S. Kristine Braman

Functional Response of the Azalea Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae) and a Green Lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Two Predators of the Azalea Lace Bug (Heteroptera: Tingidae)

Abstract Azalea plant bug (Rhinocapsus vanduzeei Uhler) fifth instars and a commercially obtained green lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister) first and second instars exhibited a type II functional response when caged with varying densities of fourth or fifth instar azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott), prey. Attack coefficients for combined fourth and fifth instar prey were statistically similar for R. vanduzeei and C. rufilabris (0.052 and 0.057, respectively). The handling time was significantly greater for R. vanduzeei (3.96 h) than C. rufilabris (2.41 h). Search efficiency generally declined for both predators as initial azalea lace bug density increased. C. rufilabris killed significantly more fourth and fifth instar prey than R. vanduzeei (8.0 and 6.0, respectively) in 24 h. Results indicate that C. rufilabris is a more suitable candidate for augmentative, not inoculative, release for azalea lace bug control than R. vanduzeei. However, R. vanduzeei can effect reductions in azalea lace bug populations in the landscape as a component of the guild of lace bug’s natural enemies and should be considered in conservation efforts.

Gallery Productivity, Emergence, and Flight Activity of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

ABSTRACT Flight and emergence of the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, were monitored from March 2011 through August 2012 using Lindgren funnel traps baited with manuka oil and emergence traps attached over individual beetle galleries on infested redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Sprengel) trees. Of the 432 gallery entrances covered with emergence traps, 235 (54.4%) successfully produced at least two adults. Gallery success rates and time until adult emergence were highly variable and strongly depended on time of year galleries were initiated. Successful galleries produced 23.4 ± 2.50 ( ± SE) adult X. glabratus but one had 316 adults emerge from it. Galleries were active for an average of 231.9 ± 6.13 d but five were active for over 1 yr and one gallery produced beetles for 497 d. In total, 5,345 female and 196 males were collected during the study resulting in a sex ratio of ≈27:1 (female:male) emerging from galleries. Ambrosia beetles other than X. glabratus were recovered from 18 galleries or ≈4% of those studied. Beetles that attacked larger diameter trees were more likely to be successful and produce more brood. Lindgren trap captures reflected emergence trap collections but with a delay of about 1 mo between peaks in emergence and capture in traps. Peaks of activity occurred in fall 2011 and spring 2012, but at least some adult beetles were collected using both methods in every month of the year.

Potential Resistance of Crape Myrtle Cultivars to Flea Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Damage

Abstract Field and laboratory studies were conducted to identify potential resistance among crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp., to Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman and to flea beetles, Altica spp. Damage ratings revealed variation among cultivars in susceptibility to beetle feeding. Cultivars with Lagerstroemia fauriei Koehne in their parentage exhibited the least amount of damage in choice and no-choice experiments, with few exceptions. The data indicate that both beetle species cause more feeding damage on certain cultivars of Lagerstroemia indica L., such as ‘Country Red’, ‘Twilight’, and ‘Carolina Beauty’ than interspecific cultivars with L. fauriei in their parentage, such as ‘Natchez’, ‘Tonto’, and ‘Muskogee’. When comparing the effect of parentage on all of the major pests of crape myrtle, L. faurei confers resistance to all pests except crape myrtle aphid. No correlation was found between leaf toughness, leaf color, and leaf nutrients in estimating flea beetle cultivar preference. With this information, growers can more effectively target scouting measures to the most susceptible cultivars, and breeders can select plants that will require the fewest chemical inputs.

