tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84036566447329657552024-03-13T06:21:39.142-04:00NCSU PDICA blog about plant diseases, insects, and other topics of interest from the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State UniversityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-27197214969744881532017-04-17T16:20:00.000-04:002017-04-22T23:07:02.934-04:00Clover mites: The other spider mites<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyvVvOVbQkK5YUHewUkdor4Qyh4Rb2aoilsbgtb9t2J41lxAfU31gDAlPGsstmkjmf5DA5_ky3L5TeU8yLlRMlz7hJ19NHXOpQUxipPulMaoYEzB3A686rtqJWEypN-SEHnbOCIirMW4g/s1600/BG+Bryobia+Scot+Justis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyvVvOVbQkK5YUHewUkdor4Qyh4Rb2aoilsbgtb9t2J41lxAfU31gDAlPGsstmkjmf5DA5_ky3L5TeU8yLlRMlz7hJ19NHXOpQUxipPulMaoYEzB3A686rtqJWEypN-SEHnbOCIirMW4g/s640/BG+Bryobia+Scot+Justis.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical individual of the genus <i>Bryobia</i>, often called a "clover mite". Photo by <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/605370">Scott Justis</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.</span></td></tr>
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Most gardeners and plant-keepers are familiar with spider mites, including well known pests like two-spotted spider mites (<i>Tetranychus urticae</i>), boxwood spider mites (<i>Eurytetranychus buxi</i>), and spruce spider mites (<i>Oligonychus ununguis</i>). However, some people each spring or fall become VERY familiar with another group of spider mites: so-called "clover mites" in the genus <i>Bryobia</i>.<br />
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Clover mites can become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. This spring we have seen a number of samples submitted to the clinic already. But first, a little bit about these mites.<br />
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<b>What are they?</b></div>
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Clover mites are arachnids and true members of the mite family Tetranychidae (spider mites). All members of this family feed on plants throughout their life. Typical spider mites mentioned above are in the subfamily <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/187584">Tetranychinae</a> - these are the most commonly encountered pest species. Clover mites belong to the other less common subfamily: <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/94788">Bryobiinae</a>. Within this subfamily are several genera including a few that are also pests of plants. One of the more well known, for example, is the brown wheat mite (<i>Petrobia latens</i> (Müller)) a pest of wheat and barley that is also known to transmit <i>barley yellow streak mosaic virus</i>. Members of this subfamily do not spin silk as is common in Tetranychinae.</div>
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<b>How do you identify these mites?</b></div>
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As is typical for many mites, clover mites are small. Adults are around 1 mm in length and the young are smaller.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGBcPMVqZLBgIegddVfdIi2-rY9V2jYA_0fAynZF_w99SpoDx9BaQQqSbSkc89Bfdqpq-EIStaNzrrxanUjhD-ijZ-leV3NrEw5b8j9dR8rkCQKGzAofgNnmgRqRgaJJhE2jjY-SGupPA/s1600/bryobia_penny_arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGBcPMVqZLBgIegddVfdIi2-rY9V2jYA_0fAynZF_w99SpoDx9BaQQqSbSkc89Bfdqpq-EIStaNzrrxanUjhD-ijZ-leV3NrEw5b8j9dR8rkCQKGzAofgNnmgRqRgaJJhE2jjY-SGupPA/s640/bryobia_penny_arrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dried clover mite specimen on a US penny. Photo by Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
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If you can observe them up close there are several characteristics that can help identify them as clover mites (or at least members of the genus <i>Bryobia</i>). They are typically green or brown (sometimes grayish) with red or orange legs. Their first pair of walking legs is elongate compared to the other legs. They also have a wrinkly body, appearing as if it was made by a fingerprint. One feature that seems fairly distinct for the genus is a four-pronged tip of the snout (above the mouthparts), each "tine" tipped with a flattened scale-like seta. Scale-like setae are also present on the body. Other that these traits, specimens need to be mounted on slides and viewed under a compound microscope to see the small structures.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrzugEWzpE750WdoR3iDfw7GA45xIHWmj-KTC4sT_-MbIpyQMmjqrkBRW1ZGZt50Y1AoBTC908d4gPwtv3E4A65uQgl-SX3z1DpHS9PqwF8Rchqi1BYIOSq2k7DyMzFYcbGT3dYFjWthI/s1600/Bryobia+praetiosa_DAFWA+Pia+Scanlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrzugEWzpE750WdoR3iDfw7GA45xIHWmj-KTC4sT_-MbIpyQMmjqrkBRW1ZGZt50Y1AoBTC908d4gPwtv3E4A65uQgl-SX3z1DpHS9PqwF8Rchqi1BYIOSq2k7DyMzFYcbGT3dYFjWthI/s640/Bryobia+praetiosa_DAFWA+Pia+Scanlon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High magnification photo of clover mite specimens showing traits of the group. Photo by <a href="https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/file/m114863-pia-scanlon-insect-dianosticsjpg">Pia Scanlon DAFWA</a></td></tr>
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<b>What do they do?</b></div>
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Clover mites will feed on a variety of different plant types. In fact, the different feeding forms have long been considered different species in a species complex (often commonly referred to by the scientific name "<i>Bryobia praetiosa</i>"). A few of the variants mentioned by Jeppson et al. (1975) are as follows: (1) those that feed on fruit trees, are multivoltine (many generations per year) and overwinter as eggs; (2) those that feed on a wide range of herbaceous hosts, univoltine (one generation per year) or multivoltine, and overwinter at various stages; (3) those that are specific to English ivy, multivoltine, and overwinter at various stages; and (4) those that infest gooseberry, are univoltine, and overwinter as eggs.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoyunzJ8mhzZuKEZWHosnorn5DmJFV8Q808mlaWv1I0Dwnz01M7D_ZfnfCNoM5e0yKODbNBpfn8MtfdQIQGj2JdbWMDzcAPc5ZSfg_cATzNCieb3S6Db4BEKzf9s3gCasxJhYPBKQpSo_/s1600/5445143_Whitney+Cranshaw_Colorado+State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoyunzJ8mhzZuKEZWHosnorn5DmJFV8Q808mlaWv1I0Dwnz01M7D_ZfnfCNoM5e0yKODbNBpfn8MtfdQIQGj2JdbWMDzcAPc5ZSfg_cATzNCieb3S6Db4BEKzf9s3gCasxJhYPBKQpSo_/s640/5445143_Whitney+Cranshaw_Colorado+State.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of clover mites on grass. Photo by <a href="https://www.insectimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5445143">Whitney Cranshaw</a></td></tr>
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Injury to plants is typical of other spider mites, showing a general linear or random stipple pattern:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A6yU9MmhfPOEeFGAvaYkyCNqiVBBuHPDuLp9zYhE_Hi8Al1MyVBqmzNLU7wKAwjxk8nOsU0ERKSmaSC85TON6k2e0qoQotkzT6MB5G5ZR6foBg6i42rwDxU4FWgSuPc2OnygpTamgyFH/s1600/1123012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A6yU9MmhfPOEeFGAvaYkyCNqiVBBuHPDuLp9zYhE_Hi8Al1MyVBqmzNLU7wKAwjxk8nOsU0ERKSmaSC85TON6k2e0qoQotkzT6MB5G5ZR6foBg6i42rwDxU4FWgSuPc2OnygpTamgyFH/s640/1123012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clover mite damage on impatiens. Photo by <a href="https://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1123012">Rayanne Lehman</a></td></tr>
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Clover mites are rarely an important pest of plants. They are most active in cooler weather - thus this post may already be a tad late. The following is a nice phenogram from Jeppson et al. (1975) showing when certain mite stages are present in Canada:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnITByuIrCDYHx-eJVzdO6NtjkkdJvqsh7Z2LIimIVfbmVBBMZoEL1a_0OLh6tPIcDi5Y3WMEd8rzfGv5Wn0V5HqYSQcRet_bGa9osKHM91ydcLdsG9AKkYKIe2hUGTptcm7_mdaQkvDK7/s1600/bryobia_phenogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnITByuIrCDYHx-eJVzdO6NtjkkdJvqsh7Z2LIimIVfbmVBBMZoEL1a_0OLh6tPIcDi5Y3WMEd8rzfGv5Wn0V5HqYSQcRet_bGa9osKHM91ydcLdsG9AKkYKIe2hUGTptcm7_mdaQkvDK7/s640/bryobia_phenogram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the main issues with clover mites - and the reason I mentioned for writing this post - is that high populations often hatch or become active in the vegetation around the foundations of human structures. This usually happens in the spring and fall. Despite only feeding on plants, they can travel into houses in huge numbers and worry homeowners. They are especially worrisome when the residents squish the mites, causing a red smear. Although it's the mite's blood, people mistake it for theirs and think they are dealing with a blood-feeding organism (which they are not). Although the stains can persist, the mites themselves very quickly dry out and die inside. Thus, no chemical control is recommended for inside the home; one can simply wait for them to die or vacuum up the mites. Insecticides can be used on the vegetation and foundation within 18" of the structure, but is rarely needed unless the mites have been an issue. Many general, over-the-counter insecticides used for various arthropod pests will work, <b>but please heed local application laws and product labels</b>.</div>
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<b>References:</b></div>
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Jeppson, L. R., Keifer, H. H., & Baker, E. W. (1975). Mites injurious to economic plants. Univ of California Press.</div>
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<i>P.S.</i> - People often mistake a few common mites that crawl around the foundations of homes for "clover mites" (enough for a future post, perhaps). Here are two common RED mites you might see.</div>
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<b>velvet mites (Trombidiidae):</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDaag6LFOJWEpDrUsh9qDFpLogtw1WiuqL17frIJOUtK3ehlxI8EDf7ySSYbljLrv1IXdu5jpvColxVlymZ4AXVv9aRSN3a0xTqajOTEbTGSmFGm8lwYFSEsVCjaxJ-z2honl4K3pIsGN/s1600/velvet_mite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDaag6LFOJWEpDrUsh9qDFpLogtw1WiuqL17frIJOUtK3ehlxI8EDf7ySSYbljLrv1IXdu5jpvColxVlymZ4AXVv9aRSN3a0xTqajOTEbTGSmFGm8lwYFSEsVCjaxJ-z2honl4K3pIsGN/s640/velvet_mite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velvet mites are like small strawberries, but large for mites (typically 4 mm long, but some over a centimeter!). They are parasitic on insects as larvae and predators as adults. They do not bite humans.</td></tr>
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<b>concrete mites (Erythraeidae: <i>Balaustium</i> sp.):</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concrete mites are smaller than velvet mites but larger than clover mites. They are often abundant on concrete (hence the name) where they scavenges food. In some situations they have been known to bite people, but do not suck our blood. These situations are rare. </td></tr>
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Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-50801911008782776692017-03-31T15:33:00.001-04:002017-03-31T15:33:49.310-04:00Dickeya dianthicola in the production of herbaceous ornamentals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_O01xBIumr4fKU4PfbnNFb7LNaRlpgViuIJyvP2JjzDmLdwSk78m4VyBKHuSgahIndyd3N6xNrALfTUvTRVXm_j96gGh2cRZiasx9P6qcumt3QB5s5Fx3Hb42DQ5GWt2oZNuGCEpKHE4/s1600/26302_Coreopsis_whole_mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Portion of plug flat of Dickeya-infected Coreopsis plants with necrotic leaf tips." border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_O01xBIumr4fKU4PfbnNFb7LNaRlpgViuIJyvP2JjzDmLdwSk78m4VyBKHuSgahIndyd3N6xNrALfTUvTRVXm_j96gGh2cRZiasx9P6qcumt3QB5s5Fx3Hb42DQ5GWt2oZNuGCEpKHE4/s200/26302_Coreopsis_whole_mini.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">During the month of March several producers submitted samples to the PDIC that turned out to be infected by the bacterium <i>Dickeya dianthicola</i>. See our <a href="https://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/03/dickeya-dianthicola-in-the-production-of-herbaceous-ornamentals/" target="_blank">full write-up</a> on the Plant Pathology Extension Portal.</span></div>
Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-47502789941127106902016-09-21T08:55:00.002-04:002019-06-09T12:39:39.298-04:00Plant Diagnostic Workshop Set for October 7, 2016<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) will conduct a hands-on workshop in plant disease diagnosis for NCCE Area Specialized Agents and County Agents. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Date: Friday, October 7, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time: 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Place: 1418 Gardner Hall, and the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, NCSU campus</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instructors: PDIC staff</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Participants will learn approaches and techniques that they can use to diagnose plant diseases and disorders. They will examine live material in the classroom and in campus landscapes. Participants will use the skills and knowledge gained from the workshop to “walk through” the process of diagnosing a clinic sample. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more information email barbara_shew@ncsu.edu</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seating is limited to 20 Participants</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NCCE Area Specialized Agents and recently hired County Agents receive priority</span></div>
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BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-13774197486303526282016-07-20T13:36:00.004-04:002016-07-21T23:56:58.609-04:00June Beetle Time!It happened. As I was walking back from lunch my friend and I saw them, buzzing around like little fighter jets. These insects were not wasps, or flies, or dragonflies, but <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/520">green June beetles</a> (<i>Cotinis nitida </i>(L.)). You'll probably see them too, soon. Then in a few weeks they'll be gone. Well, at least the adults will be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBvltcGwNZM5SuFQBd3Rlrxp1huOn8CrAIuyppshZptDJTi8gt3-hQAPhs168GSyeSdGNtDsEtdSN-DBq3PpDZHC1R_dZjwJd-AjgEcR_nZypd3rBNFDqqLTojxNdOzxVCBr63eZAGKEt/s1600/cotinis_june_beetle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBvltcGwNZM5SuFQBd3Rlrxp1huOn8CrAIuyppshZptDJTi8gt3-hQAPhs168GSyeSdGNtDsEtdSN-DBq3PpDZHC1R_dZjwJd-AjgEcR_nZypd3rBNFDqqLTojxNdOzxVCBr63eZAGKEt/s640/cotinis_june_beetle1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adult green June beetle (<i>Cotinis nitida</i>)</td></tr>
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Several scarab beetles are called "June beetles" or "Junebugs". Some are more properly referred to as May beetles* such as the brown or reddish-brown <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/3477">Phyllophaga</a></i> and some <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/3306">Serica</a></i> species (both in the subfamily Melolonthinae). Other beetles typically called June beetles include the lined June beetles in the genus <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/8123"><i>Polyphylla</i></a> which are also members of the Melolonthinae.<br />
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Green June beetles, however, are members of the beautiful and diverse subfamily <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/12434">Cetoniinae</a>, or flower chafers. This group is typically distinguished by a flat appearance, antennal attachments that can be seen from above, and, in some groups, distinct "shoulders" (<i>humeri </i>- seen as little triangles in the front corner of each wing cover in the photo above). Many members of the group are <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/764169/bgimage">vividly colored</a> and some are enormous - in fact among the largest insects in the world are the aptly named <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Kf3-x6wV8Z8to1aQ6qRZ8hGUJOeRB_w_3PkaCTs_P4UdL3GxLGYpkRVtozfBdAcobbDYfjZjSTmNvk8juHO1EbVb0ImZily22yBjGZowPiGOzsvmeUdK8fpJ-KxcXY-xi7xFQDn266F/s1600/Goliath-Beetles.jpg">Goliath beetles</a> (<i>Goliathus</i> spp.).<br />
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The species itself is a beautiful emerald green with hues of bronze and tan. Some areas of the body are shiny while others are more flat. It's head looks like it's been hammered out of metal, complete with a horn and a ridge:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhbZ4wkQqmnPoBhL1YsIyhVPVsMydJsZCuliOg23_Ew69wLuQh6jYbPnVYTWW-_fR2U42dp_8mBPLVVTe0MiFsolFHVdiIe_d_oMp6h0K5a4E6adJQDOA7DxvRKn0eq7YxUBsu9M1vFjA/s1600/cotinis_june_beetle_head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhbZ4wkQqmnPoBhL1YsIyhVPVsMydJsZCuliOg23_Ew69wLuQh6jYbPnVYTWW-_fR2U42dp_8mBPLVVTe0MiFsolFHVdiIe_d_oMp6h0K5a4E6adJQDOA7DxvRKn0eq7YxUBsu9M1vFjA/s640/cotinis_june_beetle_head.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a green June beetle head</td></tr>
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These beetles measure about an inch long and, thus, are quite noticeable. There are <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/334/bgpage">several species in the genus <i>Cotinis</i></a>, but the only one in North Carolina is <i>C. nitida</i>. Another local relative, <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/17511"><i>Euphoria fulgida</i></a>, is similarly colored, but has a <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/63431">triangular scutellum</a> in between the wing covers.<br />
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Green June beetles are among the fastest flying beetles around**. It takes a second to determine that they are in fact a beetle and not some large bee or wasp - this can create some momentary terror for those afraid of stinging insects when they are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUIKFZVC4ow">buzzing around</a>. Their rapid flight is aided by the fact that, unlike most other beetles, their wing covers (<i>elytra</i>) remain closed during flight. In fact they are fused and the wings slide out the sides when in use. This makes them particularly streamlined and agile, rather than exhibiting the clumsy flight of other beetles. Although they may come to lights, these beetles are most active during the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXoxRG7n9fCWf62_4kix5dvEfeRFI6iybgM06wMFGb7DI570F2EKYujFgB2WkaYHAx24OVRHWUgxUNBZN-omACRigla07RdogQd05_bzVnVzsO3dIJuMyl8gOz8It37d8F3AJJhXpclPi/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXoxRG7n9fCWf62_4kix5dvEfeRFI6iybgM06wMFGb7DI570F2EKYujFgB2WkaYHAx24OVRHWUgxUNBZN-omACRigla07RdogQd05_bzVnVzsO3dIJuMyl8gOz8It37d8F3AJJhXpclPi/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The western species <i>Cotinis mutabilis</i> in flight. Note how the wing covers are closed during flight, unlike most other beetles. Photo by <a href="http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/image/83471255">Dennis Ancinec</a></td></tr>
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So where are they going so quickly? Well, adults (like most adult animals) are interested in two things: mating and eating.<br />
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Upon emerging from the ground (more on the life cycle below) the beetles are eager to mate. Females generally stay on the ground and produce a pheromone <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLxQkfwN4i8">which attracts numerous suitors</a>. After mating multiple times, the takes off along the ground to find a suitable spot to lay her eggs.<br />
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On the food side, green June beetles are known to be pests of soft-skinned fruits and vegetables. This is where their other names come from: fig-eaters or fig beetles. Although not exclusive to figs, these beetles will also attack peaches and other stone fruits, pears, apples, grapes, bramble fruits, tomatoes and corn, among others. They typically attack ripe or over-ripe fruits that are easier to break open and produce early fermentation chemicals we can't detect with our nose. Once at the fruit, <a href="http://ee.oxfordjournals.org/content/17/2/147.abstract">the beetles emit a chemical</a> that brings others to the food source, causing a snowball effect which can spill over to other fruits. The physical damage along with fecal matter from the beetles fouls the fruit making it inedible. The feeding, however, increases the reproductive potential of the beetles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlp7FRYnukPJraU64jmAOUNON5QseQ9TYHZ8KjQ4pMS_A-OLg2mfdEv7qq5SnOXSAcagcs01ckUSWdNx4aBmLAj4Ag7-0aAyr-3_wEVF6RQtJj_P5YfLRutOVqmVtMY3lmUyCOVUsnMkCt/s1600/Cotinis_Fruit_Damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlp7FRYnukPJraU64jmAOUNON5QseQ9TYHZ8KjQ4pMS_A-OLg2mfdEv7qq5SnOXSAcagcs01ckUSWdNx4aBmLAj4Ag7-0aAyr-3_wEVF6RQtJj_P5YfLRutOVqmVtMY3lmUyCOVUsnMkCt/s640/Cotinis_Fruit_Damage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A group of green June beetles attacking a ripe pear. The fruit will be ruined for consumption. Photo by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotinis_nitida#/media/File:Cotinis_Fruit_Damage.jpg">J. Reynolds</a></td></tr>
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Females look for soil that has a high organic matter content, preferring areas with decaying vegetable matter and dung on which the larvae feed. Digging into the ground with their strong, rake-like forelegs and horn, the female lays from 10-30 eggs in a ball of soil and organic matter. She will continue to feed, mate and lay eggs several times.<br />
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Larvae go through three instars in the ground. In addition to feeding on organic matter, larvae sometimes cause damage to plants by eating roots. Their digging may also disrupt the root system, especially on turfgrass. Thus both adults and larvae are economically important (though only in some situations). Larvae often live in pastures and fields, but <a href="https://ia601703.us.archive.org/31/items/texasleafcutting494walt/texasleafcutting494walt.pdf">have also been found</a> in leafcutter ant mounds in TX. They can be seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0zQ4BeZ4XU">crawling on their back</a> after rains flush them out of the ground; they also travel this way in the soil. This back-crawling behavior is unique and an easy way to quickly identify larvae.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Z6-l3-AKtitVjCFQOv11gWY_RQGGrAK9WaCsgCRFdVNH3Nlq42wjmNO4RDWJ892N4ehyOQrz5LKY_CKOHFUORplPKlbVx1K1PUkbwzt6dXwzXf28pUkM3Wkjz0P68aaOjgIC5UCemTZ/s1600/cotinis_larva_june_beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Z6-l3-AKtitVjCFQOv11gWY_RQGGrAK9WaCsgCRFdVNH3Nlq42wjmNO4RDWJ892N4ehyOQrz5LKY_CKOHFUORplPKlbVx1K1PUkbwzt6dXwzXf28pUkM3Wkjz0P68aaOjgIC5UCemTZ/s640/cotinis_larva_june_beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This larva is just the way it likes to be: larval green June beetles are typical white grubs, but atypical in that they travel on their back when moving on the ground or quickly through the soil.</td></tr>
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Green June beetles go through one generation per year. The larvae that hatch in the summer from eggs feed until the cooler months when they await the next year's warming spring season. They resume activity for a short time and then spend a few weeks as a pupa, before emerging again in the summer as an adult.<br />
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As far as pest status and control, green June beetles are most often an issue in and around pastures. Damage by larvae is characterized by patches of loose turf caused by destruction of roots. As described above, the adults often attack various fruits, but fields and orchards around grassy areas that apply manure or have livestock may be at highest risk for attack by adult beetles. Several types of chemicals are available to apply for control of larvae, and should be treated soon after the larvae hatch in late summer, after breeding season. As far as adults, monitoring using fruit baits near the edges of fields containing fruit crops can help identify the timing and density of the beetles. However, note that like Japanese beetle traps, these bait stations may actually draw beetles nearer to fields. Knowing the local history of outbreaks can also aid in predicting risk.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78neELhHSQ3WLMolfpxUv9DIjbE9ji8_TkB0vKTsqu8dJLccfM2MW7_h0nolX1zCdReeakXlbI0jNrVrqRggzODf4WTSggmo-CowwcPphoy0SY9dJgOL8HXZhOo4mErLd3odkHarGhbDP/s1600/Parking-Lot-Sidewalk-August-16th-Green-June-Beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78neELhHSQ3WLMolfpxUv9DIjbE9ji8_TkB0vKTsqu8dJLccfM2MW7_h0nolX1zCdReeakXlbI0jNrVrqRggzODf4WTSggmo-CowwcPphoy0SY9dJgOL8HXZhOo4mErLd3odkHarGhbDP/s640/Parking-Lot-Sidewalk-August-16th-Green-June-Beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colored SEM of a green June beetle by <a href="http://danielkariko.com/suburbansymbiosis">Daniel Kariko</a> </td></tr>
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* these names are generally based on the timing of usual emergence, despite changes in climate likely affecting this window<br />
