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Population outbreaks and failures in controlling Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) were reported on ornamental plants in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We compared the susceptibility of two T. urticae field populations collected from commercial nurseries with a laboratory population to one new generation (cyflumetofen) and two conventional (abamectin and pyridaben) acaricides. The field populations were collected from hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Malvaceae) and croton (Codiaeum variegatum, Euphorbiaceae). Resistance ratios based on LC50 values of the field and laboratory populations revealed high resistance levels to the two conventional acaricides (9.64 and 19.28-fold abamectin, 12.34 and 34.08-fold pyridaben), and low levels (1.88 and 2.39-fold) of cyflumetofen resistance in the hibiscus and the croton populations, respectively. Rotation of acaricides with different modes of action and biological control should be implemented to mitigate T. urticae resistance problems in ornamentals in south Florida.

A profile of the hibiscus bud weevil intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. The hibiscus bud weevil, a pest of China rose hibiscus, originates from northeastern Mexico and southern Texas and can cause large economic losses to hibiscus growers. This fact sheet provides nursery owners, homeowners, and other interested people with information on this serious pest.

Nephaspis oculata (Blatchley, 1917) is a whitefly predator which has been reported feeding on several whitefly species. In South Florida, it attacks rugose spiraling whitefly, an invasive pest of urban trees which was first reported in the United States in 2009. The management of rugose spiraling whitefly relies heavily on the use of insecticides which may negatively impact biological control agents. We studied the effect of bifenthrin (spray) and imidacloprid (drench) application on survival, fecundity, and behavior of N. oculata in the laboratory. Adult beetles survived significantly longer in control and systemic imidacloprid compared to bifenthrin treatment, but there was no significant difference between control and systemic imidacloprid applications. However, the fecundity of beetles in the imidacloprid treatment was significantly lower than the control. There was no significant difference between the survival of beetles in bifenthrin and control treatments 3 mo post application. Beetles avoided bifenthrin-treated leaves but did not avoid systemic imidacloprid-treated in a no-choice test. Also, beetles' feeding rate on bifenthrin-treated rugose spiraling whitefly nymphs was significantly lower in a no-choice test. In the choice test, there was a significant difference in feeding rates on whiteflies between choices of bifenthrin/control but no significant difference in the control/control or in imidacloprid/control treatments. The results from this study shows that while systemic imidacloprid has sublethal effects on N. oculata, it does not significantly affect mortality of adult beetles in the tri-trophic system tested. Therefore, using systemic imidacloprid and N. oculata for controlling rugose spiraling whitefly might be compatible or at least not significantly incompatible.

A species of scale insect new to Florida is potentially one of the most devastating pests of trees and shrubs in the state's history. The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), a scale insect native to India and Sri Lanka, was found for the first time in Florida in August 1999 by personnel of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (DPI) (Hamon 2001). This document is EENY-276, one of a series of the Department of Entomology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date printed: November 2002. Revised: May 2004. EENY-276/IN471: Lobate Lac Scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae) (ufl.edu)

Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a troublesome pest of agronomic, vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Scirtothrips dorsalis dispersal and monitoring were evaluated under field and greenhouse conditions in Homestead and Apopka, Florida, in 2007. A field test examined dispersal from Knock-Out® rose, Rosa ‘Radrazz’ (Rosaceae), onto green buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae), and ‘Emerald Green’ schefflera, Schefflera arboricola Forst & Forst ‘Emerald Green’ (Araliaceae). Fewer adults were caught in traps set north, east, or south than west of rose plants corresponding to the average wind direction. Scirtothrips dorsalis flights increased during the morning to early afternoon, peaked about 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST, then decreased to almost no flights by 8:00 p.m. Warmer temperature and lower humidity corresponded to more adults caught per hour with most flights occurring after the accumulation of 300 degree-hours. ‘Emerald Green’ schefflera was...

