Search

Ambrosia beetles, especially the granulate ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are serious pests in ornamental nurseries in Georgia during the spring months. Growers spray pyrethroid insecticides to prevent ambrosia beetle attacks on the tree trunk around bud break. Repeated pyrethroid insecticide applications can harm beneficial arthropods and cause a resurgence of minor, secondary pests. Insect growth regulators (IGRs), such as novaluron and azadirachtin, have demonstrated transovarial activity on many insect pests, for which the viability of the eggs was reduced after adult exposure. IGRs, particularly azadirachtin, are also repellent to many insect pests. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the transovarial and repellent activity of IGRs on ambrosia beetles. Two experiments were conducted in ornamental nurseries in 2019 and 2021. In the first experiment, novaluron, azadirachtin, and permethrin were sprayed as stand-alone and combination treatments with permethrin on maple (Acer) tree bolts. The number of ambrosia beetle attacks was significantly lower in treatments with permethrin in both years. Novaluron and azadirachtin treatments neither reduced ambrosia beetle attacks on the ethanol-infused bolts nor suppressed the recovery of X. crassiusculus from the bolts, suggesting the lack of repellent and transovarial activity, respectively. For the second experiment, novaluron alone and in combination with 1×, 4×, and 8× bark penetrant at the label rate were sprayed on ethanol-infused bolts. None of the novaluron treatments with or without bark penetrant elicited transovarial activity in X. crassiusculus, as the beetle recovery was similar among treatments.

Because turfgrass is maintained in various settings, such as golf courses, lawns, and commercially grown in sod farms, it is critical to understand its major insect pests and management practices. A survey was conducted to determine the major insect pests and current management practices in the commercial turfgrass industries in Georgia. A total of 32 respondents representing golf courses and sod farms participated in the survey. A significantly greater number of respondents represented golf courses (75% of 32 respondents) than sod farms (25%). The respondents (n =31) identified fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (32.5%), white grubs, Phyllophaga spp. (20.8%), mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae; 16.9%), and others (22%) as major pests in comparison to billbugs, Sphenophorus spp. (7.8%) and chinch bugs, Blissus spp. (0%). Of 31 respondents, 64.5% applied insecticides two to five times and 22.5% respondents applied insecticides 5–10 times for insect management each year. Among nonchemical tools (n=24), most respondents opted to do nothing (70.8%) than use biological control (0%), host plant resistance (25%), or other management tools (4.2%).

Systena frontalis (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a serious insect pest species of container ornamental plant nurseries, widespread in the central and eastern United States. Adults feeding causes shotholes and skeletonization to the foliage of affected plants, which can reduce aesthetic value, and marketability of the ornamental plants. This paper reviews the biology and current management approaches used against S. frontalis in ornamental plant nurseries in the United States. Information gathered from the cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) production system is included where they are appropriate and supplementary to the discussion. The paper also discusses the research, extension, and economic questions prioritized by the stakeholders dealing with S. frontalis problems in the container nurseries.

The hunting billbug, Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden, is an important insect pest of warm-season turfgrass. Larvae and adult S. venatus vestitus feed on turfgrass and affect normal grass growth and development. In sod farms and golf courses, management sprays are typically confined to affected areas because of the high insecticide and application costs. Understanding the walking behavior of S. venatus vestitus adults would help us to refine management tactics. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of abiotic factors on the walking behavior of adult S. venatus vestitus. A series of laboratory, semifield, and field assays were conducted in 2019 and 2020. For the laboratory assays, field-collected S. venatus vestitus adults were acclimated at 15, 18, 21, 28, and 32°C for 24 h, and the distances walked by these pre-acclimated adults were measured on sand and filter paper substrates using Noldus EthoVision XT software. For the semifield assays, the total and net distances walked by pre-acclimated adults were measured on a paved indoor surface. Sphenophorus venatus vestitus males and females moved farther when the temperature increased from 15 to 28°C in the laboratory and semifield assays. For the field assays, field-collected S. venatus vestitus adults were not acclimated. The total and net distances walked by the adults were documented on a paved surface. Increases in temperature and relative humidity did not affect the distance moved by adults, but an increase in wind speed reduced the distance moved.