** you get <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=4443618&tag=1">interesting results</a> when searching for <i>Cotinis</i> + flightMatt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-46208368151946198112016-01-06T16:27:00.002-05:002016-01-06T16:27:57.764-05:00Mosquitoes in Winter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVZkFrqfwD7EKuHJVJGsdm185DCDGOplXUbhbMJgFvtye9YsUULR_mTQQ4RppM5elRSBJE6wKj4vF7AvesNAlqg3DMRFERFLJl8-tNJoHCDtj1TJWEjJvVdgOU_O6Bv3W0cJY5Vkn4kJu/s1600/Cxtarsaliscopywrite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVZkFrqfwD7EKuHJVJGsdm185DCDGOplXUbhbMJgFvtye9YsUULR_mTQQ4RppM5elRSBJE6wKj4vF7AvesNAlqg3DMRFERFLJl8-tNJoHCDtj1TJWEjJvVdgOU_O6Bv3W0cJY5Vkn4kJu/s640/Cxtarsaliscopywrite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female <i>Culex tarsalis</i>, a species that overwinters as a diapausing adult.</td></tr>
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<i><b>The following is a guest post from our mosquito ecologist Michael Reiskind. You can find more of his work <a href="http://vectorecology.org/">here</a>.</b></i><br />
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Well, we finally have winter like weather here in NC. I saw a flying, adult <i>Aedes vexans</i> on December 23rd, but the hard freezes over the last couple of days should eliminate those guys.<br />
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Early in my academic career, I remember seeing a talk by a “freelance” mosquito control professional who provided service to New York City during the initial outbreak of West Nile virus, in 1999. I remember him noting the dramatic decline in <i>Culex pipiens</i> the two weeks after he sprayed between October 8-15th. Of course, that may have coincided with the onset of cold weather. As most even casual observers would agree there are no mosquitoes in winter. Right?<br />
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Of course, it is not that mosquitoes disappear in winter; just the life stage we love (to hate): biting adults. Just as we don’t see annual plants (say, tomatoes), mosquitoes are still there. But where? And how?<br />
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The avoidance of unproductive (and inhospitable) times is widespread among life. Many animals can go into a low metabolism period: hibernation for mammals, and diapause in insects. Insects prepare for this by building up resources, and then by lowering their energy demands to as low as possible.<br />
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One of the most fascinating things about diapause in insects, and even in the family of mosquitoes, is the diversity of life-history stages that can diapause. Some mosquitoes diapause as eggs, some as larvae, and some as adults. This suggests a degree of evolutionary flexibility between species, although diapause stage is usually conserved within a species (that is, it is canalized).<br />
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One of the other interesting things about diapause are changes in behavior leading up to shutting down for the winter. These include endophily (coming inside buildings), changes in food preferences (for nectar instead of blood), and changes in oviposition behavior. Pretty neat stuff. But also adaptive to the fluctuating conditions mosquitoes encounter across seasons.<br />
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Here in North Carolina you won’t find any mosquitoes flying on a cold winter day, but rest assured, they are here, waiting, as eggs in birdbaths, as adults in basements, or as larvae in wet tree holes.<br />
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References:<br />
<a href="http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-ento-011613-162023">Armbruster, P. and Denlinger, D. Mosquito Diapause. <i>Annual Review of Entomology</i> 59: 73-93.</a>Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-54745816507427035862016-01-04T21:04:00.000-05:002016-01-04T21:04:05.093-05:00We're back! And a cold weather reminder Happy New Year! The PDIC staff hope you and your plants thrive in good health in 2016.<br />
<br />
Now that cold weather has arrived, this is a reminder that samples shipped during the winter can suffer cold damage in transit. Consider shipping your sample in an inexpensive foam cooler to protect it from cold. All but the sturdiest coolers should then be placed inside a cardboard box before shipping.BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-76133046892867050532015-12-14T10:33:00.001-05:002015-12-14T10:33:14.247-05:00PDIC Holiday Closing Information<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Plant Disease and Insect Clinic will be closed for North Carolina State University Holidays. We will close at <b>noon on December 23, 2015 </b>and reopen on <b>January 4, 2016</b>. Samples with suspected disease problems should be submitted by <b>Friday, December 18</b> to allow time for culturing organisms if necessary for diagnosis. However, samples will be accepted until we close on December 23. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Our best wishes for a joyous holiday season and for a happy, healthy New Year for you and your plants!</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt Bertone, Entomologist</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shawn Butler, Diagnostician, vegetables, home landscapes and gardens</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lee Butler, Diagnostician, turf</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charles Hodges, Professor Emeritus and Diagnostician trees, grapes, and brambles</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike Munster, Diagnostician, commercial ornamentals</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emma Lookabaugh, Graduate student, tomato diagnostician </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">April Varner, Student lab support</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barbara Shew, Director</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-71581156547910112202015-11-25T13:12:00.000-05:002015-11-25T13:12:02.768-05:00Tales of the Turkey Tail<br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://blog.nwf.org/2012/11/lets-talk-turkey-history-of-wild-icon-in-america/" target="_blank">very successful conservation efforts</a>, you may be lucky enough to see a wild turkey if you take a walk in the woods after
your Thanksgiving dinner. But it would not take much luck at all to encounter the turkey
tail fungus, <i>Trametes versicolor </i>on your walk. This
subtly beautiful fungus probably is the most common wood rotting fungus on dead
hardwoods throughout North America (Gilbertson & Ryvarden, <i>North American Polypores</i>, 1987). In
fact, you may not need to leave your neighborhood to see turkey tails on old stumps like these flowering cherries we removed a couple of years ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbJY-No5W20f5tpSYJp4dnBzQZoDiVEwXglIr2mARp3rVH8YIX3yO8slBE-r2BlWsNyfUYTs_NrqBnO8FWPXekAXSy5CnIPzuQ5wtm6Ac-FypsTcOYuYdTp3PauhyphenhyphenapeB8CldPnbDm9Q/s1600/IMG_4955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbJY-No5W20f5tpSYJp4dnBzQZoDiVEwXglIr2mARp3rVH8YIX3yO8slBE-r2BlWsNyfUYTs_NrqBnO8FWPXekAXSy5CnIPzuQ5wtm6Ac-FypsTcOYuYdTp3PauhyphenhyphenapeB8CldPnbDm9Q/s640/IMG_4955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fruiting bodies of the turkey tail fungus <i>Trametes versicolor</i> on a flowing cherry stump</td></tr>
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The common name of the turkey tail fungus refers to the semicircular rosettes
of varying colors in the fruiting bodies (the spore producing part) of this fungus. The
species name <i>versicolor</i> describes both
the multicolored bands seen at different times within an individual
specimen and the color variations seen among different specimens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi4Hdxk7LynIcgDhRqcm0jht2DzNqQXhpqBdrgWu-xt3uNsQ8UkRlhdemVt3c-cUtM6rQ8me0BAhgU_vffRNIzsRGpWrmnygrZdi24DkiiRh8G4tgLodkN8cXm_uvRHFWwVMfnfT9eAM/s1600/IMG_7082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi4Hdxk7LynIcgDhRqcm0jht2DzNqQXhpqBdrgWu-xt3uNsQ8UkRlhdemVt3c-cUtM6rQ8me0BAhgU_vffRNIzsRGpWrmnygrZdi24DkiiRh8G4tgLodkN8cXm_uvRHFWwVMfnfT9eAM/s640/IMG_7082.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bands of color variations in an old fruiting body</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>T. versicolor</i> can be distinguished from similar
species by the tiny pores visible on the underside of the fruiting bodies. Like
mushrooms, this fungus belongs to the basidiomycetes, but unlike the button
mushrooms you may have had with your Thanksgiving dinner, <i>T. versicolor</i> is a polypore, a basidiomycete that produces spores within
pores rather than on gills. Also unlike many mushrooms, the fruiting body is somewhat
leathery (not fleshy) and long lived. The fruiting bodies first
appeared on our cherry stumps in September and have been expanding and changing color since then.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTfC7b1uk8QrYMhsZ3_QjeY1Q-lTv617j5n_PSy6FXrBANenBZxcRIHUUQrSadEp79CqzASjPN2QMumwbmh6SK_CsqHaCV3L0IYUWY0rv34ua6i7m1xnaFAWJF51Ys8fRXe9qOzcOZxM/s1600/IMG_7096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTfC7b1uk8QrYMhsZ3_QjeY1Q-lTv617j5n_PSy6FXrBANenBZxcRIHUUQrSadEp79CqzASjPN2QMumwbmh6SK_CsqHaCV3L0IYUWY0rv34ua6i7m1xnaFAWJF51Ys8fRXe9qOzcOZxM/s640/IMG_7096.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small pores covering the lower side of the fruiting body</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>Trametes versicolor</i>
is one of the white rot fungi, indicating that the fungus can decay lignin, which
along with cellulose, is a main component of wood. White rot fungi such as <i>T. versicolor</i> break down the dark
lignin in wood, leaving the lighter colored cellulose behind. Other so-called brown rot
fungi break down cellulose, leaving behind dark lignin. Many species of both
white rot and brown rot fungi cause rots in living trees, but <i>T. versicolor</i> is not a pathogen and decays only nonliving materials. When you gather up piles of leaves and fallen sticks and
branches in the fall, you can begin to appreciate that decay organisms such as <i>T. versicolor</i> perform a very necessary function
in nature. Without them, we’d soon be inundated with layers and layers of plant
debris. In fact, <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mushroom-evolution-breaks-down-lignin-slows-coal-formation/" target="_blank">a recent theory</a> proposes that the evolution of white rot fungi
brought about the end of the massive accumulation of plant
materials characteristic of the coal age.<br />
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As you might guess, <i>T.
versicolor</i> has been studied for its potential to remove lignin in various
industrial processes. It also is has been studied for medicinal purposes and is
used in traditional Chinese medicine. Not surprisingly, the dried fruiting bodies
have been used as dyes of protein based fibers like wool and silk (Binion et
al, <i>Macrofungi Associated with oaks of
Eastern North America</i>, 2008). The turkey tail fungus is commonly sold in craft stores for use in seasonal floral
arrangements, and if you would like to add a touch of turkey to your Thanksgiving
decor, the source may be as close as your own backyard. <o:p></o:p></div>
BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-11345017254508233172015-11-24T14:55:00.000-05:002015-12-18T10:53:19.536-05:00Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease in NC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouX3OZP6oxP0xSUFW9YaDTA0o8z1uGfnGKqCjf1LoWY49fJxLDPqAQ7pvNbCfVbzqaT3TiwmB6_2qPYTDsRGB-tHUYF0T4PKSK5zfH5n3i4j2Ki8TLgnnBg8ukC5TCm8dpz7UZPrdFA1E/s1600/PHIL_3013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouX3OZP6oxP0xSUFW9YaDTA0o8z1uGfnGKqCjf1LoWY49fJxLDPqAQ7pvNbCfVbzqaT3TiwmB6_2qPYTDsRGB-tHUYF0T4PKSK5zfH5n3i4j2Ki8TLgnnBg8ukC5TCm8dpz7UZPrdFA1E/s400/PHIL_3013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The causative agent of Chagas disease is a protozoan called <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>, seen here at center among human blood cells. Image courtesy of Public Health Image Library (PHIL)/CDC/ Dr. Mae Melvin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
News reports <a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/Hidden-Threat-The-Kissing-Bug-and-Chagas-Disease-345192802.html">out of Texas</a>, and <a href="http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/health/2015/11/22/deadly-kissing-bug-reported-in-north-carolina/76217110/">now North Carolina</a>, have been stirring up fears about "deadly" insects and a lesser known, but potentially serious illness: Chagas disease. Most people in the United States have never heard of this malady, yet it affects millions of people every year...in Central and South America.<br />
<br />