Comparing an IPM Pilot Program to a Traditional Cover Spray Program in Commercial Landscapes

Abstract An integrated pest management (IPM) pilot program for landscape plants was implemented during 1997 and 1998 on two commercial, two residential, and one institutional property managed by landscape professionals. When compared with preprogram, calendar-based cover spray program costs at these sites in 1996, the IPM program was cost-effective at one of the five sites in both 1997 and 1998, and cost effective at a second additional site in 1998 when the cooperator, initially skeptical of IPM, discontinued calendar-based cover sprays performed in 1996 and 1997. The mean cost per site was

Assessment of Pesticide Use by Commercial Landscape Maintenance and Lawn Care Firms in Georgia

703.40 (preprogram),

Temperature, Photoperiod, and Aggregation Effects on Development, Diapause, Reproduction, and Survival in Corythucha cydoniae (Heteroptera: Tingidae)

788.26, and

Biology of Leptoypha hospita (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a Potential Biological Control Agent of Chinese Privet

582.22 in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Volume of pesticide applied decreased a mean of 86.3% on the four sites not receiving cover sprays and increased 2.3% at site 2 (still using cover sprays) in 1997. In 1998, pesticide volume was reduced an average of 85.3% at all five sites compared with preprogram levels. The majority of insect pest problems were corrected using spot sprays of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil or by physical means such as pruning. One-third of the woody plant material on the commercial and institutional sites consisted of holly, juniper, and azalea. The most prevalent pests encountered were mites (Tetranychidae), aphids, lace bugs, scales, whiteflies, and Japanese beetle. Spiders were the most abundant group of predatory arthropod and ants, green lacewings, and lady beetles were also well represented in the managed landscapes.

REARING REDBAY AMBROSIA BEETLE, XYLEBORUS GLABRATUS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE: SCOLYTINAE), ON SEMI-ARTIFICIAL MEDIA

Questionnaires on pesticide use and pest management practices were mailed to landscape maintenance/lawn care firms in the metro-Atlanta area; 25.4% or 350 firms responded. Of these firms, 159 provide pest management services for turfgrass or ornamentals or both. Responding professionals purchased 13,210 kg AI of insecticides, 93,447 kg AI herbicide, and 3,867 kg AI of fungicides during 1993. Total area serviced by these firms was 14,770 ha. The most commonly-purchased insecticides included products containing hydramethylnon, acephate, chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, and horticultural oil. Frequently-purchased herbicides included products that contain pendimethalin, 2,4-D, glyphosate, MCPP, dicamba, oryzalin, benefin, and oxadiazon. Fungicidal products purchased by the most respondents were chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl, oxazoladinadione, matalayl, and triadimefon. Insecticides were most frequently applied to ornamentals (65%), while herbicides were the primary pesticide used on turf (93% preemergence, 79% po...

Progeny Production, Number of Instars, and Duration of Development of Tawny and Southern Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

Corythucha cydoniae (Fitch), the hawthorn lace bug, required an average of 55.6 – 18.5 days to complete development at temperatures ranging from 21 – 33°C. Nymphs emerged from eggs at 18°C but failed to develop further. Nymphal survival at 21°C was poor. Developmental thresholds for egg, nymphal, and total development were 13.3, 14.9, and 14.3°C, respectively. Thermal unit requirements for those stages were 162.9, 157.3, and 318.2 centigrade degree-days. Nymphal development was slightly accelerated by increasing the size of a cluster from one to three individuals at 24 but not at 27°C. Ovipositional rate was higher at 33 than 27°C, but total egg production was similar at both temperatures. Critical photoperiod for reproductive diapause was between 13:11 and 12:12 (L:D) at 24°C. Nymphal development was accelerated at short daylengths.

Evaluation of screen barriers on redbay trees to protect them from Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and distribution of initial attacks in relation to stem moisture content, diameter, and height

ABSTRACT The biology of Leptoypha hospita Drake et Poor (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a potential biological control agent from China for Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lour., was studied in quarantine in the United States. Both nymphs and adults feed on Chinese privet mesophyll cells that lead to a bleached appearance of leaves and dieback of branch tips. L. hospita has five nymphal instars with the mean duration of the life cycle from egg to new adult being 25 d. Females laid an average of 240 eggs per female and continued laying until death. Adults lived ≈75 d on average. Because it feeds on Chinese privet, has multiple generations per year and a high reproductive rate, L. hospita may be a good biological control agent for this invasive plant.