Nephaspis oculata (Blatchley) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a predatory lady beetle that has been studied for biological control of whiteflies. Here, we studied the feeding rate and development of this beetle on rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), an invasive whitefly species that was first found in the United States in 2009. The objective of our study was to measure the feeding rate of N. oculata on rugose spiraling whitefly and compare the egg-to-adult development on eggs and nymphs. Our results showed that N. oculata is able to complete its development from egg to adult solely on rugose spiraling whitefly. At 26.7 °C, immature (1st to 4th instars combined) beetles consumed an average of 245.7 ± 14.4 rugose spiraling whitefly eggs prior to pupation. Adult beetles consumed 50.6 ± 1.8 eggs per day. There was no difference between the feeding rate of adult males and females or between immature males and females. Larvae searched for prey by sweep...

Summary The rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a polyphagous pest that has caused significant damage in the Florida landscape. Various plants have been identified as primary hosts in affected areas. Rugose spiraling whitefly was confirmed in 22 counties, and surveys for biological control agents have found several important natural enemies and other species that collectively provide appreciable control of this whitefly pest.

To safely solve a pest problem, growers and pesticide applicators must be aware of the potential impacts of some pest-control strategies on bees, other pollinators, and beneficial arthropods. This 14-page fact sheet written by J. D. Ellis, J. Klopchin, E. Buss, and others and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department explains the issue and provides strategies to protect honey bees and other beneficial insects from pesticides. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1027

Includes: Introduction - Synonymy - Distribution - Description and Biology - Hosts - Damage - Management - Selected References Also available on the Featured Creatures website at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/Aleurotrachelus_trachoides.htm

The lychee erinose mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae), is an important pest of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.; Sapindaceae). Its recent interception in Lee County, Florida, USA, resulted in a quarantine whereby no lychee material, including fruit, can be transferred outside the county. Therefore, there is an urgent need for post-harvest treatments that can disinfest the fruit of the pest. Results of this study indicate that post-harvest dips in paraffinic oil solutions, 3 and 5%, for 60 s can achieve complete disinfestation of lychee fruit of A. litchii motile stages as well as other arthropods. In both ‘Mauritius' and ‘Brewster’ cultivars the treatments had a beneficial effect on fruit quality for the first 10 d after treatment. Post-harvest dips in paraffinic oil showed effective control of A. litchii without a noticeable reduction in fruit quality. Hence, this treatment might allow growers in Lee County to transport lychee fruit outside the quarantine zone.

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a polyphagous pest that damages many tropical crops. It is a native of Central America and spread to the Caribbean region and South America in the 1990s; since then it has accidentally been introduced to some islands in the Pacific region and some countries in Africa and Asia. We recorded its presence in China for the first time in 2013 from Guangdong Province and Yunnan Province in southern and southwestern China, respectively. Our genetic analysis revealed that only 1 haplotype of P. marginatus has been recorded in all of Asia, including China, reflecting the very recent invasion of P. marginatus in Asia. This study also includes a summary of the global geographical distribution of P. marginatus.

A pilot study was conducted on a weeping fig, Ficus benjamina shrub hedge in a Florida urban landscape to determine the efficacy of a fungal biopesticide, PFR-97&trade, which contains blastospores of Isaria fumosorosea, and a neonicotinoid treatment (Admire Pro&trade, ) applied against the invasive ficus whitefly pest, Singhiella simplex (Singh). Post treatment, an ecological assessment of the study was conducted by observing the impact of the fungal biopesticide and neonicotinoid treatment on natural enemies, e.g., predators, parasitoids and enzootic fungal pathogens occurring in the whitefly-infested hedge. Both treatments provided a significant reduction in the whitefly population compared to control and were compatible with the natural enemies present. Various natural enemies including fungal entomopathogens were identified associated with the whitefly population infesting the weeping fig hedge. The parasitoids, Encarsia protransvena Viggiani and Amitus bennetti Viggiani &amp, Evans combined parasitized a similar mean number of whitefly nymphs in both treatments and control, however, the number parasitized decreased over time. Natural enzootic fungi isolated from the ficus whitefly nymphs were I. fumosorosea, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Lecanicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Results from this pilot study suggest there is much potential for using repeated applications of the fungal biopesticide, PFR-97&trade, as a foliar spray compared to a neonicitionid as a soil drench for managing S. simplex on Ficus species for &ge, 28 days.

Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an invasive species that underwent a period of outbreak in southern Florida (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, and Monroe counties) between 2010 and 2013. It infested numerous plant species in the landscape and nurseries of southern Florida and became a nuisance and economically damaging species in many urban areas. In order to study its oviposition preference, an experiment was conducted in a shadehouse using 5 known host plant species, namely coconut, Cocos nucifera L. (Aurecaceae); gumbo limbo, Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Burceraceae); avocado, Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae); black olive, Bucida buceras L. (Combretaceae) var. ‘Shady Lady;' and giant white bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai Regel & Korn (Strelitziaceae). Gumbo limbo was the most preferred and giant white bird of paradise was the least preferred of the host plant species. This is consistent with survey data on frequency of plants serving on hosts provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Division of Plant Industry. There was a significant difference between the number of eggs per spiral among host species with gumbo limbo having the highest number of eggs per spiral. No significant correlation was found between the leaf size and the number of eggs on each host species. A strong and significant correlation was found between the number of spirals and the number of eggs per plant species. Adult females deposited the first eggs on source plants, and later oviposited on test host plants, but always returned back to their eclosion site on the source plant. No statistically significant difference was found among the survival of rugose spiraling whitefly on different host plant species tested.

In south Florida nurseries, trees are often grown in marl soil, which is heavy, clay-like, calcareous soil that is slow to drain and prone to periodic flooding during the rainy season. Green buttonwood, mahogany, pond apple and Surinam cherry are grown in this soil. We tested effects of flooding on leaf gas exchange and growth of these four species to determine their flood tolerances in marl soil. Green buttonwood, mahogany, and Surinam cherry each had consistently lower leaf gas exchange and plant growth in flooded than in non-flooded marl soil, which suggests low tolerance to flooding. In contrast, flooding had little or no effect on leaf gas exchange and growth of pond apple, indicating that this species was tolerant of flooding in marl soil. Green buttonwood and pond apple had larger stem diameters and more hypertrophic stem lenticels when flooded than when not flooded. Flooded green buttonwood also developed adventitious roots. Pond apple appears to be a good choice for planting in low-lying areas in marl soil typical of outdoor nurseries in south Florida. In contrast, care should be taken to avoid planting green buttonwood, mahogany, and Surinam cherry in marl soil in flood-prone areas.

This study was conducted to determine the density, the incidence of parasitism, and the generalist predator assemblage of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), on orange jasmine plants [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] in the residential landscape of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Flush shoots (10 cm) were collected from ten orange jasmine hedges in each of the four communities (Doral, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and Homestead). We did not detect any consistent pattern in the fluctuation of psyllid density over time in the four communities. The greatest densities of eggs (65.5 ± 36.3 eggs/shoot), early instars (first to third) (87.2 ± 47.8 nymphs/shoot), and late instars (fourth and fifth) (16.9 ± 9.3 nymphs/shoot) were detected on 24 May 2006 in Palmetto Bay (egg) and Doral (early and late instars). The density of adult psyllids remained below two individuals per flush shoot at all locations for the entire sampling period. There were no consistent correlations bet...

Taylor’s power law and Iwao’s patchiness regression were used to analyze spatial distribution of eggs of the Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), on silver buttonwood trees, Conocarpus erectus, during 1997 and 1998. Taylor’s power law and Iwao’s patchiness regression provided similar descriptions of variance-mean relationship for egg distribution within trees. Sample size requirements were determined. Information presented in this paper should help to improve accuracy and efficiency in sampling of the weevil eggs in the future.

The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) was first found in south Florida in 1999. Reported hosts are present in the germplasm collection located at the USDA/ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, and the scale was first found there in the summer of 2002. A study was initiated to determine the spatio-temporal dynamics of a lobate lac scale infestation at SHRS from Jul 2003 to Jul 2005. Numbers and percentages of viable adults, and reproductive success as indicated by ratio of nymphs to viable adults (

