Tag: Featured Creatures collection

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle Chrysomela scripta Fabricius (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomela) (EENY519/IN936)

Figure 10. Life cycle of the cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta Fabricius.The cottonwood leaf beetle is one of the most economically-important pests of managed cottonwood, aspen, and some poplar and willow species. Often it is a severe pest of urban ornamental trees. This leaf feeder has several generations each year, may cause extensive leaf loss, and can consequently reduce stem volume up to 70%. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in936

A Stink Bug Euschistus quadrator Rolston (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY523/IN937)

Figure 1. Dorsal view of Euschistus quadrator Rolston; adult male (left) and female (right), a stink bug.Euschistus quadrator, like other stink bugs, is highly polyphagous. It is found on weeds such as clover, vetch and other legumes. It feeds on many different crops, though it is primarily found on cotton, soybeans and corn. Stink bugs cause injury to various fruits and vegetables by feeding, resulting in significant quality and yield loss. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts and most feed primarily on fruits and seeds. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Sara A. Brennan, Joseph Eger, and Oscar E. Liburd, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in937

Wasp Parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (EENY525/IN938)

Figure 1. Adult male Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), a parasitoid wasp of Anastrepha spp.Doryctobracon areolatus was introduced into Florida and the Dominican Republic for control of the Caribbean fruit fly and the West Indian fruit fly. In its native habitats, parasitism of fruit flies in certain fruit can reach more than 80%. Mean parasitism of Caribbean fruit fly following original establishment in Florida was around 40%. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Charles Stuhl and John Sivinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in938

Western Leaffooted Bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coreidae) (EENY517/IN935)

Figure 1. Adult western leaffooted bugs, Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas), on citrus fruit.Leptoglossus zonatus feeds on the satsuma mandarin by inserting its piercing-sucking mouthparts in the fruit and releasing a toxic substance. It transmits a trypanosomatid plant pathogen similar to the one that causes Chagas’ disease and sleeping sickness in humans, but that is only pathogenic to plants. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in935

Tawny Emperor butterfly Asterocampa clyton (Boisduval & LeConte) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Apaturinae) (EENY528/IN933)

Figure 4. An adult male tawny emperor, Asterocampa clyton (Boisduval & Leconte), with wings open. The tawny emperor is a medium sized, non-descript butterfly that is common in riparian forests, but is also found in dry woods and suburbs. Larvae that develop in fall overwinter in small groups in a hibernaculum constructed by tying leaves together with silk so it stays on the tree throughout the winter. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Donald W. Hall, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in933

Bean Plataspid: Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae) (EENY527/IN939)

Figure 2. Adult bean plataspids, Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius), on a building in Georgia, USA. Notice the enlarged, truncated scutellum covering the wings.Also known as the kudzu bug, lablab bug, and globular stink bug, the bean plantaspid is native to Asia, where it is not an agricultural pest. But in the U. S., it is reported as a pest of soybean in Georgia and South Carolina. Adults from established populations overwinter on light colored structures, in leaf litter, and underneath the bark of trees. Also, like stink bugs, adults tend to excrete an odor as a defense mechanism when disturbed. The defense chemical these insects secrete may stain the surface of the house, building or vehicle where aggregation occurs. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Ashley Poplin and Amanda Hodges, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in939

A Mosquito Culex (Melanoconion) pilosus (Dyar and Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) (EENY521/IN930)

Figure 2. Adult female Culex (Melanoconion) pilosus, a mosquito. This small, dark mosquito tends to feed on reptiles and amphibians. It is found in the southeastern United States and many countries in Central America and South America. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Diana Vork and C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in930

Palm Aphid Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphidae: Hormaphidinae) (EENY520/IN924)

Figure 1. Adult palm aphid, Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel).The palm aphids are the only aphids known to infest palm plants. High populations occasionally become severe in nurseries and the landscape, and can cause substantial damage to young coconut palms. They pierce palm foliage and suck out the plant phloem content, causing yellowing of the tissues and loss of plant vigor. In addition, honeydew production by the aphids promotes sooty mold growth that can limit photosynthesis. Palms heavily infested with aphids can experience stunted growth. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Bonnie C. Wells and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in924

West Indian Fruit Fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY198/IN355)

Figure 2. Adult female West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart).Anastrepha obliqua is a major pest of mangoes in most tropical countries, making the production of some varieties unprofitable. In the United States it is found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and was once found in Florida. It is intercepted frequently in mangoes and several other fruits from various countries. This 5-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., J. B. Heppner, G. J. Steck, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in355

Saddleback Caterpillar Acharia stimulea (Clemens) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) (EENY522/IN923)

Figure 6. Close up the startle display marking of the saddleback caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (Clemens).Acharia stimulea is best known as a medically significant species. Its spines are strong, acutely pointed, and hollow. They embed deeply into tissue and break off, and can interrupt healing as the protoplasm from the venom glands dries into the tissue area. The venom itself can cause a systemic condition called erucism or acute urticaria, for which severe symptoms may include migraines, gastrointestinal symptoms, asthma complications, anaphylactic shock, rupturing of erythrocytes, and hemorrhaging. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Christopher S. Bibbs and J. Howard Frank, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in923

