August 20, 2010 No. 15

Transcription

1 ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER Welcome to Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES). The main purpose of this newsletter is to provide readers information about IPM and other major crop issues through a single publication. ALL articles that promote IPM and sustainable farming practices can be published in the IPM Communicator. Currently, there are about 400 subscribers and many commercial websites receive or post this newsletter online resulting in a wide readership. Other readers can download or view the newsletter at ACES website ( There is a multiinstitutional editorial board that works swiftly each week to electronically deliver the newsletter every FRIDAY during the summer months. Research and Extension personnel from any educational institution in Alabama can submit IPM-related articles of high relevance for immediate release to the audience; authors should pay attention to the guidelines for format and submission deadline (Wednesday of each week). Readers from other states should check with their university Extension before using any recommendation. To subscribe, please bugdoctor@auburn.edu. Once your name is added to the list, you will get a welcome message from the IPM COMM Listserv. Editorial Board: Chief Editor: Ayanava Majumdar Dr. A Extension Entomologist & State Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Coordinator, Auburn Univ. August 20, 2010 No. 15 The Comprehensive IPM Newsletter from Alabama! IN THIS ISSUE Section: Entomology Lesser Cornstalk Borer and Other Updates in Peanuts Cotton & Soybean Insect Report Belt Insecticide With a New Label Fall Armyworms Continue to Cause Problems EPA Cancels All Uses of Temik Section: IPM in Home & Garden (no alerts) Section: IPM for Schools & Urban Areas Consumer Alert: EPA Advises Care When Selecting Pesticides for Bedbug Control Section: Plant Pathology (no alerts) Section: Weed Control (no alerts) Section: News Around the State Enterprise Budgets for Major Crops Available Thanks to the Alabama IPM Team Survey of Newsletter Subscribers in September 2010 Section: Appendices Insect Trap Catches from Vegetable Fields Insect Trap Catches from Row Crops Guidelines for Authors Board members: Henry Fadamiro Associate Professor of Entomology & Plant Pathology Department, Alabama IPM Coordinator, Auburn Univ. Clement Akotsen-Mensah Graduate Research Assistant, Entomology & Plant Pathology Department, Auburn Univ. Cathy Sabota Professor of Horticulture, Alabama A&M Univ. Conrad Bonsi Professor and Associate Dean, Tuskegee Univ. Author guidelines are provided on the last page of this newsletter. Articles may be delayed for publication if they are not in the recommended format. NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE ON ACES: 1

2 Entomology Since many insect pest outbreaks are occurring in Alabama at this time, the IPM HOTLINE for peanut/vegetable producers is now active and the messages are updated weekly. CALL TOLL FREE and select from the two menu options. This IPM Hotline will operate for the rest of the summer season. LCB ALERT IN PEANUTS! Alabama County map for reference Image: assets/images/alabama-map.jpg LESSER CORNSTALK BORER & OTHER INSECT UPDATES IN PEANUTS Since the past two weeks, I have been watching the lesser cornstalk borer (LCB) scouting map on the AWIS Weather Services ( and also extensively sampling soil and studying peanut pods across AL for borers. The AWIS website today indicated reduced threat of LCB in peanuts and the counties that still are under threat included Coffee, Dale, Henry, Houston, Geneva, Elmore, and Montgomery (see map above). By direct scouting, so far I have found about two sites in Macon and Barbour Counties (locations characterized by unusually dry with sandy soil and stressed peanut plants) with silken tunnels but I could not find the caterpillars from soil samples. The silken tunnels are perhaps the easiest indicator of LCB and I also use pheromone traps to collect information about moth flight (this LCB alert on AWIS is coinciding when moth numbers in traps around peanut fields is per week). In 2009, even with less moth activity in Alabama I still saw a devastated soybean field in southwest AL soybean being such a vulnerable crop at an early stage. You may experience an outbreak of LCB if your fields remain dry for several consecutive years since it takes time to build up a high population of caterpillars in soil. Peanut producers should still scout for LCB and follow the AWIS scouting map on a weekly basis. For more info about LCB, please refer to the following ACES publications: SOIL INSECT PESTS OF PEANUTS (ANR-1351). Regarding other insects, scouting peanuts at the untreated check plots at the Wiregrass Research Center and the Gulf Coast Research Center finally provided strong evidence to the late-season attack from the caterpillar complex consisting of the velvetbean caterpillar, corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and soybean looper. The number of tobacco budworm caterpillars was less that 5% of the total caterpillars collected at the Gulf Coast Research Center a week back, which is a good news. The bad news is that the tobacco budworm mating activity have risen to twice the level seen in 2009 production season and is consistently high through the season. Growers (peanut/soybean/cotton) who may apply insecticide for the earworms should first seek help in the correct identification of the target insect. Peanut growers in the southwest corner of the state should watch for rising populations of the Three-cornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) in the late crop because excessive damage to the pegging branches could affect crop yield. For further concerns or to report an insect outbreak please call me at Dr. Ayanava Majumdar Extension Entomologist bugdoctor@auburn.edu

