This presentation was given to Alabama Master Gardener interns in February 2010.

1. Entomology Crash Course for Master Gardener Interns Dr. Ayanava Majumdar Ext. Entomologist, State SARE Coordinator Gulf Coast Research & Ext. Center 8300 State Hwy 104, Fairhope AL 36532 Tel: (251) 331-8416 bugdoctor@auburn.edu

3. Insect classification

4. Types of insect injuries

5. Integrated pest management

6. Insect monitoring using traps

7. IPM in tomatoes

8. Citrus psyllid - a new invasive insectLET’S TAKE THE PRE-TEST FIRST!

9. Insect Form & Function This sign indicates study of real insect specimen using a digital microscope (Dino-Lite Pro)

10. Fun Facts about insects Insects have been around for at least 350 million years Over 900,000 described species (75% of all animal species) U.S. has about 91,000 described species Less than 1% of these are considered pests Four largest insect orders: beetles (Coleoptera), flies (Diptera), ants (Hymenoptera), moths (Lepidoptera)

11. Why are INSECTS so successful? Small size, cryptic in nature Small food requirement Rapid and prolific reproduction Parthenogenesis Grows by molting (control over growth rate) Life stages feed on different substrate

12. Characteristics of arthropods Segmented bodies and jointed appendages Exoskeleton shed periodically Characteristics Insects: Three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) Six legs or less or zero (NEVER more!) Grasshopper specimen

13. Insect Exoskeleton Insects have a cuticle, cuticle has chitin Exocuticle Epicuticle (topmost) Chitin molecules interlink to provide strength! Endocuticle Hard cuticle of a cockroach

14. Insect Growth Insects need to shed (molt) old skin to grow in size. The period between molts is called an instar. Most insects have 4–8 instars before becoming adult. Cicada nymph molts into an adult

15. Insect Growth Metamorphosis:drastic change in shape and form for growth and development. Two types: complete and incomplete. The stage of development of an insect will affect insecticide efficacy:

16. Complete metamorphosis EGG ADULT LARVA (mobile stage) PUPA WHAT COULD BE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE LIFE STAGES?

17. Incomplete metamorphosis WHAT COULD BE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE LIFE STAGES?

19. 4 basic parts; Mandibles used for chewing!

20. Cannot feed on liquid materialsGrasshopper mouthparts Beetle mouthparts

22. Complex modifications of MP

23. Mandibles used for chewing, proboscis for drinking (lapping) and exchanging fluid

24. Mouthparts allow molding wax, feeding on pollen, nectarHoney bee mouthparts

26. Severe reduction of mouthparts – only a proboscis or coiled tube is present

27. Short lived as adult, feed intermittently Hawk moth mouthparts

29. Reduced mouthparts suitable for soaking up liquids

30. No ability to eat solid food

31. Some flies can “bite” but is actually scratching to feed on bloodFly mouthparts

33. All mouthparts shaped like needles that form feeding tubes

34. Only female mosquitoes bite

35. All sexes of plant bugs can feed on plant juicesPlant bugs Mosquito Leaf-footed bug mouthparts Assassin bug mouthparts

36. Insect Orders

37. Key insect orders Coleoptera Diptera Hemiptera Lepidoptera Orthoptera Thysanoptera

38. Coleoptera (beetles,weevils) Some insect have defense markings (click beetle) Mexican bean beetle Vegetable weevil Wireworms

39. Facts about beetles (Coleoptera) Characteristics: forewings are hard, hindwings are membranous, poor fliers Have four life stages – egg, larva (grub), pupa, adult Grubs have strong mouthparts & are root feeders Beetles (adult) are foliage/flower feeders and may transmit diseases Often overwinter as adult or larva Beetle wings

40. Diptera (flies) Mouth hooks of maggots Vegetable leafminer Seedcorn maggots

41. Facts about flies (Diptera) Characteristics: good flier (one pair of wings), larva (maggots) with reduced head Have four life stages – egg, larva, pupa, adult Larva have mouth hooks to scrape root surface Adult flies feed on nectar or solids (sponging mouth type) Often overwinter in larval stages Fly wings

42. Hemiptera (true bugs) Piercing-sucking mouthparts (beak) Leaf-footed bug Stink bug Aphids

43. Facts about true bugs (Hemiptera) Characteristics: wings are partially hardened, antennae short Some are beneficial species Have three life stages – egg, larva (nymph), adult Overwinter in adult stage – immatures are vulnerable to predation. Piercing-sucking mouthparts Stink bug wings Predatory stink bug

44. Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies) Fall armyworm Imported cabbageworm Granulate cutworm Tomato hornworm

45. Identifying larvae by appendages Anal prolegs Thoracic legs Abdominal prolegs Normal number of prolegs = 4 (cutworms, armyworms) < Number of prolegs = 3 (green cloverworm) Number of prolegs = 2 (cabbage looper) >>

46. Facts about moths & butterflies Complete lifecycle – egg, larva, pupa, adult Larvae are damaging stages… Some members have become insecticide tolerant (diamondback moth, corn earworm) Try controlling these pests in early stages (small larva) Head of butterfly showing siphoning mouthparts (coiled beak)

48. Crickets (Gryllidae)

50. Thysanoptera (thrips) Tobacco thrips Actual size = 5 mm Flower thrips

51. Facts about thrips Actual size = 5 mm, commonly seen on flowers Life stages: egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, adult Damage is caused by the rasping MP Damage intense in dry years Transmit diseases between plants

52. Types of Insect Injury Presentation + Simulated training

53. First know the definitions… INJURY DAMAGE Damage = injury + economic loss

54. Plant injury by INSECTS Direct injury caused by feeding: chewing mouthparts VS. sucking mouth parts

55. Plant injury by INSECTS Direct injury caused during oviposition: dimpling on tomato by thrips egg-laying Image: UFL IFAS Ext. Image: UFL IFAS Ext.

56. Plant injury by INSECTS Indirect injury from insect products: honeydew causes sooty mold (aphids, whiteflies) Image: TopTurf.net Image: Iowa State

57. Plant injury by INSECTS Injury from disease transmission: aphids, thrips Transmit tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) Transmit cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potato virus Y (PVY) Images: U Wisconsin & Queensland Govt., Australia

59. Look for patterns: abiotic problems have patterns!

60. Used a scouting technique

61. How fast are symptoms spreading?

62. Process of elimination to arrive at a diagnosisVS. Image: Missouri Bot. Garden

64. Take a sheet of paper and write names of team members

65. Take any one sample from the table

66. Describe of the problem, leader take notes (normal vs. abnormal)

67. What insect could have caused the injury? Direct/Indirect?

68. Team leader will present – 1 minutes

71. Choose the right plant for location

72. Plant vigorous stress-free plants

73. Maintain good cultural practices (sanitation, chemical applications, weed control)

74. Pin-point stress & take action early

75. Stressed plants will be overcome by insects

78. IPM is currently insecticide-intensive…

79. 70% area under IPM yest major losses occur due to:

80. Lack of early detection of insects

81. Insecticide resistance by misuse

83. Nationally, average gain from IPM is $19 for every dollar spent (field crops)*

84. There is increasing demand for organic crops…

85. Insecticide use in AL is reducing, 1992-2002:

86. Asparagus (-30%)

87. Green peas (-73%)

88. Green beans (-36%)

89. Tomatoes (-20%)*L. Gianessi, 2009. Crop Protection Research Institute.

90. IPM in home & garden Remove abiotic stresses Conserve natural enemies (habitat) Correctly identify insect pest Biological control agents (microbials) Cultural tactics – variety, rotation, trap crop Chemical insecticides Correct insecticide delivery system: correct application rate, timing, coverage

91. NE Conservation System Grassy buffers Grassy buffer zone in permanent ecosystems Grass shelters natural enemies Many night-feeding insects hide in grass during day…treat the edges! Sample in grass and keep it under control Grassy buffer zone in temporary agroecosystem

92. Trap cropping arrangements Perimeter Trap Cropping Trap crop (squash) Trap crop = early planted squash, apply insecticide on borders Squash lured away 66% cucumber beetles and 90% squash bugs (USDA res.) Main crop (watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber)

93. Trap cropping arrangements Row Trap Cropping (contd.) Plant trap crop (alfalfa) in rows within the main crop (strawberry) & a using vacuum! Strawberry production in California Strawberry (34 rows) Strawberry (34 rows) Western tarnished plant bug damage Alfalfa

94. Recommendations for trap cropping Try it on a small scale to gain confidence Integrate with biological/chemical i-cides, pheromone trapping, etc. Trap cropping can manage 1-2 insect species Works great against sucking pests (plant bugs) and slow fliers (beetles) Spray only the trap crop…reduce cost

95. Alternative Insecticides for Gardeners Use them in rotation: Thuricide, Dipel (Bt) M-pede (soap) Safer pyrethrin Oils (with caution!) Contact a nursery for supplies & purchase early Do not use unlabeled insecticides (e.g., RTU home pesticides) Always read the label!

