Homestead Plant Exhibition and Conference May 2007 Management of Ornamental Pests Catharine Mannion Tropical Research and Education Center
Integrated Pest Management Combine preventative measures with control measures Select those pest control measures that will maximize beneficial effects and minimize harmful ones Conserve or use biological control Compatibility with other horticultural practices
Recognizing natural enemies is important in pest management
Scales and Mealybugs Longtailed Pyriform scale Philephedra Citrus Hemispherical scale Papaya Wax scale Florida red scale Tea scale Pineapple Magnolia white
Armored Scales Secrete a hard, waxy covering May be circular, oval, oblong, threadlike, pear-shaped Do no make honeydew Soft Scales Secrete a waxy covering which is attached to the scale body Different sizes, colors and shapes Secrete honeydew Wax covering - armored soft scale scale
Mealybugs Covered with a white, waxy material that looks like powder or cotton They walk around on leaves and branches Pests on many plants in greenhouses and landscapes H. Glenn, H. Glenn,
Management Scales and Mealybugs Monitoring and detection Inspect all plant parts closely Presence of honeydew, sooty mold and ants Biological control Conserve natural enemies (lady beetles, green lacewings, and parasitic wasps provide good control of many mealybugs) Release natural enemies (need proper identification of pest)
Oils and soaps Management Scales and Mealybugs Requires frequent application Insecticides/Insect Growth Regulators Contact sprays are most effective against the crawler stage; thorough coverage is critical Systemic insecticides Acephate, acetamiprid, azadirachtin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, dimethoate, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, kinoprene, malathion, pyrproxyfen, thiamethoxam Do not use routinely as a preventative; allows resistance to develop
Cycad Aulacaspis Scale Originally described from Thailand Pest of numerous cycads Fronds eventually become brown and desiccated; ultimately causing plant death http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/aulacaspis.html http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/palms/cycad_scale.htm http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in474 Photos:, Glenn
Cycad Aulacaspis Scale Biological Control Predators Parasite Photos: H. Glenn,
Cycad Aulacaspis Scale Monitor for early detection Conserve natural enemies Vigorous water wash Oil application Ultrafine; Organocide Insecticides Foliar Distance, Malathion, Orthene, Safari, TriStar Soil Safari Removal of fronds Removal of plant http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/aulacaspis.html http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/palms/cycad_scale.htm http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in474
Lobate Lac Scale Native to Southern Asia A pest on numerous tropical and subtropical fruits and ornamentals (> 300) Causes branch dieback and plant death Life cycle is approximately 8-12 months http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/paratachardina.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in471 Photos:, Glenn
1 2 3 4 5 6 Photos:, Glenn
Lobate Lac Scale Monitor highly susceptible plants regularly Monitor for early detection Oil application Insecticides (Merit/Marathon, Discus; Flagship) Currently no effective natural enemies (foreign exploration for parasitoids) http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/paratachardina.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in471
Other New Scales and Mealybugs Stellate scale Hosts include: numerous ornamental plants, orchids, fruit trees, coffee False armored scale (Duplachionaspis divegens ) Hosts include: sugarcane and grasses Armored scale (Conchaspis cordiae) Hosts include: Cordia spp., Swietenia mahagoni, Coccoloba uvifera Grenade scale Hosts include: Hibiscus, Ixora, Pittosporum, Trema
Other New Scales and Mealybugs Exotic scale, Icerya sp. Hosts: numerous ornamental plants Mango scale Hosts: mangos and numerous ornamental plants Bamboo mealybug, Trionymus lumpurensis Hosts: bamboo
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Feeds on more than 215 plant species Mealybugs suck plant juices and inject a toxic saliva into the plant causing damage or potential death Photos:, Osborne
Comparison to Other Mealybugs Photo by UF, Osborne Photo by UF, Osborne Photo by UF, Osborne Citrus Longtailed Photo by UF, Osborne Madeira Photo by UF, Osborne Photo by UF, Glenn Pineapple Pink hibiscus Solanum
Biological Control Pink Hibiscus Mealybug APHIS Parasitoid release program (FDACS and APHIS) Mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug http://doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/pink.htm http://www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/pink Mealybug.htm Monitor for early detection Report infestations Landscape - parasitoid release Preventative treatments Oils and soaps Insecticides (Discus, Distance, DuraGuard, Flagship, Orthene, Merit/Marathon, Safari, Talstar, Talus, Regulatory issues
Psyllids (Asian Citrus Psyllid) Vectors one of the most serious diseases of citrus (bacteria) Transmission of the bacteria happens within hours Transmission can happen with grafted plants Pest of citrus and closely related plants A preferred host is orange jasmine Eggs are laid on new flush and hatch in 2-4 days Life cycle ranges from 15-47 days Federal and state restrictions to restrict movement of plants to reduce spread http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/chrp/greening/citrusgreening.html
Photos: H. Glenn, Asian Citrus Psyllid
Asian Citrus Psyllid Photos:, Glenn
Management of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Most of the ornamental and agricultural products tested provided good to excellent control Ornamental labels: Allectus (landscape), Azatin, Deltagard, Discus, Flagship, Judo, Marathon, Safari, Talstar, Tempo, TriStar (Best results: Drench Marathon; Foliar Discus; Allectus, Flagship, Talstar, Deltagard) Agricultural labels: Actara, Carzol, Danitol, Fury, Prev-Am, Venom, Experimental (Best results: Actara, Danitol, Fury, Experimental) Several choices for management of the psyllid in more than one type of mode of action (important for insecticide resistance) Numerous predators and parasites; Use products that are less detrimental to natural enemies