3 COTTON & SOYBEAN INSECT PEST REPORT Dr. Ron Smith s Blog site: Weather- Temperatures remain high degrees Fahrenheit and rainfall extremely scattered statewide, as of today (8/16). Hay, pastures, peanuts and soybeans in many areas would profit greatly from rainfall. Most cotton fields are beyond benefit from water. Fall Armyworms- Populations continue in hay, pastures and peanuts. However, in many south Alabama locations the previous generation has cycled out. Another generation may be possible 2-3 weeks ahead. Tobacco Budworms- An extremely heavy moth flight and egg lay was observed on cotton in Seminole County, GA on 8/11. Only late planted conventional cotton will be at risk from this pest. However, it might be noted that budworms are now infesting soybeans in sizable numbers in some southern locations. Podworms/Soybeans- Soybean growers should be very alert for corn earworm infestations on beans that are anywhere from R1-R7 (blooming to filled pods that are still green). Bean Leaf Beetles/Soybeans- Several Tennessee Valley fields have subeconomic levels of bean leaf beetles in soybeans. Lesser Corn Stalk Borer/Peanuts- Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension peanut entomologist, has issued a high alert for LCSB in peanuts based on a sharp increase in moth numbers captured in traps. Counties in extreme southeastern Alabama are also very hot and dry, which is ideal weather for LCSB outbreaks. New Registration (Belt)- Belt insecticide, marketed by Bayer, received registration on soybeans on 8/12. The label rate is 2-3 oz per acre. Belt has activity on most all caterpillar pests and is at its best on foliage feeders. Dr. Ron Smith Extension Entomologist smithrh@auburn.edu BELT INSECTICIDE WITH A NEW LABEL Bayer CropScience has just been granted a new expanded label for BELT insecticide. BELT is already registered for use on corn, cotton, tobacco, pome fruit, stone fruit, tree nuts and grape. BELT SC is now approved by EPA for use in Soybean and Legume Vegetables (Crop Groups 6 and 7 including Edible podded and Succulent Shelled Pea and Bean, Dried Shelled Pea and Bean and foliage of Legume Vegetables). Rate of application is 2-3 fluid ounces per acre with 14 days pre-harvest interval for dry peas and beans. Do not apply more than 3 fluid ounces per acre per 5 day interval and only two applications of BELT are allowed per season at the high rate. Dr. Tim Reed, Extension Entomologist at Auburn University, adds that cost of BELT is about 15 to 16 dollars per Normal caterpillar Flubendiamidetreated caterpillar acre at 3 oz. rate. BELT would be an option (along with Steward, Intrepid and Tracer) for controlling soybean loopers infesting soybeans. BELT, an IRAC Class 28 insecticide, contains the active ingredient flubendiamide which has action against a broad range of caterpillar pests. BELT disrupts the muscle contraction in insects instead of acting on the nervous system as most other insecticides do. Application of BELT stops insect feeding, causes severe muscle contractions and paralysis (affected caterpillar shown in picture, from Ebbinghaus-Kintscher et al. 2007). Caterpillars eventually die in few days. For more information about the product, contact a Bayer CS representative near you or visit Dr. Ayanava Majumdar Extension Entomologist bugdoctor@auburn.edu 3

