Class Insecta: Order Coleoptera: Family Dermestidae Carpet beetle species are frequently encountered in Tennessee homes. Sometimes the larval stage is noticed, and sometimes adults are seen. Larvae can cause damage…
Carpet Beetles
Phyllosticta leaf spot on ornamental plants
Wet spring weather can lead to higher incidence of fungal leaf spots. One of the less common leaf spot causing fungal groups found during cool spring weather are in the…
Boxwood Mite – Foliar Boxwood Feeders
Boxwoods mites begin to cause damage in spring to the foliage of boxwoods. If you are having a problem with your boxwoods and need assistance identifying a potential pathogen or…
Cool, Wet Weather Conducive to Foliar Bacterial Disease
This cool, wet spring has seen an increase in foliar bacterial plant disease incidence in the plant pest lab. See images below for common leaf spot and blight symptoms. These…
Artillery Fungus
Artillery fungi, genus Sphaerobolus, grow on decomposing wood mulch. These fungi prefer sunny, open areas, and shoot small, round solid masses of spores called glebal masses up to 20 feet…
What’s Wrong with My Yew?
Taxus species of evergreen shrubs are frequent submissions in the plant pest lab. Scroll to learn more about common problems we see contributing to yew decline. To reduce the risk…
Earwigs – occasional home invaders
Earwig insects (order Dermaptera) will occasionally be found in homes, and often found in leaf litter and compost piles in the home garden. If you are seeing earwigs in your…
Fungal Pathogens of American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius
The plant pest diagnostic lab is excited to announce a collaboration with the International Ginseng Institute (IGI) of Middle Tennessee State University. The International Ginseng Institute (IGI) at Middle Tennessee…
Soil nitrate testing
A frequent question is why is nitrogen not routinely tested on my soil? The answer is that most labs in the southeast do not routinely test for nitrogen or more…