Cornicles UF-IFAS Aphids Plant lice Soft-bodied, pearshaped insects with cornicles Relatively long legs and antennae Vary in color from black, green, yellow to pinkish Feeding causes plant stunting and leaf deformities
Palm Aphid It probably occurs on palms in most tropical areas Excrete honeydew upon which sooty mold will grow. High populations reduce plant vigor Photo by J. De Filippis Aloe vera aphid First reported in Deltona, Florida in October 2002 Known to occur in California Known hosts are Aloe spp. Growth of sooty mold can be extensive FDACS-DPI, Lotz FDACS-DPI, Lotz
Management - Aphid Examine the terminal stems and undersides of leaves, especially the new growth Cast skins on the upper leaf surface is usually the first indication Insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils Insecticides Acephate, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, endosulfan, fenpropathrin, fluvalinate, imidacloprid, malathion, pymetrozine, pyrethrin Photos: Glenn, UF-IFAS
Management - Aphid Biological control Resident predators and parasites frequently control aphids outdoors Aphids are susceptible to naturally occurring fungal diseases when conditions are humid Parasite Parasite emerging from dead aphid Predator Parasitized aphid
Whiteflies Adults resemble tiny white moths The immature stages (nymphs) are found on the underside of leaves and are flat, oval, light green to whitish and somewhat transparent Piercing-sucking mouthparts and primarily feed on phloem tissue Adult Nymphs
Silverleaf Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (biotype Q) Whitefly is a major pest of vegetables and ornamental crops around the world Q biotype resistant to many of the commonly used insecticides http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/bemisia/bemi sia.htm
Management - Whiteflies Whiteflies are difficult to control Problem with insecticide resistance Insecticides Insecticidal soaps; horticultural oils Abamectin, acetamiprid, azadirachtin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, clothianidin, endosulfan, imidacloprid, pymetrozine, pyrproxyfen, thiamethoxam, horticultural oil and insecticidal soap Biological control Many whitefly species are controlled by natural enemies and pathogens
Small, elongate, cylindrical, insects ranging from 1/16 to 3/8 inch Most adults have strap-like wings fringed with long cilia Nymphs are frequently pale-yellow and are highly active Feed by rasping the plant cells and sucking up the exuding juices Vectors of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases Some species are predacious Thrips (Thysanoptera)
Thrips Thrips feed on flowers, buds, terminals, bulbs, and corms. Damaged leaves, buds, or petals become silvery, stippled, blotched, streaked, papery, or deformed. Some species leave black, varnish-like specks of excrement
Common Plant- Feeding Thrips in Florida Greenhouse thrips Western Flower thrips Cuban laurel thrips Redbanded thrips
Management - Thrips Detection of thrips can be done by placing a white paper beneath the leaves or flowers and shake the plant. Look for the small spots of varnish like excrement on the leaves Chemical control: Abamectin, acephate, azadirachtin, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, spinosad, thiamethoxam Biological control Resident populations of predaceous thrips, minute pirate bugs, and predaceous mites help but cannot be relied upon for adequate control Some success with releases
Chili Thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Feeds on a variety of wild and cultivated plants including ornamentals, fruits and vegetables Established in Caribbean Detected 2005 in south Florida D. Seal, UF-IFAS L. Osborne, UF-IFAS
Ficus Thrips (Gynaikothrips uzeli) First noted in 2003 due to heavy damage on Ficus benjamina in south Florida Prefer tender, new foliage Feeding causes sunken, reddish spots on leaves. Leaves tend to curl and fold inward. Photos: MREC
Management of Ficus Thrips Damage Adults and nymphs Predatory bug feeding on thrips Photos by H. Glenn Monitor new foliage which is what they prefer Landscape may not be economic to control Several predatory bugs feed on it Remove folded leaves Oils and soaps would probably not work well because of the protection of the folded leaf Insecticides (Conserve and Orthene)
Holopothrips sp. UF-Glenn Found in 2001 on trumpet trees, Tabebuia spp. Prefers new foliage Leaf distortion: leaves fold and curl and appear to be covered in galls Management difficult in the landscape due to size of the tree Drenching with a systemic such as imidacloprid may help Photos: UF-Glenn
Insects with Chewing Mouthparts UF UF BEETLE LARVAE GRASSHOPPERS CATERPILLARS UF-Glenn UF-Glenn BEETLES UF-Glenn
Sri Lanka Weevil Myllocerus undecimpustulatus Large host range including fruit and ornamentals Eggs, larvae and pupae are in the soil Adults feed on the foliage sometimes causing severe damage Impact of root feeding by larvae is unknown DPI-Halbert UF, Glenn Eggs Larva Pupa
Sri Lanka Weevil Plant Damage UF, Glenn UF, Glenn
Coleoptera: May beetle (Phyllophaga hondura) Larvae found on roots of pygmy date palm in Homestead in 2002 Described from Honduras and has been recorded from Belize and Costa Rica Listed as economically important in Central America Probably has a wide host range Potential threat to Florida is unknown DPI-M. Thomas http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/scarab-pest-alert.htm UF
Other New Pests Two Longhorn beetles Damage potential is unknown Redbay ambrosia beetle Killing redbay trees throughout the SE; also potential problem related species (avocados)
Other New Pests Red Palm Mite Hosts: Palms, bananas, heliconia, ginger Erythrina Gall Wasp Hosts: Erythrina spp.
Managing Pests http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://mannion.ifas.ufl.edu Pest Alerts University of Florida (http://extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/pestalert/) DOACS (http://doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/pipest-alert.html) Pests you have not seen before or unexpected damage
Catharine Mannion Research and Extension Specialist Ornamental Entomology University of Florida, IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center 18905 SW 280 th Street Homestead, FL 33031 305-246-7000 http://mannion.ifas.ufl.edu cmannion@ufl.edu