4 FALL ARMYWORMS CONTINUE TO CAUSE PROBLEMS As many of you already know, we are having a very bad fall armyworm year. Pastures, hayfields, lawns, and crops such as soybeans are being affected by this caterpillar pest (in picture). The good news is that we now have many insecticides to choose from for fall armyworm control in pastures and hayfields. This is just a reminder about the currently available resources on fall armyworm in pastures and hayfields: ANR-1019 ( pdf) contains information on biology and management of the creatures. Since it was printed, more insecticides have become available for use on pasture and hayfields. There are eleven insecticides that are cleared for use on armyworms in pastures and hayfields. For an almost up-to-date list see the forage IPM chapter in the 2010 version of the Alabama Pest Management Handbook ( The direct link to the forage chapter is: Image: Iowa State Univ. Extension There is one insecticide missing from the above chapter: Rynaxypyr, lb ai/a, sold as Coragen, use at 3.5 to 5 fl oz/a. There is a 0 day grazing and harvest restriction. Larvae become paralyzed soon after eating the foliage then die in 1-3 days To summarize (see ANR-1019 and the Forage IPM guide for more details): All valuable hayfields and pastures should be scouted at least weekly for fall armyworms from now until the first frost. A sweep net can detect the worms when they are very small and would be preferred. Failing that, examining the grass early in the morning, or late in the evening, is the best time to spot armyworms. Damage often starts out as a small brown patch, then quickly spreads as the armyworms grow and move out. Three or more armyworms per square foot is an approximate action threshold. It is important to pay attention to harvest and grazing restrictions. Seven insecticides have a 0 day grazing interval. Other grazing intervals range from 1-14 days. See pages 4-5 in ANR-0500-A/VOL1-2010/forage.pdf for a detailed listing of insecticides, including any post-application hay or grazing intervals (other than rynaxypyr, mentioned above). Note that the days you are required to wait before harvest can be different than the days required to wait before grazing. The larger the caterpillars, the harder they are to kill. Also, most of the feeding damage by fall armyworm occurs in the last instar (see the diagram in ANR-1019). That is why scouting for armyworms and early treatment are the keys to success. As the season goes on, we are more likely to have mixed age populations of larvae in the field, due to overlapping generations of moths laying eggs in the fields. Where mixed age populations are found, insecticides with longer residuals will give longer lasting protection. Intrepid, Dimilin, and Coragen will provide the longest residual. It doesn't do any good to apply Dimilin to large (> 1/2 inch long) larvae, because it does not take effect until the larvae molt. Kathy Flanders Extension Entomologist flandkl@auburn.edu 4

5 EPA CANCELS ALL USES OF TEMIK In a significant development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cancelled all uses of aldicarb popularly sold as TEMIK. Aldicarb has insecticidal and nematicidal properties, and is popularly used in many different crops including peanuts and potatoes. According to a Bayer CropScience newsrelease, farmers can continue to use the existing stocks of TEMIK on citrus and potatoes until December 31, Bayer CS plans to discontinue marketing aldicarb in the U.S. and other markets worldwide by For the full EPA news release visit factsheets/aldicarb_fs.html This is the second major cancellation order from EPA coming a few months after all uses of endosulfan were cancelled in June See Issue 14 of the IPM COMMUNICATOR for more information about the endosulfan phase-out. 5

