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Healthy plants are the foundation of a successful greenhouse and nursery operation. As growers continue to face new pest challenges, emerging diseases, and changing regulatory requirements, staying informed about effective pest management strategies is essential. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service invites greenhouse growers, nursery professionals, landscape professionals, and horticulture enthusiasts to attend the Greenhouse and Nursery Pest Management Seminar on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, Texas. This one-day educational program will provide practical, research-based information to help participants improve integrated pest management (IPM) programs, protect plant health, and enhance production efficiency. The seminar will feature specialists from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and industry partners. The program will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and will include presentations covering a wide range of topics important to greenhouse and nursery production. Attendees will earn six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units (CEUs), including one hour in Laws and Regulations and five hours in Integrated Pest Management. Morning sessions will focus on building strong pest and disease management programs. Mark Freeman and Sam Gray with Bioworks will discuss the use of biopesticides as part of modern IPM strategies. Dr. Kevin Ong, professor and associate department head with AgriLife Extension, will share approaches for preventing greenhouse plant diseases through proper sanitation and production practices. Dr. Rafia Khan, Extension Entomologist with Texas A&M AgriLife, will discuss emerging and established insect pests affecting ornamental crops, including monitoring and management strategies. The morning will conclude with Desaray Melina Delaloza from the Texas Department of Agriculture, who will provide updates on laws and regulations impacting greenhouse and nursery operations. After lunch and networking, afternoon sessions will highlight sustainable approaches to pest management. Dr. Arash Kheirodin with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension in Dallas will discuss ecologically based IPM strategies for controlled environment cropping systems. Dr. Andrew King with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Overton will present horticultural practices that support IPM and promote healthy ornamental production. The seminar provides a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to learn from experts, connect with peers, and gain practical knowledge that can be applied immediately. With increasing pest pressures and evolving production challenges, proactive management and continued education are key to maintaining healthy plants and successful businesses. Registration is $50 per person and includes seminar materials and lunch. The event will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, located at 1710 FM 3053, Overton, Texas. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for a day of learning, collaboration, and networking as we work together to strengthen greenhouse and nursery pest management programs across Texas. Whether you are a seasoned professional or looking to expand your IPM knowledge, this seminar offers valuable information and resources to support healthier plants and more successful production systems.  Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
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During the last legislative session, TNLA worked to solve a challenge our industry has dealt with for years: getting timely information when new pests, diseases, or quarantines impact Texas. Working alongside Representative Mihaela Plesa and Senator Lois Kolkhorst, TNLA passed legislation creating a statewide pest, disease, and quarantine e-mail alert system. That system is now officially live. 👉 You can sign up for the email alert system here: https://agalert.tamu.edu/ Why This MattersWhen a dangerous pest or disease is identified or when a quarantine is put in place, our industry needs to know quickly. Growers, retailers, and landscape professionals need accurate information to make decisions and respond. HB 1592 helps address that challenge. The new system: • Is operated through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension • Provides email notifications for:
How TNLA Got This Done TNLA heard concerns from members about the need for better communication during plant health events. During the last Sunset Review of the Texas Department of Agriculture, TNLA identified and supported the conclusion that timely, accurate information was critical for our industry regarding quarantines, quarantine updates, pest and disease detection, and measures to contain them. Understanding the need for better communication needed a legislative solution, we brought those concerns to lawmakers and worked with legislators, state agencies, and stakeholders. The result was this brand-new email-based pest alert. TNLA helped move this bill from an industry idea, through the legislative process, and ultimately into a resource that is now available statewide. What You Should Do NowThis tool only works if industry members sign up and use it.
Take a few minutes to: • Select your county (or multiple counties where you operate) • Receive alerts for your area • Stay informed about potential threats 👉 Sign up today: https://agalert.tamu.edu/ Your support allows TNLA to continue protecting and strengthening our industry. Texas has moved into summer earlier than usual, with high temperatures arriving well before the traditional peak season. While warm weather accelerates plant growth, it also creates ideal conditions for many insect and mite pests. For nursery growers, greenhouse producers, and landscape managers, early heat can mean earlier and more severe pest outbreaks. Many pests develop faster under high temperatures, allowing them to complete more generations in a shorter period. At the same time, heat and water stress can weaken plants, making them more susceptible to pest infestations. This combination often leads to increased pest pressure during early summer. Some of the most common pests to watch include spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and scale insects.