BACKGROUND: Invasive species threaten the productivity and stability of natural and managed ecosystems. Predicting the spread of invaders, which can aid in early mitigation efforts, is a major challenge, especially in the face of climate change. While ecological niche models are effective tools to assess habitat suitability for invaders, such models have rarely been created for invasive pest species with rapidly expanding ranges. Here, we leveraged a national monitoring effort from 543 sites over 3 years to assess factors mediating the occurrence and abundance of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys), an invasive insect pest that has readily established throughout much of the United States. RESULTS: We used maximum entropy models to estimate the suitable habitat of BMSB under several climate scenarios, and generalized boosted models to assess environmental factors that regulated BMSB abundance. Our models captured BMSB distribution and abundance with high accuracy, and predicted a 70% increase in suitable habitat under future climate scenarios. However, environmental factors that mediated the geographical distribution of BMSB were different from those driving abundance. While BMSB occurrence was most affected by winter precipitation and proximity to populated areas, BMSB abundance was influenced most strongly by evapotranspiration and solar photoperiod. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that linking models of establishment (occurrence) and population dynamics (abundance) offers a more effective way to forecast the spread and impact of BMSB and other invasive species than simply occurrence-based models, allowing for targeted mitigation efforts. Implications of distribution shifts under climate change are discussed. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Published version

Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) is an important insect pest of azaleas, Rhododendron Linnaeus spp. (Ericaceae), in the United States of America. Because neonicotinoids, insecticides traditionally used against S. pyrioides, pose a risk to pollinators and natural enemies, nursery growers have reduced neonicotinoid use and are seeking alternative management options. Novaluron, an insect growth regulator, elicits a transovarial effect by reducing the viability of eggs after exposure to S. pyrioides adults. However, stability and persistence of transovarial effects on adults following exposure are not clear. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the persistence of the transovarial effect of novaluron for up to three weeks after a single adult exposure and (2) the residual activity of aged novaluron residues eliciting a transovarial effect against S. pyrioides after a single application. Stephanitis pyrioides density was significantly lower in the novaluron-treated adults than in the nontreated controls for up to 21 days. The novaluron residues deposited on azalea foliage aged up to 32 days significantly reduced the number of S. pyrioides nymphs compared to that of the nontreated control. There was no significant difference in the number of nymphs among the 7-, 17-, and 32-day-old novaluron treatments relative to the nontreated control.

This study determined the effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) plant fertilizers on the survival and development of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on ‘TifEagle’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy]. The treatments were various ratios of N:K: (1) 0:0, (2) 1:0, (3) 2:1, (4) 1:1, (5) 0:1, and (6) 1:2, where 1 = 113.4 g N or K per 92.3 m2. Treatments were applied from May to October in 2018 and 2019 at biweekly intervals via foliar spraying. Neonates of S. frugiperda were introduced to treated plants under laboratory conditions. In 2018, survival was significantly lower in the 0:1, 1:2, 1:0, and 0:0 treatments than in the 2:1 and 1:1 treatments at 10 d and 24 d postintroduction; whereas, in 2019, survival was significantly lower in the 0:0 treatment than in the other treatments at 10 d and 24 d postintroduction. Development of S. frugiperda larvae was significantly faster in the 2:1 treatment than in the 1:1 treatment in both years. Our data indicate that N favors and K discourages the growth and development of S. frugiperda larvae on bermudagrass.

