The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan, attacks large numbers of plants in Florida. The scales primarily infest the branches and main stems <2 cm in diameter; rarely were they found on stems that were larger than 4 cm in diameter or on leaves and never on roots. They produce honeydew, but ants did not tend the scales nor did ants appear attracted to the honeydew, which is ejected from the scale instead of being present in collectable droplets. Males have not been found in Florida populations of the lobate lac scale and females are parthenogenetic and ovoviviparous. The scales developed into adult females in 15–19 weeks. Crawlers of second generation were present 21 weeks after young crawlers of the previous generation were placed on a host plant. The pre-imaginal stadia were: first instar 8–11 weeks; second instar 7–8 weeks. The numbers of crawlers counted per month on host plants were notably uniform throughout the year, but there was evidence of a slight increase in crawler production during the warmer months. Lobate lac scales subjected to a simulated frost of -3°C had a low survival rate. In a test of survival without a host, one of 22 crawlers survived 14 d, and 3 of 32 survived 18 d. Based on the numbers of exit holes in mature female tests, the parasitism rate since this pest was found in Florida is not greater than 1%.

La escama lobulada de la laca, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan, ataca un gran número de plantas en la Florida. Las escamas principalmente infestan las ramas y tallos principales de <3 cm en diámetro; raramente se encuentran en tallos mayores de 4 cm de diámetro o sobre las hojas y nunca en las raices. Estas producen gotas de miel, pero no son atendidas por las hormigas y las hormigas tampoco estan atraídas por las gotas de miel, que la escama ejecta en vez de ser producida en gotas recolectables. No se ha encontrado machos de la escama lobulada de la laca en las poblaciones de la Florida y las hembras son partenogenéticas y ovovíparas. Las escamas se desarrollan en las hembras adultas en un periodo de 15 a 19 semanas. Las larvas (1 estadio) del segundo generación estuvieron presentes 21 semanas después de que las larvas jovenes de la generación anterior fueron puestas sobre la planta hospedera. Los estadios pre-imaginales fueron como los siguiente: primer estadio 8–11 semanas; segundo estadio 7–8 semanas. El número de larvas contadas por mes sobre las plantas hospederas fue notablemente uniforme por todo el año, pero hubo evidencia de un aumento ligero en la producción de larvas durante los meses mas cálidos. Las escamas lobuladas de la laca que fueron sujetas a una escarcha simulada de -3°C tuvieron una tasa de sobrevivimiento baja. En una prueba de sobrevivimiento sin hospedero, una de las 22 larvas sobrevivió por 14 dias, y 3 de las 32 sobrevivieron por 18 dias. Basado en el número de hoyos de salida de los “test” (capa cerosa) de la hembra adulta, la tasa de parasitismo no fue mas de >1% desde que esta plaga fue encontrada en la Florida.

A new soft scale genus Phalacrococcus Hodges & Hodgson gen. nov. and a new species Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges & Hodgson sp. nov., is described from Florida, United States. The adult female and adult male, male and female second-instars, first-instars, and pupa are described and illustrated. Host records, biology, and distribution information are provided.

Se describe un nuevo género de escama blanda, Phalacrococcus Hodges & Hodgson gen. nov. y una nueva especie, Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges & Hodgson sp. nov., de la Florida, Estados Unidos. Se describen e ilustran los adultos hembra y macho, los segundos estadios de la ninfa de la hembra y el macho, el primer estadio y la pupa. Se provee un registro de las plantas hospederas, la biología e información sobre la distribución.

A fungal pathogen that killed adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) in Florida citrus groves was isolated, characterized molecularly and morphologically and identified as a novel isolate of Isaria fumosorosea (Ifr) (= Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) from the Asian citrus psyllid (Ifr AsCP), but no concentration-mortality or time-response data were obtained. When adult psyllids were sprayed with spores at 28^°C, time response (LT₅₀) values of 111 and 102.5 h at spore concentrations of 1 × 10⁷ and 1 × 10⁸ spores/mL, respectively, were obtained. The LT₉₉, was 167.4 and 174.6 h, respectively, for the 2 spore concentrations. After 192 h, the LC₅₀ value was 6.8 × 10⁵ spores/mL and the LC₉₉ was 2.2 × 10⁸ spores/mL. Ten serial passages Ifr AsCP were carried out on malt extract agar (MEA) and dilute Sabouraud dextrose agar and yeast (SDY) media. The pathogenicity to adult psyllids did not decline, but spore yield declined on the SDY medium and Ifr AsCP consistently produced more spores on SDY than on MEA media. Ifr AsCP was highly pathogenic to the psyllid when healthy adults were exposed to spores from psyllid cadavers stored at -74^°C. Two pilot field trials were conducted in Florida citrus groves to assess methods for confirming infection; Ifr AsCP spores infected immature psyllids when applied at a rate of 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL, but monitoring for infected nymphs required special handling methods.

