Insects
Aphids
Q: I have these small, black insects all over the buds of my hibiscus plant. What are they and how do I control them?
A: Identifying the insects was easy since you brought a clipping of one of the buds
into the Nassau County Extension Yulee satellite office plant clinic. The insects are aphids, which are small pear-shaped creatures that pierce into the plant material and remove vital nutrients. After looking at them on under the stereoscope however, we discovered something interesting. You mentioned you had not used any pesticide on the plant because you wanted to hear from me first. What we discovered was the aphids were being eaten by two syrphid fly larvae. These larvae are legless and look similar to other fly maggots but they vary in color and patterning. Most have a yellow longitudinal stripe on the back. It is fairly easy to see the difference between syrphid fly larvae and caterpillars. Syrphid larvae have no legs and the skin is opaque which provides a “window” to see their internal organs. The larvae can feed on hundreds of aphids in a month, which makes them very important for keeping aphids under control. The presence of the syrphid fly larvae indicates a healthy eco-system in your yard. I would leave well enough alone. Applying pesticides to the plants would also destroy the syrphid larvae and the natural balance you have achieved would be disrupted. Adult syrphid flies mimic bees as they have a black and yellow striped abdomen but they do not bite or sting. The syrphid fly adults feed on nectar and pollen. There are a few characteristics to watch for if you want to be able to determine if you have a fly or a bee. Flies have large compound eyes but bees have simple eyes. The antennae on the fly are short but bee antennae are longer. Bees have two sets of wings, flies only have one set.
Q: I am growing Anna apples and I found these tiny insects on the underside of the leaf. Can you tell me what they are?
A: The insects on the ‘Anna’ apple leaves are aphids. They are feeding on the plant juices in the leaf and causing the leaf to curl. There are dozens of them under one tiny leaf. Aphids do not require a male to reproduce and the young are born live, skipping the normal insect egg stage. Aphids can be controlled by applying horticulture oil on undersides of new leaf growth. More than one application may be necessary. Notice the aphids are attracted to new leaves as these leaves are most tender. Horticulture oil should be applied during the morning or early evening hours. Avoid applying oil in the heat of the day as this could damage the leaves. Remember to read and follow the directions on the pesticide label. ‘Anna’ is a good apple choice for Florida as are ‘Dorsett Golden’ and ‘TropicSweet’. Apples grown in Florida require a pollinator so use ‘Dorsett Golden’ to cross with ‘Anna’ or ‘TropicSweet’ to produce mature fruit. Fertilize in January and June. Irrigate 4-5 inches under the tree canopy once a week if sufficient rainfall does not occur.
Ants
Q: Can you tell me what kind of ant I have found?
A: The ant you brought into the office is
called a crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis, 
occurs
in large numbers in homes or outdoors. They often forage long distances
away from their nests, so nests are often difficult to control. The
name "crazy ant" arises from its characteristic erratic
and rapid movement not following trails as often as other ants. The
crazy ant is not native to the United States but originally from
Asian or African. In the United States the crazy ant can be
found from Florida to South Carolina and west to Texas. The antennae
of the crazy ant have 12-segments without a club and are extremely
long. The stinger is lacking but the crazy may bite an intruder and
curve its abdomen forward to inject a formic acid secretion onto
the wound. On warm, humid evenings, large numbers of males gather
outside nest entrances and may mill about excitedly. Workers patrol
vegetation and other structures nearby. Workers feed on live and
dead insects, seeds, honeydew, fruits, and many household foods.
The crazy ant thrives in places such as gasoline stations, convenience
stores, and sidewalk cafes where workers may be seen transporting
crumbs and insects attracted to lights. They obtain honeydew by tending
aphids, mealybugs, and soft scales. In cold climates, the ants
nest in apartments and other buildings where they are potential pests
year round. The crazy ant is highly adaptable, living in both very
dry and rather moist habitats. It nests in such places as trash,
refuse, cavities in plants and trees, rotten wood, in soil under
objects and also have been found under debris left standing in buildings
for long periods of time. Non-chemical control is based on exclusion
through good housekeeping practices and cleanliness eliminating food
sources. Crazy ants nest outdoors so prevention of their entrance
by caulking exterior penetrations and weather-stripping may aid in
their control. Indoors chemical controls are based on baits, dusts,
and spot treatments with residual sprays. Outdoor treatments include
chemical formulations as baits, granules, dusts, and sprays. Read
and follow label instructions and precautions before using any insecticide.
Q: I have found small brown insects in a tree
stump in my yard. Do I need to be concerned about them infesting
my house? 
A: The insects you found are actually tiny ants, Cyphomyrmex rimosus. These insects were so tiny I had to look at them under a stereoscope. This was the first time I had seen this particular ant – they are quite menacing. Colonies can be polygynous, which means they have more than one queen. Workers forage on the surface of the ground, harvesting small insect parts and caterpillar droppings to use as substrate for fungal gardens. This is a good time to discuss the importance of insects. All ants are not the invasive fire ant which gives us so many problems. In face, very few insects cause problems to humans but unfortunately all the insects take a bad rap for the minute number of trouble makers. That seems to be true with humans too – sorry I digress. These insects play an important role by aiding in the decomposition of dead insects. It is important that we take a “live and let live” attitude so the good guys aren’t killed along with the bad insects. C. rimosus is the most abundant species in open areas, replaced in abundance by C. salvini in wet forest habitats. Nests are in the soil, under stones, or under dead wood on the ground. So, to answer your question - you do not need to worry about this insect, in fact we would classify it as a beneficial.
Q: What is this insect and what kind of insecticide can I use to kill it?
A: This is a beautiful example of the velvet ant
or cow killer, which in reality is neither an 
ant
nor a cow killer. Actually, the velvet ant belongs to the wasp family.
The name “cow killer” comes from the tremendous pain
inflicted by the sting of the velvet ant which seemed strong enough
to “kill a cow.” Of course it cannot kill a cow or a
human and probably seldom ever stung a cow. By the way, only female
velvet ants have the capacity to sting. Velvet ants are solitary
creatures unlike their cousins the bees. Adults feed on nectar but
the larvae’s main food is burrowing beetle and bee larvae.
Velvet ants are not aggressive but the female will sting if she is
provoked. Velvet ants do not cause plant or property damage and should
be left alone. If a chemical control is needed you may try a contact
insecticide normally used on wasps or yellow jackets. Thanks for
bringing this lovely wasp into the office. I look forward to using
it when I teach my insect programs to local youth. Few youth or adults
have seen this creature and I like to use every opportunity I can
to instruct people on local fauna.
Assassin Bug
Q: I have found these insects on some of my plants and one of them bit me. Is it poisonous?
A: 
The
insect you brought me is an assassin bug and although his name sounds
menacing he is beneficial to man because
he hunts insects that cause tremendous damage to our plants. We called
these types of insects predators, which are organisms that consume
more than one prey. Assassin bugs are characterized by the elongated,
narrow head with the three-segmented beak folded back under the head.
Probably the most distinguishing character of hemiptera is the wing
structure, which generally has the front wings overlapping and lying
flat on the back over the membranous hind wings. These insects are
commonly found hunting on ornamental and fruit trees. The hairs of
the front legs of this species secrete a sticky substance which probably
aids in capturing its prey. Assassin bugs feed upon aphids, spittlebug
adults, fall webworms, and other insects which makes them a valuable
asset in the garden. They are not poisonous, but the conenose variety,
while biting, can can harbor in its excretions a protozoan known
as Trypanosoma cruzi--the cause of Chagas' disease, which now has
been confirmed/identified in the United States.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2082.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/chagasdisease/factsht_chagas_disease.htm
http://www.tulane.edu/~wiser/protozoology/download/cruzi_hnd.PDF
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_6_114/ai_n14867767
The best thing to do is avoid contact with them and wear gloves when gardening.
