entomology & ipm€¢texas insects by john jackman & bart drees •natural enemies handbook...

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3/21/2017 1 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 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Page 1: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

1

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 2: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

2

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 3: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

3

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 4: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

4

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 5: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

5

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 6: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

6

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 7: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

7

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 8: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

8

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 9: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

9

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 10: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

10

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 11: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 12: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

12

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 13: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

13

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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Page 14: Entomology & IPM€¢Texas Insects by John Jackman & Bart Drees •Natural Enemies Handbook by Flint & Dreistadt •Garden Insects by Whitney Cranshaw •Peterson Field Guide to Insects

3/21/2017

14

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

DiplopodaMillipedes with antennae, 2 pairs of legs per segment

Chilopoda characteristics

Spider Anatomy

AraneaeGarden spider in web: silk glands; body regions (cephalothorax, abdomen, 4 pairs of legs

AraneaeCephalothorax (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

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?

OrthopteraDifferential grasshopper: body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), eyes, antennae, pronotum, legs, wings, jumping

What makes an insect?

What makes an insect?

OrthopteraHead, 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

OrthopteraAbdominal segments, spiracles, breathing

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

• 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

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

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

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 ~60oF; 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)

• 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

• Irritating to respiratory system, skin, eyes

Mandibulate (Chewing) Mouthparts

LepidopteraBlack swallowtail or parsleyworm caterpillar feeding on wild host: Body regions, chewing mouthparts, true legs, prolegs

Plant Damage: mandibulate

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

HemipteraHead 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

• Conserve beneficial organisms

• Treat immature stage

• Row cover

• Pesticides

–Nosema locustae

– Spinosad

– Botanicals

– Synthetic contacts

– Systemics

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

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

• 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

• Reflective mulch

• Sanitation

• Pesticides

– Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides

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

Texas Leaf Cutting Ants

• Largish, reddish ants with spines on thorax & head

• 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

• Feeding

–Omnivorous

– Tend honeydew producers

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

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

[email protected]

http://www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Urban IPM

Twitter: @UrbanIPM

Instagram: urbanipm

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