Trevor Randall Smith

Rearing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha Halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Heteroptera: Pen tatomidae) is a potential threat to Florida agricul ture (Halbert & Hodges 2011; Zhu et al. 2012). It is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan (Hsiao 1977; Zhang 1985) and was recently in troduced into the United States. It was original ly detected in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1998, and since then has been reported in approxi mately 37 states (NAPIS 2009; Jacobs 2012). Several interceptions of the BMSB have been reported from Florida in the last several years, however it is apparently not yet established there (Leroy Whilby, Personal Communication). BMSB is a polyphagous sucking insect that feeds on a variety of fruit trees including citrus as well as vegetables, ornamental and weedy plants The BMSB has become a serious pest of fruits and vegetable crops in the mid-Atlantic region. The estimated apple losses reached

Suitability of Selected Plants to the Bean Plataspid, Megacopta cribriaria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in No-Choice Tests

37 million in 2010 from BMSB for mid-Atlantic ap ple growers (Hamilton & Shearer 2003; Nielsen & Hamilton 2009; Gill et al. 2010). Feeding damage is caused by both nymphs and adults on the leaves, fruits and stems of plants. In ad dition to direct feeding damage, BMSB is also known as a vector of witchs broom phytoplasma in Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) (Lamiales: Paulowniaceae) in Asia (Gao et al. 2008; Jones & Lambdin 2009). However, in the USA it has not been reported as a vector of any pathogen (Gyeltshen et al. 2011). BMSB is able to over winter inside houses and other enclosed struc

Molecular phylogeny of Nitidulidae: assessment of subfamilial and tribal classification and formalization of the family Cybocephalidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)

Bean plataspid, Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), was first reported in northeastern Georgia in the fall of 2009 (Eger et al. 2010), and since then has spread throughout Georgia and into North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Mississippi and Florida (Roberts 2011; Suiter et al. 2010a, 2010b; http://www. kudzubug.org/distribution_map.cfm; Medal et al. 2013). This plant-feeding insect is related to the stink bugs (Pentatomidae). Like other pentatomoids, bean plataspids emit a strong defensive odor when disturbed. In its native Asia, one of the M. cribraria’s preferred host is kudzu, Pueraria montana Lour (Merr.) variety lobata (Willd.) (Fabales: Fabaceae). Megacopta cribraria is also an agricultural pest of soybean, Glycine max Merrill, and other legume plants and various fruit trees (Li et al. 2001; Wang et al. 2004; Eger et al. 2010). In the infested areas of the U.S.A., M. cribraria is commonly found feeding on the invasive kudzu plant (Ruberson et al. 2012; Zhang et al. 2012). Additionally, it was reported feeding on caged fig trees, Ficus carica L., in a study in Auburn, Alabama (Hu & Carroll 2012). The host range of M. cribraria will probably continue to expand as the insect disperses long distances, mainly by transportation routes into the northeastern and western USA. This new non-native invader may have the potential to cause large crop losses (USDAAPHIS 2010). Adult Megacopta cribraria collected in May of 2012 in Alachua County, Florida, (N: 29.639686° W: -82.399092°) were brought to the laboratory of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry in Gainesville for host-specificity tests with sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck; Sapindales: Rutaceae) seedlings and 11 legume plant species (Fabaceae) commonly found in Florida (Table 1). Host-specificity studies were conducted in a greenhouse during Jul-Oct 2012. A completely randomized design with 5 replications was used. Treatments consisted of single potted plants (30-40 cm height) in vegetative stage in Plexiglas cages. Three pairs of field-collected M. cribraria adults were placed into each cage. Cages were made of clear plastic Plexiglass cylinders (15 cm diam, 50-60 cm height). Mesh screening covered the top and 6 holes each 5 cm diam located in pairs at the bottom, middle, and upper parts of the cylinder to allow for air circulation. Test plants were grown from seeds in 3.8 L pots with a mixture of 2 parts

PESTICIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CYBOCEPHALUS NIPPONICUS AND RHYZOBIUS LOPHANTHAE (COLEOPTERA: CYBOCEPHALIDAE, COCCINELLIDAE)

