Consumer Horticulture

Be alert for these invasive pests and deadly diseases:

Japanese knotweed, or Mexican bamboo, is attractive but extremely invasive.knotweed_BCP_372280_7.pdf
Giant hogweed is rarely found in Michigan
Information on vegetable diseases such as Late Blight from Dr. Mary Hausbeck's lab at MSU
Late Blight monitoring map for Michigan
Spotted wing drosophila, a small vinegar fly with the potential to damage many fruit crops.
Oak Wilt, a potentially deadly disease of red oak trees.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, causing feeding damage in high value specialty crops including tomatoes, sweet peppers, raspberries, apples, peaches, pears and cherries as well as damage in corn and soybeans.
Thousand Cankers Disease, which primarily affects black walnut trees.
Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic beetle that was first spotted in southeastern Michigan in 2002 and has since spread through the Midwest. It is deadly to untreated ash trees.
Asian Longhorned Beetle, a serious pest of hardwood trees.

Please report sightings of these invasive pests to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

Other pests you may encounter:

Diseases and insects affecting evergreen trees:

Still have a gardening question? Contact the Master Gardener Helpline at (269) 384-8056, mghelp@anr.msu.edu, or at 888-678-3464 for answers.