1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Entomology & IPM Wizzie Brown Extension Program Specialist- IPM Texas AgriLife Extension Service Travis County Arthropoda Characteristics Exoskeleton Metamerism Jointed appendages Double ventral nerve cord Open dorsal circulatory system Bilateral symmetry Sexual reproduction Common Arthropod Groups Crustacea shrimp, lobsters, pillbugs Myriapoda Chilopoda (centipedes) Diplopoda (millipedes) Chelicerata Arachnida (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions) Hexapoda Entognatha- MP retracted Insecta Diplopoda characteristics Diplopoda Millipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment Chilopoda characteristics Spider Anatomy Araneae Garden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs Araneae Cephalothorax (eyes, chelicerae and fangs pointed out, legs); abdomen (spinnerets) Widow spiders Cobweb spiders Create web that appears messy and disorganized Predators use web to capture prey 1
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Recluse spiders About size of a quarter (including legs) Tan to dark brown Violin or fiddle shaped marking on their back Eye pattern- 3 pairs of eyes in a semicircle at the front of the head Prefer dark, secluded areas Hide during the day and hunt at night What makes an insect? Orthoptera Differential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping What makes an insect? What makes an insect? Orthoptera Head, thorax (pronotum), simple and compound eyes Insect Sensory Structures Mechanoreceptors Detects movement, vibration Tactile receptors, sound receptors Chemoreceptors Detects presence of chemicals in the air (smell) or on substrates (taste) Taste buds on palps, antennal sensilla Photoreceptors Detect presence and quality of light Compound eyes, ocelli Insect Internal Organs Insect Digestive System Insect Digestive System Foregut: break up food & storage Crop- storage; beginning of digestion Proventriculus- breaks up food Midgut: digestion & absorption Gastric caecae- secrete enzymes & absorbs water Hindgut: collect waste for excretion; nutrient reabsorption; water & salt balance Malpighian tubules- for reabsorption of nutrients Insect Respiratory System Orthoptera Abdominal segments, spiracles, breathing 23 2
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Molting Exuviae- cast skin from a molt Ecdysis- the molt itself Instar- animal between two molts Gradual- Paurometabolous Complete- Holometabolous Odonata Dragonflies; damselflies 2 pair membranous wings Wings with many veins & cells Elongated abdomen Chewing mouthparts Orthoptera Grasshoppers; katydids; crickets Pronotum extending back over abdomen Hind legs enlarged Chewing mouthparts Mantodea Mantids Prothorax longer than mesothorax Front legs modified for grasping prey Chewing mouthparts Blattodea Cockroaches & termites Chewing mouthparts Hemiptera- S.O. Heteroptera True bugs Front wings thickened at the base; membranous at tip Triangle on back Shield-shaped Piercing-sucking mouthparts Hemiptera- S.O. Homoptera Leaf hoppers; plant; hoppers; treehoppers; aphids; scale insects Piercing-sucking mouthparts Wings held tent like over the body Thysanoptera Thrips Very small Wings present or absent If present they are fringed 33 3
32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Rasping-sucking mouthparts Neuroptera Mantisflies; lacewings; dobsonflies Chewing mouthparts Wings with many veins & crossveins Wings about the same size Coleoptera Beetles Front wings without veins; hardened into elytra Chewing mouthparts Diptera Flies; mosquitoes; midges One pair of wings Halteres Mouthparts vary Lepidoptera Butterflies; moths & skippers Curled proboscis Body covered with scales Siphoning mouthparts Hymenoptera Bees; wasps; ants; sawflies Hindwings smaller than front wings Pinched waist (few exceptions) Chewing mouthparts Integrated Pest Management What is IPM? Methods to manage pest populations Does IPM include pesticides? Benefits Limitations IPM Program Steps Prevention Cultural controls, structural modifications, sanitation, biological control, barriers, pest-resistant varieties Monitoring Regularly checking, identification Assessment Thresholds Action Reassessment 1 2 41 4
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 1 2 Differences in Garden Inspection From a distance- admiring Up close- inspecting Cultural Control Modifications to normal plant care to reduce or avoid pest problems Mechanical Control Use of labor, materials (not pesticides) & machinery to reduce pests Physical Control Environmental manipulations that indirectly control pests Altering light, humidity, temperature Biological Control Using other organisms to control a pest Conservation Augmentation Classical or Importation Predators An organism that attacks, kills & feeds on several other organisms (prey) in its lifetime Specialist vs. generalists Signs of predators Presence of predator, cast skins Predators- Ladybird Beetles Predators as adults & larvae Most species feed on aphids; some eat whiteflies, scales or mealybugs Ladybug diversity Ladybug vs. Spotted cucumber beetle Predators- Syrphid flies Adults feed on nectar Larvae feed on Homoptera, mostly aphids Predators- Assassin Bugs All predaceous (some feed on mammals); most eat insects 160 species in North America Eggs vary, but usually laid in clusters Assassin bug vs. leaf-footed bug Assassin bug vs. assassin bug (kissing bug) Predators- Lacewings Larvae feed on aphids, mites, soft-bodied insects, insect eggs Available commercially; effectiveness variable 5