Huanglongbing (citrus greening) is one of the most serious diseases of citrus. Movement of the disease occurs as a result of natural transmission by the insect vector and by movement of infected plant material. We demonstrate here that Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of citrus greening pathogens, can be transported in trailers of unprocessed fruit. Several samples of D. citri collected from trailers of oranges were positive for citrus greening pathogens, indicating that the disease can spread widely with the movement of the mature fruit as a result of moving the vectors. While movement of disease and the vector through plant materials into new areas has been recognized, our findings emphasize the need to evaluate the importance of long distance movement of psyllids on unprocessed fruit, even in the absence of vegetative tissue.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used to suppress or eradicate target insect pest populations. The effectiveness of SIT depends on the ability of the released sterile males to mate with and inseminate wild females. Irradiation is effective for sterilizing mass-reared insects, and the negative impacts of this procedure are not limited to reproductive cell damage. In this study, we evaluated the death-feigning that is considered as an antipredator behavior of male Cylas formicarius (Summers) (Coleoptera: Blentidae) irradiated with 200 Gy, which is the dose used in the SIT program in Okinawa Prefecture. Irradiated male insects were observed in the laboratory for 10 d after irradiation. On d 0, fewer irradiated males feigned death than nonirradiated males. The number of irradiated and nonirradiated males who feigned death and the duration of their death-feigning were about the same from 2 d after irradiation. On the basis of our results, we discuss the optimal release time of irradiated male C. formicarius.

Pupal parasitism of the apple ermine moth, Yponomeuta malinellus Zeller (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), was investigated in northeast Asia with the goal of identifying potential biological controls of the moth, which threatened the apple industry in Washington State, USA during the 1980s. Seven primary and 2 secondary parasitoids were recorded from 27, 472 pupae collected and reared from a total of 20 collections at 16 sites in Korea, northern Honshu and Hokkaido Islands in Japan, and Shanxi Province in China during a 4-year period from 1988 to 1991. The mean total parasitism rate was highest in Korea (38.5%), while the lowest rate of 2.1% was recorded from Shanxi, China. The mean total parasitism rate detected from Hokkaido and Honshu Islands in Japan was 17.2 and 10.1%, respectively. The ichnueumonid wasp Herpestomus brunnicornis Gravenhorst dominated the parasitism in Korea and Japan, while Coccygomimus disparis (Viereck) was responsible for most mortality of the moth pupae in Shanxi, China. Diadegma armillatum (Gravenhorst) caused very low mortality in this study, although it is known as an important parasitoid from Europe and Eurasia. There were significantly different levels of parasitism rates of apple ermine moth pupae among geographical locations sampled, likely due to the habitat type and host plant of the apple ermine moth. Herpestomus brunnicornis collected from Korea and Japan was established in Washington State, USA as a biocontrol agent of the apple ermine moth.

The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss produces numerous allelochemical compounds. The most effective active ingredient in A. indica based insecticides is azadirachtin. We found that azadirachtin did not cause mortality, antifeeding responses, or change growth rate of Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal) wireworms. However, azadirachtin treated soil was repellent to the wireworms. This is the first report of azadirachtin being repellent to any of the large and economically important family of Elateridae.

The root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) has been reared since 1992 on an artificial diet first reported in 1982. Recently, we have shown that several ingredients included in the original diet have little or no effect on insect performance. Here we examined the effects of 2 principal drivers (cottonseed meal and wheat germ) on weight gain and survival of larval D. abbreviatus in varying proportions along with a non-nutritive filler (cellulose). We employed a geometric design to evaluate amount and proportion combined with response surface models to identify optimal proportions for larval weight gain, larval survival, and development rate. All larval responses measured lead to the conclusion that cottonseed meal is the only major nutritive component, in addition to standard vitamin and salt mixes, required for a successful artificial diet for rearing larvae of D. abbreviatus to pupation.