We present a molecular phylogeny of Nitidulidae based on thirty ingroup taxa representing eight of the ten currently recognized subfamilies. Approximately 10 K base pairs from seven loci (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COI, COII and H3) were used for the phylogenetic reconstruction. The phylogeny supports the following main conclusions: (i) Cybocephalidae are formally recognized as a distinct family not closely related to Nitidulidae and its constituent taxa are defined; (ii) Kateretidae are sister to Nitidulidae; (iii) Cryptarchinae are monophyletic and sister to the remaining nitidulid subfamilies; (iv) subfamily Prometopinae stat. res. is reinstated and defined, to accommodate taxa allied to Axyra Erichson, Prometopia Erichson and Megauchenia MacLeay; (v) Amphicrossinae, Carpophilinae and Epuraeinae are shown to be closely related taxa within a well‐supported monophyletic clade; (vi) tribal affinities and respective monophyly within Nitidulinae are poorly resolved by our data and must be more rigorously tested as there was little or no support for prior morphologically based tribes or genus‐level complexes; (vii) Nitidulinae are found to be paraphyletic with respect to Cillaeinae and Meligethinae, suggesting that they should either be subsumed as tribes, or Nitidulinae should be divided into several subfamilies to preserve the status of Cillaeinae and Meligethinae; (viii) Teichostethus Sharp stat. res. is not a synonym of Hebascus Erichson and the former is reinstated as a valid genus. These conclusions and emendations are discussed in detail and presented within a morphological framework.

MANDIBULAR MORPHOLOGY OF SOME FLORIDIAN GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)

Abstract The susceptibility of the predatory beetles Cybocephalus nipponicus Endrödy-Younga and Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell to 6 pesticides commonly used for treating cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, was tested. Three concentrations (half field rate, field rate, and twice field rate) of each pesticide were tested against both beetle species with a coated glass vial bioassay. Nearly 100% mortality in both beetle species occurred at all concentrations when treated with methidathion, dimethoate, and malathion. Insecticidal soap, fish oils, and imidacloprid were much less toxic. At one-half the field rate, C. nipponicus had 66% mortality with insecticidal soap, 76% mortality with imidacloprid, and 83% mortality with fish oil. At one-half the field rate, R. lophanthae had 43% mortality with insecticidal soap, 63% mortality with imidacloprid, and 46% mortality with fish oil. Mortality rate for each beetle species rose with increasing concentration of each pesticide and the soap and oil were the least toxic of all pesticides tested.

Efficacy of Four Molluscicides Against the Giant African Snail, Lissachatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Achitinidae)