Arthropod predators are abundant in turfgrass systems, and they play an important role in managing pests. Understanding the vertical distribution of predation is critical to developing cultural strategies that enhance and conserve predatory services. However, little is known on how the predation is vertically distributed within the turfgrass canopy. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the vertical distribution of predation within the turfgrass canopy. Clay models were used to emulate the general appearance of Noctuidae caterpillars, to estimate the predatory activity. The choice and no-choice experiments were conducted by placing clay models at 2.54, 5.08, and 7.62 cm from the thatch surface and denoted as lower, intermediate, and upper levels, respectively, within turfgrass canopy. The predator-mediated impressions, paired mark, scratch, deep cut mark, deep distortion, prick, dent, stacked surface impression, scooped mark, granulation, and U-shaped mark, were identified on clay models. The incidence and severity of impressions were significantly greater on clay models placed at the lower canopy level than on those placed at the intermediate and upper canopy levels in the choice and no-choice experiments (P < 0.05). Thus, predators are more likely to find their prey at the soil level. This information can be used to refine management strategies, such as mowing height and insecticide use for effectively managing soil-borne and foliar-feeding arthropod pests and beneficial arthropods.

The twolined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), is an important insect pest of turfgrass in the eastern United States. Although twolined spittlebug infests most warm-season turfgrasses, the influence of low and high relative humidity (RH) on the expression of feeding damage in warm-season turfgrasses is not well understood. Experiments were conducted in which five warm-season turfgrasses were caged with ten twolined spittlebug adults and exposed to 40% and 95% RH for 5 days. The extent of damage was measured with a SPAD meter (chlorophyll content), and ratings of greenness, yellowness, and purpleness were obtained using a scale system. Physiological parameters such as stomatal conductance (GS), photosynthesis (A), evapotranspiration (E), and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured. Under both 40 and 95% RH, bermudagrass [Cynodon L.C. Rich, spp.] exhibited injury symptoms after twolined spittlebug exposure. The rate of A was lower in the presence of twolined spittlebug in bermudagrass under both RHs. Injury symptoms in centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack] were only observed under high-RH conditions, whereas in zoysiagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merrill.] symptoms were only observed under low RH. Minimal levels of symptom expression were observed in St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], and no feeding symptoms were observed in seashore paspalum [Paspalum vaginatum Sw.] under low RH. Overall, the presence of twolined spittlebug A was influenced by high RH, whereas WUE was affected by low RH in most of the turfgrass genotypes.

The billbug complex, Sphenophorus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest on the sod farms of Georgia. The feeding damage of larvae within stolons and on roots delays the sod harvest and makes it difficult to conduct machine harvests. To develop an effective management strategy, the timing of insecticide applications is critical. The activity of billbugs, especially soon after sod harvest, has not been documented, as newly emerging adults could reinfest the harvested area or adjacent nonharvested sod fields. In 2019 and 2020, adult billbugs were sampled from harvested and nonharvested areas of sod farms by using linear pitfall traps. Although a significantly greater number of billbug adults were captured from the nonharvested sod, the data showed that adults were present in the harvested sod area. To understand the direction of billbug movement in harvested and nonharvested sod, a square area was selected, and the sod inside the square was removed. Linear pitfall traps were deployed along the perimeter of square areas to collect adults from outside and inside the square. In 2020, a significantly greater number of billbug adults were collected in the traps from the nonharvested areas outside the square than from harvested area inside the square, whereas in 2019, adult captures were similar from both areas. The data documented the activity of billbugs in the areas where sod was harvested, posing a risk of infestation for both strips of nonharvested grass in the harvested area and the adjacent, nonharvested sod fields that were near harvest.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important pest of warm-season turfgrass species, including bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). Bermudagrass is a popular turfgrass that is widely planted on golf courses, athletic grounds, and ornamental landscapes across the country and throughout the world. Spodoptera frugiperda infestation is often sporadic; however, when it does occur, damage can be severe. Host plant resistance against S. frugiperda can be a valuable tool for reducing or preventing the use of insecticides. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine resistance against S. frugiperda in a few promising bermudagrasses. Fourteen experimental bermudagrass genotypes plus two control cultivars, ‘Zeon’ zoysiagrass (resistant control) and ‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass (susceptible control), were evaluated against S. frugiperda to determine host plant resistance in the laboratory. The results showed that the resistant control, ‘Zeon’ zoysiagrass, was more resistant than the other genotypes to S. frugiperda larvae. To determine the response of the experimental lines to S. frugiperda as compared with that of the controls, three indices were developed based on survival, development, and overall susceptibility. According to the susceptibility index, ‘13-T-1032’, ‘T-822’, ‘11-T-510’, ‘12-T-192’, ‘11-T-56’, ‘09-T-31’, ‘11-T-483’, and ‘13-T-1067’ were the top-ranked bermudagrasses. Among these, the responses of ‘13-T-1032’, ‘T-822’, ‘11-T-510’, ‘11-T-56’, ‘09-T-31’, and ‘11-T-483’ were comparable to that of ‘TifTuf’, and antibiosis was the underlying mechanism of resistance. Additionally, larval length, head capsule width, and weight were negatively associated with the days of pupation and adult emergence and positively associated with pupal length, thorax width, and weight. These results will help refine future breeding and with investigations of resistance against the fall armyworm.

