Polluted Air Retards Growth of White I riSeCt WTT's compilation of prob- lems occurring in turfgrasses, Air pollution very definitely can ^ trees, and ornamentals through- stunt the growth of a tree. KepOrt out country. Forest Service scientists have com- parative white to prove it, suggests an article in the Cleveland turf tree insects Plain Dealer by William D. Mc- Cann. AN ANT PEACH TREE BORER McCann reports that healthy 15- (Pogonomyrmex salinus) (Sanninoidea exitiosa) foot white pines and foot-high sick- UTAH: Collected at Kelton (north- PENNSYLVANIA: Infested most ly trees of the same species are grow- west of Locomotive Springs) and 1.5 trees, girdled many, in about 500 ing a short distance from each other miles east of Kelton, and in Kelton weeping flowering cherry trees 1-4 on the grounds of the U.S. Forest Pass, all in Box Elder County. This inches in diameter in nursery at and Insect Disease Laboratory at is a new State record. Manchester, York County. Most bor- Delaware, O. ers emerged; some still in larval and After eight years' study, forest SWEET POTATO FLEA BEETLE pupal stages. researchers conclude that sulfure (Chaetocnema confinis) dioxide and ozone, either singly or ARIZONA: Damaged dichondra JACK-PINE BUDWORM together, have stunted the trees, Mc- lawns in Maricopa and Pima Coun- (Choristoneura pinus) Cann writes. ties during 1968 and 1969. This is a WISCONSIN: About 40 percent "Sulfur dioxide is poured into the new State record. pupated in Douglas County. Some air primarily by the burning of fos- pupae in Douglas and Bayfield sil fuels such as coal and heavy A PLANT BUG Counties by July 5; little or no de- oil," he explains. (Lopidea chelifer) foliation. Third to fifth instars in "Ozone, a poisonous gas, is often UTAH: Collected on Bassia spp. at Vilas County. Pupation just begin- caused by auto exhausts fumes go- Santa Clara, Washington County. ning July 9 in Marinette County. ing through a chemical change in Also taken at Saint George in lesser the air." numbers. This is a new State record. A PINE NEEDLE-SHEATH MINER Abnormal trees transplanted to a (Zelleria haimbachi) healthy atmosphere recovered; SOUTHERN CHINCH BUG OREGON: Damage above normal to healthy trees deteriorated when (Blissus insularis) home and Christmas tree plantings placed in a polluted environment. TEXAS: Heavy and widespread in in Clackamas and Multnomah Coun- Dr. Leon S. Dochinger, chief plant Jackson and Brazos Counties, dam- ties. Damage severe locally to native pathologist, even found that when aging San Augustine grass. ponderosa pines at Medford, Jackson sickly trees were placed half in and County. half out of a control chamber, the A WIREWORM protected half (through filtered air) (Conoderus lividus) NANTUCKET PINE TIP grew thick, healthy needles while SOUTH CAROLINA: In soil around (Rhyacionia frustrana) the unprotected half remained roots of Coastal Bermudagrass at KANSAS: Infested 50-60 percent of scraggly. Brays Island, Beaufort County. Up commercial pines in Sedgwick and Some trees are affected more than to 5 larvae per shovelful of soil. Cowley Counties. others, with stunting found hundreds About 8 acres out of 25 damaged. of miles from the source of the pol- PINE TUSSOCK MOTH lution, McCann reports. Other pines ( plagiata) stay healthy in the polluted environ- insects of ornamentals WISCONSIN: About 70 percent of ment. Graft tests indicate that these CARMINE SPIDER MITE larvae pupated; rest, sixth instars pollution - resistant characteristics (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) spinning cocoons July 10. MINNE- are hereditary. ARIZONA: Heavy on violets at SOTA: About 30 percent pupated in There are many questions yet to Tucson, Pima County. east-central area. High counts still be answered concerning the effects persist in this area; 1970 control of pollution on trees. But Dr. Doch- A PSYCHID MOTH program possible. inger is quoted as concluding that (Apterona crenulella) "if dirty air can keep a tree from NEVADA: Collected on weeds and WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK MOTH growing, what can it do to us?" ornamentals at Genoa, Douglas (Hemerocampa leucostigma) County. This is a new county record. WISCONSIN: Adults began emerg- ing July 7 at De Forest, Dane Coun- FLETCHER SCALE ty. Final instars still present July 16. (Lecanium fletcheri) WISCONSIN: Hatch complete on BLACK PINE-LEAF SCALE arborvitae at Middleton, Dane Coun- (Nuculaspis californica) ty. Most crawlers emerged. Much CALIFORNIA: Heavy on lodgepole lower than usual in Dane County. pines at Avenal, Kings County.

BROWN GARDEN SNAIL SAWFLY (Helix aspersa) (Pristiphora erichsonii) OREGON: Damaged nursery stock MARYLAND: Collected on larch at Medford, Jackson County. Stead- planting in Anne Arundel County. ily on increase for several years. This is a new county record.