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stink bugs

Research on Truffles and Stink Bugs and More—At the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center

January 9, 2018

Have you ever heard of the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center? If so, you may think of apples, tomatoes, or Christmas trees. Located on a hill overlooking the Mills River valley, under the direction of Tom Ranney, the J.C. Raulston Distinguished Professor in NC State University’s Department of Horticultural Science, the center has become a regional and national leader in plant and entomological research.

Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Buncombe County, NC
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center

Certainly, you’ll find the Center’s scientists working on ways to improve the production of the crops that are so important to Western North Carolina’s economy. But during the past 28 years, the Mountain Crop Improvement Lab team has developed and introduced almost 30 new plants ranging from compact evergreen dogwoods, to big, bold ornamental grasses, to hydrangeas with bright pink blossoms. And plant introductions are just one type of new discovery coming out of the center.

Truffles!
Today you’ll find researchers working on some surprising and even exotic projects, such as Black Périgord truffles.

Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) from first harvest at Mountain Horticultural Research Center in Buncombe County, NC, Nov. 20, 2017.
Truffle

The Black Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is native to Provence, France, and a favorite among chefs for an intense flavor that compliments dishes featuring meats, cheeses, and eggs. Often mistaken for a mushroom, the truffle is actually part of the taxonomic group Ascomycetes. So, what is this highly sought-after, extremely expensive, and valuable gastronomic delight doing in western North Carolina?

Through a grant from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Jeanine Davis, Extension Specialist on Herbs/Organics/Specialty Crops/Vegetables, and her team at the research center, evaluated and developed methods for monitoring truffle colonization in truffle orchards. After seven years of hard work in collaboration with the Carolina Truffiéres, and with the able assistance of the Truffle Dog Company, Jeanine harvested the first Black Périgord truffle in November 2017. For current and aspiring commercial truffle growers in Western North Carolina and the Piedmont, this was big news and proof that this ancient and highly prized crop can succeed in North Carolina. 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys)
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Stink bugs?
Researchers at the Center’s Walgenbach lab, are seeking to solve age-old fruit tree and vegetable industry pest management problems. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys), for example, first identified in North Carolina in 2009, has devastated many crops, including tomatoes, peppers, corn, apples, peaches, and soybeans. Today, the lab is part of a team consisting of more than 50 scientists nationwide who are working to understand this insect’s biology and devise pest management strategies. 

And more…
Take a little time to get acquainted with the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center and the scientists who are making a difference in agriculture locally and across the Southeast through the Center’s website, which is packed with timely information for home gardeners and commercial growers. In August, you may want to attend the center’s annual Tomato Day. It’s a great opportunity to hear the scientists present their research findings, learn about new varieties, taste the fruits of their labors, and return home with a bag of luscious, locally grown tomatoes.

To find out more about registering to attend Tomato Day and other offerings sponsored by the center, visit https://mountainhort.ces.ncsu.edu/ throughout the year.

To read the full story about harvesting truffles in WNC, go to “We Produced Our First Black Périgord Truffles!” at https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/11/we-produced-our-first-black-perigord-truffles/

For more about brown marmorated stink bugs: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/brown-marmorated-stink-bug-in-north-carolina-3/

Article written by Janet Moore, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer.

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Categories Extension in Buncombe County Tags Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center, stink bugs, tomatoes, truffles

Stink Bug Alert :​​ They’re Back!!!

September 29, 2014

Despite rumors that the Polar Vortex chill early this year eliminated the stink bugs, I’m here to tell you that, in Buncombe County at least, that is not true! After spending the summer feeding on a variety of plants in our landscape including butterfly bush (Buddleia), pawlonia, hibiscus, zinnia, and sunflower, plus a few fruit trees (ornamental or otherwise) the Asian Stink Bug is shifting its priorities and seeking a cozy site to sit out the winter. And our houses can fill that bill nicely if we let ‘em in.

stink bug
Asian Marmorated Stink Bug

Adults are a little larger than ½ inch. The overall coloring varies from brown to gray. The distinguishing markings are those black and white bands along the outer edges of the thorax.

Although there are other stink bugs, these are the only ones that aggregate on or in houses in large numbers. And they do stink. Squish them with your fingers and an unpleasant odor will be with you for a while.

If you go on-line searching for “stink bug control” you’ll find quite a few offerings of killers and repellants, using lights, and buckets of soapy water into which to toss them after hand-picking. Some may work to some extent but, and this will sound familiar to folks who have been hosting the annual invasions of oriental ladybugs for the last two decades, the most effective way to keep stink bugs out of the house is to stop up, cover over, seal, caulk, or otherwise eliminate any aperture in your home’s outside surface. And you’ll probably reduce your heating bill too.

Article written by Glenn Palmer, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

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Categories Insect Pests Tags stink bugs

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