6 IPM FOR SCHOOLS & URBAN AREAS CONSUMER ALERT: EPA ADVISES CARE WHEN SELECTING PESTICIDES FOR BEDBUG CONTROL (EPA NEWS RELEASE ON 8/10/2010) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to alert consumers that there has been an increase of individuals or companies who offer to control bedbugs with unrealistic promises of effectiveness or low cost. Because bed bug infestations are so difficult to control, there have been situations where pesticides that are not intended for indoor residential applications have been improperly used or applied at greater rates than the label allows. While controlling bedbugs is challenging, consumers should never use, or allow anyone else to use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use, as indicated on the label. Using the wrong pesticide or using it incorrectly to treat for bedbugs can make you, your family, and your pets sick. It can also make your home unsafe to live in - and may not solve the bedbug problem. Bedbugs can cause itchy bites on people and pets. Unlike most public-health pests, however, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread diseases. Pesticides are only one tool to use in getting rid of bedbugs. A comprehensive approach that includes prevention and non-chemical treatment of infestations is the best way to avoid or eliminate a bedbug problem. While more information can be found on EPA's website, a few examples of nonchemical methods of control include: * Removing clutter where bedbugs can hide * Using mattress covers designed to contain bedbugs * Sealing cracks and crevices * Vacuuming rugs, and upholstered furniture thoroughly and frequently, as well as vacuuming under beds (take the vacuum bag outside immediately and dispose in a sealed trash bag) * Washing and drying clothing and bed sheets at high temperatures (heat can kill bedbugs) * Placing clean clothes in sealable plastic bags when possible * Being alert and monitoring for bedbugs so they can be treated before a major infestation occurs This comprehensive method of pest control is called integrated pest management and includes a number of common sense control methods. If you need to use pesticides, follow these tips to ensure your safety and that the product works: * Before using any pesticide product, READ THE LABEL FIRST, then follow the directions for use * Check the product label to make sure it is identified for use on bedbugs. If bedbugs are not listed on the label, the pesticide has not been tested for bedbugs and it may not be effective * Any pesticide product label without an EPA registration number has not been reviewed by EPA to determine how well the product works * Make sure that the pesticide has been approved for indoor use EPA is involved in a number of activities to assist in managing the bedbug problem. EPA hosted a bedbug summit in April 2009, and more recently, the agency has been participating in an interagency task force on bedbugs that, among other actions to date, has: * Issued a joint statement from CDC and EPA to highlight the public health impacts of bedbugs, * Identified currently registered pesticides that may be effective against bedbugs and is working with the Agricultural Research Service to test the pesticides for efficacy in their labs * Begun coordinating programs for IPM techniques to address bedbugs * Facilitated information exchange between the federal agencies to promote efficient, effective use of resources More information on IPM, bedbugs and how to control them: 6

7 NEWS AROUND THE STATE ENTERPRISE BUDGETS FOR MAJOR CROPS NOW AVAILABLE The Department of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology at Auburn University has updated the Enterprise Budgets for major row crops in AL and details are available on the ACES website. On the website you can look up relative costs associated with disease, weed and insect control for corn, cotton, soybean and peanuts. Please visit THANKS TO THE ALABAMA IPM TEAM OF REGIONAL EXTENSION AGENTS, SPECIALISTS, CROP CONSULTANTS AND GROWERS If you have been following the insect numbers that appear in the appendices of this newsletter, then please take time to thank the IPM Team that has been involved in this project when you meet them. The name of each IPM team member appears in the tables along with the County. The pheromone trap catches have been useful to detect insect pest pressures and peak activity periods, and the numbers were useful to predict insect outbreaks ahead of farm reports (e.g., armyworm, lesser cornstalk borer, and tobacco budworm incidences that you have been reading about from various researchers). This IPM project was funded by the following granting agencies: Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative/National Peanut Board, Alabama Specialty Crops Block Grant/Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and USDA/NIFA IPM Coordination Grant. The 2010 summer has been full of events related to insect and disease outbreaks, and the IPM Team has tried to keep you updated through newsletters and blogs. I have updated the insect numbers in the tables (pages 8-14), and you may notice the variation in insect pest pressure/activity based on the location of the traps (vegetables versus row crops) and latitude (north AL versus south AL). We now have two years worth of entomology data that provides us a pretty good idea where the insects are and when we should be looking for them. I will provide an overall report on the 2010 insect monitoring project in the following edition of this IPM newsletter. Thanks to the IPM Team! SURVEY FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS IN SEPTEMBER 2010 The final issue of the IPM COMMUNICATOR will be ed on August 27th to all subscribers. There will be no newsletter issue in September unless there is a breaking news from researchers. On September 3rd, all subscribers will be provided a link to an online survey to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the IPM newsletter. This will be anonymous survey for all participants. Suggestions from the survey will be used to improve the quality of the newsletter next year (May to August 2011). The newsletter archive ( will be available to all readers throughout the rest of this year. If you have been receiving the IPM COMMUNICATOR this year, then you will remain on the list for Additional subscriptions for next year are invited; simply bugdoctor@auburn.edu. Thank you for your support. Reports by: Dr. Ayanava Majumdar Extension Entomologist bugdoctor@auburn.edu 7

8 APPENDIX-1 INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN VEGETABLES (UPDATED BY DR. A) Numbers in the table correspond to trap catches which is a product of insect abundance and activity. Counties are arranged north to south AL.. BEET ARMYWORM (BAW) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 2 Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay FALL ARMYWORM (FAW) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 0 Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay

9 INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN VEGETABLES (contd.) CABBAGE LOOPER (CL) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 4 Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay SOYBEAN LOOPER (SL) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay Early August 8 9

10 TOMATO FRUITWORM/ CORN EARWORM (CEW) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 0 INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN VEGETABLES (contd.) Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay TOBACCO BUDWORM (TBW) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 0 Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay

11 SQUASH VINE BORER (SVB) LESSER CORNSTALK BORER (LCB) INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN VEGETABLES (contd.) County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 27 Limestone Doug Chapman County Scout Late May Early June Late June Early July Late July Early August Lauderdale Chris Becker - 6 Limestone Doug Chapman Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dallas Rudy Yates Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay Marshall Eddie Wheeler Clay Chip East Cleburne Chip East Chilton Bobby Boozer Dale Earl Snell Barbour Russell Bean Geneva Neil Kelly Mobile-1 Chazz Hesselein Mobile-2 James Miles Baldwin-1 A. Majumdar Baldwin-2 A. Majumdar Baldwin-3 George Huckabay

12 APPENDIX-2 TRAP CATCHES IN ROW CROPS (PEANUTS/COTTON/SOYBEAN) COMPILED BY DR. A BEET ARMYWORM (BAW) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Dallas Rudy Yates Morengo Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar PEST WATCH! Escambia George Huckabay Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar PEST WATCH! FALL ARMYWORM (FAW) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Madison Tim Reed 1 13 Dallas Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar PEST WATCH! Escambia George Huckabay 4 12 Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar CABBAGE LOOPER (CL) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Dallas Rudy Yates Wilcox Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar Escambia George Huckabay 7 28 Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar

13 INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN ROW CROPS (contd.) SOYBEAN LOOPER (SL) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Dallas Rudy Yates Choctaw Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar Escambia George Huckabay 7 6 Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar CORN EARWORM (CEW) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Madison Tim Reed 6 0 Dallas Rudy Yates Wilcox Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar Escambia George Huckabay 4 16 PEST WATCH! Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar TOBACCO BUDWORM (TBW) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Madison Tim Reed 0 15 Dallas Rudy Yates Morengo Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar Escambia George Huckabay 1 25 PEST ALERT! Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar

14 INSECT TRAP CATCHES IN ROW CROPS (contd.) LESSER CORNSTALK BORER (LCB) County Scout Early June Late June Early July Late July Remarks Dallas Rudy Yates Wilcox Rudy Yates Washington A. Majumdar - - Monroe A. Majumdar - - Baldwin (GCREC) A. Majumdar Escambia George Huckabay Henry (WREC) A. Majumdar PEST ALERT!

15 ABOUT IPM COMMUNICATOR (contd. from page 1) Archive: All editions of newsletter will be archived on ACES Publication, Alabama IPM Center, and many other public websites. Please contact the article author/s for additional information. The Editorial Board does not assume responsibility for any technical article or information published in this newsletter. CALL FOR EXTENSION ARTICLES Sections: IPM Communicator has many sections such as Entomology, IPM in Forestry, IPM for the Home & Garden, IPM in Schools & Urban Areas, Plant Pathology, Weed Control, and News Around the State. All sections may not appear in each edition if there were no submissions that week. Additional sections can be created if requested by author to accommodate IPM-related articles. Author guidelines: The IPM COMMUNICATOR is ed weekly every Friday to 400+ subscribers. Articles must be received by Wednesday of each week to allow compilation and release. Use the format of published articles in this newsletter to develop your article. Please finished articles to the Chief Editor in MICROSOFT WORD. Color pictures can be included in the article if it enhances the readability; authors must provide pictures and send information about the image source/s. SEND PICTURES SEPARATELY ATTACHED IN YOUR . completed article to Articles should be written in easily understandable format; short articles will facilitate rapid reading by audience who typically scan publications for information. Long technical articles will not be published in newsletter unless it is a key story. The editor reserves the right to modify articles to fit newsletter format without affecting the technical details. Announcements for upcoming events is also published in the newsletter. Suggestions for improvement: Editorial board is always open to suggestions. Please or call to provide your input to the Editorial board. Additional subscriptions: Please bugdoctor@auburn.edu. Thank you for your support. For additional stories and events, visit For more information please visit: 15