ivory-colored, paired spots on each body segment. They range in size from 1 to 1-1/2 inches long at maturity. The adults are highly variable in color from mottled med-dark brown to orange forewings and tan hind wings, their wingspan is about 1 inch.
Raspberries are easy to grow shrubs with biennial canes. The canes that have fruit on them in the second year then die with new canes sprouting up to take their place. Raspberries can be red, yellow or black in color. There are everbearing which fruit ripens on 2 year canes in summer and on the top of new first year canes in the fall, and the summerbearing which ripen early to midsummer on the second year canes. Raspberries need full sun and a well-drained soil with lots of organic matter in it.
Adults are small brown oblong beetles ¼ to ½ inch long. The adults cause characteristic slits in the leaves from their feeding and destroy developing buds. The larvae feed within the blossoms and inside developing fruit.
Grasshoppers are some of the most familiar of all insects, and more than 550 species occur in North America. Grasshoppers damage plants by chewing. Most feeding occurs on foliage, although immature pods and fruit may also be eaten. Bark from twigs is sometimes gnawed, causing girdling wounds.
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When apples are 3/4" in size -time to sprayDeciduous fruit trees in the Rosaceae family, with leathery, glossy bright green leaves and clusters of white flowers in the spring. Pears are of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world dating back over 5,000 years to Chinese farmers. Pear trees are of medium size typically reaching 15-30 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide. Most varieties require a partner for cross-pollination however some do not. There are over 3000 varieties, but only approximately 10 varieties in commercial production. The Bartlett variety comprises over 75% of the United States pear crop. Other European pear varieties include d'Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Seckel, and Winter Nelis. The European pear is noted for its soft, juicy flesh. The skin color is medium green to yellow, depending on fruit maturity and the variety. Skin texture can be smooth or rough. Fruit shape ranges from the classic pear shape (round base with narrow neck) to a rounded oblong shape with no clearly defined neck area.
Adults are 1/2 to 3/4 inch gray moths with a dark band. Larvae are cream colored, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long caterpillars with dark heads.
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Elm Beetle LarvaDeciduous fast growing trees easily grown in most soils. Best with normal watering, but will tolerate low moisture conditions at expense of good growth, plant health. Root systems are aggressive and close to surface. Branch crotches often narrow, easily split. The elms are subject to many pests, which are fatal and control measures are not effective or available. Elms were once used extensively as street and lawn trees. The American elm was overplanted and when Dutch elm disease struck it devastated the elm populations. The species of elms grow between 50-100' tall. Some species have a weedy nature with their papery winged seedpods dispersing over a wide area. Once used in windbreaks and shelterbelts, new cultivars have been developed for resistance to Dutch Elm disease.
Feeding adults are yellow-green beetles, 1/4 inch long with a dark stripe down the center of their bodies. Overwintering adults are more green in color. Larvae are black with lateral yellow striping, 1/4 inch long, soft-bodied grubs. Pupae are bright yellow.
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Mountain Pine BeetleAdult beetles are cylindrical, stout bodied beetles, about 1/4 inch long, and brown to black in color. The larvae are white-yellowish, legless grubs with a dark head
Pines are evergreen trees and shrubs with over 90 species in the northern hemisphere. Their number of needles in a bundle and size and shape of cones are the characteristics by which pines are classified. The pines are of primary importance in the production of timber, pulp and paper production. Turpentine, pine-wood oils, wood tars, and rosin are obtained from the wood of several species. The leaf oils of several species are used in the manufacture of medicines and the seeds of several others are suitable for food (pine nuts). Generally pines are more tolerant of adverse soil and climatic conditions than spruce and firs. Most pines are pyramidal in shape, but some can be pruned into hedges and screens.
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Mountain Pine BeetleAdult beetles are cylindrical, stout bodied beetles, about 1/4 inch long, and brown to black in color. The larvae are white-yellowish, legless grubs with a dark head
Pines are evergreen trees and shrubs with over 90 species in the northern hemisphere. Their number of needles in a bundle and size and shape of cones are the characteristics by which pines are classified. The pines are of primary importance in the production of timber, pulp and paper production. Turpentine, pine-wood oils, wood tars, and rosin are obtained from the wood of several species. The leaf oils of several species are used in the manufacture of medicines and the seeds of several others are suitable for food (pine nuts). Generally pines are more tolerant of adverse soil and climatic conditions than spruce and firs. Most pines are pyramidal in shape, but some can be pruned into hedges and screens.
Stone Fruits 2: Apricot, Cherry Chokecherry, Peach, Plum, etc.
