As the fourth of July holiday approaches, please keep in mind this will affect the regular clinic hours. Iowa State University will be closed July 4, and our building will be closed on July 5 for scheduled repairs. We encourage you to get samples to us before July 2 to avoid processing delays. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The following are highlights and updates about sample submissions for our different services (identification or Plant problem diagnosis from fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals), and questions recently received in the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Visit the PIDC's Facebook page for updates and more pictures. For more information on a particular disease or insect problem listed, follow the article cited.
Plant Problem diagnosis (with links to articles)
Broadleaf trees and woody ornamentals
- Ash anthracnose, Anthracnose on shade trees
- Maple fungal leaf spots (Discula and/or Phyllosticta)
- Oak Tatters
- Apple, Pear Fire Blight
- Preventing Herbicide Injury in the Landscape
Conifer (evergreens)
- Spruce (various kinds): Stigmina needle cast, Spruce bud scale, Mites, Winter Injury, fungal canker
- Arborvitae: Phyllosticta needle blight, Abiotic disorder- environmental stress
- Juniper: Cypress canker
- Pine: Pine wilt, check out our new pine wilt video
Vegetables
- Virus- TSWV in tomato, see Tomato Diseases and Disorders
Insect identification
Mushroom identification
- Mushrooms growing on mulch, trees, and in lawns, home basements
- Slime molds
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on June 21, 2019. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.