2 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

5 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Calendula sp., Echinacea sp. (Coneflower), Tagetes (Marigold), Callistephus chinensis (China Aster), Chrysanthemum sp. (Mums), and other plants.

Annual

• Dwarf French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
• Flowering Maple (Abutilon x hybridum)
• Marigold (Tagetes sp.)

Perennial

• Bushy Aster (Aster dumosus)
• New York Aster, Michaelmus Daisy (Aster Novi-belgii)
• Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)

On cone flowers (Echinacea sp.) the disease causes a witches broom in the flower head, greening of petals sometimes, stunting and possible death of the plant. On other herbaceous plants, the disease causes stunting, yellowish-green foliage and flowers followed by browning and death of plant. Symptoms can vary from plant to plant, area to area depending on the different strains of these aster yellows phytoplasmas.

Phytoplasmas are bacterial-like, but lack rigid cell walls. The aster yellows pathogen overwinters in insects especially leaf hoppers. Infested hoppers infect the plants when feeding.

Infected plants should be destroyed as soon as possible to help reduce the number of hoppers that will become infested when feeding on an infected plant. Try to minimize leaf hopper overwintering sites by mowing tall grass and reducing tall, brushy areas.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
Visit site >>

U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
Visit site >>

U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
Visit site >>