Department Of Entomology Research Articles

Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Blueberry gall midge is a small fly native to North America that feeds on blueberries and cranberries. It can be found throughout the United States, including Florida, where its larvae feed on southern highbush blueberry and rabbiteye floral and vegetative buds. Reports of blueberry gall midge damage on southern highbush blueberry in Florida have become more common in recent years, in some cases significantly impacting yield where there was severe feeding damage to floral buds. This 3-page fact sheet written by Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology will inform growers how to scout for, identify, and control blueberry gall midge. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1239

Investigations on the Larvicidal Effect of Red Algal Seaweeds of Rameswaram Coast Against Tobacco Caterpillar Spodoptera Litura (Fab.)

Investigations on the insecticidal activity of Red algal seaweeds viz., Gracilaria corticata J. Agardh, Liagora ceranoides J. V. Lamouroux, and Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) collected from Rameswaram coastal ecosystem against Leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was conducted in the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, India during 2016-2018. Powdered seaweeds at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 20 per cent concentrations were investigated for their toxicity and insect growth regulator activity aganist S.litura under CRD in free choice test with three replications along with control. Observations showed that, larval mortality noticed after 36 hours after treatment in G. corticata treatments and even 100 per cent mortality was achieved at 72 hours of treatment, whereas the other two seaweeds exhibited larval mortality only after 72 hours of treatment and extended further to pupation and adult emergence. Among the concentrations the higher doses (20 and 10%) exhibited the maximum larval mortality (100%) while the maximum doses of other two seaweeds powder treatments did not, exhibited cent per cent larval mortality at any point of time and even pupated and gone for adult emergence also. The results displayed that, all the seaweed had exhibited larval mortality and their inhibiting substance inside needs to be investigated.

Taxonomical Revision on Certain Species of Subfamily Coccidulinae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Egypt

This is the first paper of series reviewing the Egyptian Coccidulinae. Three genera Cryptolaemus Mulsant, Rhyzobius Stephens and Tetrabrachys Kapur belonging to two tribes Coccidulini and Tetrabrachini are revised depending on materials collected during study years, and specimens preserved in four insect collections; Collection of Alfieri, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University (ALFC); Collection of Ain Shams University, Faculty of Science, Department of Entomology (ASUC); Collection of Cairo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Entomology (CUC) and Collection of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (MAC). Genus Cryptolaemus transferred from Scymninae to Coccidulinae, and the species Tetrabrachys cribratellus is proposed as a valid species. Keys are provided to separate the tribes, genera and species. Description is based on adults, and detailed information about distribution and some ecological notes are mentioned.

Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål, is a pest of cruciferous crops and was first recorded in the United States from Mobile, Alabama, in March 1947, where it was found feeding on turnip, cabbage, collard, mustard, and radish (Chamberlin and Tippin 1949). It can devastate high value crops such as mizuna and mibuna (Japanese leafy vegetables), napa cabbage, turnip and watercress (Bowers 2003). This document is EENY-348, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: May 2005.
 EENY348/IN625: Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (ufl.edu)

Tetrio Sphinx, Giant Gray Sphinx, Frangipani Hornworm, Pseudosphinx tetrio (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

The tetrio sphinx, Pseudosphinx tetrio (Linnaeus), is a common moth in the American tropics and subtropics that less frequently occurs in southern parts of Florida. Although the adults exhibit mostly drab grey coloration, larvae are conspicuous, large caterpillars that often occur in gardens feeding on frangipani and other members of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). This document is EENY-344, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: March 2005. 
 EENY344/IN621: Tetrio Sphinx, Giant Gray Sphinx, Frangipani Hornworm, Pseudosphinx tetrio (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) (ufl.edu)

Mahogany Shoot Borer, Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae)

The mahogany shoot borer, Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller), bores in twigs and seed capsules of trees in the mahogany family (Meliaceae), especially mahogany species (Swietenia spp.) and cedro, known also as Spanish-cedar and tropical-cedar (Cedrela spp.). It is an important economic pest and has been the subject of concerted research efforts in several tropical countries. It is the only species of Hypsipyla in Florida, where it is a pest of West Indies mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni Jacquin), a native tree that is frequently planted as an ornamental or shade tree in southern Florida. This document is EENY-336, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: December 2004. Revised: January 2005. 
 EENY336/IN613: Mahogany Shoot Borer, Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) (ufl.edu)

Greenhouse Thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche)