The vast majority of Chagas disease cases are from rural areas in the New World tropics. Cases in the United States are rare, and most have been diagnosed from people who traveled here from outside the country. In fact there are at present only seven verified cases of natively-infected (termed "autochthonous") Chagas in the United States since 1955, and none of these was from North Carolina (see Reference 2). To put this in perspective, malaria -- a mosquito transmitted protozoan disease often thought of as exotic -- has been recorded as autochthonous <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5513.pdf">63 times since 1957</a>.<br />
<br />
Since I am an entomologist and not a medical pathologist I will not be writing about the disease itself, including its forms of transmission, symptoms and treatment. However, there are many great resources that describe the disease including the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a>, the <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/">World Health Organization (WHO)</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagas_disease">Wikipedia</a>. I would, however, like to discuss the biology, identification, methods/risks of bites, and prevention in relation to the bugs themselves.<br />
<br />
On that note, let's start off with a real kissing bug found right here in NC:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4XFCScGxlDF-9mnDOIYjlu8-QbQwkPtdsKWnv2xHolMksBCHMqAMetsiHojjUx7AFX7n4VnvGY39wov5OyQhbQZy8ebS3gey1bCFIvg2aEh-gV8uR6DuDenxkF6JKB2RbQs9-JZNEBe4/s1600/9754702921_e627ddb054_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4XFCScGxlDF-9mnDOIYjlu8-QbQwkPtdsKWnv2xHolMksBCHMqAMetsiHojjUx7AFX7n4VnvGY39wov5OyQhbQZy8ebS3gey1bCFIvg2aEh-gV8uR6DuDenxkF6JKB2RbQs9-JZNEBe4/s640/9754702921_e627ddb054_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Eastern blood-sucking conenose (AKA kissing bug), <i>Triatoma sanguisuga</i>, is native to NC and much of the southern and middle U.S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Kissing bugs are true bugs (Hemiptera) in the family <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/166">Reduviidae</a>, most of which are referred to as assassin bugs. With ~7,000 species worldwide, the family Reduviidae is among the largest in the order. Most species in the family are predators, feeding on other insects and arthropods. However, the subfamily Triatominae, and the subject of this post, has largely abandoned the predatory lifestyle for one of blood-feeding. These bugs feed on a wide variety of vertebrate hosts, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. In all there are over 130 species of kissing bugs, the majority being found in the Western Hemisphere.<br />
<br />
Although most species are tropical, kissing bugs are native to North Carolina and have been for as long as humans have been here. At least two species can be found in the state: <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/59564">Triatoma sanguisuga</a></i> and <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/478629">T. lecticularia</a></i>. <i>T. sanguisuga</i> is more common, but even it is not frequently encountered. The reasons why they are so rarely found are two-fold. First, they are nocturnal, preferring to hide during the day. They may be seen at lights at night after dispersing (they have wings and can fly) but otherwise it's not often that you will see them in your daily lives. Second, they are often associated with small mammal nests, especially species of <i>Neotoma </i>(woodrats); the Eastern woodrat (<i><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm91_054316.pdf">Neotoma floridana</a></i>), for example, can be found in North Carolina where it builds nests out of sticks and other debris. These nests are a perfect habitat for kissing bugs to hide before feeding on the inhabitants. Other mammal hosts of particular importance are opossums (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>), raccoons (<i>Procyon lotor</i>), and armadillos (<i>Dasypus novemcintus</i>), but they will feed on a variety of mammals including livestock, pets, and humans.<br />
<br />
As true bugs, kissing bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis: after the egg, there are eight nymphal stages (instars) before they become an adult. All free-living stages feed on vertebrate blood, although they have been known to take other insects as food. The name "kissing" bug comes from the fact that when the bugs feed on humans at night, they prefer the face, especially the lips and eyes. Kissing bugs swell greatly when engorged, usually taking 20 minutes or so to feed. Their bites do not initially hurt, so as not to wake their victims, but often become itchy, swollen and painful. The bites can last for weeks and in some cases allergic reactions to the saliva can occur, even resulting in anaphylaxis.<br />
<br />
The Chagas disease cycle begins when a bug feeds on an infected host, drinking blood containing the parasites. Many mammals that are fed on by kissing bugs (but not typically birds) can harbor the pathogen that causes the disease, but these animals rarely show symptoms. In fact, <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/3283667?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents">researchers at Wake Forest University (North Carolina)</a>, found that 1 of 12 (8.3%) opossums and 3 of 20 (15%) raccoons they trapped locally had the parasite. The parasite then grows and multiplies in the bug until it is ready to infect another organism. Unlike mosquitoes and many other blood-sucking arthropods, the disease is not transmitted directly through the bite. Instead, the parasites are found in the feces which may be deposited while feeding or somewhere near the bite. Intense itching causes the person to rub the feces into the eyes, mouth or wound where the parasites can enter the new host to complete the cycle. Thus an important factor for getting the disease is not the bite itself, but the likelihood of the feces getting into open wounds or mucous membranes. In this sense our native kissing bugs are rather courteous and discreet with their excreta -- they most often wait until they leave the host before defecating. This is thought to be the main reason why the disease is not common in the United States despite the bugs, disease and reservoir animals being present. In fact many kissing bugs that are tested for the disease have it, as do local mammals. But humans are not a preferred host and are not typically exposed to the parasite-riddled feces. <b>Thus, the species native to most of the United States are not considered vectors of the disease to humans.</b><br />
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As far as identification, kissing bugs are like most other Hemiptera in that they have a long, straw-like rostrum used to suck liquids. Therefore, if the insect you have has mandibles or chewing mouthparts, it's not a kissing bug. True bugs will also never have more than five true antennal segments, and never more than three tarsal segments (the parts of the "feet").<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQqWXE3mG19URwAFIfEvCNQyjgqrATXfoJxh2Q12BMFCTb61GM9jI47RgfoGkFGJgoZ4Xh0No9bGJ9CmoODeaMBdDKFqMyoXOTBHGoXFGhPECD0_6Cm23oXpicXMKZMoTf_5rFHgCyuDQ/s1600/triatoma2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQqWXE3mG19URwAFIfEvCNQyjgqrATXfoJxh2Q12BMFCTb61GM9jI47RgfoGkFGJgoZ4Xh0No9bGJ9CmoODeaMBdDKFqMyoXOTBHGoXFGhPECD0_6Cm23oXpicXMKZMoTf_5rFHgCyuDQ/s640/triatoma2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of an Eastern conenose kissing bug.</td></tr>
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Kissing bugs themselves are around one inch in length when fully grown and somewhat flattened (when not fed). The sides of their abdomen (termed <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/290273">connexivum</a>) and thorax are striped, alternating black and orange/red (sometimes even pink in hue). The legs of kissing bugs are thin compared to most assassin bugs, likely because they do not need to grab prey but instead must be able to move quickly. The name conenose comes from the fact that the front of the head is elongate and the rostrum is long and thin. The antennae are placed well in front of the eyes along the "nose". They also have a prominent spine on the back of the thorax.<br />
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Often, other true bugs have similar shapes or markings and can be difficult to tell apart from kissing bugs. The following are <b>NOT </b>kissing bugs:<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Other assassin bugs</b></h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrsHsapCQQFfNIsCsk3JE7eyTir5vKOGSj_n2BjFhtA4CPDppM_Q0Zr8m27zzM1AH2IAsIPEb0cbepagHGQ_Otflp7pW9ImZmHKXhoebQOFc4JRYL3Lwm8mQas_So6bz0rCa4-22M_NTm/s1600/10753377145_395c18ee1e_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrsHsapCQQFfNIsCsk3JE7eyTir5vKOGSj_n2BjFhtA4CPDppM_Q0Zr8m27zzM1AH2IAsIPEb0cbepagHGQ_Otflp7pW9ImZmHKXhoebQOFc4JRYL3Lwm8mQas_So6bz0rCa4-22M_NTm/s640/10753377145_395c18ee1e_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">t well over an inch long,</span> wheel bugs (<i>Arilus cristatus</i>) are our largest assassin bugs. They are very easily recognized by the large cog-shaped crest on the pronotum. They lack red stripes and have a much stronger beak than kissing bugs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpzDcvS_4IpRkQoWc3aoQ_G7MoSJ0A0O8n1gZ1KBHzBMaewYBdroRUrGDrJVvMitBcD0mmAOmQ6JcpZL5m6xb5FxGEDBaVGjHAsv5iffIV9DzHmYydb5B3P18d80UShenGMTe0h4rDGAu/s1600/8054222205_e3ac104303_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpzDcvS_4IpRkQoWc3aoQ_G7MoSJ0A0O8n1gZ1KBHzBMaewYBdroRUrGDrJVvMitBcD0mmAOmQ6JcpZL5m6xb5FxGEDBaVGjHAsv5iffIV9DzHmYydb5B3P18d80UShenGMTe0h4rDGAu/s640/8054222205_e3ac104303_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Microtomus purcis</i> is a large, primitive assassin bug species that enjoys hunting under bark, likely for woodroaches (<i>Parcoblatta</i> sp.). The large white patches on the wings and half red hind femora are diagnostic for the species.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqmkXSaGWfxv97O1JpMJXdKF9HwQOdeKp-SFyo3tJjOrUeDWyX0RZ0LgQ_7rEend9IG2JlzkcMjbvXj2wCGZE1xweQXrsLLJ4XXtZoZy09DAKMG92GuSt6ojTbOfPyB2MMkTdv5yPBVKI/s1600/milkweed_zelus_adult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqmkXSaGWfxv97O1JpMJXdKF9HwQOdeKp-SFyo3tJjOrUeDWyX0RZ0LgQ_7rEend9IG2JlzkcMjbvXj2wCGZE1xweQXrsLLJ4XXtZoZy09DAKMG92GuSt6ojTbOfPyB2MMkTdv5yPBVKI/s640/milkweed_zelus_adult.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Milkweed assassins (<i>Zelus longipes</i>) are medium sized, distinctively red/orange and black assassin bugs with long legs. They are often found out on plants where they wait to capture prey with their sticky forelegs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKl_digR2aofaYzPuYdtZ51I5k8eG1LE2v0KxqGZLHKc24Is33yKFrhL5bSVf82iJeQr6KCajJoyLKfk7o9t2FnrRwwZGpEp79t4xPuJhV652Rw_Jdn4fYjjjBRcqUoRtcc5lfq6LyV4M/s1600/8865308729_79b502eeba_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKl_digR2aofaYzPuYdtZ51I5k8eG1LE2v0KxqGZLHKc24Is33yKFrhL5bSVf82iJeQr6KCajJoyLKfk7o9t2FnrRwwZGpEp79t4xPuJhV652Rw_Jdn4fYjjjBRcqUoRtcc5lfq6LyV4M/s640/8865308729_79b502eeba_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Massive front legs and a spiny head are characteristics of spined assassin bugs (<i>Sinea</i> sp.). They are generally smaller than many of the previous assassins (around half an inch) and typically lack bright colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AE7sMiDII68xdIG4f5t-m43WGG496wOpQSyDw98TfXbSXobSKx9lpYNxx6xyzi0_k30z3kHEylU0L4LTXHB4sGA5Eo_GNQGJiM-7I5VQWR-H6nx5dvafGHdPhEgjcVoOwVSBjPLPI14e/s1600/14067681822_587dcc3bd2_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AE7sMiDII68xdIG4f5t-m43WGG496wOpQSyDw98TfXbSXobSKx9lpYNxx6xyzi0_k30z3kHEylU0L4LTXHB4sGA5Eo_GNQGJiM-7I5VQWR-H6nx5dvafGHdPhEgjcVoOwVSBjPLPI14e/s640/14067681822_587dcc3bd2_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Black corsairs (<i>Melanolestes picipes</i>) are often attracted to lights and may specialize in capturing scarab beetles with their large, padded fore legs. Black corsairs are obviously black, but other close relatives, like the genera <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/23443" style="font-style: italic;">Rasahus</a> and <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/7327">Sirthenea</a></i>, can be red/orange or striped. The masked bed bug hunter (<i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/11385">Reduvius personatus</a></i>) is a similarly black species found around homes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Zw2Ssx8r2chj5rFUgj0xSpSOoDkEQ5k8KfecJrUTrtA4Nok23-_E58AhNmha0ziSVua1MC7ldK3esy1jHlzOSM7FzmzkrYJGc5UVZ8ZumoNlgcSWkFFdvf4gSRodnpKD8R7dmqi0Jkp/s1600/DSC_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Zw2Ssx8r2chj5rFUgj0xSpSOoDkEQ5k8KfecJrUTrtA4Nok23-_E58AhNmha0ziSVua1MC7ldK3esy1jHlzOSM7FzmzkrYJGc5UVZ8ZumoNlgcSWkFFdvf4gSRodnpKD8R7dmqi0Jkp/s640/DSC_0204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Members of the genus <i>Pselliopus</i> are small, common assassin bugs with distinct rings around their appendages and along the body. This nymph, found crawling around a home, shows the typical orange color of the genus.