Growers find pink hibiscus mealybug in Texas
Pink hibiscus mealybug, a major pest of ornamentals and citrus, was discovered earlier this month near Port Aransas, Texas. Extension agents want growers, retailers and homeowners to watch for the pest, especially on new plant growth. Feeding causes new leaves to curl, and young stems stop elongating and become thick, giving a "bunchy-top" appearance. If the pest spreads unchecked, it could harm the state's $9.8 billion ornamentals market. Broad-spectrum insecticides may negatively affect beneficial insects, released or naturally occurring. Instead use insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils, said Carlos Bográn, entomologist at Texas Co-op. Ext. Prune off the most heavily infested plants, place in sealed bags and dispose of them, he said.

H-2B exemption expires this week
The H-2B repeat worker exemption expires at the end of September, but some legislators are discussing a 1-year extension. S.B. 988 calls for a 5-year exemption and H.R. 1843 wants a permanent extension. Sponsors of the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007 said they'll attach H-2B relief to any legislation moving through Congress. This year the 33,000 cap for the 1st half of fiscal 2007 was reached Nov. 28, 2006, and the cap for the 2nd half was reached Mar. 16. Without another extension, the 2008 cap will be reached even earlier.

Long Beach, Calif., enacts water restrictions
The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners declared a water supply shortage for the California city is imminent. Residents can't irrigate any landscape with potable water between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and they can't irrigate any landscape more than 3 days per week. Residents also must prevent landscape overwatering and all water runoff. The board stopped short of eliminating all landscape irrigation. Residents also must install low-flow shower heads and check for leaks.

Sirex woodwasp spreads in Northeast
APHIS confirmed Sirex noctilio woodwasp in Lamoille County, Vt., earlier this month. This is the 1st detection of S. noctilio in New England. The pest was collected from a trap on private property. S. noctilio surveys will continue throughout fall. S. noctilio is an exotic species of wood-boring wasp capable of causing significant mortality in healthy pine trees. S. noctilio has been positively confirmed in 28 counties in New York; 5 counties in Pennsylvania; 1 county in Michigan; and 1 county in Vermont. APHIS' Center for Plant Health Science and Tech. will study the nematode Beddingia siricidicola as a biological control.

PW ColorChoice shrubs get guarantee
Spring Meadow Nursery, the grower behind Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs, is offering a sales guarantee on liners purchased directly through the nursery. The company guarantees ColorChoice shrubs will sell or they will replace them at no charge. Dale Deppe, owner and president of Spring Meadow, said demand for ColorChoice shrubs has outpaced supply, leaving customers searching for the brand. For more information on the guarantee and qualification details call (800) 633-8859 or e-mail a representative.

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