Sixty-seven plant-derived extracts were tested as ultraviolet (UV) protectants for the nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In the initial laboratory screening experiment, 25 of the 67 extracts provided protection following UVA/UVB irradiation for 30 min. Fifteen of these 25 extracts provided good UV protection when they were subjected to a more severe UV treatment of UVB/UVB irradiation for 30 min. Four of these 15 extracts (kudzu, peppermint, skullcap, and thyme) provided excellent UV protection for SeMNPVwhen they were irradiated with an even more stringent UV regime of UVB/UVB for 300 min. These findings indicate that these plant extracts may be useful UV protectants for the SeNPV and they should be investigated further to obtain more efficacious formulations for the control of agriculturally important insect pests.

An armored scale, Melanaspis deklei Dietz & Davidson (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae), is recorded for the first time in South Carolina. While not known to be a serious pest of agricultural crops or ornamental plants in its recorded distribution (Mexico, Florida, Georgia, and the West Indies), M. deklei has become a pest of wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera (L.) Small (Myricaceae), grown as ornamental plants in the urban landscape of coastal South Carolina. Infestations have been identified in Horry, Georgetown, and Beaufort Counties, SC. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam), insect growth regulators (buprofezin and pyriproxyfen), paraffinic oil, and acephate against this armored scale species in 2008 and 2009. None of the tested insecticides achieved significant reduction of scale insect density when compared to the untreated control. There was, however, a trend for plants treated with two applications of pyriproxyfen and paraffinic oil to harbor fewer scale insects. Improvements in the timing and combination of insecticides and alternative management strategies that integrate various chemical, biological, and cultural tools should be developed for the management of M. deklei.

Transgenic corn, Zea mays L., hybrids expressing insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were evaluated for control of insect pests from 2007 to 2009 in Florence and Blackville, South Carolina. Two planting dates were used in trials in 2009. Early- and mid-season pests and associated injury were consistently absent or at low numbers. Data analyses were limited to Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) injury and infestations in corn ears. Based on the number of kernels injured per ear, event MON810 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced injury compared with the non-Bt isoline in both trials in 2008 (average of 67% control), but reduced injury only in 2009 at the Florence location (64% control). Event TC1507 significantly reduced injury relative to its non-Bt isoline in trials in 2008 by an average of 51%. Based on one year of data at two locations in 2009, event MON89034 significantly reduced injury relative to the non-Bt isoline (average of 83% control), and was more effective than MON810 in the same trials. In 2009, the plots planted at the later date had significantly (P < 0.05) less injury on ears and kernels than the first planting date in Blackville; no differences were detected in Florence. Yield was not affected by Bt traits in any of the trials. The increased effectiveness of recent hybrids with the MON89034 event in controlling H. zea in corn ears may lead to increased planting of Bt corn in the southeastern United States, as prior events were not as effective in controlling this key pest.

The cucurbitacin-containing feeding stimulant (Invite® EC) was attractive to second instar pickleworm larvae in the absence of a food source. Second instar pickleworm larvae also fed preferentially on cucumber fruits that were treated with a 1% (0.01×) solution of Invite EC compared with untreated fruit. However, 1% Invite did not stimulate feeding on artificial diet, squash leaves, or squash fruits. Concentrations of Invite as low as 0.001% were effective in increasing the efficacy of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, multiply-embedded nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) against second instar pickleworms. A 1% Invite solution also increased the efficacy of the celery looper, Anagrapha falcifera (Kirby), multiply-embedded NPV (AnfaMNPV) against second instar pickleworms.