96. Toxicity of Some Insecticides (General Use Pesticides) Ref.: “General use insecticides for home gardening” by Dr. RicBessin (UK) Rule 1: Higher the LD50 safer will be the product! Rule 2: Products containing highly toxic AI have very low % chemical.

97. Decision making in IPM… Insect detection & monitoring Insect identification Population pressure Economic threshold Make treatment decision Choosing right insecticide

98. Monitoring insects with TRAPPING DEVICES

99. What are insect pheromones? Pheromones are chemicals released into environment in small amounts by insects. Pheromones are species specific, stimulates opposite gender. Male moths detect pheromones with antennae. Synthetic sex pheromones are manufactured & used as lures.

100. Types of Insect Traps Passive traps: do not use a lure of any kind, e.g., pit-fall traps, ground sticky traps, water traps, flight interception trap (beat sheet) Interception trap (can be used with or without light) Pit-fall trap with a metal sheet as hood

101. Types of Insect Traps Active traps: use a lure of some kind, e.g., food, color, shape, light…PHEROMONES Dome Fly Trap with liquid bait for mass trapping fruit flies Light trap

102. Types of Insect Traps Active traps (contd.): use a lure of some kind Use many traps for accuracy Active/passive trap: yellow water pan trap Yellow/white Sticky Trap with grid Ball trap for dipteran flies

103. Why use pheromone traps? Know what to scout for & when to scout INTENSIVELY Automatic identification of closely related species Prediction models will be avail. Stink bug trap Wing trap Pherocon trap Bucket trap

104. Parts of a Pheromone Trap Metal support Top section (fixed) Lure with lure holder Bottom section (replaceable sticky card with grid) Wing Pheromone Trap

105. Types of Pheromone Traps Wing Traps Simple wing trap with grid on sticky bottom Wing trap with baffles (large trap surface) Popular due to easy assemblage, large trap area, & low cost Suitable for larger moths: armyworm, cutworm, fruitworms Problem: weather & animals could ruin trap

106. Types of Pheromone Traps Delta Traps >> Delta traps with sticky insert having a printed grid. Sides fold to hold the sticky insert in place. Advantages: easy assemblage, low maintenance, less interference Suitable for small moths – diamondback moth, warehouse pests Problem: small trapping surface

107. Types of Pheromone Traps Mass trapping kits Advantages: Relatively inexpensive Convenient cleaning Lure lasts longer Disadvantages: Needs a killing agent (“No Pest Strip”)

111. Trapping period: June-October

113. Fall armyworm Insect density (overall) per site 20 17 Monthly average activity (statewide) 19 29 15 27 32 16 12 13 48 36 Year 2009

114. What are these? Tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpazea Tobacco budworm, Heliothisvirescens

115. Corn earworm Insect density (overall) per site 6 3 17 Monthly average activity (statewide) 10 8 25 3 12 7 5 8 16 11 Year 2009

116. Impact of Weather on Trap Catches Sign. Correlation of TEMPERATURE : Year 2009 Sign. Correlation of RAIN DAYS : Numbers indicate significant correlations at P = 0.10. +/- indicates direction of relationship (preliminary findings). Rain days indicate number of days rainfall exceeded 0.1 inch.

117. Biological Control Agents Asian citrus psyllid: has many natural enemies

118. General predators Lacewings: Chrysoperla rufilabris

119. General predators Ash-gray lady beetle, Olla v-nigrum Multi-colored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis Spotless lady beetle, Cycloneda sp.

