What's
Hot on 9 June 2003
at the P&PDL!

Stinkhorn Mushrooms

By Gail Ruhl, Sr. Plant Disease Diagnostician, P&PDL, Purdue University

We have been receiving quite a few calls about an unsightly, smelly, ‘finger-shaped’ structure popping up in yards, flowerbeds and cornfields. The object has been identified as a type of mushroom known as a stinkhorn. Stinkhorns live on dead organic matter, such as decaying mulch or corn debris. A stinkhorn grows within an enclosed structure or membrane that looks similar to an egg. When the developing fungus expands, the "egg" breaks open, revealing the young mushroom-like fungus, which at that time is usually odorless.

Following full expansion, the spore- bearing surface begins to break down, and the spores become immersed in a dark-colored gel-like, foul smelling mass. Hence the name, stinkhorn! This spore mass is attractive to flies, which pick up spores as they walk over the surface of the mushroom. The spores are then carried with the flies to new areas.

Link to additional information on Stinkhorns: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/july99.html

Stinkhorn Mushroom "Egg" Photo courtesy of Peggy Sellers, Purdue Univ.	Stinkhorn Mushroom Photo courtesy of Karen Rane, P&PDL

Symptoms from Potato Leaf Hopper Feeding May Mimic Herbicide Damage

Gail Ruhl, Sr. Plant Disease Diagnostician, P&PDL, Purdue University and
Cliff Sadof, Department of Entomology, Purdue University

Injury from potato leafhoppers on red maples, Norway maples, silver and sugar maples may become apparent this month as the hoppers move from fields of cut grass and alfalfa to your trees. Symptoms include stunted new growth and leaf cupping on new growth. Drift injury from growth regulator-type herbicides andsystemic injury from glypohosate uptake often mimic symptoms of potato leaf hopper damage.

Once foliage is curled it is usually too late to spray an insecticide.

Click on image to enlarge.

Potato Leafhopper Injury on Maple Photo courtesy of Gail Ruhl, P&PDL

The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. Any person using products listed assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current direction of the manufacturer. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution.

Information listed is valid only for the state of Indiana.