Calibration of soil fumigant equipment and determination of soil fumigant application rate are two of the most important factors contributing to the success or failure of pest control efficacy and crop production response, yet generate some of the greatest confusion among many researchers and growers alike. This 5-page fact sheet was written by J.W. Noling, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in404
Tag: Entomology and Nematology Department
Enemigos naturales y control biologico (ENY866/IN977)
Hay muchos insectos benéficos pero solamente hay algunos que son enemigos naturales de plagas. Los enemigos naturales más comunes de encontrar son: mariquitas/tortolitas, crisopas, antocóridos (Orius), ligaéidos, sírfidos, avispas de agallas, hormigas, avispas parasíticas, moscas parasíticas y ácaros depredadores. La importancia relativa varía de acuerdo con cada insecto plaga, el hábitat y la estación o época del año. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Hugh A. Smith y John L. Capinera, traducido por Ana Lucrecia MacVean, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in977
Air Potato Leaf Beetle (Suggested Common Name), Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) (EENY547/IN972)
This leaf feeding beetle was recently introduced into Florida from China for biological control of air potato. This 4-page fact sheet provides information on the distribution, appearance, life cycle, host range and importance of the beetle. Written by Entomology and Nematology, and published by the UF Department of Ted D. Center and William A. Overholt, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in972
Puss Caterpillar (Larva), Southern Flannel Moth (Adult), Megalopyge opercularis (J. E. Smith 1797) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae) (EENY545/IN976)
The southern flannel moth is an attractive small moth that is best-known because of its larva, the puss caterpillar, which is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. This 12-page fact sheet was written by Donald W. Hall, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in976
Amaryllis Lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus hippeastri Inserra et al., 2006 (Nematoda: Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae) (EENY546/IN975)
Amaryllis lesion nematode is an important nematode pest of amaryllis in Florida. It reduces plant vigor, flower yield, and bulb size. As the nematodes tunnel through the root, the damaged cells die and collapse, forming lesions on the exterior and the interior of the root tissue. This 4-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in975
Causes and Management of Insect and Mite Resistance in Strawberry Production (ENY841/IN713)
Episodes of pest resistance to popular pesticides can cause yield losses, reduction of fruit quality, added control costs, environmental degradation, and emotional stress among farmers. These consequences can be alleviated if resistance management is practiced throughout the strawberry industry. If they minimize pesticide application by depending more on biological and cultural pest control measures, and take care not to expose pest populations to pesticides with identical modes of action, growers can avoid causing pesticide resistance. This 8-page fact sheet was written by James F. Price and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in713
Spiral Nematode, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1941) Golden, 1956 (Nematoda: Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) (EENY544/IN973)
Spiral nematodes of the genus Helicotylenchus are among the most ubiquitous plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide. Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus is a species common in Florida and the southeastern United States and is frequently found associated with turfgrasses and other grass hosts in the region. On most plants, it is not considered particularly damaging, but recent research has shown that this species suppresses growth of certain turfgrass hosts. Seashore paspalum, a turfgrass used in tropical and subtropical regions, is particularly susceptible to infestation. This 4-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in973
A mosquito Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) (EENY540/IN967)
Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius) is a large mosquito that has developed an outsized reputation because of its relatively intimidating heft and persistent biting behavior, including anecdotal historical accounts of its legendary aggressiveness and ‘frightening appearance’. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Ephraim V. Ragasa and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in967
A Colonial tentweb orbweaver Cyrtophora citricola (EENY535/IN966)
Few species of spiders can be considered truly social, but a greater number of species, particularly web-building spiders, live in close proximity to one another. One species which has become highly successful through a lifestyle of colonial aggregation is the orbweaver Cyrtophora citricola Forskål. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lionel A. Stange, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in966
Pesticide Safety Around Animals (ENY272/IG128)
In general, infested animals are unhealthy and cannot be managed efficiently, so pesticides are commonly used to protect animals from pests. The successful control of pests requires careful mixing and application of recommended pesticides according to label directions. Besides ensuring the control of pests, applying pesticides at the recommended rate is necessary to prevent injury to the animal. This 5-page fact sheet was written by P. E. Kaufman and E. N. I. Weeks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig128
Classical Biological Control of Air Potato in Florida (ENY864/IN957)
Air potato was introduced to Florida in 1905. By the 1980s, its vines were growing in thickets, waste areas, and hedges or fencerows in many parts of south and central Florida. By 1999, it was recognized as transforming plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structure and disrupting ecological functions. The air potato leaf beetle is a rather large, orange-red Asian leaf beetle. It feeds and develops only on air potato. The USDA-ARS Invasive Plant laboratory in Fort Lauderdale acquired this beetle from China and has begun an ambitious release program aimed at controlling air potato. This 3-page fact sheet was written by T. D. Center and W. A. Overholt, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in957
Management of Insect and Mite Resistance in Ornamental Crops (ENY843/IN715)