Bees
Q: I have found several small bees hovering in my lawn. They are white and black so I know they are not yellow jackets. They don’t seem to be aggressive but I wonder if I should be concerned?
A: You know how much I enjoy seeing insects
and this one was particularly interesting
as
they were the first I had seen since I have began working in Nassau
County 5 years ago. These insects are probably one of the andrenid
bees, most likely a male, Anthophora urbana . These
bees are solitary, ground-nesting insects.
The bees nest in the ground in cylindrical tunnels dug by the females.
A large group of bees frequently nests in a small area where the
grass or ground cover is thin. Entrance to the tunnels is marked
with small piles of soil. The opening to the nest will be approximately
as small as the diameter of a pencil to the size of your index finger. It
seems strange to call them solitary when they build large nests in
one area but the solitary connotation means each female does her
own work to provide a nest cell with nectar and pollen as a food
for her offspring. Several females may cooperate to use a common
entrance tunnel and corridor. The bees are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch
long and variable in color (mostly dark, but some with markings of
white, yellow or reddish brown). The ones you brought me were covered
with fine, white hair and the stripes on the abdomen were also white. These
beautiful creatures are not a serious pest and therefore chemical
treatment is unnecessary unless they are in a high traffic area for
child’s play. The entrances to the tunnels may be disruptive
to the lawn but not usually damaging. It appears the grass is thin
because of the bees, but it is more likely the bees are in the area
because the grass was already thin. The threat of being stung by
these insects is usually highly overrated. The bees are docile and
not likely to sting unless handled or threatened. I released
yours in the Nassau County Extension Demonstration garden hoping
they might decide to stay – unfortunately, they quickly flew
away. I suspect they were so glad to be out of their class
prison, they did not take time to stop and visit the flowers. If
the grass in your yard is thin, you might need to talk to me about
how to care for your lawn grass.
Leafcutting Bee
Q: I was visiting my sister-in-law in
Ponte
Vedra a couple of days ago and she showed me a rose bush with damaged
leaves. The leaves were systematically bitten on the outside
edge and each bite was about half inch in diameter, perfectly
round except where the bite was made at the outer edge. She
took it to garden center at hardware store, they said the holes were
made by a bee and that was where they had built a nest and then left. What
do you think?
A: I suspect it is a Leaf-cutting bee ( Megachile
species). This bee chews on many plants such as the Virginia creeper
or ash trees but roses are a particular favorite. The cut out in
the leaf is always a neat elliptical shape which makes it easier
to identify than the cuts of beetles. The adult bees are more hairy
and broader than a honeybee.
Leaf-cutting
bee females are 10-15mm long and the underside of the abdomen is
covered in ginger hairs. The nests are made in tunnels in rotten
wood, hollow plant stems or in flower pots and seed trays, especially
where the compost has dried out. This is the work of leaf-cutting
bees that use the leaf segments in the construction of their nests.
Each leaf will be stocked with a mixture of nectar and pollen on
which the bee lays an egg, before capping the cell with circular
pieces of leaf. The process is repeated until the nest may contain
between 20 to 40 cells. These bees are solitary with each female
having her own individual nest that she constructs and provisions
on her own. The females have stingers but lack aggression and do
not chase or sting people. Most plants tolerate the damage, although
small plants may suffer a significant loss of leaf area. Like all
bees, leaf-cutters are beneficial in the garden as they act as pollinators
of flowers, so they should not be persecuted unnecessarily. If small
plants are suffering significant leaf loss, swat the bee when it
comes to collect another piece of leaf, cover the roses with netting
or “grin and bear it.” It is quite possible that all
the damage on a plant is due to a single bee, as it will repeatedly
visit a plant that has suitable leaves.
Beetles
Q I just moved here from New Hampshire and I brought my wool carpets with me. I now have tiny beetles all over my house and I suspect most of them came from this carpet. I never had a problem with insects in the past. What kind of insect is this?
A: First I want to welcome you to Northeast Florida.
It will take you a while to adjust to our weather conditions, but
I am sure you will come to love the mild climate. 
However
because our seasons are milder insects have an opportunity to produce
several generations each year and unless conditions are harsh insects
seldom stop breeding. The adult insect (Dermestidea) is
small, usually less than ¼ inch long. They feed mostly on
pollen and nectar and can be found on outdoor plants during the summer.
The larvae are very distinct, almost furry looking, because they
have dense tufts of long setae (bristles) at the end of their bodies.
Adult carpet beetles are commonly found indoors at windows. Carpet
beetle larvae often wander about the infested location, from room
to room, this behavior results in spreading the infestation throughout
the house. Eggs are laid in lint, behind and under baseboards, in
floor cracks, or other dark and protected locations. Eggs hatch in
one to three weeks. The larval stages cause damage to a variety of
material such as wool carpets and other wool products, furs, hides,
horns, feathers, hair, and silk. They will also feed on linen, cotton,
and rayon if these fabrics are soiled with juice, food, or animal
excreta and cereal products. The best way to attack a carpet beetle
problem is prevention. Vacuum regularly, do not store soiled fabrics,
and use moth crystals or flakes when storing wool or other potential
food of carpet beetles. When an infestation has become established,
it is necessary to locate the source of the infestation in the house
and discard all infested material.
Q: I am finding this tiny insect all over the kitchen. Can you tell me what it is?
A: This
beetle was so small it required a microscope to identify. The
antennae are the most distinguishing characteristic and once I could
see them, the insect was easy to label. It is the cigarette
beetle. The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne,
also known as the tobacco beetle, is a pest of stored products --
some were found in dried resin from the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamun.
Besides the dubious honor of being the most damaging pest of stored
tobacco, the cigarette beetle also is a major pest of many stored
food products including flours, dry mixes, dried fruits such as dates
and raisins, cereals, cocoa, coffee beans, herbs, spices, nuts, rice,
dry dog food and other products kept in kitchen cabinets. Non-food
products that it infests include dried plants and herbarium specimens,
dried floral arrangements, potpourri, decorative grapevine wreaths,
prescription drugs and pills, medicinal herbs, pinned insects, furniture
stuffing, papier-mâché‚ and bookbinding paste.
Residual insecticides registered for use on cigarette beetles can
be applied to cracks, crevices and shelves in storage areas after
removal of stored products (check labels for specific use). Insect
growth regulators (IGR) also are used as part of an Integrated Pest
Maintenance (IPM) program.
Q: I have an insect on my cleomes and they are eating it up. What is this insect?
A: I am so glad you brought this specimen in for
me to see. 
What
was equally exciting was to see the egg sacs too. While I was examining
the egg sacs, the nymphs began to hatch out – I was beside
myself! What you have on your plants is called the harlequin beetle.
It is a beautiful insect in all of its stages – even the eggs
are intriguingly striped black and white. The harlequin bug feeds
on its host plant by sucking the plant's juices. The literal "sucking-to-death" of
the host plant results in wilting, browning, and eventual death.
Throughout most of its range, the harlequin bug continues to feed
and reproduce during the entire year. The harlequin bug is an important
insect pest of cabbage and related crops in the southern half of
the United States. This pest has the ability to destroy the entire
crop where it is not controlled. Hand-picking and destruction of
the insect pests and egg masses may deter damage where low numbers
of insects are found.
 |
For those of you unfamiliar with the summer annual, Cleome it is a wonderful, hardy, old-fashioned garden plant. However, one of its downfalls is it can get tall and leggy, but some new dwarf varieties are being developed - ‘Linde Armstrong’ cleome. This new variety produces purple flowers and should prove to be a wonderful addition to your home garden. Check with your local nursery if you are interested in this annual. |
Q: I live in the historic district of Fernandina Beach and my pine floors have holes in them. I believe the holes were caused by powder post beetles; could you give me some information regarding these beetles?
