MSU Urban IPM Alerts

The Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory has received multiple samples and questions concerning mushrooms growing in lawns this fall. Many mushrooms grow in lawns and Dr. Cathy Cripps has some advice regarding our fall fungal friends.

Please open the attached PDF file for detailed information.

Sincerely,

Eva Grimme

With the first snow moving in, it is hard to believe that it is only fall. While the sun will hopefully come out again, conifers are still getting ready for winter. You may see yellowing and/or browning of the inner needles, especially on pine trees. This is a natural process called "seasonal needle drop". The amount of needle-loss is dependent upon species, temporal factors, and environmental conditions. No management is necessary. For more information, please open the attached PDF file.

Sincerely, Eva Grimme (eva.grimme@montana.edu)

During late summer and early fall it is normal for spiders to enter buildings and homes. This includes hobo spiders which have long been prevalent in Montana. Common misconceptions about the hobo spider often cause unnecessary concern.

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (SWD), is a pest of many ripe and overripe small fruits. It is currently established in Lake and Flathead Counties. In 2018, it was collected in Ravalli, Missoula, and Gallatin counties. Its presence in other counties, such as Yellowstone, is also suspected.

The Schutter Diagnostic Lab is receiving garden vegetable samples showing symptoms consistent with synthetic auxin, also known as plant growth regulator, herbicide injury. In many of these cases, we suspect carryover of persistent herbicides in garden amendments such as compost, manure, or topsoil. See the attached document for more information. 

Montana has several home-invading weevils that come into our homes starting in April and all the way through November. They are harmless to humans, are not wood-boring beetles, and are mostly just a nuisance in homes. These invasions are only temporary.