Big-eyed bugs are among those insects receiving research attention in Florida (and elsewhere) for their value as predators. To aid in identification of big-eyed bugs in Florida, a key to adults and late instar nymphs is provided in this publication. This 6-page fact sheet was written by F. W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in517
Tag: Featured Creatures collection
Florida Predatory Stink Bug (unofficial common name), Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY157/IN314)
The predatory stink bug is considered a beneficial insect because most of its prey consists of plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars. It seldom plays more than a minor role in the natural control of insects in Florida, but its prey includes a number of economically important species. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Frank W. Mead and David B. Richman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in314
A Flesh Fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart (Insecta: Diptera: Sarcophagidae) (EENY503/IN905)
Sarcophaga crassipalpis is commonly used in laboratories to study gene expression, diapause processes, and physiological processes. It also has a significant impact in other areas of science including parasitology and forensic entomology. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lazaro A. Diaz and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in905
An Asian Citrus Psyllid Parasitoid: Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam and Agarwal) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (EENY505/IN907)
This 5-page fact sheet describes this imported biological control agent to combat the Asian citrus psyllid, a serious pest of citrus. Written by Eric Rohrig, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in907
Eastern Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes asterius (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) (EENY504/IN906)
Although it is admired for its beauty, the eastern black swallowtail is one of the very few butterflies that may occasionally be considered a pest. Learn more in this 8-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in906
Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) (EENY506/IN908)
This common, medium-sized butterfly of wooded areas and suburbs resembles a dead leaf when its wings are folded. Learn more in this 6-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in908
Leafminer Parasitoid Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (EENY501/IN902)
Leafminers are usually the larvae of insects that feed or mine inside plant leaves, and Opius dissitus is a wasp endoparasite that keeps the population of Liriomyza leafminers in check. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Jian Li, Dakshina Seal, and Gary Leibee, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in902
Dark Rover Ant: Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr (EENY498/IN899)
The dark rover ant is a tiny ant, native to Argentina and Paraguay, that was introduced relatively recently to the United States. It is established in the Gulf states and in some urban areas of Arizona and Nevada. It is a nuisance species because it invades and establishes nests in structures. This 6-page fact sheet was written by David Tamayo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in899
Grasshopper Nematode: Mermis nigrescens Dujardin, 1842 (EENY500/IN900)
These large nematodes can sometimes seen leaving grasshoppers, especially those that have been injured. On rainy mornings in spring or summer they can be found depositing their eggs on leaves for grasshoppers to eat. Because they are so large (up to 160 mm or about 6 inches in length), they attract attention. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in900
Sweat Bees, Halictid Bees, Halictidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Halictidae) (EENY499/IN897)
Sweat bees are very important pollinators for many wildflowers and crops, including stone fruits, pomme fruits, alfalfa and sunflower. Sweat bee populations can be encouraged with wildflower plantings and by providing nesting areas. Halictids typically nest in bare soil located in a sunny location. Minimum tillage and insecticide use will help to increase populations of Halictidae and other soil nesting bees. Learn more about this diverse family of bees in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Katie Buckley, Catherine Zettel Nalen, and Jamie Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in897
Red-tailed Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (Fallén) (Insecta: Diptera: Sarcophagidae) (EENY495/IN896)
Another insect important to forensic investigations, red-tailed flesh fly larvae invade carcasses that are in the early to advanced stages of decomposition, often arriving as early as blow flies. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Angelique Showman and C. Roxanne Connelly and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in896
Terrestrial Snails Affecting Plants in Florida (EENY497/IN893)
Most snails are either beneficial or harmless, but a few snails may feed on economically important plants and become pests. The terrestrial species that can become plant pests are discussed in this 12-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera and Jodi White, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in893
Rosemary Grasshopper Schistocerca ceratiola Hubell and Walker (EENY496/IN894)
The rosemary grasshopper occurs only in Florida. It is poorly known and rarely seen except by those specifically seeking it out. This 4-page fact sheet an illustrated summary of its appearance and ecology, written by John L. Capinera and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in894
Applesnails of Florida Pomacea spp. (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) (EENY323/IN598)
Applesnails are larger than most freshwater snails and can be separated from other freshwater species by their oval shell that has the umbilicus of the shell perforated or broadly open. There are four species in Florida, one of which is native and considered beneficial. Both the island and channeled applesnails are potential threats to Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Thomas R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in598
Terrestrial Slugs of Florida (Mollusca: Stylommatophora: Veronicellidae, Phylomycidae, Agrolimacidae and Limacidae) (EENY494/IN891)
Most slugs are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female sex organs. This makes slugs particularly dangerous as invaders because even a single individual that escapes detection can establish a population in a new environment through self-fertilization. This 11-page fact sheet discusses the slug situation in Florida, including problems with slug identification and taxonomy, as well as the behavior, ecology, and management of slugs. Written by John L. Capinera and Jodi White and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology , June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in891
Giant Whip Scorpion Mastigoproctus giganteus giganteus (Lucas, 1835) (Arachnida: Thelyphonida (=Uropygi): Thelyphonidae) (EENY493/IN890)
To encounter a giant whip scorpion for the first time can be an alarming experience! What seems like a miniature monster from a horror movie is really a fairly benign creature. While called a scorpion, this arachnid has neither the venom-filled stinger found in scorpions nor the venomous bite found in some spiders. This 4-page fact sheet was written by W.H. Kern Jr. and R.E. Mitchell, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in890
Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) (EENY492/IN887)
Most Drosophila flies are associated with rotten or over-ripened fruits and are nuisance pests. However, a few species such as the spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii (Matsumura), can infest un-ripened fruits and are of economic significance. First detected within the continental United States in August 2008, D. suzukii has become a serious threat to fruit crops. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Rajinder S. Mann and Lukasz L. Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in887
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY491/IN886)
Ambrosia beetles are wood-degrading insects that live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. Usually we consider ambrosia beetles beneficial because they accelerate the decay of dead trees, which is important for nutrient cycling in healthy forests. However, the redbay ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont transmit the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). They are considered a “very high risk” invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease and much is still unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. This 7-page fact sheet highlights what we do know about this important new pest. Written by Rajinder Mann, Jiri Hulcr, Jorge Peña, and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886
Predatory Stink Bug, Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY165/IN322)
Sometimes called the giant strong-nosed stink bug, this very large (20 mm) predatory stink bug occurs in several row crops and preys on other insects, especially lepidopterous larvae. The stages in the life cycle are presented here so that they can be identified in the field. This 3-page fact sheet was written by David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in322
Eye Gnats, Grass Flies, Eye Flies, Fruit Flies Liohippelates spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Chloropidae) (EENY485/IN884)
High concentrations of eye gnats are common in areas that have loose sandy soils, especially in the southern United States, and are a great nuisance to humans and animals in rural towns as well as agricultural, recreational, and tourist areas. While they do not bite, they can transmit several diseases to humans and livestock, including human acute conjunctivitis (pink eye). This 6-page fact sheet focuses broadly on two species that are common in the southeastern region of the United States are L. pusio and L. bishoppi (Sabrosky). Written by Erika Machtinger and Phillip E. Kaufman and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in884