This thrips was described by Bouché in 1833 from specimens taken from a greenhouse in Europe as Thrips haemorrhoidalis. Packard described this species for the first time from this country in 1870 and called it the greenhouse thrips. This thrips appears in the Common Names of Insects approved by the Entomological Society of America as the greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché). This document is EENY-075 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circular No. 64), one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: February 1999. Revised: August 2004.
 EENY075/IN232: Greenhouse Thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche) Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae) (ufl.edu)

Glow-Worms, Railroad-Worms (Insecta: Coleoptera: Phengodidae)

The family Phengodidae are uncommonly encountered beetles that have bioluminescent females that appear to be larvaiform (or larger versions of the immature stage.) These adult females are able to produce light from paired photic organs located on each body segment (one glowing spot on each side) and sometimes also from luminous bands that extend across the dorsal surface of the body between each body segment. Females appear to be more commonly encountered than larvae. Because these glowing spots along the females body resemble the windows of train cars internally illuminated in the night, they are often referred to as "railroad-worms." Males of these species are not larviform, but instead resemble other beetles, though their first pair of wings (elytra) are less then half as long as their hind wings and the males of most species have very elaborate, feather-like antennae. These fancy antennae are used to detect and follow pheromones produced by the female. This document is EENY-332 , one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: December 2004. Revised: February 2005.
 EENY332/IN609: Glow-Worms, Railroad-Worms (Insecta: Coleoptera: Phengodidae) (ufl.edu)

Acrobat Ant, Crematogaster ashmeadi Emery (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

The ant Crematogaster ashmeadi (Emery) is commonly known as an acrobat ant. There are perhaps 10 species of Crematogaster in Florida, and C. ashmeadi is commonly found throughout the state (Deyrup, personal communication). Members of this genus are referred to as acrobat ants because of the flexible way that a worker holds its abdomen (gaster) up over the rest of its body. This document is EENY-333 , one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: August 2004. 
 EENY333/IN610: Acrobat Ant, Crematogaster ashmeadi Emery (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) (ufl.edu)

Stubby-Root Nematode, Trichodorus obtusus Cobb (Nematoda: Adenophorea: Triplonchida: Diphtherophorina: Trichodoridea: Trichodoridae)

Nematodes in the family Trichodoridae (Thorne, 1935) Siddiqi, 1961, are commonly called "stubby-root" nematodes, because feeding by these nematodes can cause a stunted or "stubby" appearing root system. Trichodorus obtusus is one of the most damaging nematodes on turfgrasses, but also may cause damage to other crops. This document is EENY-340, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: November 2004. 
 EENY340/IN617: Stubby-Root Nematode, Trichodorus obtusus Cobb (syn T. proximus) (Nematoda: Adenophorea: Triplonchida: Diphtherophorina: Trichodoridea: Trichodoridae) (ufl.edu)

Slugs (of Florida) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Florida has a depauparate slug fauna, having only three native species which belong to three different families. Eleven species of exotic slugs have been intercepted by USDA and DPI quarantine inspectors, but only one is known to be established. This document is EENY-087 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circulars No. 197 and 261), one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: June 1999. Revised: April 2004.

Sharpshooters, Leafhoppers, Cicadellidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae)

Sharpshooter is a term commonly used to describe a group of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae. There have been several explanations for the use of this term. Riley and Howard (1893) first used 'sharpshooter' to describe the feeding damage of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), on cotton. This damage was caused by the piercing-sucking mouthparts of H. coagulata that appeared to be caused by a 'minute bullet.' They also reported 'rapid and forcible ejection of minute drops of fluid' as another explanation for the use of this term. The term sharpshooter is also attributed to the hiding behavior of these insects when alarmed. Disturbed sharpshooters will slip quickly behind branches and stems to avoid predators, an action not unlike the behavior of army sharpshooter riflemen who would hide behind the trunks of trees to avoid detection by the opposition as they passed by their position. This document is EENY-334 , one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: October 2004.
 EENY-334/IN611: Sharpshooters, Leafhoppers, Cicadellidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) (ufl.edu)

Northern Red-Oak Kermes, Kermes Scale (suggested common names), Allokermes kingii (Cockerell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kermesidae)