Supplemental material online at  http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/fe931.htm#InfoLink1.

A major obstacle for many studies examining sperm competition and cryptic female choice in insects has been the identification and quantification of sperm stored in the sperm storage organs of females that have mated with two or more males. Historically, sexual selection studies have focused primarily on paternity outcomes for inferring potential underlying mechanisms (e.g., sperm competition and cryptic female choice). We describe a technique for isolating, genotyping and quantifying sperm in Anastrepha suspensa Loew, a species that has four sperm storage organs (three spermathecae and a ventral receptacle) that are minute (approximately 80 µm) and exhibit complex interior structures restricting sperm recovery through simple dissection. With our protocol, we were able to isolate and amplify sperm DNA (PCR of microsatellite loci) without contamination from female cells, and quantify sperm contributed to a storage organ by one or more males. Briefly, sperm storage organs are dissected-out of the female abdomen, sonicated to remove female cells, rinsed in saline, crushed between micro-slides (1 × 2 mm), and placed in a microcentrifuge tube for DNA isolation in situ using a solution containing 10% chelex, proteinase-K and DTT. After boiling, the DNA is amplified by PCR. With this technique, we have successfully amplified microsatellite loci from as few as 10 ± 3 sperm. Estimates of absolute numbers of sperm stored in sperm storage organs was accomplished by incorporating a reference amplicon standard in each sample during fragment analysis of microsatellite loci. The protocol described in this study enable the localization, identification and quantification of sperm from multiple males stored in female sperm storage organs and, therefore, generates data that can augment interpretations of paternity outcomes.

Translation provided by the authors.

Evaluation of combinations of flower odor compounds in northern Florida revealed that linalool was synergistic in attractiveness with phenylacetaldehyde (PAA) to the migratory moth velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner). This noctuid was the most common species collected from traps with a binary lure composed of PAA and linalool, with over 900 males and females collected in Sep 2005 and almost 13,000 collected in a 4-week period in Aug and Sep 2006. Different lid openings of the vials containing the chemical blend in an attempt to vary the release rate of the binary lure did not affect the number of velvetbean caterpillar moths captured. Traps baited with the binary lure and placed in May, Jun and early Jul of 2005 and 2009 failed to capture adults demonstrating the absence of adult moths early in the season. Management application of floral attractants in an attract-and-kill strategy is discussed.

Translation provided by the authors.

Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, workers were sampled from 26 colonies in Virginia during the 2007–2008 time period. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to determine colony social form (monogyny or polygyny) by genotyping ants at the Gp9 locus. Twenty of the colonies (76.9%) were found to be polygyne. Multiplex PCR was also used to detect the presence of several organisms currently being used as biological control agents for fire ants in the U.S., including the microsporidian parasite Kneallhazia solenopsae and Pseudacteon spp. parasitioid decapitating phorid flies in the sampled colonies. Kneallhazia solenopsae was detected in 11 of 26 colonies (42%). In addition, Pseudacteon spp. flies were detected in 2 (7.7%) colonies. The sampled colonies were examined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the presence of Solenopsis invicta viruses -1 and -2. Results indicated that 5 colonies were infected with SINV-1 (19%) and none were infected with SINV-2. This study is the first to characterize the red imported fire ant infestation in Virginia and documents the presence of biological control agents in this area.

Se realizó un muestreo de las obreras de la hormiga de fuego roja importada, Solenopsis invicta Buren, en 26 colonias en el estado de Virginia durante el período del 2007 al 2008. Se utilizaron ensayos de la reacción en cadena por la polimerasa (RCP) para determinar la forma social de la colonia (monoginia = una sola reina reproductive) o poliginia = reinas multiples) por medio del genotipo de las hormigas en el locus Gp-9. Se encontró que veinte de las colonias (76.9%) fueron poliginias. Se usó RCP múltiplex para detectar la presencia de varios organismos que estan usando actualmente como agentes de control biológico para las hormigas de fuego en los Estados Unidos, incluyendo el parasito microesporidiano Kneallhazia solenopsae, y la mosca Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae) que son parasitoides que decapitan las hormigas en las colonias muestreadas. Kneallhazia solenopsae fue detectado en 11 de las 26 colonias (42%). Además, se detectaron las moscas Pseudacteon spp. en dos (7.7%) de las colonias. Se examinaron las colonias muestreadas por la transcripción reversa de RCP (TR-RCP) para la presencia de los virus 1 y 2 de Solenopsis invicta. Los resultados indican que las 5 colonias fueron infectadas con SINV-1 (19%) y ninguna fue infectada con SINV-2. Este es el primer studio que caractiza la infestación de la hormiga de fuego roja importada en Virginia y documenta la presencia de agentes de control biológico en esta área.