A: The University of Florida has several publications
on 
wood
destroying insects such as beetles and termites. Replacement of your
wood floors and treatment can be very expensive; it may be beneficial
for you to get professional help from one of the local pesticide
companies. As a consumer, you can ask for estimated costs, what chemicals
they will be using and about the company’s guarantees and warranties.
Don’t be afraid to check with the Better Business Bureau regarding
complaints. Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations too. Nassau
County has several pesticide companies who work hard and strive to
maintain a good reputation. I hope all goes well, good luck.Check
out beetles: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG11;
termites: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG097 or
other wood destroying insects: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN035
Q: I found this large bug in my yard. Can you tell me what it is?
A: This large beetle is the probably the Eastern
Hercules beetle,
Dynastes
tityus (Linneaus). These beetles are about 1-½ to
2-½ inches long and colored yellowish or greenish-gray with
brown to black spots, rarely are they reddish-brown. Males have three
projections on the shield behind the head (pronotum) with the central
one the longest and nearly meeting an additional projection on the
head. You brought a female into the office and they have only small
raised areas (tubercles) in place of the horns. Larvae are
large C-shaped grubs similar to June beetles. Hercules beetles probably
produce only one generation every year or two. Larvae take most of
the year to develop and spend the winter underground. Adult beetles
are active in the summer. The mouthparts of these beetles are
made for chewing but it is the larvae that would do most of the feeding. The
larvae live in rotten logs or high organic matter conditions, especially
forest, shady areas. Adults do not seem to feed much but may eat
leaves of plants. The adult beetle has the ability to exude a foul
smelling odor when trying to evade predators. They often fall
prey to large birds such as owls or crow and the larvae are eaten
by woodpeckers. Eastern Hercules beetles are generally not
considered important ornamental or economic pests and therefore no
pesticide is required.
Q: What is the name of this insect?
A: Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful, 
iridescent
blue-green insect with me. This is one of the ground beetles
and I believe it could be the Fiery Searcher, Calosoma scrutator, or
Caterpillar Hunter. The caterpillar hunter is one of the largest
representatives of the ground beetles, and a common North American
species. Like other ground beetles it prefers cool, damp places
to live, and so is often found on the ground under rocks, logs,
leaves, bark, decomposing wood and other debris. However, the caterpillar
hunter will climb trees in search of their favorite prey, caterpillars.
Their most common prey includes tent caterpillars, gypsy moth caterpillars,
and other forest caterpillars. The caterpillar hunter generally
feeds at night and hides during the day. Adults may live up to
two or three years. The adult caterpillar hunter is 2.5 cm (1")
to 2.9 cm (1 3/8") in length, with a violet/blue luster on
the sides of the head and thorax. The wing covers (elytra) are
metallic green with red margins, and have fine grooves running
from front to back.
Q: I have found this beetle all over my flowers on several of my trees. I have never noticed it before. Should I be concerned?
A: "False
blister beetles," sometimes known also as "pollen feeding
beetles,"
are unique in that adults of all the approximately
1,000 species in the world are pollen feeders. They obtain their
common name because many species cause blisters when pinched or
squashed against the skin. Being pollen feeders, they are often
common on flowers. They are also attracted to lights. Oxycopis
mcdonaldi (Arnett) causes skin blistering and makes itself
a nuisance at resort areas where the beetles are attracted by night
lights around swimming pools, tennis courts, and open air restaurants.
Adults mate on flower heads during pollen feeding. Both sexes feed
on pollen but the female will not accept the male until her gut
is packed full of pollen. The pollen grain contents are then digested
and used in the manufacture of eggs. Eggs are laid under bark of
nearby trees. Larvae hatch, drop to the ground, bore into damp
soil and complete their larval life. In the soil they probably
feed on rootlets and fungal rhizomes. Pupation takes place in the
soil, and adults emerge to continue the yearly cycle, which usually
coincides with the blossoming of certain flowers. Other species
of false blister beetles have larvae which bore into driftwood,
pilings, decaying wood, debris, and some make vertical tunnels
in moist soil. Adults of some species prefer the pollen of a single
plant species, while others are found on a variety of hosts.
Blue Green Sharpshooter
Q: I have found dozens of these colorful insects on my tree. I am concerned because the tree limb is weeping exactly where I saw these insects. What are they?
A: The photos you showed
me are of the Blue-green Sharpshooter,
Graphocephala atropunctata. Like
all true bugs, sharpshooters have piercing-sucking mouthparts,
which they use to tap into and feed upon xylem or phloem tissue
of plants, which is why you see the sap leaking from the tree limb. Sharpshooters
and their close relatives the leafhoppers are some of the most
colorful insects which they use as camouflage. They often
have elaborate pattern in colors of red, green or yellow. These
insects are incredible jumpers. Sharpshooters are gregarious
and often seen in large numbers together. If threatened,
they move directly opposite the threat. Sharpshooters have large
eyes for excellent visual acuity to avoid detection and capture
by potential predators. Woody plants, including grapevines, are
favored for feeding and reproduction. The list of plants on which
it regularly feeds is enormous, but it favors some plant species
over others, especially for laying eggs. In ornamental landscapes
in residential areas or parks, it favors roses, fuschia, ivy and
a variety of ornamental shrubs or trees.
Adult blue-green sharpshooters are long-lived. There is usually only a single generation per year. Most females require a period of cool temperatures to mature reproductively and do not lay eggs until the following spring. A high percentage of adults survive the winter, but not much is known of their behavior during winter. The most important concern regarding sharpshooters is they can be vectors of bacteria. If they are carriers of bacteria, plants can become infected by their piercing/sucking feeding habits.
Management suggestions are from University of Florida/IFAS Features Creatures. Recommendations include foliar applied actamiprid and soil applied imidacloprid
Caterpillar
Q: I saw these two caterpillars on my passion vine. What can you tell me about them?
A: I was glad you sent me a photo of the larvae as that made the identification so much easier. The caterpillar on your vine is probably the Puss caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. 
It is a convex, stout-bodied larva, almost 1" long when mature, and completely covered with gray to brown hairs. They look furry and appealing enough to touch but that would be a mistake because under the soft hairs are stiff spines attached to poison glands. When touched, these poisonous spines break off in the skin and cause severe pain and/or itching. Tenderness in the joints may occur as well as red blotches or rashes. Severe cases may result in nausea or vomiting. Some people experience severe reactions to the poison released by the spines and require medical attention. Others experience only an itching or burning sensation. It is always best to consult your physician when concerned about your physical reaction to stings. The adult moth causes no damage. Puss caterpillars feed on a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs such as pecans, persimmon, and roses but most often on oaks and citrus. Damage done to mature trees or shrubs is minimal. In Florida there are two generations a year, one in spring and the other in fall. They are typically loners therefore you seldom find them in large groups. Natural enemies keep these caterpillars at low numbers during most years, but they periodically become numerous. The four major "stinging" caterpillars occurring in Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar. For complete information of stinging caterpillars check out the University of Florida/IFAS publication called, “Stinging and Venomous Caterpillars”: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN014
Q: What are these caterpillars I am finding on my azaleas? I picked off 47 yesterday.
A: Wow,
47 caterpillars from one bush; that is amazing. The caterpillar
you brought into the office is the azalea caterpillar, Datana
major. It is found in Florida from July through October
on azaleas (Rhododendron spp.). Often, the caterpillars
completely defoliate much of the plant before they are detected.