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Other bugs</b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-FpbVv0XmkP-052fEgNeYd-LBtLgTud0VMOtua0aHNi7dR6O-7_hVbYPJPDe7WnVFHr0LcsJ5Zcw9ogvZM2LFPy0P7TEXD414iKbFg1bTZDNTgAQMxjwKo6UkJL5DDEP2N0800s8xDEi/s1600/15940844231_3be2fa629b_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-FpbVv0XmkP-052fEgNeYd-LBtLgTud0VMOtua0aHNi7dR6O-7_hVbYPJPDe7WnVFHr0LcsJ5Zcw9ogvZM2LFPy0P7TEXD414iKbFg1bTZDNTgAQMxjwKo6UkJL5DDEP2N0800s8xDEi/s640/15940844231_3be2fa629b_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Leaf-footed bugs, like this <i>Leptoglossus corculus</i> (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/93">Coreidae</a>), are similar to assassin bugs (and thus kissing bugs) but have enlarged hind legs rather than enlarged forelegs. The leaf-like hind legs are also a good trait for distinguishing between the groups, but not all Coreidae have them. These bugs have a long, needle-like rostrum for piercing plants that does not fit in a groove on the underside of the body (as in assassin bugs). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVkh5NOLaU6e5KoIwu2R-xLfaF4bod4GWYODA_FhW0JAenacqbDcEXINPj5xfTU_JIjib3wtPtpCwLQ9dfy08iT7xzKt0wbkoL9G_PPjqkUvryUvEFU4ojtgqM-Jz_rJbEJJ1HAKx03EV/s1600/8606361013_0b4e9891b3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVkh5NOLaU6e5KoIwu2R-xLfaF4bod4GWYODA_FhW0JAenacqbDcEXINPj5xfTU_JIjib3wtPtpCwLQ9dfy08iT7xzKt0wbkoL9G_PPjqkUvryUvEFU4ojtgqM-Jz_rJbEJJ1HAKx03EV/s640/8606361013_0b4e9891b3_c.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Stink bugs (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/182">Pentatomidae</a>) are another group of true bugs that may be mistaken for kissing bugs, but are generally wider and shield-shaped; they also have a much shorter head that is broadly attached to the thorax (i.e. they lack a distinct neck). Shown here is a rough stink bug (<i>Brochymena </i>sp.), a common plant feeding genus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi724-Fejg94X5YQti8RQzRvT1fui5ReYka9MKTBTqIZTTHnQbK7h_T5GZUqRj14XOYu_TWrE6kkrpF_Ewtdc2C1Gm5Oto2leVkozNnthWo31IFcWiKmRpSuMjtEm2pYJSAJXsjrTnHXCnR/s1600/10753374045_f2ededb9e4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi724-Fejg94X5YQti8RQzRvT1fui5ReYka9MKTBTqIZTTHnQbK7h_T5GZUqRj14XOYu_TWrE6kkrpF_Ewtdc2C1Gm5Oto2leVkozNnthWo31IFcWiKmRpSuMjtEm2pYJSAJXsjrTnHXCnR/s640/10753374045_f2ededb9e4_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Florida predatory stink bugs (<i>Euthyrhynchus floridanus</i>) are brightly colored, metallic cobalt and orange/red bugs. As their name implies, they are predators of other insects.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2tjNTain9z8fqF4ulJrCQcwH1Bl9qq1nvm-lan0V0bdIyURuyiuddAjXVkWfpXZeAw_bddOfeMm7GWeSgsBmYXuqnDHf4HIBYtlK_g_QMTpQ8jxtQfVWwiR6s3eJGlBWTCyX-E__16wB/s1600/15294318209_7f9be3cac0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2tjNTain9z8fqF4ulJrCQcwH1Bl9qq1nvm-lan0V0bdIyURuyiuddAjXVkWfpXZeAw_bddOfeMm7GWeSgsBmYXuqnDHf4HIBYtlK_g_QMTpQ8jxtQfVWwiR6s3eJGlBWTCyX-E__16wB/s640/15294318209_7f9be3cac0_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">There are many brown stink bugs, including this <i>Euschistus </i>sp. Some feed on plants, while others are predators. Most have distinct "shoulders" or pointed lateral edges of the thorax.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf37A9Im9GkBus_iQWMS4qn3lBaPl_bgUfsr0Wvvngs8Y38DCBXm-Iln8sb8Q8I8rjLdOxD6VQFbcE-5bw1uexdc5WLl50wNLxydf0WPRP3loiRwwlrUsVAkmcBwJYg7jjs4wSRpwupEWF/s1600/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf37A9Im9GkBus_iQWMS4qn3lBaPl_bgUfsr0Wvvngs8Y38DCBXm-Iln8sb8Q8I8rjLdOxD6VQFbcE-5bw1uexdc5WLl50wNLxydf0WPRP3loiRwwlrUsVAkmcBwJYg7jjs4wSRpwupEWF/s640/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Now infamous throughout their ever expanding range, brown marmorated stink bugs, or BMSBs (<i>Halyomorpha halys</i>) are native to Asia but were introduced over a decade ago into the northeast of the United States. As plant feeders they can be pests, but are most often pestiferous when they enter homes during the fall and winter in large numbers. Their scent can be strong and their presence annoying. They resemble other brown stink bugs, but are unique in having striped antennae.</td></tr>
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If you think you have a kissing bug, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/docs/pictorial_keys/bugs.pdf">this short pictorial key</a> should help you identify similar bugs that may bite. If you are still unsure and would like to have a photograph or specimen identified, <a href="https://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/clinic/submit-sample.html">please visit our website for information on how to submit such a sample</a>.<br />
<br />
Finally, how do you control kissing bugs? In the tropics where the bugs live in large numbers among cracks in mud homes or in thatched roofs (and the threat of disease transmission is high), applying pesticides is a good idea. However, here in North Carolina prevention is the key and applying pesticides is not advised, as there are no definitive sites to apply the pesticides. The following are some strategies that can greatly reduce the chances of kissing bugs entering homes, especially in rural areas where there are more mammal hosts:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>reduce the amount of debris and vegetation directly around the home; wood and leaf piles, stacked rocks and other habitats that attract rodents can also harbor the bugs</li>
<li>repair cracks and gaps in homes; use weather stripping on points of entry like windows and doors and make sure window screens are intact and holes are repaired</li>
<li>if you suspect kissing bugs are in your home, inspect cracks and tight spaces, especially in bedrooms</li>
<li>lights will sometimes attract kissing bugs; minimizing the amount of lights on at night will help to "cloak" homes</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
Although these preventative measures will help reduce the chances of coming into contact with kissing bugs, in reality it is very unlikely you would ever come into contact with one of these insects anyway. In fact I have never seen one myself in the wild, even after 15 years of living in the state. Of course that is anecdotal, but I think most entomologists in the area would agree that they are uncommonly encountered.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So in conclusion, yes these bugs can carry a deadly disease. But here in the United States, especially North Carolina, you have almost no chance of contracting the disease from these native bugs.</div>
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References:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.emporia.edu/dotAsset/4d598526-a5c6-4bde-94e6-5ff376899835.pdf">Kissing Bugs in the United States</a></li>
<li><a href="http://cmr.asm.org/content/24/4/655.full">Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas' Disease in the United States</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/381676">Triatominae at Bugguide.net</a></li>
<li><a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/URBAN/Triatoma_sanguisuga.htm">The Eastern Blood-Sucking Conenose, UFL</a></li>
</ol>
Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-41436772019165205552015-09-04T15:20:00.000-04:002015-09-04T15:37:36.564-04:00Boxwood Blight Active AgainAfter a lull of several months, samples of suspected boxwood blight have been coming to the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) over the course of the last month. Just this week we’ve had confirmation on samples from a garden center in Macon County, North Carolina, and home landscapes in Transylvania, Jackson, and Forsyth Counties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tRvZYWDTA3Zc6duuKPLU2zDjwuVrDvjYlI-KSDaNN5-n41KjmaXdttUUGDzYqFpGgQFGWMvMuxu0QDSnUo6ib48posMQvP9GdDq4ZncU20xqfNJQU84FjDduR0AUjijvaGedI0FKnHwX/s1600/dsc00328_0002_22456_Durden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tRvZYWDTA3Zc6duuKPLU2zDjwuVrDvjYlI-KSDaNN5-n41KjmaXdttUUGDzYqFpGgQFGWMvMuxu0QDSnUo6ib48posMQvP9GdDq4ZncU20xqfNJQU84FjDduR0AUjijvaGedI0FKnHwX/s320/dsc00328_0002_22456_Durden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symptoms of boxwood blight at a garden center. Photo: Alan Durden, NCCES</td></tr>
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This news is disheartening for two reasons. First of all, the find in Winston-Salem follows concerted efforts to stamp out the 2013 outbreak there. Secondly, the other confirmations this week represent the first reports of boxwood blight in our southern mountain counties of North Carolina.<br />
<br />
Landscapers, homeowners, nurseries, and garden centers should be alert for symptoms of boxwood blight: brown leaf spots, black streaks on green twigs, and leaf drop, usually starting in the lower portions of the plant. As we move toward the holiday season, individuals and businesses that cut boxwood tips for wreaths and other greenery should be sure they understand the implications of this disease for their industry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ5W-OV5T98BBvELjv76x9ZjdnXU1x4W5q6r9hR1gAmPkIHmsGdbh2NENQW8vMvmmzJgNORUGXKV5CSNKbWIDnbxPshW_XBQ9Zgs1TsBk6w10m-cAY6L63_gHjl5uicnNTWLVfCxdUUvr/s1600/22456_Boxwood_2015B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ5W-OV5T98BBvELjv76x9ZjdnXU1x4W5q6r9hR1gAmPkIHmsGdbh2NENQW8vMvmmzJgNORUGXKV5CSNKbWIDnbxPshW_XBQ9Zgs1TsBk6w10m-cAY6L63_gHjl5uicnNTWLVfCxdUUvr/s320/22456_Boxwood_2015B.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf spots, stem streaks, and defoliation typical of boxwood blight.</td></tr>
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<br />
Comprehensive sets of recommendations are available from the <a href="http://www.ext.vt.edu/topics/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/boxwood-blight/" target="_blank">Virginia Boxwood Blight Task Force</a>. Those publications mention Virginia’s “Boxwood Blight Cleanliness Program”. The equivalent for North Carolina is the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Plant Industry Division, Plant Protection Section's <a href="http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/Plant/disease/BoxwoodBlight.htm" target="_blank">Boxwood Blight Compliance Program</a> for nurseries.<br />
<br />
It is still the policy of the PDIC that samples submitted by nurseries for boxwood blight confirmation only will be processed at no charge; however, we recommend submitting them through the NC Cooperative Extension Service or the NCDA&CS.Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-37580500808973622362015-08-27T13:47:00.037-04:002022-08-03T09:15:19.662-04:00Are northern giant hornets in North Carolina?<i>* This article was first published in 2015 under the title "Are Asian or Japanese giant hornets in the United States?". In December of 2019 <a href="https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets">a small number of northern giant hornets was verified in Washington state</a>. Eradication efforts are under way to stop the spread of these wasps, but the fate of this species in the US is unknown at this time. Regardless, these wasps are not presently in North Carolina, though suspected specimens (especially based off the identification information in this article) should be brought to the attention of the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. We can help to verify and report the information.</i><br />
<br />
<i>** In 2022, the Entomological Society of America <a href="https://entsoc.org/news/press-releases/northern-giant-hornet-common-name-vespa-mandarinia">approved "northern giant hornet" as the common name of <i>Vespa mandarinia</i></a>. I have updated this artice to reflect that new common name.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Not at this time.</b><br />
<br />
But there is a lot of fear of them. It could be from <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/tracking-giant-hornets-killed-42-people/story?id=20515232">news reports out of China</a> stating death tolls in the dozens, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ1eAM8CChc">natural history videos</a> depicting them massacring thousands of honey bees. They certainly are insects with an aggressive reputation, but plaguing North Carolinians (or most Americans)? It's not happening.<br />
<br />