Our previous field studies suggested that the two chiral centers in the sex pheromone of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, could elicit different male responses. The chiral center in the acid moiety of the pheromone seemed to be more critical than the alcohol portion of the pheromone molecule for attractiveness. The objective of the current study was to test this hypothesis by deploying stereoisomeric blends in pheromone traps. Captures of male M. hirsutus showed that pheromone with the naturally occurring (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate [R-S configuration] was most attractive and that pheromone with the unnatural S-S configuration was less attractive. In addition, the RS-R blend (containing R-R and S-R stereoisomers) yielded captures of male M. hirsutus that were comparable to blank controls, and an inhibitory effect was observed when R-R and S-R were combined with naturally occurring R-S blend. These results suggest a unique chirality recognition mechanism; olfactory discrimination among different pheromone stereoisomers depends upon both asymmetric centers. The S configuration on the acid moiety elicits attraction, whereas the R configuration induces inhibition. However, the attractive activity shows some degree of tolerance toward chirality change in the alcohol portion of the pheromone molecules.

Numerous field studies were conducted in commercial nurseries in Tennessee from 1996 through 1999 to evaluate chemical and biological treatments, application timing and rates, and method of application for control of early instars of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman. Insecticide treatments included bifenthrin, bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, fipronil, halofenozide, imidacloprid, permethrin, tefluthrin, thiamethoxam, and trichlorfon. Biological treatments included entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 or H. marelatus, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subspecies japonensis Buibui strain, and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. All treatments were applied on the soil surface or injected into the soil around the base of each tree. Tree type and size varied among and within tests, however, the sampling unit (61-cm-diameter root ball) remained the same throughout all tests. The biological treatments provided poor-to-moderate control (0-75%) of Japanese beetle larvae. Imidacloprid was the most frequently evaluated insecticide and achieved 91-100, 87-100, 83-100, and 41-100% control with applications in May, June, July, and August, respectively. Halofenozide treatments were not significantly different from imidacloprid treatments with one exception. Halofenozide provided 60-87, 85-100, and 82-92 control with applications made in June, July, and August, respectively. Fipronil and thiamethoxam were evaluated to a lesser extent but both performed similarly to imidacloprid. Most other insecticide treatments were less successful in reducing numbers of Japanese beetle larvae and with few exceptions achieved50% control.

The infectivity of five nematodes [ Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae ) All and Mexican strains, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (= Steinernema bibionis ) N-27 strain, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (= Heterorhabditis heliothidis ) HP88 strain; and Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 strain (an undescribed nematode isolated in Florida)] were compared in three experimental arenas. Infectivity was determined by the number of infective juveniles established in Cylas formicarius (F.) larvae. The experimental arenas consisted of a standard petri plate/filter paper arena and a 30-ml vial filled with coarse construction sand or a Krome loam soil. Nematodes and individual larvae were placed at opposite ends in the vial. Larvae were replaced every 2 days for 16 days in all test arenas. Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 was more effective at establishing in larvae than all other nematodes in all three experimental arenas. There were significant differences in nematode establishment among experimental arenas for each nematode tested. Steinernema carpocapsae strains were favored in the petri plate arenas while Heterorhabditis spp./strains were favored in the sand arena. Nematode establishment increased with time for the first 4 to 8 days and then leveled off for the remaining test period for most nematode-bioassay combinations.

Within-root mortality of sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius (F.), by six strains of entomopathogenic nematodes in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae ( Steinernema carpocapsae \[Weiser\] \[= Neoaplectana carpocapsae, Steinemema Feltiae \] All and Mexican strains; Steinernema feltiae \[Filipjev\] \[= Steinemema bibionis \] N-27 strain; Steinernema glaseri [Steiner]; Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar [= Heterorhabditis heliothidis] HP88 strain; and Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 strain [an un-described nematode isolated in Florida]) was tested in several buried-root bioassays. The ability of nematodes to locate and kill weevils, and the location within the root where infection occurred, were measured. In addition, mortality of the weevils in roots that were artificially infested in the laboratory was compared with mortality in naturally infested roots from the field using two concentrations of one nematode ( s. carpocapsae Mexican strain). In general, the heterorhabditid nematodes caused higher levels of mortality within the root than the steinernematids. Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 strain killed the highest proportion of weevils in the shortest period of time. Similar differences among nematodes were seen in the inner portion (½ radius) of the storage roots, as well as ill the outer portion. Although weevil mortality in the artificially infested roots was greater than in the naturally infested roots, the trends in mortality were similar; we observed increased mortality in the nematode treatments compared with the control and no difference in mortality between the two nematode concentrations.