The best defense remains a strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Frequent scouting is critical during hot weather. Inspect plants regularly, especially new growth and leaf undersides, and use monitoring tools such as sticky cards or pheromone traps for early detection. In addition, minimizing plant stress through proper irrigation and balanced fertility can improve plant resilience. When treatments are necessary, rotate insecticides with different modes of action to help delay resistance development and preserve beneficial insects. Early detection and timely intervention are key. During hot summer weather, successful pest management starts with protecting plant health and staying proactive rather than reactive. Rafia Khan, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton, TX LETHAL BRONZING UPDATE: BEXAR COUNTY ADDED TO TEXAS QUARANTINE LIST The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has expanded its lethal bronzing quarantine areas, adding new regulated zones in Bexar County. Why it matters:The most notable development is the establishment of a new quarantine area in Bexar County, marking a significant expansion of lethal bronzing beyond the Gulf Coast's previously concentrated outbreak areas. TDA also added new quarantine zones in Kemah and Jamaica Beach in Galveston County. Lethal bronzing is a fatal palm disease spread by insect vectors and the movement of infected plant material. There is currently no cure once a palm becomes infected. Susceptible species include Canary Island date palms, Sabal palms, Queen palms, Mexican fan palms, and several other commonly planted landscape palms. What TNLA Members Should Know:
Looking Ahead TNLA will continue monitoring additional detections and quarantine expansions. The addition of Bexar County demonstrates that lethal bronzing is no longer solely a coastal concern and reinforces the importance of early detection and movement compliance across Texas.
Excess rainfall during spring and summer can significantly increase pest pressure in nurseries, greenhouses, and landscapes. Warm temperatures combined with high humidity and prolonged moisture create favorable conditions for rapid pest development, survival, and spread. Soft-bodied insects such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and mites often become more active during wet weather periods. Excess moisture promotes lush plant growth and tender foliage, which are highly attractive to many pests. Standing water and saturated growing media can also encourage European pepper moth, fungus gnats and shore flies, particularly in greenhouse production systems. Wet conditions can make pest management more challenging. Rain may reduce the effectiveness of contact insecticides by washing away spray residues, often requiring repeated applications. Prolonged wet weather can also limit access to production areas, making routine scouting and timely pesticide applications difficult. High humidity and dense plant canopies further complicate early pest detection. Many pests, including thrips and mites, remain hidden within flowers, buds, or on the undersides of leaves, allowing populations to build unnoticed. In addition, storm events and strong winds may contribute to the movement and spread of invasive pests into new production areas. Excess rainfall may also disrupt beneficial insect activity. Natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids are often less active during prolonged storms and humid conditions, reducing natural pest suppression and allowing pest populations to increase rapidly once environmental conditions improve. Implementing proactive integrated pest management (IPM) practices is essential during periods of excessive rainfall. Regular scouting and monitoring with sticky traps can help detect pest populations early. Improving drainage, increasing air circulation, maintaining proper sanitation, avoiding overwatering, and removing heavily infested plant material can reduce favorable conditions for pests. Rotating insecticides with different modes of action and conserving beneficial insects are also important strategies for long-term pest management and resistance prevention. As weather patterns continue to become increasingly unpredictable, adopting management practices and maintaining consistent monitoring programs will remain Rafia Khan, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton, TX When growers and landscape professionals think about insects, the first thought is often pests and the damage they cause. However, not all insects are harmful. Many beneficial insects play an important role in naturally suppressing pest populations in greenhouses, nurseries, and landscapes. These “good bugs” are valuable partners in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and can help reduce reliance on chemical insecticides. Beneficial insects are a key component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. They help suppress pests naturally and can improve long-term pest management success when properly conserved or introduced into production systems. Two important groups of beneficial insects are predators and parasitoids. Predators actively consume pests throughout their life cycle. Common examples include lady beetles, green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, predatory mites, and hover fly larvae. These natural enemies feed on aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, scales, thrips, and other soft-bodied pests commonly encountered in Texas greenhouses and landscapes. Parasitoids are specialized insects, usually tiny wasps, that develop inside or on a host insect and eventually kill it. Several parasitoid species are commercially available and widely used in greenhouse biological control programs, especially for whitefly and aphid management. Parasitoids are specialized insects, usually tiny wasps, that develop inside or on a host insect and eventually kill it. Several parasitoid species are commercially