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Predators- Wasps Adults are predatory; larvae are predatory or parasitic Adults capture prey for larvae Paralyze host with venom Predators- Preying Mantids Adult & nymphs predaceous Feed on various insects & other arthropods Often consume beneficial insects Highly cannibalistic Not recommended for controlling pests Predators- Spiders All are predators Feed on insects, spiders & related arthropods Natural populations help keep pests in check Most are harmless to humans Parasites One host per lifetime Specialists vs. Generalists Internal vs. External Parasites- Wasps Includes more parasites than any other order Most are tiny & generally do not sting people Most species of insects are attacked by 1+ wasp species during 1+ life stages Phorid Fly Attack: Oviposition Phorid Fly Attack Slow Motion Pathogens Infectious microorganisms that injure or kill their host Includes bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoans & viruses Some are commercially available Except for nematodes, pathogens must be registered according to pesticide regulations Essentially nontoxic to humans & other vertebrates Usually attack certain pests Break down rapidly in environment Pathogens- Bacteria Microscopic, single cell organisms Spread by forming spores May disperse in water, or infested insects, plants, soil or equipment Bacillus spp. available commercially 63 6
62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 Pathogens- Nematodes Tiny roundworms (usually microscopic) Many free-living in soil or water Feed on bacteria, fungi, plants, or ptize humans & animals Heterorhabditis & Steinernema spp. commercially available Infest many insects in moist environments Soil needs to be ~60 o F; moist not soggy Pathogens- Fungi Multicelluar organisms usually composed of hyphae (fine, threadlike structures); hyphae form mass (mycelium) that grows through the host Spread through conidia (seedlike spores) Dispersed in water, soil, wind, on insects, equipment or people Conidia contact insect body, germinate, penetrate cuticle & infect insect Require humid conditions to cause epidemic Beauvaria bassiana Pathogens- Viruses Submicroscopic particles that infect living cells & alter the host s development Require host to survive; do not live long outside of host Baculoviruses arthropod specific Must be consumed to infect the host Chemical Control Using pesticides, natural or synthetic, to control pest populations Natural- naturally derived products used to manage pest populations often have no residual & therefore may need several applications Synthetic- man made products used to manage pest populations typically a more stable molecule & therefore last longer in the environment Chemical Terminology Active Ingredient Inert Ingredients Mode of action Formulation Contact vs. Systemic Active ingredients that are systemic: acephate, disulfoton, dimethoate, carbofuran, aldicarb & neem (neem has some systemic properties) Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) and Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors (CSIs) Act on the hormones of insects Specific for insects Keep the insect in the immature state; unable to molt successfully into the next stage Methoprene, pyriproxifen, hydroprene, fenoxycarb Microbially derived- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) 70 7
69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 Must be ingested Damages gut lining; gut paralysis; stops feeding Different varieties for specific groups of insects Microbially derived- Spinosad From soil-borne organism Excites nervous system Must be ingested Selectively active on insects Foliage feeders Contact- Horticultural Oil Smothers insects Petroleum or veggie oil Soft bodied insect Good coverage Phytotoxicity Contact- Insecticidal Soap Penetrate insect s waxy covering (cuticle) & dissolve cell membranes Soft bodied insects Inorganic- Diatomaceous Earth Fossilized diatoms Contains silicon Abrades waxy coating Dust mask/ respirator Botanicals- Neem Azadirachtin IGR & feeding deterrent Repellent properties Some systemic activity Oil formulation will smother Degraded by sunlight & rain Low mammalian toxicity Low residual Botanicals- Limonene From citrus Contact kill Botanical- Pyrethrins/ Pyrethrum From daisy-like flower Continuous nerve stimulation Immediate knockdown Insects often metabolize product & recover Short residual Low mammalian toxicity 77 78 8