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae) in the genus Xylosandrus are problematic in ornamental nurseries and are emerging as serious pests in orchard crops. An updated survey of ambrosia beetles focusing on these damaging species, and their corresponding phenology was conducted in Georgia to aid in refining management practices for these beetles. Ambrosia beetles were monitored across nine sites in 2019 and seven sites 2020 at ornamental nurseries, tree fruit, and pecan orchards in Georgia. At each site, six ethanol-baited bottle traps were deployed; with three traps along the edge of a wood-line and three traps placed 30 m from the edge of the nurseries and orchards. Traps were deployed from mid-January through July or August depending on site and year. All captured ambrosia beetles were counted and identified. Captures of X. crassiusculus, X. germanus, and X. compactus, were analyzed further to investigate spatial distribution and seasonal flight activity. At high population sites, more beetles were captured along adjacent wood lines than in the orchard or nursery interior. At most sites, flight activity began in February and March continued until the termination of the study in July or August. At most sites, sustained flight activities with multiple peaks were observed in March, April, and May, corresponding to average weekly temperatures reaching ≥15.5°C. These results have important implications on temporally and spatially precise management for these beetles across three important agricultural production systems in the southeastern US.

This datasheet on Bagrada hilaris covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

Lantana lace bug, Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is an important insect pest of lantana (Lantana camara L.). The adults and nymphs feed on the leaves, gradually deteriorating the quality of leaf tissue, as the affected leaves appear brown and desiccated. Infestations of T. scrupulosa reduce the market value of container plants in nurseries and the aesthetic value of ornamental landscapes. Because T. scrupulosa typically is managed using neonicotinoids and concerns related to the nontargeted effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators are mounting, practitioners are seeking alternative options to manage T. scrupulosa infestations. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) elicit transovarial activity, where adults exposed to IGRs produce nonviable eggs, but this effect has not been documented for T. scrupulosa.A significantly lower number of T. scrupulosa nymphs was produced when adults were sprayed topically with novaluron and pyriproxyfen than nontreated adults. The number of T. scrupulosa nymphs produced was not significantly different when adults were exposed to a lower dose (0.125×) and a maximum dose (1.0×) of novaluron.Novaluron and pyriproxyfen elicited transovarial effects on T. scrupulosa when adults were exposed to these IGRs. Evidence of transovarial effects was demonstrated when T. scrupulosa adults were exposed to lower doses (≤0.125×) than the maximum label dose, as densities of nymphs were similar between the lower doses and the maximum label dose of novaluron.

