Q: I live in Columbia and came across this green moth, but I can't identify it. Can you tell me what it is? (see photo)
A: I had to get assistance for this. Thanks to the Kristin B. Simpson, the collections manager at the Enns Entomology Museum on University of Missouri's campus, I can confirm it is the hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe). The sphinx or hawk moths (family Sphingidae) are also referred to as hummingbird moths because of their flying characteristics. They are among the largest and most beautiful moths. Their species number more than 800 worldwide, with 56 having been recorded in Missouri.
Some species fly during the day, and some are known for their speed, clocked as fast as 30 miles per hour. They have a long, strong tongue and are often seen on tubular flowers. The sphinx name derives from the larvae, which can be several inches long and rear up to rest, sphinxlike.
Although two species are well-known garden pests, the tobacco and tomato hornworms, most sphinx moth caterpillars are not pests, and most may be identified by either a horn or a colored spot near the end of the abdomen. These moths often overwinter as thin-skinned pupae on the ground surface or just below.
Q: I have a nectarine tree with fruit that is weeping little drops of sap from it. What might this be?
A: The fruit is weeping sap due to damage to it. This can be from insects, such as plum curculio, or from a disease, typically bacterial spot. Lots of spots with sap indicate a disease.
Unless nectarine and peach trees are pruned and sprayed, a good crop only occurs infrequently. I cut my nectarines down and replaced them with peaches. Bacterial spot was the main reason. There is no chemical control for it, only site selection and cultivar resistance. Peaches aren't as prone to the disease.
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Q: I just found out I have quack grass in places around in my cool season lawn. Is there any herbicide I can spray on it without harming the good grass?
A: There is one product somewhat available to home gardeners that is effective on controlling quack grass. It is Fusilade II. Do not use just plain Fusilade as that will kill most lawn grass. The label for Fusilade II is not for the faint of heart. It has warnings about potential damage caused in hot weather and during dry soil conditions. These conditions cause the cool season lawn to stress out and thus be more prone to injury. Therefore, it is extremely important that you read the label before you purchase it. You should be able to find the label on line with some searches.
Another product is labeled to control quack grass is Certainty. However, I checked the label on it and when I found quack grass, it said "suppression only."
Q: How bad is the dry weather? May was so hot I'm getting concerned.
A: I would start watering any plants I am concerned about. Many lawns are starting to 'brown out', or go dormant. Much of mid-Missouri was listed as abnormally dry, but that was for June 5. Not much rain was received for the following week, which had high temperatures. All of Boone County was listed as abnormally dry and the northern two-thirds of Moniteau and Cole and the western two-thirds of Callaway. My home orchard, which I rarely irrigate, had trees starting to drop leaves, so I watered it substantially this weekend. The last time I watered it was in the hot spell of June 2016 and prior to that, during the drought of 2012.
It was the second coldest April followed by the hottest May. The last time that happened, such a cold month followed by a hot one, was Decemeber 1989 followed by January of 1990. Having this occur in the spring has most gardeners feeling like they've gotten weather whiplash.
Pest Alert: Japanese beetle adults are emerging across Mid-Missouri. Their numbers are still low but will increase steadily the next several weeks. The drought of 2012 did not harm their numbers that year, but a sharp decline followed in 2013. Brace yourselves!