Here's a little background on these wasps. The family <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/198">Vespidae</a> has a large diversity of forms and social structures and is found throughout the world. Many species are solitary, preferring to work alone to provide nests and food for their young - food typically being other insects (as in the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/249">Eumeninae</a>; see image below left) or pollen (as in the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/22272">Masarinae</a>). The familiar paper wasps make up the subfamily <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/384">Polistinae</a> (see image below right), and are social but usually have small to moderate-sized colonies. Many build open nests out of paper made by gathering pulp from dried wood. They are often seen under the eaves of homes in our area and, while they can be defensive of nests, are often tolerant of people. They are also beneficial predators of many garden pests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZSKCQOSjJtgU_j17sYQRvWFobfbAtbXKxLHGtd-iWG2hzI13MtgUQpvK6WWBk08KPkSIyh83GHoDkZO6I7knAOF3PRAgWlUJrMSVT-jHZYQwcdXkNXyKzOyIAZ1rA6vkU5XA5sO-zLud/s1600/vespids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZSKCQOSjJtgU_j17sYQRvWFobfbAtbXKxLHGtd-iWG2hzI13MtgUQpvK6WWBk08KPkSIyh83GHoDkZO6I7knAOF3PRAgWlUJrMSVT-jHZYQwcdXkNXyKzOyIAZ1rA6vkU5XA5sO-zLud/s640/vespids.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Potter wasps (left) and paper wasps (right) are two familiar groups in the family Vespidae. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Note how members of this family fold their wings lengthwise at rest. </b></span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photos by Matt Bertone.</span></div>
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The subfamily <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/385">Vespinae</a> encompasses species that generally have the largest colonies (numbering in the hundreds to over one thousand individuals) and contains the subject of this article. Some are small wasps that <a href="http://alamance.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Alamance-Gardener-AUG-2015.pdf?fwd=no">typically build paper nests in the ground</a>, including the well-known yellowjackets (<i>Vespula</i> spp.; see image below). Others, generally called hornets, build large paper nests in the open or inside dead trees, attics or other hollow structures. Hornets and yellow-jackets are highly aggressive toward perceived threats near their nests and, thus, have a bad reputation. Among the vespines, the largest wasps are in the genus <i>Vespa</i>. This genus has 23 species native to Europe, the Middle East, NE Africa, and Asia (most diverse in SE Asia); there are no native <i>Vespa </i>in the Western Hemisphere. Like many other members of the subfamily, the adult wasps will hunt and dismember prey (even scavenging carrion) to feed to their young, while taking sugary meals of ripe fruit or oozing tree sap for their own energy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-_buM4nCgtrbYLDghpJu9bASxAD3rTbwMZd6QoilOCRYCGgwf75NGE9stgWYaTNk7Iv_sB4iWJ2zokYQCUg1971zTZplK7nQxloeKUsw9MZWSGoDXP0rfw4O4Zp9GkfsTUNrtGY5lInZ/s1600/hornet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-_buM4nCgtrbYLDghpJu9bASxAD3rTbwMZd6QoilOCRYCGgwf75NGE9stgWYaTNk7Iv_sB4iWJ2zokYQCUg1971zTZplK7nQxloeKUsw9MZWSGoDXP0rfw4O4Zp9GkfsTUNrtGY5lInZ/s640/hornet1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Yellowjackets (like this <i>Vespula maculifrons</i> du Buysson) are small to medium wasps that typically create nests under ground. <span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Note the notched eye, characteristic of Vespidae. </span>Photo by Matt Bertone.</div>
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<br />
The largest are northern giant hornets (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_giant_hornet">Vespa mandarinia</a></i> Smith; see image below) also called yak-killer hornets and including a subspecies called the Japanese giant hornet (<i>V. mandarinia japonica</i>). Workers average about 3.5 cm (~1.5"), but queens can be a whopping 5.5 cm (~2.25") with a 7 cm (~2.75") wingspan! These wasps, as alluded to above, can be aggressive and pack large quantities of potent venom. While the LD<sub>50</sub> of <i>V. mandarinia</i> is 4.0 mg/kg (on par with the toxicity of some venomous snakes), it is actually less toxic by volume than our native <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/7097">southeastern yellowjacket</a>, <i>Vespula squamosa</i> (Drury), with an LD<sub>50 </sub>of 3.5 mg/kg. However, the volume of venom injected and <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952752">some necrotic and hemorrhagic properties of the venom</a> make this hornet dangerous. The biology of <i>Vespa mandarinia</i>, especially related to their attacks on honey bees, was outlined thoroughly by <a href="https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/27557/1/19(1)_P125-162.pdf">Matsuura and Sakagami (1973)</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj859r7DqJFo1HMWtbi41Hoa1M7QKyllUWDcojFHEEfSVuga37Y8JEMlXDJ6yU7pxRfOx7RTqMvULjKNRiLJoTu6VnvgVsp2pL7Z3-jhyphenhypheni0_F2rqJGyZlBXsO2gA5RWxYiLpLuGaW9AQNds/s1600/v_mandarinia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj859r7DqJFo1HMWtbi41Hoa1M7QKyllUWDcojFHEEfSVuga37Y8JEMlXDJ6yU7pxRfOx7RTqMvULjKNRiLJoTu6VnvgVsp2pL7Z3-jhyphenhypheni0_F2rqJGyZlBXsO2gA5RWxYiLpLuGaW9AQNds/s640/v_mandarinia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The northern giant hornet (<i>Vespa mandarinia</i>) is a large wasp found in many parts of middle and southern mainland Asia and nearby islands. This specimen measures just over 3.5 cm (not including the stinger), and in life would have a vibrant yellow/orange head and stripes on a dark brown or black background. <span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Note that the eyes are very far from the back of the head, almost twice the distance as the width of each eye - a characteristic of this species.</span> Photo by Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
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<b>So what are people seeing when they think one of these monster killer hornets is on the loose?</b> There are two main suspects found in the Eastern US that are often confused for northern giant hornets. The first is actually a close relative, the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/7230">European hornet</a> (<i>Vespa crabro</i> L.; see images below). This species was introduced from Europe/Asia into the US sometime in the 1800s and first recorded in NY. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jee/article-pdf/49/2/275/19468029/jee49-0275.pdf?casa_token=oz_ICIfmkrAAAAAA:gmJep0Ej6r2GMTB0oct8OEjh3ZdATqpNbeTeTZ-dYSI7ZQDRAYloTfwvjxvQLxT6WyeIDsLjiFg-XA">It has since spread across much of the eastern half of the US</a>. These wasps tend to nest in tree cavities and prefer to be away from humans, but sometimes are found in other situations, even in attics or walls of homes. They can be aggressive near nests and have painful stings, but are not usually an issue to homeowners, especially individual hornets out alone.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEkJF9j3z8Quc7LgfNgZtVRJZ4W6Smnbc1KxBxenkfhFrlkkMJvG5GkwDvXxZDV1GYIbuo6vavLbO5EbW0ZaX5fHWk_TacCQdKXS5QWsRFHWCyhgPP7MFbar2z3He-OfPUAc-cCcicYv1/s1600/IMG_7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEkJF9j3z8Quc7LgfNgZtVRJZ4W6Smnbc1KxBxenkfhFrlkkMJvG5GkwDvXxZDV1GYIbuo6vavLbO5EbW0ZaX5fHWk_TacCQdKXS5QWsRFHWCyhgPP7MFbar2z3He-OfPUAc-cCcicYv1/s640/IMG_7764.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">In life, European hornets (<i>Vespa crabro</i>) have a mix of yellow, black and reddish-brown colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpHlNwmcINt0jmZvAxCufnM8qL2qI-WSvs-r_4_jjcgvFfBvYrY5atvVYOS4fOa7v4saG9ByJ2gxKZuBIL4ppK3vhOVL3fb9zzlcQXUYwKIMEIxOYLhlXH9AOT1d7nw2rTEd17rUh0xea/s1600/v_crabro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpHlNwmcINt0jmZvAxCufnM8qL2qI-WSvs-r_4_jjcgvFfBvYrY5atvVYOS4fOa7v4saG9ByJ2gxKZuBIL4ppK3vhOVL3fb9zzlcQXUYwKIMEIxOYLhlXH9AOT1d7nw2rTEd17rUh0xea/s640/v_crabro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">European hornets (<i>Vespa crabro</i>) have a much darker head with larger eyes than northern giant hornets. They also have wider yellow stripes with black markings on their abdomen. This specimen is about 3.0 cm in length. Photo by Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
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Another candidate, and a wasp that is even larger than any hornet we have here, is the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/514">Eastern cicada killer</a> (<i>Sphecius speciosus</i> (Drury)). These wasps are distantly related to hornets. They are in fact a type of solitary hunting wasp in the family <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/85063">Crabronidae</a> (formerly a part of <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/135">Sphecidae</a>, which contains familiar wasps like mud daubers). As their name implies, cicada killer wasps hunt <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/101">cicadas</a>. In mid-summer, males guard plots of ground suitable for tunnels and may "attack" any intruder, especially other males. However, they cannot sting. It's the females that find this prey and paralyze it, not for her own food but for her young (larvae) to consume. Once a female has paralyzed her cicada, she buries it in the ground and lays an egg that will hatch into a larva that will consume the prey. Although they have an impressive stinger and have venom, they are not aggressive and prefer to avoid conflict - after all there is no one to do the work if they die! If you can get them to sting (which would take a lot) they apparently cause very mild pain, especially for their size.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo2WzaNwDdl0ig1JxkYUgGHt2ii-o-AzKcctDozGrlNnkoRuuJ3BJZxQfrHwFFPzJocYGj2MxiY4BdCUH-M6dZV_5OjzkalVhwqappmxyXBs-EJkvoxIhN6B4B6VCmC5Qtr1Ptq-PdVR_/s1600/cicada_killer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo2WzaNwDdl0ig1JxkYUgGHt2ii-o-AzKcctDozGrlNnkoRuuJ3BJZxQfrHwFFPzJocYGj2MxiY4BdCUH-M6dZV_5OjzkalVhwqappmxyXBs-EJkvoxIhN6B4B6VCmC5Qtr1Ptq-PdVR_/s640/cicada_killer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Eastern cicada killers (<i>Sphecius speciosus</i>) prefer to be hunting cicadas or digging in the ground than swarming or attacking. They are solitary by definition, but sometimes nest in large aggregations, somewhat like an apartment building. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Note the large, unnotched eyes and wings that are not folded lengthwise at rest.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zZPq_DTZbsPtatsLARleWpyfmn5GPyyshiJOVHXqJYqHnob3oU4iDHkol0ioHS-BEWAb-h0E_inua0FJBJQ4IX5q4Afn1vp2OtjFcIfVQTJO8tq7y5vQESEKTcWEvqIWxpHtXhWVQIOj/s1600/cicada_killer_plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zZPq_DTZbsPtatsLARleWpyfmn5GPyyshiJOVHXqJYqHnob3oU4iDHkol0ioHS-BEWAb-h0E_inua0FJBJQ4IX5q4Afn1vp2OtjFcIfVQTJO8tq7y5vQESEKTcWEvqIWxpHtXhWVQIOj/s640/cicada_killer_plate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Eastern cicada killer wasp (<i>Sphecius speciosus</i>) is an impressive insect. It has to be, though: females must attack and wrestle down cicadas to paralyze and bury for their young. <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Note the large, round eyes with no notch and elongate, pointed abdomen.</span></b> Photo by Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
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In conclusion, although you may see a large and scary wasp out and about, the likelihood of it being an invasive northern giant hornet is extremely small. The two giant wasps we have are impressive, but not very surprising or dangerous (basically harmless in the case of cicada killers). Finally, for comparison, here is a photo of all three next to each other:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGoJQz6XS8i-KDSrgG-QBw5fnemLlIOShv50U9rR_nip7_akLkRT8r3wN6EJOP_BIC17RGfmXNReGVg_e_F2Rvzc1p-YSbXNPpqd1ayO35Mte8McVvHXl02NfsnIyShn5vDEbUEo-lLPR/s1600/three_wasps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGoJQz6XS8i-KDSrgG-QBw5fnemLlIOShv50U9rR_nip7_akLkRT8r3wN6EJOP_BIC17RGfmXNReGVg_e_F2Rvzc1p-YSbXNPpqd1ayO35Mte8McVvHXl02NfsnIyShn5vDEbUEo-lLPR/s640/three_wasps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Three giant wasps, the first of which you will not see in the US (but see note at the top of the article): A) northern giant hornet (<i>Vespa mandarinia</i>), B) European hornet (<i>Vespa crabro</i>), C) cicada killer (<i>Sphecius speciosus</i>). <b><i>Note that different individuals of each of these wasps can vary in size</i></b>. Photo by Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