While the caterpillar appears to be a stinging variety; it is harmless
to humans and can be picked off the bushes by hand, which you discovered
when you were removing them from your plant. The caterpillars seem
to prefer indica azaleas, but they have been found on blueberries,
red oak and even apple trees. The semi-skeletonized leaves dry
up, turn brown, and remain on the plant for several days. If disturbed
some of the caterpillars drop one or two inches below the infested
leaf and hang by a silken thread. When it is disturbed, the caterpillar
raises its front and rear ends into the air. Young larvae skeletonize
the leaves and the larger ones eat the entire leaf. In some parts
of the South there may be a partial second generation, but one
generation per year is usually the rule. Most of the damage in
the southeast United States occurs in August and September, but
in Florida it continues through October.
Q: What is causing all the webbing in the trees along the roadsides? Are they dangerous?
A: The webbing is caused by the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma
americanum. 
Although
this caterpillar is a pest native to North America it is not dangerous.
Populations fluctuate from year to year, with outbreaks occurring
every several years. Defoliation of trees, building of unsightly
silken nests in trees, and wandering caterpillars crawling over
plants, walkways, and roads cause this insect to be a pest in the
late spring and early summer.Eastern tent caterpillar nests are
commonly found on wild cherry, apple, and crabapple, but may be
found on hawthorn, maple, cherry, peach, pear and plum as well.
While tent caterpillars can nearly defoliate a tree when numerous,
the tree will usually recover and put out a new crop of leaves.
In the landscape, however, nests can become an eyesore, particularly
when exposed by excessive defoliation. The silken nests are built
in the crotches of limbs and can become quite large. Removal and
destruction of the egg masses from ornamentals and fruit trees
during winter greatly reduces the problem next spring. In the early
spring, small tents can be removed and destroyed by hand. Larger
tents may be pruned out and destroyed or removed by winding the
nest upon the end of a stick.
Earwig
Q: With all the rain we have been having my wife is upset at the number of insects showing up in the house. She especially hates the earwigs. We have been smashing them, but that is very unpleasant. Some people say they are dangerous and other say they are harmless. What does the University say?
A: Many of us have been experiencing a variety of
insects 
coming
in from the rain – they are not as dumb as people seem to think!
We can definitely say earwigs are not dangerous but you will have
to decide if you think they are harmless. Vegetable growers would
classify them as a nuisance because ringlegged earwigs (Euborellia
annulipes), which are nocturnal, like to feed on lettuce or
root crops. The ringlegged earwig is the most common earwig found
in Florida and it is particularly fond of plants found in greenhouses.
However, they are also voracious predators eating sowbugs and other
insects like our major St. Augustine grass pest – the evil
chinch bug. Another earwig species have been found in North Florida
called the European earwig but they are not well established here.
European earwigs are generally classified only as a nuisance pest
because the damage they cause is only aesthetic damage. You may want
to encourage your wife to sweep up the earwig and throw it back outside
where it prefers to live and can hunt other insects. I will leave
you with a quote from a University of Florida publication on earwigs: “It
is mostly known as a nuisance, and the small amount of plant feeding
injury it causes likely is offset by its beneficial predatory habits.” Now
you can decide how best to handle this tiny pest - I am voting for
the “sweep and toss” method!
Fire Ants
Q: How do I get rid of fire ants? They have already taken over my flower beds and garden.
A: The ant probably giving you the most trouble is the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. This ant is originally from Brazil and we believe it entered into the United States in the early 1930’s through Alabama or Pensacola, Florida. It is now found in the lower southern states from the Carolinas to California. We have several other fire ants in Florida and even one native fire ant; but none give us the red, pustule infected area after a bite like the red imported fire ant. Actually, the red imported fire ant bites and stings at the same time. Aren’t you glad to know that piece of information? The most effective management tool is the ant bait for individual mounds and broadcast throughout the landscape. Remember, ants are foraging insects, which means they leave the mound to seek food from the surrounding area. Baits should not be sprinkled directly onto the mound as the ants will not touch it. The idea is to place it in areas they are likely to be hunting for food. The ants take the bait back to the mound and feed it to the rest of the colony. The bait gets fed to the queen and then the colony is killed. Baits do not work immediately but they do work. Be patient because even though it acts slowly, it works better than drenching the mound, or applying chemicals directly. For complete information on the red imported fire ant and other methods of control check out the University of Florida/IFAS publication: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/ants/red_imported_fire_ant.htm
Hickory Horned Devil
Q: We were cutting down some tree limbs and my wife saw this large caterpillar. It scared her so much that I brought it to you hoping you might be able to tell me something about it. I have been here all my life and never seen anything like this.
A: I was so excited that you brought this beautiful
caterpillar in the office for all of us to see. 
The
caterpillar is called the Hickory Horned Devil, Citheronia regalis ,
which will develop into the Regal Moth. The hickory horned devil
is among the largest of our native caterpillars (12.5-14 cm in length
- about the size of a large hot dog). They vary slightly in color,
but are commonly blue-green. Sections near the head have two long
and two shorter orange, black-tipped appendages that look like horns.
Although the caterpillar appears to be fierce and dangerous, it is
harmless. It is most often observed when it is full grown and comes
down from the trees in search of a place to burrow for pupation.
Trees such as pecan, sweet gum, persimmon and sumac are the most
common food sources for the caterpillar. If a larva is found crawling
on pavement or in an area of thick turf grass where it would have
difficulty burrowing, it should be moved to an area of soft soil
or a mulched area where it can burrow for pupation. Again, it is
harmless and should not be killed. The regal moth has a wingspan
of 9.5-15.5 cm with females growing larger than males. The forewings
are gray to gray-green with orange veins and a row of seven to nine
yellow spots near the margin. The hind wing is mostly orange with
yellow spots on the margins. The hind wing may also have one to two
rows of gray-green spots. The body is orange with narrow yellow banding.
The adult moth typically has only a single generation per year, usually
in the summer.
Q: What is this
creature? I found it in my backyard and I have never seen anything
like it. 
I get this question at least once a year and the caterpillar is so spectacular that it is worth repeating it to the public. The caterpillar is the Hickory Horned Devil, Citheronia regalis, which is the larvae form of the regal moth. This moth produces only one generation per year. In Florida, adults have been collected in May, but are more common during the summer. Eggs hatch in six to 10 days, and the duration of the larval stage is about 35 days. The hickory horned devil is among the largest of our native saturniid caterpillars (12.5-14 cm in length - about the size of a large hot dog). The caterpillars vary slightly in color, but are commonly blue-green with long red and black, fleshy structures at the posterior and anterior ends. The long, red and black structures are harmless and the caterpillar can be handled. The Horned Devil has been found on walnut trees, hickories, sweetgum, persimmon and sumacs. The regal moth is beautiful and its larvae should not be killed. If a larva is found crawling on pavement or in an area of thick turf grass where it would have difficulty burrowing, it should be moved to an area of soft soil or a mulched area where it can burrow for pupation during the winter.
Katydid
Q: I have seen small, green grasshoppers on my citrus. They are chewing the leaves but they are really unusual because their antennae are not solid black, but black and white. Do you know what they are?
A: Yes,
I have seen these same creatures on my citrus and flowering plants
and shrubs. 
They
are difficult to spot as they are often the same color as the new
growth but their long black and white antennae make them a little
easier to find. The creatures you have seen are the nymph
or young stage of katydids, probably, Microcentrum rhombifolium. There
are several generations per year in Florida resulting in increasing
populations from June through September. This species can go from
egg to sexually mature adult in about three months. The eggs are
rather easy to identify as they are laid along leaf margins in
rows usually in large trees. Katydids feed on the foliage
of citrus trees during the mid to late morning. This means if you
are a good scout you can catch and kill them before it becomes
too hot for outside work. Foliage feeding on larger trees
is usually insignificant, but severe defoliation can occur on young
trees. Katydids, like grasshoppers, sometimes feed on the peel
of growing oranges, resulting in large, smooth, sunken areas in
the rind as the fruit develops. Some of the fruit will drop but
others will remain on the tree with unsightly blemishes. The
fruit is still safe to eat but it is not very attractive. Although
this damage is commonly called "katydid damage," it can
also be caused by grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. You
can use a pesticide labeled for grasshoppers but it will work best
if applied when the insect is young and small.
