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IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials

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Aster yellows
IPM scouting in herbaceous perennials > aster yellows
Pathogen: Aster yellows phytoplasm.

Hosts include: Anemone, Bellis, Campanula, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia, Salvia and Scabiosa.

Symptoms: Symptoms vary, depending on the host. Possibilities include stunting, yellowing, twisting, distortion of flowers or flower petals, and bushy, broomlike growth. Infected plants have stunted and, possibly, malformed roots. Infected Echinacea and Rudbeckia may have deformed, yellowish flower heads.

Spread: The pathogen is vectored by aster leafhoppers (Macrosteles fascifron), as well as a few other leafhopper species. Aster leafhoppers can migrate into production areas on air currents, bringing the pathogen with them.

Management: Infected plants cannot be treated and should be removed and destroyed. Susceptible field-grown perennials should be scouted regularly for leafhoppers. Good control of leaf-hoppers in the growing area is important to limit spread of the disease. Weeds can be infected; many are symptomless hosts. Maintain good weed control, especially of overwintering weeds, to reduce sources of inoculum.
Damage caused by aster yellows Aster yellow leafhopper
Witches’ brooming symptom on Limonium caused by aster yellows. Aster yellow leafhopper.
This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials by Jan Byrne and Raymond A. Cloyd. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2981).
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 9/28/07