available and widely used in greenhouse biological control programs, especially for whitefly and aphid management. Greenhouse environments often provide ideal conditions for biological control because temperature, humidity, and pest populations can be monitored more closely. In landscapes and nurseries, conserving naturally occurring beneficial insects can also provide significant pest suppression over time. Unfortunately, beneficial populations are frequently disrupted by unnecessary or repeated applications of broad-spectrum insecticides. One of the biggest challenges in pest management is recognizing when beneficial insects are already helping control a pest problem. In some situations, professionals may apply insecticides before evaluating predator or parasitoid activity. This can eliminate natural enemies and create secondary pest outbreaks or pest resurgence. In addition, repeated use of the same insecticide groups can contribute to pesticide resistance, making future pest management more difficult. Scouting remains one of the most important tools in preserving beneficial insects. Correct identification of both pests and beneficials allows professionals to make informed treatment decisions. When insecticide applications are necessary, selecting reduced-risk or selective products can help preserve natural enemy populations while still managing key pests. Habitat also plays a role in supporting beneficial insects. Flowering plants, reduced dust, proper irrigation management, and minimizing unnecessary pesticide exposure can all encourage beneficial activity in landscapes and production systems. Biological control is not always a complete replacement for insecticides, but it is an effective management tool when incorporated into a broader IPM strategy. As greenhouse and landscape industries continue to face challenges from invasive pests, environmental concerns, and pesticide resistance, beneficial insects should not be viewed as forgotten tools. Instead, they should be recognized as valuable partners in sustainable pest management programs. Photo credit: Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Overton, TX. Spring in Texas often brings warm temperatures along with frequent rain and storm events, creating highly favorable conditions for increased pest pressure in nurseries, greenhouses, and landscape systems. Elevated humidity and excess moisture significantly enhance pest development, survival, and reproduction, making this season particularly challenging for growers. These environmental conditions not only accelerate pest life cycles but also create ideal microhabitats for hidden and soil-associated pests, increasing the risk of sudden infestations and economic losses. Favorable Conditions for Pest OutbreaksSoft-bodied insects such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips thrive under warm, humid conditions commonly observed during spring. The flush of new plant growth during this period provides tender, nutrient-rich tissues that are highly attractive for feeding and reproduction. As a result, pest populations can increase rapidly within a short period, often going unnoticed until visible damage appears. Without timely monitoring and intervention, these pests can quickly reach damaging levels and affect plant quality and marketability. Soil and Moisture Associated Pests Prolonged wet conditions create ideal environments for pests such as fungus gnats and shore flies, particularly in greenhouse and nursery production systems. Their larvae develop in moist growing media, feeding on organic matter and plant roots, which can weaken plants and reduce overall vigor. Additionally, pests like the European pepper moth benefit from high moisture conditions, as their larvae remain concealed in the lower canopy or within the growing media. This hidden feeding behavior, combined with favorable environmental conditions, makes early detection difficult and allows populations to build up before noticeable symptoms appear. Pest Spread and Increased Activity Rainfall and storm events can also contribute to the spread of pests within production systems. Splashing water can move infested soil, plant debris, eggs, and larvae between containers or across growing areas, facilitating rapid dispersal. Furthermore, outdoor pests such as caterpillars and beetles often become more active following rainfall, increasing feeding activity and the likelihood of damage. Wind and storm movement can also aid in dispersing adult insects into new areas, compounding pest pressure. Challenges in Pest Control Frequent rainfall presents additional challenges by reducing the effectiveness of insecticide applications. Rain can wash off residues from plant surfaces, shortening the duration of control and requiring more precise timing of applications. High humidity may also affect product performance and pest exposure, making control less consistent during extended wet periods. Take-Home Message Overall, rainy spring weather creates ideal conditions for pest outbreaks by enhancing survival, reproduction, and spread, while simultaneously reducing control effectiveness. Under these conditions, consistent scouting, proper irrigation management, and timely, integrated interventions are essential to minimize pest impact and maintain plant quality and marketability. Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton, TX