Ten entomopathogenic nematode species or strains in the families Stein-ernematidae and Heterorhabditidae-Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser), Agriotos, All, Breton, Italian, and Mexican strains; Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev), N27 strain; Steinernema intermedia (Poinar); Heterorhabditis bacteriophora , Poinar, HP88, and North Carolina strains; and an unidentified Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 strain-were compared in the laboratory against the sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius (F.). Although all nematodes tested could kill sweetpotato weevils, there were differences among the nematodes. Larval LC50S were low for most nematodes tested (< 10 infective juveniles per insect). The heterorhabditid nematodes included the most virulent nematode (unidentified Heterorhabditis sp. FL2122 strain), and the least virulent nematode ( H. bacteriophora North Carolina strain). Heterorhabditid nematodes were more pathogenic to pupae than were steinemematid nematodes. Weevil adults were the least susceptible stage to nematode infection. With the exception of S. carpocapsae All strain, adult mortality was < 6% for all nematodes. Adult mortality by All strain ranged from 25 to 60% depending on the nematode concentration applied. Male weevils accounted for 96-100% of the adult mortality by All strain. Larval mortality from nematode infection increased significantly over a 4-d period for all nematodes with the exception of S. feltiae , which caused high mortality within 24 h. Heterorhabditid nematodes produced Significantly more infective juveniles per cadaver than did steinernematid nematodes. The importance of these data for selecting suitable nematodes for biological control of the sweetpotato weevil is discllssed.

The hypothesis that herbivory by Diaprepes root weevil larvae reduces leaf gas exchange and biomass was tested on buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.), Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.), mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni Jacq.), and pond apple (Annona glabra L). For Surinam cherry, net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, but not internal CO2 concentration (collectively referred to as leaf gas exchange values), were 7-32% higher in noninfested than infested plants. For buttonwood, all four gas exchange values were 10-54% higher for noninfested than infested plants 3 h after infestation with large, seventh-instar larvae. However, by 4 wk after this infestation, net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, but not internal CO2 concentration, were 11-37% higher for infested than for noninfested plants. For mahogany and pond apple, there were few or no significant differences in leaf gas exchange values between infested and noninfested plants. For all species, mean shoot and root fresh and dry weights were higher for noninfested than infested plants, with the differences most significant for buttonwood (37-85% higher), followed by Surinam cherry (37-143% higher), mahogany (49-84% higher), and pond apple (24-46% higher), which had no significant differences. There were significant differences among plant species in mean head capsule widths, thus larval instars, of larvae recovered from soil with the largest larvae from Surinam cherry (2.59 +/- 0.19 mm) and the smallest from mahogany (2.29 +/- 0.06 mm). Based on differences in leaf gas exchange and plant biomass between infested and noninfested plants of the four species tested, buttonwood and Surinam cherry are the most vulnerable to feeding by Diaprepes larvae followed by mahogany then pond apple.

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a highly polyphagous pest that invaded Florida in 2002 and has recently been reported from several locations in Louisiana. Although identification of its sex pheromone in 2004 improved monitoring capabilities tremendously, the effectiveness and efficiency of different pheromone trap designs for capturing males has not been evaluated. We deployed green Delta, Pherocon IlB, Pherocon V, Jackson, and Storgard Thinline traps in Homestead, FL, and compared the number of male M. hirsutus captured per trap, the number captured per unit of trapping surface area, the amount of extraneous material captured, and the time taken to count trapped mealybugs. Pheromone-baited traps with larger trapping surfaces (green Delta, Pherocon IIB, and Pherocon V) captured more males per trap than those with smaller surfaces (Jackson and Storgard Thinline), and fewest males were captured by Storgard Thinline traps. However, Jackson traps captured as many or more males per square centimeter of trapping surface as those with larger surfaces, and the time required to count males in Jackson traps was significantly less than in green Delta, Pherocon IIB, and Pherocon V traps. Although all trap designs accumulated some debris and nontarget insects, it was rated as light to moderate for all designs. Based on our measures of effectiveness and efficiency, the Jackson trap is most suitable for monitoring M. hirsutus populations. Additionally, unlike the other traps evaluated, which must be replaced entirely or inspected in the field and then redeployed, only the sticky liners of Jackson traps require replacement, enhancing the efficiency of trap servicing.