The genus Prunus is comprised of nearly 200 species of five subgenera: plums and apricots, almonds and peaches, umbellate cherries, deciduous racemose cherries, and the evergreen racemose cherries. The species of this genus range from shrubs to trees over 90 ft. tall. Over 100 species have been cultivated as either ornamentals or as food crops. Trees for fruit production and many ornamentals are generally propagate by budding or grafting, while seed propagation is reserved for generation of rootstocks and breeding programs. The most common rootstock:scion combinations are: almond:almond and plum; apricot:apricot; mazzard cherry:sweet cherry; mahaleb cherry:sweet and sour cherry; peach:peach, almond, apricot, plum; American plum:plum in cold regions; Bessey cherry:dwarf peaches.
Cherry fruitfly maggot larvae are legless, 1/4 to 3/8 inch long larvae, creamy white in color except for 2 dark mouth hooks. Adults are housefly sized with darker patterned "W" or "Z" markings on clear wings.
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Cottonwood leaf beetle larvaCottonwood trees are all known for rapid growth. They grow best with regular deep watering, ensuring roots grow deeply to become drought tolerant. Do not plant near water lines or sewers as their roots are invasive. There are 30-35 species of poplars and numerous hybrids and named cultivars. Cottonwoods are commonly used in windbreak and fence row plantings.
The cottonwood leaf beetle is a light tan, oval beetle marked with black spots and is about 3/8 inch long. The larvae are black, worm-like grubs with whitish spotting as they age.
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Cottonwood leaf beetle larvaCottonwood trees are all known for rapid growth. They grow best with regular deep watering, ensuring roots grow deeply to become drought tolerant. Do not plant near water lines or sewers as their roots are invasive. There are 30-35 species of poplars and numerous hybrids and named cultivars. Cottonwoods are commonly used in windbreak and fence row plantings.
The cottonwood leaf beetle is a light tan, oval beetle marked with black spots and is about 3/8 inch long. The larvae are black, worm-like grubs with whitish spotting as they age.
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Pine Beetle PheromonesPines are evergreen trees and shrubs with over 90 species in the northern hemisphere. Their number of needles in a bundle and size and shape of cones are the characteristics by which pines are classified. The pines are of primary importance in the production of timber, pulp and paper production. Turpentine, pine-wood oils, wood tars, and rosin are obtained from the wood of several species. The leaf oils of several species are used in the manufacture of medicines and the seeds of several others are suitable for food (pine nuts). Generally pines are more tolerant of adverse soil and climatic conditions than spruce and firs. Most pines are pyramidal in shape, but some can be pruned into hedges and screens.
Adult beetles are cylindrical, stout bodied beetles, about 1/4 inch long, and brown to black in color. The larvae are white-yellowish, legless grubs with a dark head
Populus tremuloides or quaking aspens, are one of the most widely distribute tree in North America This is a broadleaf deciduous small tree with roundish leaves, white undersides, and flat petioles that cause the leaves to flutter in the wind. This tree can grow in sun or part shade, adaptable to nearly all types of soil, is fast growing, and relatively short lived.
Cottonwood trees are all known for rapid growth. They grow best with regular deep watering, ensuring roots grow deeply to become drought tolerant. Do not plant near water lines or sewers as their roots are invasive. There are 30-35 species of poplars and numerous hybrids and named cultivars. Cottonwoods are commonly used in windbreak and fence row plantings.
Infected leaves develop irregular brown to black areas and become distorted and curled. Leaf stems may become constricted at the base. The fungus spreads down through the shoot which blackens and curls to resemble a shepherd's crook.
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Pine Beetle PheromonesPines are evergreen trees and shrubs with over 90 species in the northern hemisphere. Their number of needles in a bundle and size and shape of cones are the characteristics by which pines are classified. The pines are of primary importance in the production of timber, pulp and paper production. Turpentine, pine-wood oils, wood tars, and rosin are obtained from the wood of several species. The leaf oils of several species are used in the manufacture of medicines and the seeds of several others are suitable for food (pine nuts). Generally pines are more tolerant of adverse soil and climatic conditions than spruce and firs. Most pines are pyramidal in shape, but some can be pruned into hedges and screens.
Adult beetles are cylindrical, stout bodied beetles, about 1/4 inch long, and brown to black in color. The larvae are white-yellowish, legless grubs with a dark head
Populus tremuloides or quaking aspens, are one of the most widely distribute tree in North America This is a broadleaf deciduous small tree with roundish leaves, white undersides, and flat petioles that cause the leaves to flutter in the wind. This tree can grow in sun or part shade, adaptable to nearly all types of soil, is fast growing, and relatively short lived.
Cottonwood trees are all known for rapid growth. They grow best with regular deep watering, ensuring roots grow deeply to become drought tolerant. Do not plant near water lines or sewers as their roots are invasive. There are 30-35 species of poplars and numerous hybrids and named cultivars. Cottonwoods are commonly used in windbreak and fence row plantings.
Infected leaves develop irregular brown to black areas and become distorted and curled. Leaf stems may become constricted at the base. The fungus spreads down through the shoot which blackens and curls to resemble a shepherd's crook.
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