121. Abundant in orchards, weedy borders

122. Voracious feeders of caterpillars

123. Watch numbers: a sudden increase may indicated pest presenceSB feeding on armyworm Podisus maculiventris Euthyrhynchus floridanus Alcaeorrhynchus grandis

125. Parasite develops inside the body (arrow in picture)

127. What is it? Monitoring/scouting techniques: Sample ten plants in several locations Yellow sticky traps at edge of field Like cool, dry weather Watch for ants and lady beetles ET = 50% leaves with aphids Potato aphid, Macrosiphumeuphorbiae Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae

128. What is it? Monitoring/scouting techniques: Use sticky cards (yellow, blue) Bag and shake technique No action threshold Use resistant varieties (BHN 444, 589, 640, Bella Rosa) Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca Tomato spotted wilt destroys plants

129. What is it? Monitoring/scouting techniques: Monitor level of defoliation Sample small plants with sweep net during morning hours Observe activity of parasitoids, predators (sweep net) ET = 5-10% defoliation early season, 25-30% defoliation mid-season Flea beetles (many species)

130. What is it? Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Monitoring/scouting techniques: Start looking on border rows Scout intensely short crop (<6 inch) ET = 5 beetles per 10 seedling or 10% defoliation in short crop Larva of lady beetle (beneficial insect!)

131. What is it? Monitoring/scouting techniques: Examine green fruit, stem terminals Scout for egg masses or larvae Use pheromone traps to detect first flight; ET = 5-10 moths per night when temp. is <85F ET is ½ if temp. is >85F Tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea Tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens

132. What is it? Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula Monitoring/scouting techniques: Use a sweep net Use pheromone trap (expensive? cumbersome?) Intensify scouting at fruit setting ET = 0.25 bugs per 10 plants (green fruit stage) Lygus bug, Lygus lineolaris Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus

133. What is it? Monitoring/scouting techniques: Minor foliar pests (ET = 5 larvae per 10 plants) Easy to collect & identify – shake and collect Watch for sun scald on fruits, esp. 20% defoliation Look for fecal pellets on leaves Cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni Soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens

134. Asian Citrus Psyllid(Diaphorinacitri, Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

135. First Reports of ACP ACP was first detected in 1998 in backyard plantings of Murrayapaniculata At present, 33 counties in FL have ACP ACP has been found in many states, but Citrus Greening Disease (CGD) is present in LO & FL ACP in Baldwin County (2008) No detection of ACP or CGD in 2009 www.SaveOurCitrus.org

136. ACP Life cycle Host plants: all citrus plants, 2 species of Murraya (all Rutaceae) ACP EGGS Eggs are almond shaped Eggs pale when fresh, turn yellow or opaque Eggs laid on tips of growing shoot or tender leaves in clusters

137. Life Cycle & Identification NYMPHS 53F* 51F 50F 51F *Liu & Tsai 2000 52F Nymphs: 5 instars, red eyes, large wing pads Development fails below 50oF Live in feeding pits created by adults

138. Life Cycle & Identification ACP specimen ADULT PSYLLID Adult is 3 mm long, forewings broad apically Tip of antennae black Brown band on wings around the border Wings with reduced venation, prominent veins

139. Behavior of ACP Auburn Team at a Baldwin County location Active insect that rests with body at an angle Adult psyllids readily jump on approach Dispersion: good fliers, moved by wind

140. Life Cycle & Identification Defense mechanism: Masses of waxy filaments produced by nymphs to keep honey dew away!

141. Citrus Injury due to ACP ACP has piercing-sucking mouthparts Loss of plant sap from foliage High reproductive capacity & survival of eggs/nymphs can cause rapid infestation (check new terminals)

142. Citrus Injury due to ACP (contd.) CITRUS GREENING DISEASE (CGD) or Huanglongbing: Worst disease of citrus transmitted by ACP Bacterium Liberibacter Short feeding inoculates ACP

144. Deformed yellow leaves

145. Blotchy mottling, asymmetrical

147. Partially green

148. Distasteful fruit

149. Aborted black seedsRemember: other disorders may cause diagnostic problems

150. What can confuse you? Citrus thrips (Scirtothrips citri) Long bristles on wings Citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) No wing-pads! Trash bug (trash-carrying lacewing) Brown citrus aphid (Toxoptera citricida) Have tail-pipes!

151. SOURCES OF INFORMATION on ACP

152. www.SaveOurCitrus.org Has insect ID section Has a Citrus Greening Tracker Has a list of high risk activities “What to do if you sight ACP?”

153. Select a state Directs you to local contact USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS)

154. Internet Resources YouTube videos eXtension.org Image repositories: Flickr.com BugGuide.net Bugwood.org

155. NEW ONLINE RESOURCES Subscribe to Blogs/email alerts Follow on SlideShare

157. “AU Pest Alert” (direct email): May-October

158. Web outreach: Blogs, YouTube, AlabamaCrops.com, AGFAX.COM

159. IPM Hotline (messages): 1-800-446-0375

160. Make sure you see the AL IPM EXHIBIT