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<b>One final thought:</b> despite lacking "killer" northern giant hornets, every year dozens of people in the US die from wasp stings (including those from honey bees, <i>Apis mellifera</i> L.). These are largely attributed to allergic reactions, but in some rare cases that involve extremely large numbers of stings, the venom itself can have lethal effects. It is always good to be careful around any stinging insect, especially those that live in large colonies that might be vigorously defended. People who are allergic should always have an epinephrine autoinjector ready when working around such insects. If you have a large wasp nest that appears too difficult to control, it is best to hire a professional to take care of the nest. For more information on control of these wasps, see <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/horn-yj.htm">this note</a> on <i>Dolichovespula</i> and <i>Vespula</i>, and <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/eurohornet.htm">this note</a> on <i>Vespa crabro</i>.<br />
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Helpful resources:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://cjai.biologicalsurvey.ca/bmc_05/bmc_05.html">Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the northeastern Nearctic region</a>. CJAI 05, February 19, 2008. doi: 10.3752/cjai.2008.05</li>
<li><a href="http://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Carpenter3/publication/227616275_Keys_to_the_genera_of_social_wasps_of_SouthEast_Asia_(Hymenoptera_Vespidae)/links/09e4150ae2de0ae8fa000000.pdf">Keys to the genera of social wasps of South‐East Asia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)</a>. Carpenter, James M., and Lien Phuong Thi Nguyen. Entomological Science 6.3 (2003): 183-192.</li>
<li>Key to the world species of the Vespinae (Hymenoptera). Archer, Michael E. Academic Board Research Committee of the College of Ripon & York St. John, 1989.</li>
</ul>
Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-70379489770835164082015-06-05T10:09:00.002-04:002015-06-05T15:26:29.761-04:00A Rope of Maggots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLUrUxTkKgYScxWSNAXd_yX7Uqal600J6zeeWSn0mbPAdgnaNdlnoPBMtUfsHHlUKX68_cBcQsfY-o9XiT_n_kaDiCrnSuZDRIlN23B21vtFOz1yx5OuDlnaIAgg1zXrk63gq4OeCr1hK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-04+ii.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLUrUxTkKgYScxWSNAXd_yX7Uqal600J6zeeWSn0mbPAdgnaNdlnoPBMtUfsHHlUKX68_cBcQsfY-o9XiT_n_kaDiCrnSuZDRIlN23B21vtFOz1yx5OuDlnaIAgg1zXrk63gq4OeCr1hK/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-06-04+ii.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">- <i>Science</i>, 1894</td></tr>
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Dark-winged fungus gnat larvae are worm-like creatures, each translucent white with a black head and not a single leg on their body. They usually squirm their way around alone or in small gangs, in wet leaf litter, rotten logs, compost bins, potting soil and, of course, fungi. They feed on decaying materials in hopes of someday becoming a winged fly, ready to mate and make more larvae.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL37E4g15XrogV7TcvidEeATRl_fJbDd1zRvdkHEUIKfNtbPYwlDJvoQmPMmz2ZnxCAPfaOKdApqu0tBqFzNI9-KpS0wd-0isl6eym40ZG5SBRrwzP8rz2Uuh__GzOmuo5kXukV0_rZ3kL/s1600/sciarid_larva1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL37E4g15XrogV7TcvidEeATRl_fJbDd1zRvdkHEUIKfNtbPYwlDJvoQmPMmz2ZnxCAPfaOKdApqu0tBqFzNI9-KpS0wd-0isl6eym40ZG5SBRrwzP8rz2Uuh__GzOmuo5kXukV0_rZ3kL/s640/sciarid_larva1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The black head is all that keeps this fungus gnat larva from resembling a true worm.</td></tr>
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But when conditions are right (or maybe wrong for the larvae) they become something more.<br />
They become snakeworms. Army worms*. A rope of maggots:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQykDh6-IO71K9o0VyKJjJUOUM9CZQiUtVtx5fEgbNa002A4-sRXo49doZGfB5qMR-WNw4wAygVJ-mkjfTUS5X1UBEQQOd3Zktan0Efsl8UZYEjZVJOvAA3wsoNv2GiK1694q53WYlOPoM/s1600/larvaeagbld2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQykDh6-IO71K9o0VyKJjJUOUM9CZQiUtVtx5fEgbNa002A4-sRXo49doZGfB5qMR-WNw4wAygVJ-mkjfTUS5X1UBEQQOd3Zktan0Efsl8UZYEjZVJOvAA3wsoNv2GiK1694q53WYlOPoM/s640/larvaeagbld2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mass of fungus gnat larvae (Sciaridae) from Craven Co., NC (Photo: Thomas Glasgow)</td></tr>
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It's hard to judge the oddity from afar, because it just looks like a giant worm or snake. But closer up you can see that this pulsing mass is made up of hundreds or even thousands of these young fungus gnats:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi2BY4jOx4WN6YXfvQzW8sZxZOmPvZyPDH3aljRXtbjUK21Lt5yx7NqYWuIZoFw0RzPp5768YjP0xgDL25C60b8UHjJsTVkZKEvQKD8-qP__L_3qXGKcs-2gPkWzbmLt-8ToSCkhhcl65/s1600/larvaeagbldg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi2BY4jOx4WN6YXfvQzW8sZxZOmPvZyPDH3aljRXtbjUK21Lt5yx7NqYWuIZoFw0RzPp5768YjP0xgDL25C60b8UHjJsTVkZKEvQKD8-qP__L_3qXGKcs-2gPkWzbmLt-8ToSCkhhcl65/s640/larvaeagbldg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the mass. <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Photo: Thomas Glasgow)</span></td></tr>
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Photos don't really do the mass justice, especially because of the way it moves. To get a good idea of the motion of this ocean [of maggots], just watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WcdLLpZxkg">this video</a> (<b>be warned: it's not for the squeamish</b>). These masses can attain many feet in length. Sometimes the group splits; other times groups fuse. In a display of futility, the "head" sometimes even follows the tail, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvjckGhNYcE">the whole unit creating a writhing merry-go-round</a>.<br />
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At this point you are probably asking WHY are these critters doing this? Well, nobody really knows. The phenomenon is recorded from <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03040.x/abstract">all major continents</a> and displayed by many species. In Europe, for example, <i>Sciara militaris</i> is well known and named for its behavior of marching in ranks. These gregarious larvae seem to grow in unison and then migrate together. If I had to guess, I would say that they are going together to a site for either better food or to pupate. I also imagine that alone they would quickly dry out or be eaten, but these convoys allow the larvae to move more efficiently and in a safer (and moister) manner. Whether this occurs normally depending on the species, or it is simply an opportunistic behavior determined by certain abiotic factors, I am not sure. But I have even seen photos where larger maggots of other flies travel with these gnats, which means it's not only the fungus gnats who think it's a good idea.</div>
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Although disturbing, these masses are harmless and merely an interesting survival strategy. Once safe and left to pupate, the larvae may turn into small drab flies or into the more impressive orange and black sciarids seen here:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BSe8hkcXd99hPeN3DKzQ4GU0Xsd8Eqbtck9dhWZmiCJgF8ZEUbixheG-4V0_KwWuMBZnp-8Icm6-SgzfrvYm2OdK-bdLyF-3UtbSmFJVjDjHw46rF2bxxgtrDLpk4FwDAIgwxhOGyWW3/s1600/odontosciara_mating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BSe8hkcXd99hPeN3DKzQ4GU0Xsd8Eqbtck9dhWZmiCJgF8ZEUbixheG-4V0_KwWuMBZnp-8Icm6-SgzfrvYm2OdK-bdLyF-3UtbSmFJVjDjHw46rF2bxxgtrDLpk4FwDAIgwxhOGyWW3/s640/odontosciara_mating.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mating pair of <i>Odontosciara nigra</i> (male left; female right), a conspicuously large and colorful early summer species here in North Carolina.</td></tr>
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Let's just hope they don't skip right to becoming <a href="http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Mgalekgolo">giant militaristic, worm creatures with armor plates and pulse cannons</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110312023452/halo/images/9/96/Halo-3-hunter-deluxe-figure-box-set-2757-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110312023452/halo/images/9/96/Halo-3-hunter-deluxe-figure-box-set-2757-p.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* not to be confused with armyworm caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)</span><br />
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UPDATE: Debbie Roos <a href="http://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-fungusgnat/">has a nice blog post about these fungus gnat larvae</a> (which can be pests in greenhouses) that shows a mass with another type of maggot tagging along.<br />
<br />Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-4197049204106078172015-05-22T11:39:00.002-04:002015-05-22T11:45:22.423-04:00Bacterial Blight of GeraniumFor the first time in several years, the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic received a sample of geranium with bacterial blight caused by <i>Xanthomonas hortorum</i> pv. <i>pelargonii</i> (formerly <i>Xanthomonas campestris</i> pv. <i>pelargonii</i>) from a North Carolina greenhouse. All geranium (<i>Pelargonium</i>) producers should be vigilant.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaeKhjISnX3pBxvSOFmczu3jvE7Q7OcNMap2nbmThNqEgXlr7Odrul7dFoawIW-ksE-pPo0IBswidnZ-BfFWzF6BQboHCT9al_LLXrSZcSbnWTrp1AT2lqmieNplGkGChQRe0HukX2Njc/s1600/21211_Pelargonium_2015A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Small, circular necrotic spots and also larger wedge-shaped marginal lesions." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaeKhjISnX3pBxvSOFmczu3jvE7Q7OcNMap2nbmThNqEgXlr7Odrul7dFoawIW-ksE-pPo0IBswidnZ-BfFWzF6BQboHCT9al_LLXrSZcSbnWTrp1AT2lqmieNplGkGChQRe0HukX2Njc/s320/21211_Pelargonium_2015A.JPG" title="Symptoms of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical leaf symptoms of bacterial blight of geranium. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this case the submitted leaves showed small circular leaf spots and v-shaped necrotic lesions at the leaf margin. There were also edema-like bumps on the underside of the leaves. Petioles appeared healthy in this case, but in the advanced stages of this disease, stems can become infected, resulting in wilting. Note that with bacterial wilt caused by <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i> there is no leaf spotting.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZXg3iEGiCLM4noRid3G4XaGA6tJdJNhyT5HRR8hoVleBJu-14gwqjl2ZP_2qMkgaPXQeh6GcrLfiNP1UF9bef0-Ly-7HAZtH9sCmkyIPL2STBp0zpJV2m7iqJqlmCdLi_1TIJxyn5bVi/s1600/21211_Pelargonium_2015B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Small scabby spots and also typical triangular lesion at the margin." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZXg3iEGiCLM4noRid3G4XaGA6tJdJNhyT5HRR8hoVleBJu-14gwqjl2ZP_2qMkgaPXQeh6GcrLfiNP1UF9bef0-Ly-7HAZtH9sCmkyIPL2STBp0zpJV2m7iqJqlmCdLi_1TIJxyn5bVi/s320/21211_Pelargonium_2015B.JPG" title="Close-up" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of upper leaf surface of <i>Xanthomonas</i>-infected geranium.</td></tr>
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Water splash, tools, and handling are possible ways this pathogen can spread, and of course through infected propagative material (stock plants or buy-ins). Fortunately this strain of <i>Xanthomonas</i> does not affect any plants other than geranium, though it could survive in infected debris. Avoid overhead watering as much as possible. Keeping plants grouped by source can be helpful in containing and tracing any outbreak that occurs.
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When Xanthomonas blight is confirmed in a geranium crop, the affected plants must be discarded, including the potting mix. Workers should avoid working among healthy geraniums after handling diseased plants. Asymptomatic (apparently healthy) plants next to diseased plants should also be destroyed, since they likely have populations of the bacterium on or in their tissues. The same goes for geraniums grown under hanging baskets containing diseased geraniums. All surfaces that had been in contact with these plants should be cleaned and then sanitized. This includes benches, tools, and pots. There’s a table with detailed information about sanitizers in the "Nursery Crops" section of the <a href="http://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu/pp-ornamentals/" target="_blank">Plant Pathology Department Ornamentals</a> page.<br />
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Preventive applications of a copper-based fungicide/bactericide, rotated with the biological control <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, may reduce the spread of bacterial blight, but is not an effective strategy on its own. Use of clean stock and rigorous sanitation are the essential steps. For details on chemical applications, see p.448 of <a href="http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/disease-control.pdf">Table 10-11 in the 2015 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual</a>.
