Author Archives: Cassie Russell

About Cassie Russell

Nursery and Landscape Specialist with OMAFRA.

Notice for commercial boxwood growers: product update for Box Tree Moth

The LAST DATE to use any inventory you might have of the insecticide DELTAGARD SC for Box Tree Moth on commercial grown boxwood is next week: June 23, 2024. This product is no longer being produced by the manufacturer and … Continue reading

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Box Tree Moth are flying – check your traps!

Box tree moth (BTM) development got off to an early start this spring and we’re already starting to see flight of the first generation. Using public observations from the website iNaturalist, we can see some of this springs first observations … Continue reading

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ALTUS® insecticide label expanded via Minor Use Program to help manage Spotted Lanternfly on Outdoor Nursery and Landscape Plants in Canada

Written by Josh Mosiondz, Minor Use Coordinator,OMAFA The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion registration for ALTUS® insecticide for suppression of Spotted Lanternfly on Outdoor Nursery and Landscape Plants in Canada.

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Interested in some AgRobotics field demos?

Join the AgRobotics Working Group for its Demo Days on the 4th and 11th of July! The AgRobotics Working Group is hosting two demo days for agricultural producers to learn about technology being validated for Ontario’s diverse production systems in … Continue reading

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Box tree moth update: Pupae already?!

Scouting this spring has revealed a lot of variation in larval development and I think we might be in for a challenging summer for management. Late instar box tree moth larvae have been observed preparing for pupation in the more … Continue reading

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May 21, 2024 – Nursery Pest Report

Dare I say we’ve had a lovely spring; the air is wafting with lovely smells of blooming flowers, tree canopies are filling in fast, and gardens and landscapes are full of insect activity. Most regions in Southern Ontario have already … Continue reading

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Notice for Boxwood Growers: updated regulated area announced

On May 14, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) updated the regulated area of Canada to reflect recent box tree moth detections east of Ontario. The expanded regulated area includes Ontario and all provinces east of Ontario except Prince Edward … Continue reading

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Box tree moth are waking up!

We had some unseasonably warm days this March and April here in Ontario which resulted in a few instances where box tree moth (BTM) were coming out of their hibernaria during the day to feed, but quickly retreat back when … Continue reading

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In case you missed it: “How-to” Video for Releasing Biocontrol Agents Successfully

The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), has produced a number of videos demonstrating important greenhouse IPM practices that will be posted throughout the season on the ONfloriculture blog. “How-to” Video of … Continue reading

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Reminder: No pruning oaks from now until November

Calling anyone who deals with oak trees including nurseries, garden centers, homeowners and tree professionals! Let this be your friendly reminder: now that April is upon us, you should hold off on pruning your oaks until November to protect trees … Continue reading

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