Honey baits were used to assess the activity and abundance of nectar-drinking ants in fire successional habitats of rocklands on Andros Island, Bahamas. Vegetation was sampled in pineyard and coppice habitats (the same communities as Florida's pine rocklands and hammocks), revealing a larger proportion of taxa with extrafloral nectaries in coppice samples, but roughly equivalent cover of plants with extrafloral nectaries in pineyard and coppice vegetation. Ant activity was greater in pineyard than in coppice habitats, with time to discovery of baits the shortest in open and recently burned pineyards, and most of the baits experiencing recruitment of ants. Overgrown pineyards and coppices both had longer time-to-discovery and much less recruitment to baits; coppice edges, more variable, were not significantly different from either of the 2 other habitat groups. Our preliminary study revealed some new records of plant genera and species with extrafloral nectaries, but all ants we observed at nectaries and on baits are also known from pine rocklands and hardwood hammocks of south Florida.

Translation provided by the authors.

Se utilizaron cebos con miel para determinar la actividad y abundancia de hormigas nectarívoras en habitats sucesionales que sufrieron incendios en suelos rocosos (malpaís) de la Isla Andros, en Bahamas. La vegetación fue muestreada en pinares y habitats de coppice (lo mismo comunidades que los pinare rocosos y hammocks de Florida), revelando un número mayor de taxa de plantas con nectarios extraflorales en las muestras de coppice, y casi igual cobertura de plantas con nectarios extraflorales en la vegetación de pinar. Asimismo, la actividad de las hormigas fue mayor en el pinar que en el coppice, siendo las zonas abiertas y recientemente incendiadas del pinar las que presentaron los menores tiempos de descubrimiento de los cebos por las hormigas y la mayoría de los cebos experimentaron reclutamiento de hormigas en estos sitios. Los pinares más altos (con daño menos reciente por fuego) presentaron tiempos mayores en el descubrimiento de los cebos por las hormigas y mucho menor reclutamiento; los bordes de los coppice, fueron mas variables y no resultaron signiflcativamente diferentes de ninguno de los otros grupos de hábitats. Nuestro estudio preliminar reveló muchos nuevos registros de géneros y especies con nectarios extraflorales, pero todas las hormigas que nosotros observamos en los nectarios y en los cebos son también especies conocidas de los pinares rocosos y los hardwood hammocks del sur de Florida.

Pest management of insects and mites on orchids has been based on the use of synthetic organic pesticides. However, less-toxic chemical control is needed by hobbyists and small growers. Orchids from 8 genera were treated with Silwet L-77 alone and no evidence of phytotoxicity was seen. Subsequently, 3 petroleum oils in combination with Silwet L-77 were tested to determine efficacy in suppressing Boisduval scale Diaspis boisduvalii Signoret (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and the flat mite Tenuipalpus pacificus Baker (Arachnida: Acari: Tenuipalpidae). The results indicate Silwet L-77 increased toxicity of the oils and increased removal of the scales and mites from foliage over oil alone, yet no phytotoxicity was observed in any of the plants treated. Petroleum oil Silwet L-77 is considered low-toxic, may be less expensive than some pesticides, and may conserve natural enemies, making it a potential addition to an integrated pest management program for orchids.

The Formosa biotype of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier was released and successfully established as a self-sustaining biocontrol agent of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren at several sites around Gainesville, FL in 2003. In order to determine the status of these releases, 59 sites were surveyed for flies in the fall of 2006 with sticky traps and aspirators. Results of this survey showed that the flies had expanded outward an average of 74 km and occupied more than 30,000 km² in North Central Florida. This rate of expansion was faster than rates reported for Pseudacton tricuspis Borgmeier in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The rapid rates of expansion and high densities reported for the Formosa biotype of P. curvatus indicate that it is a vigorous parasitoid which will require relatively fewer field releases to establish it as biocontrol agent of red imported fire ants in the United States.