Resistance of arthropods to crop management chemicals has been problematic since the early era of synthetic organic pesticides. During the 1970s and early 1980s leafminer outbreaks heavily damaged herbaceous ornamental crops such as chrysanthemum, gypsophila, aster, and marigold in fields, shade houses and greenhouses. Several effective insecticides including organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and a triazine were identified for leafminer control during the outbreak; however, control was short-lived as the leafminer developed resistance to each insecticide.This 11-page fact sheet was written by James F. Price, Elzie McCord, Jr., and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in715
Swarm Control for Managed Beehives (ENY160/IN970)
Honey bee swarms are a normal sign of a productive and strong honey bee colony. The population of honey bees in the environment grows and genes are exchanged as the new queen in the parent colony mates with drones from other colonies in the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, this activity often conflicts with the goals of the beekeeper, so good colony management includes swarm prevention. During the swarm season, hive owners should undertake proactive beekeeping practices to alter colonies in response to potential swarming behavior. In this way, the beekeeper maintains strong colonies with greater honey production and the potential to split and increase the total number of colonies, all of which makes beekeeping much more profitable for hive owners. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Sara DeBerry, John Crowley, and James D. Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in970
Preserving Woodenware in Beekeeping Operations (ENY125/AA244)
The predominant material used to construct honey bee colonies in the U.S. is wood. Though honey bee hive components are simple in design, they are subjected to many extreme management techniques that cause wear and tear, ultimately shortening the life of the equipment. This article discusses how to protect colony woodenware, particularly the pieces that are exposed to the elements. These include the bottom board, hive body/supers, and lids. This 4-page fact sheet was written by J. D. Ellis, W. H. Kern, and C. M. Zettel Nalen, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa244
Mange in Companion Animals (ENY289/IN953)
Mange is a persistent skin condition of mammals caused by infestation with parasitic mites. Mites are tiny arthropods, usually less than 1 mm in length and difficult to see with the naked eye. Adult mites have eight legs, and larvae have six. The effect of the mites on the animal’s skin, called “mange,” is the most visible sign of an infestation. This 6-page fact sheet describes several skin conditions commonly caused by parasitic mites in domestic animals. Written by E. N. I. Weeks and P. E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in953
Pesticide Options for Important Insect, Mite, and Mollusk Pests of Commercial Flowers in Florida (ENY695/IG162)
Effective arthropod pest management in commercial floral crops requires that pests be detected in a timely manner through systematic scouting and that appropriate control measures be applied as conditions warrant. Control measures may include economical combinations of cultural controls, physical controls, biological controls, and chemical controls. This 9-page guide is a summary of chemical control measures that are presently available to commercial flower producers in Florida and includes beneficial nematode and microbial insecticides that also are components of biological control. Written by James F. Price and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig162
Green lacewings (of Florida) Neuroptera: Chrysopidae (EENY534/IN965)
The Chrysopidae are one of the largest and economically most important families of the Neuroptera. There are about 1,300 currently recognized species included in about 87 genera and three subfamilies (Brooks and Bernard 1990) in the world. In Florida, there are 22 species in 9 genera, all placed in the subfamily Chrysopinae (Penny et al. 1997). The larvae are voracious predators of small, comparatively soft-bodied arthropods such as aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, thrips, insect eggs, and other prey (Muma 1959; Canard et al. 1984). For this reason they are used widely in biological control. The adults are usually predators, but a few species only feed on pollen. This 4-page fact sheet includes Key to the Genera of Green Lacewings of Florida. Written by Lionel A. Stange, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in965
Burrowing Nematode Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1949 (Nematoda: Secernentea: Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae: Pratylenchinae) (EENY542/IN969)
The burrowing nematode is the most economically important nematode parasite of banana in the world. Infection causes toppling disease of banana, yellows disease of pepper and spreading decline of citrus. These diseases are the result of burrowing nematode infection destroying root tissue, leaving plants with little to no support or ability to take up water and translocate nutrients. Because of the damage that it causes to citrus, ornamentals and other agricultural industries, worldwide, burrowing nematode is one of the most regulated nematode plant pests. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Nicholas Sekora and William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in969
Tropical sod webworm Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenee (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (EENY541/IN968)
Tropical sod webworm larvae are destructive pests of warm season turfgrasses in the southeastern U.S., especially on newly established sod, lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. Larval feeding damage reduces turfgrass aesthetics, vigor, photosynthesis and density. The first sign of damage is often caused by differences in grass height in areas where larvae are feeding. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Nastaran Tofangsazie, Steven P. Arthurs, and Ronald Cherry, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in968
Tobacco Budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (EENY219/IN376)
The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), is a native species and is found throughout the eastern and southwestern United States. It is principally a field crop pest, attacking such crops as alfalfa, clover, cotton, flax, soybean, and tobacco. Larvae bore into buds and blossoms (the basis for the common name of this insect), and sometimes the tender terminal foliar growth, leaf petioles, and stalks. This 6-page fact sheet was written by J. L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in376