Ladybug
Q: My cousin has hundreds of ladybugs in her house what can she do to get rid of them?
A: The ladybug you mentioned is probably the multicolored
Asian lady beetle 
Harmonia
axyridis Pallas, which was introduced from Asia both purposefully
for classical biological control of arthropod pests and accidentally
into the United States many times during the twentieth century. It
finally became established and quickly spread over the entire United
States sometime in the late 1980's and early 1990's. They should
not be mistaken for another introduced ladybug from Europe, the http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/lady_beetles.htm, Coccinella
septempunctata Linnaeus, which is often found feeding on the
same insect hosts and plants. The H. axyridis lady beetle
is orange in color and may or may not be spotted. H. axyridis is
a voracious predator of arthropod pests such as aphids, mites, thrips,
scale and Lepidoptera eggs. As a predator, it is beneficial for most
of the year and has contributed to a decrease in pesticide use. Both H.
axyridis larvae and adults feed on pests and quickly build up
to large numbers locally (10-20 thousand have been found in homes).
However, unlike other ladybugs in the U.S., H. axyridis is
attracted to light colored dwellings and other manmade objects which
it uses as overwintering sites. The ladybugs often return to the
same buildings year after year. Once the ladybugs are inside a building
there are several options for removal. The best option is to purchase
a black light trap and use it in rooms where ladybugs are observed
as soon as they are seen. When operated at night the light traps
are very effective. Use of a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning tools
that handle the beetles roughly, while effective, will result in
production of the defensive compound by the ladybugs with its unwanted
side effects as previously described. Despite their overwintering
behavior, H. axyridis are very valuable as natural enemies
of many insect pests and should be tolerated and conserved when possible.
This information was taken from a publication by the Department of
Entomology & Nematology and the Department of Plant Industry.
Leaf-footed Bug
Q: I have been finding these large brown bugs with a white stripe across their back on my shrubs. Can you tell me what they are?
A: Leaf-footed bug, Leptoglossus [= Theognis] phyllopus
is a
widespread and conspicuous minor pest of many kinds of crops, including
fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and ornamentals. It has been reported
as a major pest in citrus groves when feeding on ripening fruit causes
premature color break and fruit drop. Serious infestations do not
occur commonly, but a large proportion of the crop may be lost when
they do. I have seen as many as 10 on my blueberry shrubs this summer
although fruit drop was not substantial. This insect is easy to identify
from other leaf-footed bugs because of a continuous white crossbar
across its back. The adult is chocolate brown in color. Most of the
problem on citrus involves early and mid-season oranges, tangerines,
and satsumas, with injury usually occurring between September 1 and
late November. Pecan is one of the other crops attacked leaving a
black pit and kernel spot of pecan. Some of the ornamentals attacked
include hibiscus, crape myrtle, ligustrum, ixora, gladiolus, Gerbera
daisy, and rose. Wild hosts include thistle, goldenrod, and elderberry.
Adults have been seen during all months of the year in the Deep South,
but populations peak during the warmer months. Often removal of wild
host plants is the best way to control this insect although I have
taken great pleasure in the squish and stomp method. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/
Mantid
Q: A bug was on the edge of one of my flower pots looking like a prehistoric critter of the first order. What is it and does it do good or bad things to my growing efforts?
A:
I was so excited that you sent me these pictures! Your insect does
indeed seem reminiscent of prehistoric times. I in turn, sent a
copy to the University of Florida for an expert opinion, but I
suspected it was some kind of tree insect. Dr. Lyle Buss identified
it as a grizzled mantid, Gonatista grisea . All mantids
are predators, which means they eat other insects and in most cases
they are not very discriminating. By that we mean they will eat
any insect including each other. Therefore, you need not worry
about them bothering you or your plants. In fact, some people have
been known to keep them as pets. Although I must warn you, one
of the agents in the panhandle was pinched severely when the praying
mantid grasped him between his thumb and finger. Ouch! These insects
are usually large; many are well over 2 inches in length. They
can be green, brown or mottled as was the insect you found in your
yard. The United States has only 20 species, but over 1800 are
found worldwide. Mantids are the only insects that have a freely
moveable head with a distinctive triangle shape. The grizzled mantid
you saw is often called a bark mantid because it spends a great
deal of time on tree bark hunting its prey and often collects bits
of lichen to help it camouflage itself against the tree. It is
quite a wonderful insect and one not often seen by the general
public. I am so glad you took time to share it with us.
Mealybugs
Q: My corn plant is an indoor house plant and I have had it for years. This past year, it has been doing poorly and I want to know what is wrong with it.
A: After looking at the plant closely I discovered
mealy bugs, 
which
are a common house plant insect. You will need to be diligent
in scouting this pest as he is very small. In fact, he is so
small that he often goes undetected until his population becomes
too large to ignore. The best method of control might be to
combine physical and chemical applications. First, take a clean,
damp paper towel and wipe off the infected area – that is the
physical part. Don’t be afraid of the insects, they won’t
bite you. Throw the paper towels in a plastic bag, tie them
up and toss them out with the trash. Purchase some horticulture
oil and/or insecticidal soap and spray the plant thoroughly – apply
to the underside of leaves, along the stems and deep into crevices. Follow
the directions on the label regarding reapplication. You can
find these products at any garden center. They are extremely
useful because they can be used on your indoor plants as well as
those planted outside.
Millipede
Q: I found this large dead bug that didn’t look like a snake or a worm but was too big to be a “roly-poly”. What is it and do I need to be concerned about finding others?
A:
The insect you showed me is a Millipede, which actually is not
a bug or insect at all. Insects have
3 body parts and only 6 legs. Millipedes are commonly known
as "thousand leggers" and belong to a group of arthropods
called Diplopods. Millipedes are worm-like, cylindrical animals
with many body segments. Most of the body segments bear two pairs
of legs. Millipedes tend to coil up tightly when disturbed and
some species can secrete a foul smelling fluid. Millipedes feed
on decaying vegetable matter and are often found under stones,
flower pots, boards or similar debris where there is abundant moisture.
Occasionally after rains or during cold weather, large numbers
of millipedes may migrate into buildings. They can climb foundation
walls and enter homes through any small opening. These pests are
generally more troublesome in wooded or newly developed areas where
decaying vegetation provide excellent food and breeding conditions.
They really cause little harm and your are in no danger of being
bitten. If you find them in your home, sweep them into a
dust pan and put them back outside.
Palmetto Weevil
Q: I found small, black and red weevils in the top of my palm tree. What should I do?
A: The insect you found is called a palmetto weevil, Rhynchophorus
cruentatus , which is the largest native weevil in Florida.
It is found from South Carolina to Texas
and
feeds on many palms such as our Cabbage Palm and Saw Palmetto.
The weevil is seldom found in natural areas but often found in
newly transplanted and environmentally stressed palms in homeowner
and commercial landscapes. The first indication of an infestation
likely occurs on new fronds (leaves) which will not fully develop
and droop, although early detection is difficult to diagnose. Currently,
there is no chemical treatment for a weevil infestation and the
palm needs to be removed and destroyed to prevent infection in
other palms. The best we can do is to be sure the palms receive
adequate fertilization (use a palm fertilizer) and do not over-water.
Remember most palms are drought tolerant and should not be watered
as often as turfgrass. In addition, when transplanting palms we
should do all possible to avoid wounding the trunk area.
Planthopper
Q: I have clusters of white, cottony masses all over my star jasmine. After looking closely, I could see small white insects. Can you tell me what they are?