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Click the + button to zoom in. If part of the page is cut off, click on the page and slide it left or right to see more. On a phone or tablet, use two fingers to zoom in and move around the page. Any links you see are clickable. For the best view, click the full screen icon (⛶) in the bottom right. Want a copy? Click the download button to save it. (to the left of the magnifying glass) Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Overton, TX. Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS), Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, has become a persistent and economically important pest of crape myrtle in Texas landscapes and nurseries. Early spring is a critical time to detect and manage this pest before populations build and become more difficult to control. Identification and Early SignsCMBS primarily colonizes trunks, branches, and twigs of crape myrtle. The most recognizable sign is the presence of small, white to gray, felt-like encrustations on the bark. These are the adult females, which produce a waxy covering that protects them from environmental stress and some control measures. One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms in spring is the development of black sooty mold on the bark and surrounding surfaces. This mold grows on honeydew excreted by the feeding scales and often serves as the first visual cue for infestation. Heavy infestations can lead to reduced plant vigor, poor flowering, and aesthetic decline, key concerns for both growers and landscape managers. During early spring, overwintering populations begin to resume activity. Crawlers (the mobile, immature stage) start emerging as temperatures increase, making this the most vulnerable stage for management interventions. Monitoring StrategiesRegular scouting should begin in early spring (March–April in most parts of Texas). Inspect the bark closely, especially in crevices and around pruning cuts. Look for both the white scale coverings and the associated sooty mold. To detect crawler activity, double-sided tape can be wrapped around infested branches. The presence of tiny pinkish crawlers on the tape indicates active emergence and signals the optimal timing for certain treatments. Management ApproachesAn integrated pest management (IPM) approach is essential for effective CMBS control. Cultural and Mechanical Control: Light infestations can be managed by physically removing scales using a soft brush or by washing the bark with a strong stream of water. Pruning heavily infested branches can also reduce pest pressure, but care should be taken to properly dispose of infested material. Chemical Control: Early-season applications are most effective when targeted at the crawler stage. Contact insecticides (e.g., horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps) can help suppress crawler populations when coverage is thorough. These treatments should be applied when temperatures are moderate to avoid plant injury. Systemic insecticides, such as those containing dinotefuran or imidacloprid, can provide longer-term control. Soil drenches or trunk applications applied in spring, allow the active ingredient to move within the plant and target feeding scales. However, timing is critical; applications should be made early enough to coincide with active feeding. ConclusionEarly detection and timely intervention are key to managing crape myrtle bark scale. By combining careful monitoring with targeted cultural and chemical controls, growers and landscape professionals can minimize damage and maintain the health and aesthetic value of crape myrtle plantings throughout the growing season.
Figure: Crape myrtle bark scales on crape myrtle plants (A), Black sooty mold on the leaf and stems on infested crape myrtle plants (B). Photo credit: Rafia Khan
Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Overton, TX. Spring is the most important production and sales season for Texas nurseries, and thoughtful preparation during late winter can significantly influence crop quality, pest pressure, and overall profitability. As temperatures begin to rise, the priority should be a thorough inspection of all overwintered plant material. Carefully examine plants for cold injury, root health issues, nutrient deficiencies, and early signs of insect or disease activity. Pests such as aphids, mites, whiteflies, and scale insects often establish tender new growth early in the season. Removing dead, damaged, or heavily infested plants reduces overwintering populations and minimizes the risk of rapid outbreaks once favorable conditions develop.
Equipment readiness is equally critical. Before spring applications begin, calibrate sprayers, fertilizer spreaders, and chemigation systems to ensure accurate delivery rates and uniform coverage. Check nozzles for wear, confirm pressure settings, and repair leaks. Proper calibration not only improves pest control efficacy but also prevents phytotoxicity, reduces product waste, and ensures compliance with label requirements. This is also a good time to review pesticide inventory and verify that products are properly stored and within expiration dates. Updating and reinforcing your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program should be part of spring preparation. Establish a consistent scouting schedule and designate trained personnel responsible for monitoring crops. Use tools such as sticky cards, pheromone traps, and regular plant inspections to detect pest activity early. Accurate identification and threshold-based decision-making allow for targeted treatments and help prevent unnecessary applications. Early detection remains one of the most cost-effective pest management strategies in nursery production. Inspect irrigation systems before peak demand by checking drip lines, emitters, sprinklers, and pumps for leaks or uneven distribution, as poor irrigation can stress plants and increase susceptibility to disease and pests. Test growing media for pH and soluble salts, and ensure fertilization programs, especially controlled-release fertilizers, are properly applied to support healthy growth. Implement early weed control with uniform pre-emergent applications and winter weed removal to reduce competition and pest reservoirs. Provide staff with refresher training on scouting, safety, equipment use, and recordkeeping. A well-organized spring plan strengthens plant health, reduces pest pressure, and supports a successful nursery season. |
AuthorTNLA Staff Archives
September 2026
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