ENY-837, an 8-page illustrated fact sheet by J. E. Peña, C. M. Mannion, F. W. Howard and M. A. Hoy, describes this important pest of coconut fruit in many tropical countries, with recent findings in the Caribbean. Damage, description of stages, life cycle, seasonality, dispersal, host plants, chemical control, natural enemies, pathogens, and detection are discussed. Includes references and table of host plants. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2006.

lished in the state (Halbert & Manjunath 2005). It is considered one of the most serious pests of citrus when the pathogens that cause citrus greening, which can vector, are also present (Halbert & Manjunath 2005). Diaphorina citri is an oligophagous species with a host range within genera in the family Rutaceae, e.g.,Aegle, Aeglopsis, Afraegle, Atalantia, Balsamocitrus, Citropsis, Citrus, Clausena, Murraya, Fortunella, Linonia, Merrillia, Microcitrus, Pamburus, Poncirus, Severinia, and Swinglea (Viraktamath & Bhumannavar 2002; Tirtawidjaja 1981; Koizumi et al.1996; Chavan & Summanwar 1993; Aubert 1990a,b; Lim et al. 1990; Garnier & Bove 1993; Halbert & Manjunath 2005). In addition to these host plant associations, Shivankar et al. (2000) reported D. citri on jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophylus Lamarek, which is in the family Moraceae (Crane et al. 2002). Because there have been no other reports of D. citri infestating A. heterophylus in Florida, nor anywhere D. citri has been observed, we investigated A. heterophylus as a host plant ofD. citri. Field surveys were initiated in the fall of 2005. On Sep 30, 2005 samples of A. heterophylus and orange jasmine, Murraya paniculata, a known host of D. citri, were collected in Miami-Dade County. Ten 10-cm shoots were collected from each of two jackfruit trees located approximately 28 m from a hedge of orange jasmine. Twenty 10cm shoots also were collected from the orange jasmine hedge. Shoots were placed in individual bags and examined under a microscope to determine the numbers of eggs, nymphs, and adults per sample. The mean numbers of D. citri collected from

Una especie de insecto de escama que es nueva en la Florida es potencialmente una de las plagas más devastadoras de arboles y arbustos en la historia del estado. La escama lobada de laca, Paratachardina lobata (Chamberlin)(Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), un insecto de escama nativo de la India y Sri Lanka, se encontró por primera vez en la Florida en agosto de 1999 por personal del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios para Consumidores, División de Industria de Plantas (DIP)(Hamon 2001). This document is EENY-309, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: September 2003. Revised: April 2004, May 2004. EENY-309/IN586: La Escama Lobada de Laca, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan (Insecta: Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae) (ufl.edu)

Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), feeds on a variety of ornamental plants grown in southern Florida. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of root feeding by D. abbreviatus larvae on leaf gas exchange and growth of three ornamental tree species commonly grown in southern Florida that are known hosts of this weevil: green buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus L.; live oak, Quercus virginiana Mill.; and pygmy date palm, Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien. These hosts were grown in containers and infested with weevil larvae. Net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance of CO, were measured monthly. Leaf, stem, and root fresh and dry weights of each species also were determined. In one of two tests, larval root feeding significantly reduced net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance of CO2 of infested green buttonwood trees. Leaf gas exchange of live oak was not affected by larval infestation. In addition to testing cumulative effects of multiple infestations of larvae, the effects of incremental infestations on leaf gas exchange and fresh and dry weights also were tested for each plant species. Net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance of CO2, and dry weights of green buttonwood were reduced as a result of larval root feeding, whereas there was no effect of incremental larval infestations on leaf gas exchange of live oak or pygmy date palm within the experimental time frame. There was no effect of incremental larval infestations on dry weights of live oak, but leaf, stem, and dry root weight of pygmy date palm were lower for infested plants than for noninfested plants. Overall, green buttonwood was more susceptible to larval root feeding damage than either live oak or pygmy date palm.