A: Once you brought this specimen in for me to see,
I
began to see it everywhere even on plants in the forest areas. I
contacted the University of Florida Entomology Department because
I was unable to identify the creature immediately, although it appeared
to be a leafhopper. According to Dr. Lyle Buss, it is a planthopper
called the Citrus Flatid planthopper, Metcalfa pruinosa.
It is often mistaken for a mealy bug because the larvae of both insects
look similar. This planthopper is found on citrus, but is common
on numerous landscape shrubs such as viburnum, camellia, azalea,
magnolia and holly. It seldom causes any true damage to the trees
or shrubs unless it attaches to a plant already stressed by freeze
damage. This insect is found throughout North America and even into
eastern parts of Canada. In Florida, nymphs appear from April through
June and adults have been found from April through October. No chemical
treatment may be necessary unless the plant is covered with the insect
and then insecticidal soap or one application of diluted Malathion
can be used.
Psocid
Q:
I have webbing all over my tree, along the trunk and stems
and
I can see small insects inside the web. Can you tell me what
they are and what I should do to get rid of them?
A: This is a common question in the summer and fall and since you are the third person to ask me about this insect, I decided to write about it again. The insect is the psocid, Archipsocus nomas, or tree lice. Trees are occasionally covered with a mat of cobweb-like material and many homeowners call to express concern when they see the trunk and major limbs of their trees encased in a giant silken web, which is completely harmless to the tree. The insects are probably common during most years but are only noticed until population levels are high and the amount of webbing becomes more apparent. Because bark lice cause no damage to the trees, no control is recommended. The webbing, which never extends into the foliage, is quite thin and fragile and will usually disappear in a few weeks. Psocids are small, soft-bodied insects that resemble aphids. Even though these insects are called bark lice or tree lice they are actually not lice at all. They are not parasitic and they do not harm the trees. In fact, we consider them beneficial because they clean the tree bark of fungi, spores, pollen, lichens, and other debris on the surface of a tree’s bark. Who said nothing in life is free? Here is a perfect example of nature at its best. So do not spray any chemical, they will move onto another tree in a few weeks and best of all, they don’t leave a bill!
Scale
Q: My magnolia has small white specks on the leaves. What are they and how do I get rid of them?
A:Diagnosis of spots on leaves is often difficult but I was able to identify these pests easily once you sent them to my office. Believe it or not – they even survived the postal service delivery! The spots are insects called False Oleander Scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli. At one time this insect was called magnolia white scale and oleander scale. It was originally detected in palms from California but quickly became established here in the early 1950s. At this point it can be found throughout Florida and most of the southern Gulf States. It has become an economic pest for many local growers and garden nurseries especially since it is found on many ornamentals such as magnolia, dogwood, sweet bay, banana shrub, Aucuba, and oleander.Scales, especially armored scales are very difficult to control when mature. The protective covering of the female prevents pesticides from reaching the eggs. Examine plants for live scales by crushing the wax cover. Dead scales do not fall from plants. If you find live scale, apply horticulture oil, which is the best method of scale management. More than one application will be required – usually within two weeks. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. If the infestation is small, you can wipe them off with a paper towel and toss the towel in the trash. Continue to watch the plant and try to catch any future infestations early.
Q: I have scale insects on my maple tree leaves. They look like cottony cushion scale but I have never heard of it on maple. What do you think? How can I control it? My trees are 30 feet tall.
A: I am so glad you brought a sample of the insect into the office so we could look
at it under the stereoscope together. The scale is called maple cotton scale, Pulvinaria innumerabilis whereas cottony cushion scale is Icerya purchasi, which I am sure clears that up completely for you doesn’t it? Maple cotton scale is found on several other common hardwood trees such as ash, elm and boxelder. If scale populations are heavy enough the tree may show twig and limb dieback as the insect spends the winter on the twigs once the leaves drop off. In extreme cases, it is possible to lose the tree. Usually, sooty mold indicates the presence of the insects but weather conditions may control the presence of mold in the air and therefore on the tree. High concentrations of honeydew may drop on cars, lawn furniture or outdoor barbeque grills, which could also be a nuisance. Since the tree is so large, it is impossible to apply horticulture oil directly to the leaves and stem of the tree. I suggest you use a systemic pesticide which contains imidacloprid. This should be applied to the root area totally under the canopy of the tree. The tree takes the chemical up through the vascular system and distributes it to the leaves. The insect pierces into the leaf and takes up the chemical into their digestive system causing it to die. You may need only one application of the chemical as it lasts for 6-9 months. Follow the directions on the pesticide label. Do no apply more product than the label suggests. I have heard people complain the product does not work when they spray it directly onto the insect. This product must be taken up through the root area of the plant and the insect must ingest via its piercing/sucking mouth parts. Direct application to the insect is useless. Remember: “The Label is the Law”. Avoid applying a chemical that contains both insecticide and fungicide unless you know the plant has both problems.
Q: My plum tree appears to have some sort of scale on it. What can you tell me about this scale?
A: The scale appears to be a wax scale. In general, adult females spend the winter on twigs and produce eggs very early in the spring. The eggs hatch to crawlers which move along the twigs to feed on leaves. This crawler stage is when the insect is vulnerable to insecticides, but it only lasts a few days. Maturity is attained in the summer, and a new generation of crawlers is produced. Wax scale feeds on a host of ornamental plants and shrubs as well as citrus. It is best to treat this scale by mechanical removal, pruning severely infested branches and applying horticulture oil. Be sure to follow the directions on the horticulture oil label.
Q: I have a sago palm that is covered with insects. The fronds actually look as though they are covered with snow. What insect is this?
A: The insect may be a scale insect called the cycad
aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui. It apparently
originated from Thailand but it is kept in check overseas by local
parasitoids. Of course, here in the U.S. this scale has no natural
enemies. In 1996 it was found in Miami, Florida infesting cycads
grown as ornamentals. Aulacaspis scale has since been rapidly spreading
throughout Florida and has been located in Nassau County too.
This
scale is difficult to manage because it is found on the roots, stems
and fronds of palms. Sometimes it has been incorrectly identified
as magnolia white scale but experts can easily tell them apart. The
aulacaspis scale female has an orange-pink body that is short and
stout whereas the magnolia white scale female has a longer body structure
and beige in color. Homeowners can use horticulture oils on the fronds
and trunk to help control this pest. Some systemic pesticides have
been applied to sago palms but the success against this pest has
been limited. It may be a combination of methods will result in better
control. Be careful to use sterile procedures when pruning to avoid
infesting other plants. Some pruning of cycad fronds may be beneficial
but do not remove too many as this will put the plant under additional
stress.
Q: I have a rubber tree which we keep in the house and I am seeing yellow blotches on the upper leaves. What could be causing this problem?
A: I was glad you brought a leaf specimen into the office because I was able to locate several scale insects on the underside. The scale insects are removing the plant juice (the green chlorophyll) from the leaves and that is why you see the yellowing on the top of the leaves. These particular scale insects are very tiny and often overlooked. In fact, even when the leaves are examined using a magnifying lens the scale insects resemble a small brown dot. You can remove the scale by using a damp paper towel and wiping along the underside of the leaf then throw the towel away. I noticed most of the scale insects were gathered along the main leaf vein so they will be easy to clean off. Once you have cleaned the leaves, spray the underside with an insecticidal soap commonly found at any garden center. Occasionally scout the undersides of the leaves check to see if any of the scale has returned then spot treat them. This should help you get this problem under control.
Q: Do you know anything about indoor Ficus trees? I do like them very much and have three. One has developed black leaves, and the other, while it appears to be healthy, is very sticky. It deposits a residue on the table and carpet. Can you help?