77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts Lepidoptera Black swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs Plant Damage: mandibulate Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts Hemiptera Head and sucking insect mouthparts: labrum, labium (labial sheath), maxillary and mandibular stylets Plant Damage: piercing-sucking Good bug or bad bug? Pest is a matter of perspective Spider mites Small, various colors, webbing Yellowish-white speckling Conserve beneficial organisms Weed management Sanitation Proper watering Proper fertilizing High pressure water spray Pesticides Oils, soaps, botanicals, synthetics Grasshoppers & Katydids Enlarged hind legs; extended pronotum Foliage feeder 87 Conserve beneficial organisms Treat immature stage Row cover Pesticides Nosema locustae Spinosad Botanicals Synthetic contacts Systemics 88 89 9
87 88 89 90 Phloem Feeders- ID Phloem Feeders-Damage Yellowing, stunting, curling, honeydew (sooty mold), transmit viruses Phloem Feeders-Control Weed management Proper watering & fertilization High pressure water spray Control ants Pruning, removal of infested areas Row covers Pesticides Insecticidal soap Horticultural oils Botanicals Synthetic contacts Systemics Stink bugs & leaf-footed bugs Shield-shaped; triangle on back, variable color Yellowing, curling, stunting Conserve beneficial organisms Row cover Pesticides 91 92 Chinch bugs Black with white X on back Brown patchy turf Active during hot, dry times Resistant varieties Conserve beneficial organisms Water & fertilize properly Reduce thatch layer Mowing properly (remove 35-40% of blade) Aerate lawn Spot treat Synthetic contacts White grubs C-shaped, creamy white, 6 legs, head capsule Brown patchy turf 10
92 93 94 95 Proper watering & fertilization Conserve beneficial organisms Treat as needed July- August Spot treat Nematodes Spiked sandals? Pesticides Synthetic contacts Systemics Take all root rot Fungal disease Damage seen in summer Actively grows in spring & fall Treat in spring & fall Fungicide Peat treatment 3.8 cu ft bale peat per 1000sq ft of turf is sufficient Leaf beetles Horticultural oils Biologicals Spinosad Botanicals Pyrethum Azadirachtin (neem) Synthetic contacts Pyrethroids Carbaryl Systemics Acephate Imidacloprid Thrips Very small, fringed wings Dashes on paper Stippled, scarred leaves, petals, fruit, etc. Virus transmission Conserve beneficial organisms Weed management Row cover 96 11
Reflective mulch Sanitation Pesticides Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides 96 97 98 Caterpillars Hand picking Vacuum Insecticidal soap Small stages only Horticultural oils Biologicals Spinosad Bt kurstaki Botanicals Pyrethum Azadirachtin (neem) Synthetic contacts Pyrethroids Carbaryl Systemics Acephate Imidacloprid Squash vine borer Conserve beneficial organisms Plant less-susceptible varieties Plant early/ late Plant extra Destroy egg masses Row cover Surgery on vine Bt injection Imported fire ants Red & black; distinctive mounds Bite & sting Broadcast baits Individual mound treatments Once a year treatment 99 100 Texas Leaf Cutting Ants Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head Strip foliage from plants Fungus garden 12
99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 Mounds raised with crater shape in center Strip foliage from plants Fungus garden Baits Sprays and/ dusts Invasives we re watching for Emerald ash borer Typically bright, metallic emerald green Elytra duller & slightly darker May have brassy, reddish or coppery reflections 10-13 mm Dorsal surface of abdomen bright metallic red* (need to raise wings to see) *only one in genus with characteristic Antennal segments serrated beginning with segment 4 Emerald ash borer Yellow, thin wilted foliage D-shaped exit holes Woodpecker activity Shoots growing from trees roots or trunk Trees lose 30-50% of canopy after 2 years Die within 3-4 years Brown marmorated stink bug Brown marmorated stink bug Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Cactus moth Cactus moth Tawny Crazy ants Crazy ants Found in 2002 in Harris Co. Currently confirmed in 27 counties Crazy ants Large colonies or groups of colonies Indistinguishable Polygyne Trailing Erratic Wider than 10 cm Follow structural lines Nesting Under or in almost anything Primarily outdoors but forage indoors 13
Indistinguishable Polygyne Trailing Erratic Wider than 10 cm Follow structural lines Nesting Under or in almost anything Primarily outdoors but forage indoors Feeding Omnivorous Tend honeydew producers 112 113 Crazy ants Treatment Do not respond well to most baits Use contacts to create buffer zone AIs: pyrethroids, acephate, fipronil Ants must be cleaned up between treatments Helpful Books Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw Peterson Field Guide to Insects Texas Bug Book by Malcolm Beck & Howard Garrett Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America Texas Critters by Bill Zak 114 115 Helpful Internet Sites http://agrilifebookstore.org http://entomology.tamu.edu/ http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ http://texashighplainsinsects.net/ http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740 To find me: Wizzie Brown 512-854-9600 ebrown@ag.tamu.edu http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com Facebook page: www.facebook.com/urban IPM Twitter: @UrbanIPM Instagram: urbanipm 14