South American Cucurbit Fruit Fly, Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY205/IN362)

Figure 2. Adult male South American cucurbit fruit fly, Anastrepha grandis (Macquart).This rather large, yellow-brown, fruit fly with yellow and dark-brown markings exists in several South American countries, and attacks watermelon and other fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae. Once a pest of minor to moderate importance generally, it has become a rather important pest. The pest status differs in each country and has sometimes changed within a country . This species is potentially of economic importance in Florida and southern Texas should it ever be introduced there. It has been intercepted in the United States in pumpkin from Argentina and Brazil, and in banana debris from Panama.This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in362

Mango Fruit Fly, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY286/IN563)

Figure 1. Adult female mango fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker).The mango fruit fly is also commonly known as the marula fruit fly, based on its common occurrence in these host plants. Marula is a native African fruit related to mango and sometimes known locally as wild plum. This fly is a serious pest in smallholder and commercial mango across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is more destructive than either the Mediterranean fruit fly or the Natal fruit fly. The fly’s impact is growing along with the more widespread commercialization of mango. It is one of the most commonly intercepted fruit flies in Europe. This 3-page fact sheet was written by G. J. Steck, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in563

Apple Maggot, Apple Maggot Fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY261/IN505)

Figure 2. Adult apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), dorsal view. Photograph by: Joseph Berger; insectimages.orgThe apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), also known as the apple maggot fly and “railroad worm,” is native to North America. Originally, it fed in the fruit of wild hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), but then became a primary pest of cultivated apples, especially in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Summer- and early fall-maturing varieties are particularly vulnerable, but hard winter apples are sometimes infested. Thin skinned sweet and subacid varieties are most susceptible, but acid varieties may be attacked. This 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in505

A Fruit Fly, Anastrepha ocresia (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritide) (EENY202/IN359)

Figure 1. Adult female Anastrepha ocresia (Walker), a fruit fly.This small orange brown fly with patterned wings, banded abdomen, and a somewhat long ovipositor sheath is one of six species of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha that occur in Florida or which have been established in Florida at some time. There is a distinct possibility that this species has not survived in Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in359

Fruit Fly, Anastrepha edentata Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY264/IN543)

Figure 2. Adult female Anastrepha edentata Stone, a fruit fly.Anastrepha edentata Stone has been collected in the Florida keys in every month of the year, but its host plants still are unknown. It is one of six species of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha, which occur in Florida or which have been established in Florida at some time. According to Division of Plant Industry records, it has not been found in Florida since 1936. There is a possibility that this species has not survived in Florida. It is not considered to be of economic importance anywhere within its range. This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in543

Sapote Fruit Fly, Serpentine Fruit Fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY206/IN363)

Figure 3. Egg of the sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), compared with other common Anastrepha species.The sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), sometimes called the serpentine fruit fly, is intercepted frequently in United States ports of entry in various hosts from several countries. It is an important pest species in Mexico because its larvae infest sapote, sapodilla, willowleaf lucuma, and related fruits. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in363

Schoepfia Fruit Fly, Anastrepha interrupta Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY267/IN548)

Figure 2. Adult female schoepfia fruit fly, Anastrepha interrupta Stone.The schoepfia fruit fly is native to southern Florida. It is known only from coastal counties of south-central Florida to Key West, and only feeds on fruit of the flowering plant Schoepfia chrysophylloides. This 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and J. B. Heppner, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in548

Japanese Orange Fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY263/IN542)

Figure 1. Adult female Japanese orange fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake).This fruit fly is one of the most important pests of citrus in Japan. There have been no interceptions of the Japanese orange fly in the United States, probably due in a large part to the protection provided by a U.S. embargo of long standing against citrus from the orient. There have been some efforts recently to effect the removal of this embargo in order that citrus from Japan might be exported to the U.S. If this were to be done, the danger of introducing the Japanese orange fly into the U.S. would be greatly increased. This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in542

Natal Fruit Fly, Natal Fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY257/IN538)

Figure 1. Adult female Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch.The Natal fruit fly is a pest of orchard fruits throughout much of KwaZulu Natal Province, Republic of South Africa, and is considered to be the most common fruit fly of economic importance in Zimbabwe. 50 to 100 percent of plums were reportedly infested in a South African locality one year despite the application of control measures. Although it never has been captured as an escapee in the United States, it continues to constitute a potential threat to Florida agriculture. If it were accidentally introduced into Florida and allowed to gain a foothold, the Natal fruit fly could prove to be fully as serious a menace as the Mediterranean fruit fly. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in538

South American Fruit Fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY266/IN545)

Figure 2. Various wing forms.This species is of great economic importance because of the wide variety of plants that it attacks and its extensive distribution. In most of South America, it probably is the most important species of Anastrepha. This 6-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in545