A: The damage you described matches that of scale insects. These creatures do not appear to be insects because they are covered by an outer shell to protect their soft bodies. Check for small brown specks under leaves especially along the midrib or along the stems. The adult scale insect stays in one place so most people do not recognize them as living insects. The sticky substance you see is really a secretion from the insects called honeydew. The scale insect inserts its mouth parts into the plant tissue and sucks out the plant fluid. As a result, leaves may turn blotchy and yellow and may eventually drop off. Because of their protective coating, scale insects are difficult to control. You can remove the sticky secretions with a leaf cleaner which is available at any hardware store. In addition, you can spray the tree with horticulture oil and insecticidal soap once a week to help control the population. One other place to check for scale is on the trunk and stems; treat the trunk and stem area the same as you do the leaves. Good luck, this is a very common pest on Ficus and only diligence will help your get a handle on this troublesome pest.
Q: I have these small white specks on the back of my magnolia leaves. Can you tell me what they are and will they harm my magnolia?
A: At first I thought it might be some sort of tea scale but a closer look made me realize it was the pupa stage of some insect. I knew we probably needed to be concerned because there were so many of them. Beneficial insects seldom have large numbers of pupa; but destructive insects often produce abundant numbers of offspring. The type of insect was difficult to identify because most insect photos show the adult and sometimes the larvae or nymph stage but they seldom include the pupa stage. As I was examining the specimens under a scope which includes a light some of the insects began to break out of their pupa because of the intense heat. These tiny (about 2mm), winged insects showed no overt markings to assist me with identification. So, I sent photo samples to Dr. Lyle Buss from the University of Florida. He identified them as male tuliptree scales (Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin) (Homoptera: Coccidae). Guess what, insect photos usually don’t include the male scale either! The females are globular (a bit smaller than a pea) and are found on the twigs and/or main rib of the leaves. The males go to the back side of leaves. Adult male tuliptree scales are winged with a pair of filaments projecting from their abdomen. These scales produce a lot of honeydew which will result in sooty mold covering the leaves and stems, which is often a clue to an infestation. Tuliptree scale can be damaging to the trees sometimes killing only branches but if left unchecked the whole tree can be destroyed. These insects are very common on magnolias and yellow poplars (tuliptrees).
Q: What are theses black/brown growths on my Tulip Magnolia?
A: I have seen several scale insects this month on many young trees. The scale you brought to me is probably the Tuliptree scale, Toumeyella liriodendri. This scale is common on magnolias. They are often hard to spot because of their dark brown color. They often go unnoticed until their numbers are large enough to potentially kill the plant. They initially prefer to attach themselves to the small twigs and limbs of young trees. This insect is very difficult to control because of its hard outer covering. Strong chemicals are ineffective and wasteful because they cannot penetrate the outer “shell.” The female is underneath laying vast numbers of eggs. When the time is right the eggs develop into crawlers which come out from under the “shell.” It is this crawler stage that is vulnerable to insecticidal soaps or horticulture oil. However, this stage only lasts for about 3 days and there is no way to know exactly when that occurs. The first thing to do is scrape off as many of the scale insects you can and throw then away in the trash. They cannot fly, so whatever you remove is gone for good. Spray with insecticidal soap or an ultrafine horticulture oil (not dormant) during the morning hours or late evening – avoid full sun times. Light pruning of heavily infested twigs would be appropriate too. Follow the directions on the label as to when to reapply. This procedure would apply for any of the scale insects found on our woody ornamentals.
Sowbug
Q: We have been troubled with a bug our pesticide company has identified as a sowbug. My pesticide company has been to our home 3 times so far to spray and they cannot seem to get rid of it. Do you have any suggestions for a spray they can use? It has been about 6 weeks now and they are still a problem. I’d appreciate any ideas you might have.
A: Sowbugs and pillbugs are crustaceans more
closely 
related
to shrimp and crayfish than to insects. Other names used for these
very common animals include rolypolies and isopods. Sowbugs
and pillbugs live in damp habitats where they feed on decaying vegetable
matter. Outdoors, these scavengers are found under dead leaves, rocks,
boards, grass clippings, flower-bed mulch and other objects on damp
ground. Dark, damp areas of the house may become breeding sites for
sowbugs, although sowbugs found indoors are usually accidental invaders
from outside. Sowbugs do not bite or sting and cannot damage household
furnishings. They are a nuisance only. Sowbugs and pillbugs must
have moisture to survive and die quickly if there is not a damp location
where they can hide. Occasional annoyance by sowbugs should
be tolerated; invaders can be vacuumed, swept or picked up and discarded.
Persistent problems will require locating the sources of the sowbugs
and eliminating or treating these areas. It may take some real detective
work to find the breeding ground but it would be worthwhile. In
addition, keeping mulch and organic matter away from the foundation
(about 12 inches) of the house would be beneficial. The chemical
your pesticide company sprayed is probably stronger than any product
you can purchase over the counter. Products purchased in your
garden center are often marked for sow bugs; a broadcast granular
formula might work best. Outdoor insecticides should be applied
directly to breeding sites or poured around the house to act as a
barrier. The treatment must be applied with enough water to get the
insecticide down to the soil surface.
Sphinx Moth
Q: Last evening, I had a beautiful penta plant
and this morning it was 75% stripped. Close examination identified
two caterpillars which are about 3" long, 1/2" diameter,
primary upper (top) body color earthy-brown-green (dark) with highlights
consisting of a row of regular designs on the sides in
a yellowish green that resemble slash marks. This critter has
two eyes that look like tiny vitamin A or E gel capsules, clear,
yellowish, about double the size of the head of the common pin. I
have attached a photographed of them. What do you think and how do
I get rid of them? A: I am not sure about the specific species but I
believe these larvae belong to the group of 
sphinx
moths. These moths are comprised of a large and diverse group of
heavy bodied, sometimes colorful moths. Familiar examples are the
five-spotted hawk moth (the tomato hornworm) and the Carolina sphinx
(the tobacco hornworm). Over 124 North America species are known.
The adult moths have wing spans of 1-6 inches long that beat so quickly
they resemble hummingbirds or large bees. The adult moths visit flowers
for nectar but the large larvae can cause damage to vegetables and
ornamentals. The larvae are stout, usually hairless, bright green
to dull red or brown. In the United States, we call these creatures
sphinx moths but in Europe and Canada they are referred to as Hawk
Moths. It is going to be tough to control this larva since it is
so large but you can try an insecticide specifically formulated for
moth larvae or you could hand pick them off and throw them away. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/
Spiders
Q: Is it typical to find Black Widow spiders in this area? We found one (male) outside our back door (it’s dead and still there) and I am not a happy camper. I wondered if the spiders might have been in the plants I transplanted outside. I’m a little nervous about this and would appreciate it if you can let me know or direct me to someone who might know.
A:They are common in this area. In fact, they
are found all over the US, especially in the south.
Male
black widows don't bite so they are no threat to you. The
females will bite if threatened. This species may hide in
sheltered, dimly lit places such as barns, garages, basements,
outdoor toilets, hollow stumps, rodent holes, trash, brush, and
dense vegetation, so it is possible they were in the plants. Black
widows usually seek dry, sheltered sites such as buildings during
periods of cold weather.Always wear gloves when digging in the
dirt as other spiders are lurking about too. I use the kind
of gloves that fit snuggly at the wrist to prevent some unwanted
pest crawling down the cuff. Sweep away any spider egg
sacks you see around your home (outside doorways, etc.).Nurseries
and garden centers carry insect sprays which will kill the adult
spider on contact (but you must see them then spray immediately). Don't
spray every spider you see, they are great hunters and kill many
unwanted insects too. There is no reason for you to
live in fear of any spider, even the black widow. The
black widow is shy and does not like bright clean places. Keep
your garage, tool shed and garden areas clean and you should have
few problems. If you are bitten the area will be swollen
and you may see 2 red puncture marks, which could be the sign of
several other insects too. Be sure to visit a doctor
soon after you discover the bite. He or she will be able to determine
the best method of treatment.