The relationship between mouthpart structure and diet has been known for years. This connection between mouthpart morphology and specific food types is incredibly pronounced in the class Insecta (Snodgrass 1935). As insects have evolved and adapted to new food sources, their mouthparts have changed accordingly. This is an extremely important trait for evolutionary biologists (Brues 1939) as well as systematists (Mulkern 1967). Isley (1944) was one of the first to study grasshopper mouthparts in detail. He described three groups of mandibles according to general structure and characteristic diet. These three groups, still used today, were graminivorous (grass-feeding type) with grinding molars and incisors typically fused into a scythe-like cutting edge, forbivorous (forb or broadleaf plant-feeding type) which have a molar region consisting of a depression surrounded by raised teeth and sharp interlocking incisor teeth, and herbivorous (mixedfeeding type) that have characteristics of both of the aforementioned groups. The original findings by Isley (1944) have since been proven to be widespread in grasshoppers. Additional studies have been conducted by Snodgrass (1928), Gangwere (1965, 1966), Gangwere et al. (1976), and Patterson (1984) in North America; Lieberman (1968) and Gangwere & Ronderos (1975) in South America; Williams (1954), Kaufmann (1965), and Gangwere & Morales (1973) in Europe; Gangwere & Spiller (1995) and Gangwere et al. (1998) in the Mediterranean islands; Feroz & Chaudhry (1975), Gapud (1968), and Kang et al. (1999) in Asia; and Chapman (1964) in Africa. The relationship between grasshopper mouthparts and food is far from precise. Mulkern (1967) was convinced that only the grossest determinations could be made between mandibular structure and diet (i.e., graminivorous, forbivorous, and herbivorous). Occasionally, grasshoppers with forb-feeding mandibles regularly feed on grasses or vice versa (Chapman 1964). Nevertheless, there is some value in assessing mouthpart structure relative to predicting diet and habitat of grasshoppers, especially for the many rare or non-economic species that are unlikely to be studied in detail. Thus, the morphological characteristics and structural adaptations of the mouthparts of 36 of the 71 grasshoppers occurring in Florida were examined. Grasshoppers were collected from various habitats throughout north-central Florida in 2001 and 2002. Thirty-six of the most common Floridian grasshopper species were identified with the taxonomic key found in Smith et al. (2004) and frozen until examination. Mandibles were removed from thawed specimens by lifting the labrum and pulling out each mandible separately with forceps. Only young adults were used in an effort to avoid confusion of mandible type due to mandible erosion (Chapman 1964; Uvarov 1977). An example of moderate erosion can be seen in Figure 1 (I). This process was replicated with 10 individuals from each species. After air-drying, each mandible was glued to the head of a #3 or #2 insect pin, depending on its size, for easier manipulation, and examined microscopically. We used Isleys (1944) description of mandible types and their adaptive functions to divide the mandibles into 3 major categories: forbivorous (forb-feeding), graminivorous (grass-feeding), and herbivorous (mixed-feeding). Mandibles were lightly brushed with 80 percent ETOH and distilled water in an effort to remove most of the sand and debris adhering to the mouthparts. Photographs were taken with the Syncroscopy Auto-Montage system (University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Dept.). The mandible structure of 36 species of grasshopper, from five subfamilies (Acridinae, Cyrtacanthacridinae, Gomphocerinae, Oedipodinae, and Romaleinae), found in Florida was microscopically examined. These grasshoppers were collected from a variety of habitats including disturbed freshwater marsh, high pine, swamp, and oak hammocks. All grasshoppers had distinctive mouthparts that could be described as forbivorous (forb-feeding type), herbivorous (mixed-feeding type), or graminivorous (grass-feeding type) (Fig. 1, A-L). A list of each species studied and the mandible type is given in Table 1. Of the subfamilies examined, the Cyrtacanthacridinae demonstrated the most diversity in mandible type; however, most of them displayed either herbivorous or forbivorous mandibles, indicating a tendency toward forb-feeding. These grasshoppers can be found in a wide range of habitats, usually in dense vegetation or woodland areas, and are quite active in both walking and flying. It is interesting to note that both the grasshoppers in this subfamily that did display graminivorous type mandibles (L. marginicollis and S. vitreipennis) also have extremely slender, elongated bodies and can be found on the edges of ponds or in freshwater marshes (Isley 1944; Squitier & Capinera 2002b; Smith & Capinera 2005). These grasshoppers typically grasp the stems of emergent grass or grass-like vegetation such as sedges or cattails, blending in almost perfectly.

First Record of Paratelenomus saccharalis (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on Kudzu Bug Megacopta cribraria (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) in Florida

ABSTRACT The giant African snail (GAS), Lissachatina fulica Bowdich is one of the worlds most pestiferous snail species. This invasive pest was discovered in Miami, Florida in Sep 2011. Shortly thereafter, an eradication program was implemented by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture. In the past, most mollusc eradication efforts have relied on metaldehyde and carbamate-based products that may also have deleterious effects on humans and non-target vertebrates. This study compared the efficacy of 4 commercially available molluscicides: a metaldehyde and carbamate-based bait (Ortho Bug-Geta Plus) and 3 more environmentally “friendly” formulations, including 2 iron-based baits (Ferroxx and Sluggo) and 1 boric acidbased bait (Niban) to elicit mortality in laboratory populations of GAS. Bait formulations were evaluated using a combination of choice and no-choice tests. OrthoBug-Geta Plus was the most effective molluscicide and produced mortality between 69.2% in choice tests and 71.7% in no-choice tests. Sluggo produced a mortality of 49.2% in choice tests and 59.2% in no-choice tests. Niban produced the highest mortality of all the baits evaluated in the no-choice test at 74.2% but was much less effective in choice tests with a 48.3% mortality rate. Ferroxx caused some mortality, 50.8%, but was statistically no different than Sluggo in the no-choice test. Mean percent mortality was significantly higher in adults and neonates compared to juveniles in all treatments. Sluggo, Niban and Ferroxx all proved to be significantly less toxic than Ortho Bug-Geta Plus in choice tests. Although Niban had a very high mortality rate in the no-choice tests, when given a choice mortality declined sharply indicating that this product is not very attractive to GAS. Of the 2 iron based products, Sluggo and Ferroxx, Ferroxx was less effective at 35.8% mortality in the choice tests. While only having a moderate mortality rate, Sluggo was deemed to be effective enough to incorporate into Floridas eradication program.