Integrated pest management adoption is quite low around the globe, particularly in developing countries, due to different factors. Here, we examine the factors affecting the intention of Pakistani farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices in vegetable production using a structured questionnaire. We interviewed 301 vegetable growers in Multan, Pakistan. The reliability and validity of the data, along with the underlying relationship between the observed variables, were identified through exploratory factor analysis. The majority of the farmers (79.4%) relied on pesticides for pest control. More than four out of 10 of the respondents (43.8%) reported that okra received the highest application of pesticides followed by potato (24.5%) and cauliflower (17.9%). Integrated pest management was currently non‐existent among the vegetable growers of the study area. The latent factors—“knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticide,” “belief in the efficacy of non‐chemical pest control measures,” “perceived barriers to the adoption of integrated pest management,” “progressive farming approach,” and “intention to adopt integrated pest management”—were subsequently confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The structural equation model suggested that the intention to adopt integrated pest management is significantly affected by farmers’ knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides (β = 0.274, z‐value = 3.082, P = 0.002). An increase in farmers’ awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides could lead to integrated pest management adoption for pest control. The scale for intention to adopt integrated pest management developed in this study can be used in future studies and provide valuable insights to the policymakers for devising integrated pest management adoption campaigns in the study area.

Rose rosette disease (RRD) is a serious rose disease in North America. RRD is caused by rose rosette virus transmitted by Phyllocoptes fructiphilus (Acari: Eriophyidae).

The eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) transmits rose rosette virus to rose (Rosa spp.; Rosaceae) while feeding, which causes serious disease referred to as rose rosette disease. Although there is no cure once rose plants are infected with rose rosette virus, understanding the response of P. fructiphilus and rose rosette disease to abiotic factors such as relative humidity may help to develop management strategies for the disease. The major objective of the current study was to determine the effect of relative humidity on the abundance of P. fructiphilus, as well as the incidence and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms. An experiment was conducted in environmentally controlled chambers where potted pink double knock-out rose plants were maintained at 20, 60, and 95% relative humidity after introducing about 20 P. fructiphilus individuals by attaching a 7-cm-long, field-collected terminal to the branches of potted plants. The densities of P. fructiphilus were recorded at biweekly intervals for 12 wk. The proportion of terminals with rose rosette disease symptoms (disease incidence) and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms was assessed using the Horsfall-Barratt scale at biweekly intervals for 14 wk. The results show that the number of P. fructiphilus individuals was significantly greater under a moderate 60% relative humidity than under a high (95%) or low (20%) relative humidity (P < 0.05). However, the incidence and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms were significantly higher under 95% relative humidity relative humidity regimen than under 20% relative humidity regimen (P < 0.05). The implications of these results on the breeding program and management of P. fructiphilus and the incidence of rose rosette disease are discussed.

Many predatory arthropods occur naturally in turfgrass, and they provide adequate control of lepidopteran pests, such as fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Recording predation is challenging under field conditions because predators rarely leave any evidence. Clay models were successfully employed for studying predation, and this technique is underutilized in turfgrass. Little is known about whether the characteristics of clay models, such as color, shape, and size, influence arthropod interactions in turfgrass. To improve the utility of clay models in turfgrass, the influence of the color, shape, and size of clay models on arthropod interactions was studied by exposing clay models during daytime and nighttime in a turfgrass field. The results showed that arthropods interacted with clay models, and various types of impressions were recorded, including paired marks, scratches, cuts, and pricks. Although the color of the clay model had no significant effects on arthropod interactions during the night, significantly greater numbers of impressions were noticed on the blue and green models than on the yellow models during the daytime. The caterpillar-shaped models captured significantly greater densities of impressions than the beetle-shaped models. Additionally, the number of impressions significantly increased with an increase in the size of the model regardless of shape.

The western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae), is an important insect pest of lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. in the central coast region of California. However, little is documented on the injury symptoms relative to levels of L. hesperus infestation on lettuce. Experiments were conducted in which lettuce plants were exposed to 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 L. hesperus adults for 2 and 7 days. The major injury symptom observed was lesions on the midrib of the leaves, and under low to moderate infestation (e.g., one to five adults per plant) after 2 days of exposure these lesions were not significantly different from the insect-free control. Under heavy infestation (e.g., 10 adults per plant), however, lesions developed rather quickly after 2 days of exposure. The number of lesions was positively associated with numbers of feeding sites and eggs. When heavy infestation lasted for a week, most of the plants died. At low to moderate infestation, more lesions developed compared with the insect-free control. After a weeklong exposure, an increase in number of lesions was negatively associated with plant height. The results emphasize the need for regular scouting to facilitate immediate management decisions and actions to reduce losses from L. hesperus feeding and oviposition injury in lettuce.

Ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus spp.) are pests of woody ornamental nurseries and tree nut orchards. Growers use ethanol-infused bolts and ethanol-mediated bottle traps for monitoring ambrosia beetles in the spring. To refine these monitoring tools, we investigated the 1) sensitivity of the commercially available ethanol pouches placed on bolts compared with that of ethanol-infused bolts for ambrosia beetle attacks; and 2) the effect of aging of ethanol pouches on ambrosia beetle captures in bottle traps. Experiments were conducted in ornamental nurseries and pecan orchards in 2019 and 2020. For objective 1, the treatments included a bolt infused with locally purchased ethanol, an ethanol pouch attached to a bolt, and a control (bolt without ethanol). For objective 2, ethanol pouches were initially field-aged for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk and ambrosia beetle captures were documented weekly for 4 wk. Ethanol pouches older than 5 wk were replaced with fresh pouches at the pecan sites while ethanol pouches at nursery sites were aged up to 8 wk. The ethanol-pouch comparison study showed that the number of ambrosia beetle attacks was significantly greater on ethanol-infused bolt traps than with the ethanol pouches on bolts at the nursery and pecan sites in both years. The age of the ethanol pouches did not affect captures of Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) and X. germanus (Blandford) in bottle traps within 8 wk of deployment. Results provide practical implications into the sensitivity of the different ethanol lure types in association with bolt traps and the longevity of the ethanol pouches for grower use.

Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a serious threat to pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production. In California, the pest causes major damage in southern regions where peppers are produced, but is not considered a serious pest in the Central Coast region. However, in recent years, A. eugenii consistently has caused severe yield losses in Central Coast counties of California. In 2016 and 2017, 60-63 pepper fields in the region were monitored from May-November using pheromone-baited yellow sticky traps. Total numbers of adult pepper weevils captured in traps were 1,106 and 3,100 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Abundance of adults peaked during the production season. In 2016, the peak was in mid-September. The first of two peaks in 2017 was in June at the beginning of the season and the second was in September-October. During June-July, when pepper weevils were sprayed with insecticide, few weevils, about two per field, were counted. Starting in August (which overlapped with decreased application of insecticide), fields became very infested until the end of October in 2016 and mid-November in 2017. Peak numbers of adults captured in late season varied between years, with 330 and 463 captured in September 2016 and 2017, respectively. From October onward in both years, fruit drop with various stages of weevils inside was observed in some infested fields.

Systena frontalis (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest in ornamental plant nurseries in the United States. Information on current pest status and management practices employed by nurseries, garden centers, and landscape care operations are crucial to developing an effective research and extension program for ornamental crops. An online survey was developed and administered by the research team in 2020 to gather data on pest status and current pest management practices. The questionnaire included three focus areas: 1) participant (location, industry type, or operating area); 2) pest status indicators (incidence, affected crops, and estimated loss); and 3) common pest management practices. The questionnaire was distributed to stakeholders via e-mail lists, newsletters, and blogs. Seventy-five responses were received; 82.6% of which were from wholesale nursery operators in 19 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province. For most respondents (72%), damage recurred yearly in the past 10 yr and persisted from April to October. About 56% of respondents reported damage on more than five host plant species (with Hydrangea spp. being the most frequently identified) representing approximately 25% of the total number of plants grown in the facilities. Presence of S. frontalis is being monitored mainly through visual inspection of foliage for adult presence or foliage damage (100%), with scouting occurring mainly at weekly intervals (57%). The majority of respondents used broad-spectrum insecticides (such as pyrethroids) for adult (89%) and larval control (47%). We estimated that a grower spends USD$1,637/ha/yr on insecticides and labor for monitoring and implementing S. frontalis management.

