A couple of bugs this month are new to the state. You're encouragedto pick up and send in anything you have not seen before. Especially if you get plants from outside the state or something unusual shows up after a storm or other extreme conditions.
1. Woolly White Fly – This pest was first collected in Jefferson Parish on backyard citrus but has since been found in Plaquemines and Vermillion parishes. This white fly has an unusual characteristic of producing a woolly cover that completely covers the nymphal population on the foliage of citrus plants. Infestations are not of economic significance, but they do excrete heavy amounts of honeydew, which leads to heavy sooty mold development. This population in Florida is managed by parasitoids and predators. Normal sprays on infested trees should mange the population. Figure 1.
2. Black Flies – This population was initially found in 2002 in an orchard in Lafourche Parish but was in a managed orchard and was managed with sprays. The population found in lower Plaquemines Parish was much denser and in orchards that were getting minimal management or were being grown organically. This fly is more of a problem and can cause economic damage. Extremely high populations on trees have resulted in the overall blackening of the foliage with sooty mold on the honeydew secretions, resulting in stunted growth, reduced fruit size and reduced production the following year. All stages of development of this fly are black except the eggs, which are yellow-orange and are laid in a spiral configuration. Parasites have been observed with these infestations. We are trying to identify them and get additional numbers from USDA for release. Figure 2.
3. Aphids – are making a big mess of the crape myrtles and other plants at this time. They have been observed creating sooty mold problems on several ornamentals and trees. Several of the populations have been attacked by parasites and predators. Those that are parasitized swell up and turn bright gold. When the parasite emerges from the aphid, it cuts a neat round hole in the back of the abdomen. Where populations show signs of parasites or predators, do not spray; they should be able to manage the aphid populations without treatment at this time. Where treatment is necessary, any of the systemic materials should do a good job of management.
4. White Flies – Although we talked about the new white flies, we still have problems with our regular populations on hibiscus, gardenia and some garden crops. There are several means of managing these populations, so chose the one that fits the infestation.
5. Azalea Bark Scale – Presently Texas is having a severe problem with this scale on crape myrtles. Heavy infestations are damaging the plants across Texas. We have not seen this here as of yet, but we should be on the lookout for this problem. Figure 3.
6. Melon Worms – These pests are usually on pumpkins and the plants in the field, but they will come to the market with the pumpkins. These worms are foliage-feeders early in the season, but as pumpkins mature, the worms will feed on them. They particularly get around the base of the stems but will feed and bore into the sides of the pumpkins. This allows secondary rots and organisms to enter the fruit and cause it to decompose quickly. Be sure to check your pumpkin before you buy one to prevent problems later. Where worms are found on fruit and little damage is observed, they may be treated with Sevin or a light spraying with a pyrethroid. Figure 4.
7. Yellow Jackets – Now is the prime time for yellow jackets to become greater scavengers than they already are. Their normal food sources are dwindling in the fields as crops are harvested, so they become more attracted to parties, tailgating areas, trash cans, picnics and areas where fish and other game are cleaned. They are attracted to open drink cans and can cause severe problems if you try to drink when they are in the can. At soccer and other outdoor sports events, be sure to keep children’s drinks covered when they are at play. At this time of year the yellow jackets tend to be a little more aggressive than when food is readily available. Many times we get calls saying African honeybees are in an area when a yellow jacket nest is disturbed. Please be sure of the identification before making any statements. Figure 5.
8. Incidental Insects – These are pests that normally are outdoors, but when the weather changes or extreme conditions exist, they, like us, look for adequate shelter. Spiders, earwigs, scorpions, ants and other insects and arthropods can find their way into homes. Some enter when the door is opened, but others enter when the door does not close properly or there is a gap under the door. Some are just getting shelter, but others, like ants, are seeking food sources. Spiders are attracted to homes particularly with outdoor lights, since they are looking for the bugs that come to the lights. Additional protection to reduce these invasions include changing regular outdoor light bulbs to yellow bug lights, spraying a pyrethroid around doors and windows where necessary and sealing around doors to close the gaps.
9. Seed Bugs – At this time of year when many plants are producing seed pods, they attract a group of piercing, sucking insects – seed bugs. These are very numerous, with 250 species. Several are brightly marked with red and black. The milkweed bug is an example. Some species are predaceous, such as the big eyed bug. When they are found feeding on seeds of althea and other plants, they can be easily managed with a pyrethroid spray. Figure 6.
Until next month!
| | Woolly white flies on foliage and parasite. |
| | Black fly eggs , pupa and adult. |
| | Azalea bark scale with and without cover. |
| | | Melon worm larva and adult. |
| | Yellow jackets and light- and dark-color forms of honeybee. |
| | Seed bug numph and adult on althea seed pod. |
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