Attraction and Mortality of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) to STATIC Spinosad ME Weathered under Operational Conditions in California and Florida: A Reduced-Risk Male Annihilation Treatment

The egg parasitoid Paratelonomus saccharalis (Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is reported for the first time on the eggs of the kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) in Alachua County, Florida. This egg parasitoid was previously reported only in Georgia and Alabama. Sumario El parasitoide de huevos Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) es reportado por primera vez en huevos de la chinche del kudzu Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) en el condado Alachua de la Florida. Este parasitoide de huevos habia sido previamente reportado solamente en Georgia y Alabama. View this article in BioOne

A Major Pest of Cotton, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Heteroptera: Oxycarenidae) in the Bahamas

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted in 2013–2014 to quantify attraction, feeding, and mortality of male oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to STATIC SpinosadME a reduced-risk male annihilation treatment (MAT) formulation consisting of an amorphous polymer matrix in combination with methyl eugenol (ME) and spinosad compared with the standard treatment of Min-U-Gel mixed with ME and naled (Dibrom). Our approach used a behavioral methodology for evaluation of slow-acting reduced-risk insecticides.MEtreatments were weathered for 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d under operational conditions in California and Florida and shipped to Hawaii for bioassays. In field tests using bucket traps to attract and capture wild males, and in toxicity studies conducted in 1-m3 cages using released males of controlled ages, STATIC Spinosad ME performed equally as well to the standard formulation of Min-U-GelMEwith naled for material aged up to 28 d in both California and Florida. In laboratory feeding tests in which individual males were exposed for 5 min to the different ME treatments, mortality induced by STATIC Spinosad ME recorded at 24 h did not differ from mortality caused by Min-U-Gel ME with naled at 1, 7, 14, and 21 d in California and was equal to or higher for all weathered time periods in Florida during two trials. Spinosad has low contact toxicity, and when mixed with an attractant and slow release matrix, offers a reduced-risk alternative for eradication of B. dorsalis and related ME attracted species, without many of the potential negative effects to humans and nontargets associated with broad-spectrum contact insecticides such as naled.

Host plants and natural enemies of rugose spiraling whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida

Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Fig. 1) is a member of the superfamily Lygaeoidea, family Oxycarenidae (Henry 1997), subfamily Oxycareninae. Originally named Aphanus tardus var. hyalinipennis , this species was described from Italy by Costa in 1847. Adults measure 4 to 4.3 mm long and are tapered anteriorly and rounded posteriorly; their thorax, head, antennae, and femora are black and their wings are translucent white, but this species is highly variable (Slater 1972). Males and females have similar coloration, but males are slightly smaller than females. There are 5 instars (Fig. 1), which have pink to red abdomens. Oxycarenus hyalinipennis has numerous synonyms and common names, but as an important pest of cotton worldwide, it is commonly referred to as “the cotton seed bug.” It not only feeds on other plants in the order Malvales, especially in the family Malvaceae, but also in Tiliaceae and Sterculiaceae (Slater & Baranowski 1994). Adults and nymphs suck oil from mature seeds and fluid from leaves of young stems to obtain moisture, according to Ananthakrishnan et al. (1982). If cotton seed bugs are present in sufficient numbers, the cotton fiber becomes stained during processing by the maceration of their bodies. In Israel during outbreaks, this insect has been reported as aggregating on various trees and shrubs including dates, figs, avocados, and persimmons. Many of these fruits were damaged, purportedly due to contamination with a pungent odor (Nakache & Klein 1992). Oxycarenus hyalinipennis has a worldwide distribution, although it has not been reported from North America. Because it has been intercepted numerous times at U.S. ports of entry and because it is already established on islands near the U.S. mainland, its arrival in the U.S. is expected. In the West Indies, Baranowski & Slater (2005) report it from the Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Hispaniola. It was not found during a preliminary survey along the entire eastern coast of Florida in 2006 (Brambila & Dobbs, unpublished data, 2007). The objectives of this study were to (1) collect observational data on O. hyalinipennis , and (2) determine the infestation levels of this pest on cotton in Great Inagua. Great Inagua was the site of a failed attempt to grow and cultivate cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the early 20 th century. These cotton plantations lasted only a few years, but the cotton itself has persisted in a feral state and can be found as a roadside weed near Matthewtown and former settlements (Fig. 2). This made Great Inagua an excellent location to look for and study infestation levels of Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa), a known pest of cotton. Three locations were chosen for survey along the western coast of Great Inagua (Fig. 2). Only