The billbug, Sphenophorus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest complex in sod farms in Georgia. Larval feeding within stolons and on roots affects spring recovery of slow-growing zoysiagrass and poses a serious challenge to machine harvesting, as the damaged turfgrass rarely holds together. Little is known about major billbug species and their seasonal occurrence and abundance in Georgia sod farms, as most previous research was conducted in golf courses in the region. In 2018 and 2019, adult billbugs were sampled from five zoysiagrass sod field sites in central Georgia. Four linear pitfall traps were used per site from February to December each year, and the traps were checked at weekly intervals. The data show that >98% of the sampled billbugs were the hunting billbug, Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden, whereas the nutgrass billbug, Sphenophorus cariosus Olivier; uneven billbug, Sphenophorus inaequalis Say; and vegetable weevil, Listroderes difficilis Germain were the minor species. Seasonal billbug capture was influenced by turfgrass phenology (e.g., early-growth-stage, late-growth-stage or fully grown turfgrass). The numbers of Sphenophorus spp. collected were significantly greater in the fully grown turfgrass than in the early- or late-growth-stage turfgrasses. Significantly greater densities of billbug were found in Zoysia matrella (L.) Merrill (‘Zeon’) and the Z. matrella × Zoysia pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & S. Kuroki hybrid (‘Emerald’) than in the Zoysia japonica (Steudel) cultivars ‘El Toro’ and ‘Zenith’. Similar numbers of male and female billbugs were collected from the sod field sites.

We explore the intentions of farmers’ pesticide use by using expanded versions of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). We added variables such as farmers’ knowledge about pesticides, moral norms, progressive farming approach, farm size, farming experience, and formal education of the farmers as additional predictors in the original TPB model. We interviewed 390 cotton farmers in Multan and used a hierarchical multiple regression modeling framework to run a series of multiple regression models (based on original and expanded versions of TPB) and found that the expanded TPB models with the addition of, (a) farmers’ knowledge of pesticides (R2 change = 0.089, F change(2, 384) = 24.8, p 2 change = 0.037, F change(1, 383) = 21.5, p 2 change = 0.032, F change(3, 380) = 6.4, p t = 6.320, p < 0.01), and progressive farming approach (β = 2.80, t = 5.834, p

Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important pest of strawberry in the central coast of California. Both adults and nymphs of L. hesperus feed on developing strawberry fruits causing cat-faced fruits (unmarketable). Although multiple tactics, such as vacuuming with tractor-mounted vacuum machine or the application of an insecticide, are used to manage L. hesperus, the combined effects of these tactics have not been thoroughly examined. Furthermore, the use of an electrostatic sprayer for L. hesperus management has not been tested. The objectives of the present study were to determine 1) the individual and combined effects of sulfoxaflor insecticide and vacuuming on L. hesperus and their feeding damage, and 2) the efficacy of sulfoxaflor when sprayed using an electrostatic sprayer at various rates of water volume against L. hesperus. The results showed that the vacuum alone did not reduce L. hesperus populations to untreated control (UTC). The treatments that involved sulfoxaflor, both individually and when combined with the vacuum reduced the number of L. hesperus and percentage cat-faced fruits compared to UTC. Neither the “bug vac” nor the sulfoxaflor had any impact on the capture of predaceous heteropterans and spiders compared to UTC. In various water volume treatments applied using electrostatic sprayer, the number of L. hesperus nymphs and percentage of cat-face fruits was significantly lower than in UTC treatment and was comparable to conventional sprayer. The numbers of predaceous heteropteran and spider captures were not significantly different between the treatments applied using electrostatic versus conventional sprayers. These results implies that effective insecticide will continue to the best tactic to reduce L. hesperus and damage. Use of electrostatic sprayer has a potential whereas, vacuum method will need further refinement for L. hesperus control.

Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a stink bug species that preferentially attacks cruciferous crops. Because organic growers have limited insecticide tools for combating B. hilaris, the lethal and sublethal effects of organically approved insecticide products and their selected combinations against B. hilaris were examined in laboratory and field settings. In a topical spray assay, spinosad, either alone or in combination with pyrethrins, azadirachtin, and potassium salts, resulted in >95% mortality relative to the water-only treatment 48 h postapplication; whereas, stand-alone pyrethrins and azadirachtin failed to cause similar mortality rates. When adults were exposed to treated broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Blenck) seedlings for 48 h after 0, 1, and 7 d of application, the number of feeding injury sites was significantly lower with the combined treatment of spinosad, pyrethrins, and azadirachtin than those on seedlings treated with water alone at 0 and 1 d p...

Protaphorura fimata Gisin (Poduromorpha: Onychiuridae) is a serious pest of lettuce [Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae)] in the Salinas Valley of California. Because P. fimata is a subterranean springtail species adapted to soil environments, individuals are assumed to be able to sense and behaviorally avoid insecticide-treated soil, and this capacity could be used strategically to control P. fimata. A series of laboratory bioassays was conducted to examine the behavior of P. fimata with respect to insecticides via noncontact and contact assays. In the noncontact assay, significantly more P. fimata individuals were collected away from the insecticide source than closer to the source (P < 0.05) when clothianidin, flonicamid, bifenthrin, diamethoate, essential oils, extracts of C. subtsugae, methomyl, chlorpyrifos, zeta-cypermethrin, thiamethoxam, pyrethrins, extracts of Burkholderia spp., cyantraniliprole, and oxamyl were used as insecticides. In the contact assay, P. fimata individuals spent significantly less time on discs treated with spinetoram and lambda-cyhalothrin during each crossing than on flonicamid- and oxamyl-treated discs. P. fimata individuals changed direction more frequently while crossing discs when the discs were treated with azadirachtin, clothianidin, bifenthrin, thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, cyantraniliprole, and lambda-cyhalothrin than when they were treated with water. In another contact assay, the number of seedlings injured by P. fimata feeding was significantly lower when germinating seeds were enclosed in a barrier treated with clothianidin, chlopyrifos, pyrethrins, and cyantraniliprole than when they were enclosed in a spinosad-treated barrier. The implications of these data for P. fimata management in the Salinas Valley are discussed.

Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a serious invasive stink bug species in the central coast region of California. Although B. hilaris can be effectively managed using synthetic insecticides, organic growers have limited effective tools to manage this pest. Little is known about repellent effects of essential oils on adult B. hilaris; thus, repellent effect of citronellal, lemongrass oil, geraniol, peppermint oil, thyme oil, rosemary oil, pine needle oil, and vetiver acetate was examined using olfactormeter. In the choice assay, most of the essential oils did not elicit repellency to both female and male adult B. hilaris except geraniol because significantly more B. hilaris chose the empty arm of the olfactometer than the arm with geraniol. Implications of essential oils on B. hilaris management are discussed.

Larval stages of cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), attack the roots of Brassica crops and cause severe economic damage. In the Salinas Valley of California, Brassica crops are often planted after successive lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crops. The interval between postharvest soil incorporation of lettuce residue and the subsequent Brassica crop can be as short as 7 d, which could influence D. radicum infestation on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck). In 2014 and 2015, the effect of intervals between crops (IBC) on D. radicum infestation was evaluated. The treatments were 7, 20, 33, and 48 d IBC, and NL (no lettuce), 7, 21, 36, and 49 d IBC in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Insect counts and feeding damage on broccoli was assessed during 3-6 wk after planting. Adult Delia fly captures were significantly greater at 7 d than 36-49 d IBC in both years. In both years, D. radicum eggs collected were significantly greater at 7 d than at 33 d or 36 d IBC plots. Larvae collected were significantly greater at 7 d IBC than all other treatments in 2014, but not in 2015. Similarly, severity of feeding injury was significantly greater in 7 d than 33 d or 48 d IBC in 2014, but not in 2015. In 2015, broccoli with no prior lettuce had significantly lower Delia flies and D. radicum egg densities than 7 d or 21 d IBC. The implication of these results as a cultural control tactic for D. radicum infestation is discussed.