In North America there are 32 species of Kermesidae in five genera, but in northeastern North America there are only nine species in four genera (Eriokermes, Nanokermes, Allokermes, and Kermes). The Allokermes spp. that are of economic importance in Florida are A. cueroensis (Cockerell), A. galliformis (Riley), and A. kingii (Cockerell). The kermes scale, Allokermes kingii (Cockerell), is an important pest on oak (Quercus spp.) trees. This document is EENY-338, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: November 2004.
 EENY338/IN615: Northern Red-Oak Kermes (suggested common names), Allokermes kingii (Cockerell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kermesidae) (ufl.edu)

Stubby-Root Nematode, Paratrichodorus minor (Colbran) Siddiqi (Nematoda: Adenophorea: Triplonchida: Diphtherophorina: Trichodoridae: Trichodoridae)

Nematodes in the family Trichodoridae (Thorne, 1935) Siddiqi, 1961, are commonly called "stubby-root" nematodes, because feeding by these nematodes can cause a stunted or "stubby" appearing root system. Paratrichodorus minor is the most common species of stubby-root nematode in Florida, and in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Paratrichodorus minor is important because of the direct damage it causes to plant roots, and also because it can transmit certain plant viruses. This document is EENY-339, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: November 2004.
 EENY339/IN616: Stubby-Root Nematode, Nanidorus minor (Colbran) Siddiqi (syn. Paratrichodorus minor, P. christiei, Trichodorus minor, T. christiei) (Nematoda: Adenophorea: Triplonchida: Diphtherophorina: Trichodoridea: Trichodoridae) (ufl.edu)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys Ståhl (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Ståhl), is a recently introduced pest to the western hemisphere and was first officially reported from Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001 (Hoebeke and Carter 2003). This stink bug may become a major agricultural pest in North America, similar to the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). Both species are polyphagous pests of various crops, but the exact potential impact of BMSB is currently unknown until it is detected in agricultural areas. However, in eastern Asia where the BMSB is native or indigenous, it is a pest on fruit trees and soybeans. This document is EENY-346, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: April 2005.
 EENY346/IN623: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (ufl.edu)

Lobate Lac Scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae)

A species of scale insect new to Florida is potentially one of the most devastating pests of trees and shrubs in the state's history. The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), a scale insect native to India and Sri Lanka, was found for the first time in Florida in August 1999 by personnel of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (DPI) (Hamon 2001). This document is EENY-276, one of a series of the Department of Entomology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date printed: November 2002. Revised: May 2004.
 EENY-276/IN471: Lobate Lac Scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae) (ufl.edu)

Taxonomic studies on Leucospis Fabricius collection (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Leucospidae) at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACTTaxonomic studies on leucospid specimens (Chalcidoidea: Leucospidae) in the department of Entomology, Annamalai University is furnished which includes five out of seven spec-ies of the genus Leucospis Fabricius known from India, viz., L. guzeratensis Westwood, L. histrio Maindron, L. pediculata Guérin-Méneville, L. petiolata Fabricius and L. pyriformis (Weld). Leucospis pediculata is reported from Kerala and L. petiolata from Maharashtra and Meghalaya. Information on the parasitoid distribution, brief diagnosis of each species with high-resolution images of habitus and other essential parts for easy identification are provided. An identification key to Indian species of Leucospis is also included.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7B774E86-F8BA-42B7-86E2-0033146D5FC0

2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Leafminer

This 9-page fact sheet is part of the 2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide. Written by P. A. Stansly, J. A. Qureshi, L. L. Stelinski, and M. E. Rogers, and published by the Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2019.

2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites

This 6-page fact sheet is part of the 2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide. Written by M. E. Rogers, P. A. Stansly, and J. A. Qureshi, and published by the Entomology and Nematology Department, January 2019. ENY-603/CG002: 2022–2023 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites (ufl.edu)

2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Nematodes

Integrated pest management (IPM) for nematodes requires: 1) determining whether pathogenic nematodes are present within the grove; 2) determining whether population densities of some nematodes are high enough to cause economic loss; and 3) selecting a profitable management option. Attempting to manage nematodes may be unprofitable unless the above procedures are carefully followed. Similarly, some management methods pose risk to people and the environment, therefore it is important to know that their use is justified by the actual conditions in a grove. This 3-page fact sheet is part of the 2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide. Written by Larry W. Duncan, Joe W. Noling, and Renato N. Inserra, and published by the Entomology and Nematology Department, May 2018. ENY-606/CG010: 2022–2023 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Nematodes (ufl.edu)