Q: I
have attached a photo of a spider. Can you identify it for
me? A: What
a beauty! Thanks for sending me the photo. 
This
spider was easy to identify as he is one of the more colorful spiders
in Florida. He is the spinybacked orbweaver, Gasteracantha
cancriformis (Linnaeus) 1767. He is commonly referred to as
a crab spider but I believe spinybacked orbweaver fits much better
as each of the spiders has six protrusions or spines from its abdominal
area. Remember that spiders are not insects because they
have only 2 body parts (insects have 3) and they have 8 legs (insects
have 6). The male spinybacked orbweaver are commonly seen
in October and November or hanging from the females web during
mating season. Females, which are found as adults throughout
the year, are most common from October through January. Spinybacked
orbweaves make their homes in forest areas with well-drained, acidic
soil supporting a large diversity of hardwood trees and citrus
groves. Ovate egg sacs are deposited on the undersides of
leaves adjacent to the female's web from October through January. Eggs
take 11 to 13 days to hatch. The bite of this common species is
not known to cause serious effects to humans. Since these spiders
prey on whiteflies, flies, moths, and beetles that are caught in
their webs, we consider them beneficial. For more information
on common Florida spiders check out the following University of
Florida publication: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN017 Q: These
are pictures of a beautiful spider that is about the size of a
quarter with large eyes that are emerald green and it has a white
marking on its back. I thought it might be a jumping spider. What
do you think?
A: Thanks
for sharing your photo; it is a great picture of a terrific looking
spider. 
You
have identified the spider correctly as a jumping spider, most
likely a Regal Jumping Spider, Phidippus regius. The
males are always black but the females may have brown or orange
scales on the abdomen. The large, iridescent blue-green structures
you saw are not eyes but chelicerae. Chelicerae are
mouth parts, which are pointed appendages used to grasp food. These
are found in place of the chewing jaw structures such as those
on grasshoppers. The chelicerae found in spiders are hollow
and contain (or are connected to) venom glands. Chelicerae
are used to inject venom into
prey or a (perceived) threat. Good thing you did not get
too close or try to handle the spider as he would have considered
you a threat. Jumping spiders, like all spiders, are good
hunters and we classify them as beneficial arthropods. They
have eight, tiny black, simple eyes, by the way, which are arranged
in 3 just above the chelicerae. But you would have to be
very close to see them - probably too close for most of us to be
comfortable.
Springtail
Q: I have an old bonsai and I have found tiny white
insects all over the soil. Whenever I go near the soil and disturb
anything they jump all over the place. Otherwise I never see them.
What are they? A: These tiny primitive wingless insects are called
springtails and are in the order Collembola. 
They
are very small, usually less than 6 mm long and often colored white
or gray. They have a fork-like tail on their abdomen which allows
them to jump through the air for several centimeters if they feel
threatened. Their common name, "springtail," originates
from this peculiar behavior. They feed on many living and dead plant
materials and are often found in moist soil of house plants. In fact,
they are so abundant that they are found in soils throughout the
world. They are especially troublesome on barefoot nursery seedlings.
Springtails are no longer a threat once the stems become woody. Although
no damage has been reported on container seedlings, springtails are
important pests in other crops using artificial growing media where
they may feed on root tips. If large numbers are visible and damage
is present, it may be necessary to apply an insecticide. In addition,
if you wish you can replace the soil and try to gain control of their
numbers. If you decide to change the soil, be sure you are very gentile
with the roots of your plant. Plus, you may need to cut back on the
amount of water you are giving your houseplants. Remember, these
insects prefer moist soil so by creating an uncomfortable environment
you can control them better.
Stink Bug
Q. My son brought me this green bug and I have no
idea if it is good or bad. It was about the size of my index fingernail
and he found it in my vegetable garden. Can you identify it for me? A. What your son found was probably a southern green
stink bug,
which
belongs to the order Hemiptera or "true bugs." As you may
have already concluded, it often puts out a foul odor when destroyed.
This insect pest has piercing-sucking mouth structures which it uses
to ingest the juices from all parts of the plant. The damage on fruit
from the punctures is hard brownish or black spots. These punctures
affect the fruit's edible qualities and lower its market value. However,
the fruit from our home gardens can be eaten. Young fruit growth
is slowed and it often withers and drops from the plant. The southern
green stinkbug often destroys vegetable crops during its young nymph
stage of life therefore this pest is costly to many Florida vegetable
growers. In addition, the tomato bacteria spot is transmitted by
the southern green stinkbug. However, all stink bugs are not harmful;
in fact some are beneficial to us because they prey on other harmful
insects. Generally the “good” predator stink bugs will
have pointed “shoulders” on their bodies.
Tussock Moth
Q: I have a furry caterpillar on my oaks; it has
a split tail and white balls on its back. What it is? A: The larvae you described are called the White
marked Tussock Moth,
Hemerocampa
leucostigma . This moth is widely distributed throughout eastern
North America, as far west as Texas and Colorado in the United States.
The larvae are known to feed on foliage of a wide variety of trees,
both conifers and hardwoods. Hardwood hosts include basswood, maple,
sycamore, apple, oak, poplar, willow, and elm. They are seldom a
problem in forest areas but are known to attack Douglas Firs. Eggs
are laid in small, white masses and hatch in the early spring, usually
April. Larvae become fully grown in five to six weeks; mature larvae
have been found in early May. Young larvae chew small holes in leaves
and feed until they pupate in May or June. Older larvae feed
on leaf edges, consuming entire leaves except for larger veins and
midribs and live about 2 to 4 weeks. This chewing can cause considerable
damage to shade and ornamental trees although trees are seldom killed.
In the South there may be as many as three generations per year.
The best control is natural parasites, predators, microbial diseases, starvation,
and unfavorable weather. In urban and recreation areas, insecticides
may be desirable to avoid defoliation but need only be used if a
true problem exists. Finding a few of the larvae does not constitute
an epidemic so no chemical control should be necessary.
Walking Stick
Q: The
attached photo is of an insect I found (dead) in my yard. It is
approximately 3 inches long. Can you identify it for me or direct
me to a web site that could help me? 
A: This
is a walking stick. Most are herbaceous, which means
they eat plants but few do enough damage for us to worry about them. Walking
stick insects are among the largest insects in the world reaching
over 12" in length. Most stick insects are tropical and nocturnal.
During the day, many of them lie dormant surrounded by the sticks
and leaves they resemble. The Phasimid order currently contains
over 2,500 walking stick species worldwide. In addition to their
foliage mimicking defensive strategies, some stick insects are
also capable of spraying an irritating concoction from their thorax
(such as the double striped walking stick). They have also been
observed gently swaying as if being buffeted by the breeze. If
a leg is lost, they have the capacity to regenerate new leg
appendages. They will also drop to the ground and draw their
legs together to forming a single elongated stick. This is truly
an interesting creature.
Wasp
Q: I have found this small fly in my house and I want to know what it is. It was the only one I have seen but it is very unusual. What can you tell me about it?
A: At first glance it doesn’t look too unusual but the hind legs were dramatically different from other flies and wasps I have seen come across my desk. So, I turned to an insect identification expert from the University of Florida who believes it is a predatory wasp, Brachymeria podagrica (Fab.). Apparently, this wasp is a beneficial insect that is common throughout the world and feeds on filth-breeding flies such as the blow fly and the common housefly. One thing we should remember about predatory insects is they generally do not sting humans so there is little need to worry about potential contact with people or children. One other important note, we have thousands of predatory insects and they are essential in order to keep our pest insects in check.