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For more information, see the following publications:<br />
<a href="http://extension.psu.edu/pests/plant-diseases/all-fact-sheets/geranium-bacterial-blight" target="_blank">Bacterial Blight of Geranium</a> by Gary Moorman of the Pennsylvania State University<br />
<a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/bacterial-blight-of-geranium" target="_blank">Bacterial Blight of Geranium</a> by M.B. Dicklow of the University of Massachusetts<br />
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A special thank-you to Dr. Mike Benson for reviewing this post. Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-18617103492905694432015-04-10T16:49:00.000-04:002015-04-10T16:51:44.145-04:00Rose Woes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn7Ozbjno7Lrf7sVAGWYvupxZ9ISCVjhiSU20ZO6qj43wylExOZTq_0_95nSLrFbHL3wO7xLLPdDM7Mld2Z8L1jccXJbPL_0oyOWZZ7wdrrMXOosr7-ZSZyo0x8eTRssc6hQxSnHbiSH-/s1600/20782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn7Ozbjno7Lrf7sVAGWYvupxZ9ISCVjhiSU20ZO6qj43wylExOZTq_0_95nSLrFbHL3wO7xLLPdDM7Mld2Z8L1jccXJbPL_0oyOWZZ7wdrrMXOosr7-ZSZyo0x8eTRssc6hQxSnHbiSH-/s1600/20782.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diseased Knock Out Rose received in the Clinic</td></tr>
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This week the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NCSU received a container rose with both downy mildew Botrytis blight. Both are favored by cool, moist conditions, and both can cause extensive damage in a short period of time under production conditions, via the dispersion of airborne spores. That’s where the similarity ends.<br />
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Cankers caused by <i>Botrytis </i>on rose canes are often light in color. This same fungus can cause spotting on rose petals and in the present case grew all over clusters of dead new leaves. It enters plants most easily in senescent tissue or through wounds. Recent cold snaps may have given <i>Botrytis</i> a leg up. On the other hand, downy mildew needs to infect and reproduce on living plant tissue. On rose leaves, it typically produces dark angular spots, though here it was found on green leaves that showed only a very slight mottle. On canes the usual symptom of rose downy mildew is purple or black blotching or spotting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjvpM56i9ZECmCjtu4-9P_J-FShbGnZdYt6kXxO1lewIAYBTBRBz9eE6CI-xbTic5I2rauw8HReQ2tP0cFfBOzYMuVjFWe3GKRFRkI7y_ENJJQBRTT5vkX-o8Ne9N1qbb6xJhhIqw3QZ2/s1600/dm_leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjvpM56i9ZECmCjtu4-9P_J-FShbGnZdYt6kXxO1lewIAYBTBRBz9eE6CI-xbTic5I2rauw8HReQ2tP0cFfBOzYMuVjFWe3GKRFRkI7y_ENJJQBRTT5vkX-o8Ne9N1qbb6xJhhIqw3QZ2/s1600/dm_leaf.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The downy mildew pathogen was found sporulating on the underside of this fairly healthy-looking leaflet.</td></tr>
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<i>Botrytis </i>is sometimes called gray mold. This color is the combination of the black of the tiny thread-like stalks (conidiophores) and the white of the spores (conidia). Under magnification these look like pompoms. The spores of rose downy mildew (<i>Peronospora sparsa</i>) may or may not be visible on an infected plant. They are especially scarce on canes. On leaves they will be produced on the underside only. These structures are slightly smaller and more delicate than those of <i>Botrytis</i>, and the stalks (sporangiophores) are white. They branch repeatedly giving a more open, tree-like growth. At the tips of the sporangiophore’s branches, spores (sporangia) appear white or tinged grayish blue in mass. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTjePGVw-7ZnjiGW1Y_SyB6OaikKJQyKME-ic6JuJl-UjwBfEjGyO9o0hMmGvu4h95MS7RvlbhxNUsrRu2ccvaiKai-Xm8-0Z2kBCTYcfbO5n8FWfmvAuM550cI0cyYUHBin6DTb-bVI4/s1600/botrytis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTjePGVw-7ZnjiGW1Y_SyB6OaikKJQyKME-ic6JuJl-UjwBfEjGyO9o0hMmGvu4h95MS7RvlbhxNUsrRu2ccvaiKai-Xm8-0Z2kBCTYcfbO5n8FWfmvAuM550cI0cyYUHBin6DTb-bVI4/s1600/botrytis.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporulation of <i>Botrytis</i> on a rose cane. Note the thorn in the upper right for size comparison.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJI4Kq1cbanPhVCjBOlP6dnl4SsBPQ2-uqDnguSNYgrG8FZTJsOVCH2W9GHlTZd60zxG2AF4DIN2dPIjghQROFaH1y_In0SmnIKcat6l4gwNnhWckebtqn0XiGnluBtHuy7GuMx1Zbyj/s1600/botrytis_inset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJI4Kq1cbanPhVCjBOlP6dnl4SsBPQ2-uqDnguSNYgrG8FZTJsOVCH2W9GHlTZd60zxG2AF4DIN2dPIjghQROFaH1y_In0SmnIKcat6l4gwNnhWckebtqn0XiGnluBtHuy7GuMx1Zbyj/s1600/botrytis_inset.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of Botrytis sporulation. Sometimes a second "pompom" of spores will form in the middle of the conidiophore.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2IYAjDgEpOOhv68euw5QgFQLAPm_TaddW9Cp21I8CufRH78nV1HjIfKJh0ON-LdByzMG0GO329CVHzHX5M1i40O6kztP_DRL0Ik9CQltlQJDnFwRERUmUZ-jG1fdJtKbhXdE5KnsNCFV/s1600/peronospora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2IYAjDgEpOOhv68euw5QgFQLAPm_TaddW9Cp21I8CufRH78nV1HjIfKJh0ON-LdByzMG0GO329CVHzHX5M1i40O6kztP_DRL0Ik9CQltlQJDnFwRERUmUZ-jG1fdJtKbhXdE5KnsNCFV/s1600/peronospora.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporulation of <i>Peronospora sparsa</i>. It’s unusual to see so much on a cane.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtvkp3vgDU8427n9lDrEVeYi35sSKIFG_Bxb0IqTLq0PXUOoDOWDRKrUO03qUB6RvR-wmoiLW3mjv1WxRk2Sbht3hoyHliwySOW9th6aCr1FMoYuLIyBoxMVhetCPsCScDdUOsJfDZpjG/s1600/dm_inset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtvkp3vgDU8427n9lDrEVeYi35sSKIFG_Bxb0IqTLq0PXUOoDOWDRKrUO03qUB6RvR-wmoiLW3mjv1WxRk2Sbht3hoyHliwySOW9th6aCr1FMoYuLIyBoxMVhetCPsCScDdUOsJfDZpjG/s1600/dm_inset.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of <i>Peronospora sparsa</i> sporulation. This and the previous three photos courtesy of Matt Bertone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Prune out any affected canes you find, going well into clean wood. Sanitize shears frequently. Do not let debris or spent flowers accumulate, as Botrytis can reproduce on just about any kind of dead plant material. Keep foliage and stems as dry as possible by proper timing of irrigation and adequate plant spacing to allow good air movement. One reason these fungi were doing so well on this sample may have been that the plants are still in a greenhouse-like environment.<br />
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This time of year rose growers should maintain a spray program that includes products against both pathogens. Since the pathogens are unrelated, some products work only on one or the other. See pages 465-467 of <a href="http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/disease-control.pdf" target="_blank">Table 10-13 of the NC Ag Chemicals Manual</a>. See also Table 10-14 (pp. 474-476) on relative effectiveness of different products. Follow all label directions. Remember that labels can vary depending on whether the plants are being grown outdoors or in an enclosed structure such as a greenhouse. Be sure to rotate among fungicides in different FRAC groups so as to delay the development of resistant strains. Test any new product on a small number of plants to be sure that there are no adverse effects. <br />
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Note: Early indications are that the plant pictured above also has a bacterial disease called Pseudomonas blight. Symptoms of this disease include cankers on stems and the death of new shoots, often following freezing temperatures. It affects not only rose but a wide range of woody hosts. Plants like this one are best discarded. For details, see <a href="http://ncsupdicblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/jack-frost-does-not-work-alone.html" target="_blank">last year’s blog post</a>. Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-75761273635686228472015-04-01T10:11:00.000-04:002015-04-01T12:37:18.579-04:00Emerald Ash Borer in Wayne County<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zyVzkmYFxOxTtfvre7D15ixT3q22AIdHgz5N4xXZuLenjuf778ennHMp3eJa3luxsyokWHWRJMLsrl5fGHe8MpJqsSo6CrsBNxgLREOxI-2Him2iFLefHYjapkP1SYUv_C2oty64wEE/s1600/5016061-PPT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zyVzkmYFxOxTtfvre7D15ixT3q22AIdHgz5N4xXZuLenjuf778ennHMp3eJa3luxsyokWHWRJMLsrl5fGHe8MpJqsSo6CrsBNxgLREOxI-2Him2iFLefHYjapkP1SYUv_C2oty64wEE/s1600/5016061-PPT.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The emerald ash borer has been found in Wayne County North Carolina. Other counties where EAB has been reported include Granville, Person, Vance and Warren.<br />
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Link to the NCDA announcement: <br />
<a href="http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/release/2015/3-15WayneEAB.htm">http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/release/2015/3-15WayneEAB.htm</a></div>
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Links to EAB information:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/Plant/entomology/EABProgram.htm">http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/Plant/entomology/EABProgram.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/fh_eabfaq.htm">http://www.ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/fh_eabfaq.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/E-2938.pdf">http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/E-2938.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emeraldashborer.info/#sthash.nuLWCt3M.us4nCFGQ.dpbs">http://www.emeraldashborer.info/#sthash.nuLWCt3M.us4nCFGQ.dpbs</a> <br />
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Homeowners and landowners are encouraged to report any symptomatic
activity in ash trees to the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division hotline
at 1-800-206-9333 or <a href="mailto:newpest@ncagr.gov">newpest@ncagr.gov</a>. The pest can affect any of the four types of ash trees grown in the state. <br />
<br />BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-64408568152470785402015-03-10T12:49:00.002-04:002015-03-10T12:49:46.092-04:00How an Entomologist Does Yard WorkThe day this post was born was very different from the one that jump-started the whole thing. You may have seen my post on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCSUPDIC">Facebook page</a> showing a ca. 25-30' eastern red cedar (<i>Juniperus virginiana</i>) that fell from a heavy coating of freezing rain a couple weeks ago:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qVyXAem2AD_L-el_pzfX50snY5kEQIeupXDkxrr02oX1y-laj-oO_16DSiXcukKbGss8uvbBIV_pxrIr4GHbm3i8qqSVd-GgO-BfDErAJyL8QmMR0DdAQZwIEMgfqaeRPugtEzQnl-fK/s1600/20150226_101524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qVyXAem2AD_L-el_pzfX50snY5kEQIeupXDkxrr02oX1y-laj-oO_16DSiXcukKbGss8uvbBIV_pxrIr4GHbm3i8qqSVd-GgO-BfDErAJyL8QmMR0DdAQZwIEMgfqaeRPugtEzQnl-fK/s1600/20150226_101524.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor tree couldn't take it :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was not an ideal situation for our yard, and certainly not for the tree. But I couldn't deal with it due to on and off snow for two weeks.<br />
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THEN THE SUN EMERGED!!!! During a warm and sunny afternoon this past Sunday I (with a newly purchased chainsaw) was ready to tackle this tree.<br />
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<b>STEP 1.</b><br />
Trim the branches off and cut the trunk into manageable sections.<br />
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<b>STEP 2.</b><br />
Snip the small branches up into a waste can and yard bags.<br />
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<b>STEP 3.</b><br />
Start to see little flying insects glimmering in the sun over the pile of remaining branches. Also start to get excited - what are they? Go and get the insect net to sweep some critters under the ire of my wife who is attempting to do real work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGnz2-Uo8A7k-zH839tXp8FHezJXmMxBFSR2tWzbsVdQks0EOJ7Zli1MlBozomhw9I9AkAr8lajiCXlVgDcOweO_OCPH1C-gIG4xjd7LBr78UbWqrn9SzqAliztbcfcYUmJ0zHZmkoy9F/s1600/20150308_163842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGnz2-Uo8A7k-zH839tXp8FHezJXmMxBFSR2tWzbsVdQks0EOJ7Zli1MlBozomhw9I9AkAr8lajiCXlVgDcOweO_OCPH1C-gIG4xjd7LBr78UbWqrn9SzqAliztbcfcYUmJ0zHZmkoy9F/s1600/20150308_163842.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This net is not necessary for getting rid of a tree unless you are an entomologist.</td></tr>
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<b>STEP 4.</b><br />
Sweep. Unsuccessfully, but then something! But I need a vial! Run into house to get a vial. See that they are beetles. Also see some flies including dark-winged fungus gnats (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/7014">Sciaridae</a>) and some kind of acalyptrate fly (perhaps <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/7178">Drosophilidae</a>).<br />
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<b>STEP 5.</b><br />
Continue to "work" by cutting up the branches. Notice more and more beetles landing on the waste bag and pile of logs. Continue to collect (and work). Convince wife to go for a run so she doesn't roll her eyes right out of her head. After a little more collecting, vial is full to my satisfaction - so back to work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP5Pi1iATRqIb4eAtYyvKoIYw67nxAJt8MbsiNtwH-EZW-td5TB1ao5-isJbc2Fm75xWWvpCE-ef2vofgKY4s7tvt0MRIjDroLIuWR31miPGvQ2e-o37dK3ygcJeKqhU3hZiouaHA1Vd-/s1600/20150308_162833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP5Pi1iATRqIb4eAtYyvKoIYw67nxAJt8MbsiNtwH-EZW-td5TB1ao5-isJbc2Fm75xWWvpCE-ef2vofgKY4s7tvt0MRIjDroLIuWR31miPGvQ2e-o37dK3ygcJeKqhU3hZiouaHA1Vd-/s1600/20150308_162833.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm actually doing yard work - see the pruners in my hand? Oh and a vial full of beetles...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>STEP 6.</b><br />
Clean up time. But what's this? Roll over one of the logs to see a beautiful beetle sitting still. Run in to grab the camera. Take some photos and capture the beetle to identify. Back to work cleaning up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10xSIlYT8fcdJjGmkjU3D2Vcqjl4J-1kr4uTzJm_qdSWAz-ZYMkgkcCS_7ucALFS_X2dLiV90E1rZCMOdP4idIFwPZ1Ouq_09asI6dZ1MBxhcvBSrmCkS2PrG94N3pbvnq2scgWjuTXM7/s1600/cedar_longhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10xSIlYT8fcdJjGmkjU3D2Vcqjl4J-1kr4uTzJm_qdSWAz-ZYMkgkcCS_7ucALFS_X2dLiV90E1rZCMOdP4idIFwPZ1Ouq_09asI6dZ1MBxhcvBSrmCkS2PrG94N3pbvnq2scgWjuTXM7/s1600/cedar_longhorn.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is no ladybug - it's a curious longhorn beetle, the cedar tree borer (Cerambycidae: <i>Semanotus ligneus</i>). Note the necklace of phoretic mites. [Size: 10 mm]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>STEP 7.</b><br />
Yard is done to our satisfaction for the day. Enjoy a beer and dinner.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><i>So what were the little flying beetles?</i></b> When I saw the first specimen I though it may be a member of the very strange darkling beetle genus <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/167130">Rhipidandrus</a></i>, but upon closer inspection I knew they were some kind of bark beetle. After keying them out they had a name: <i><a href="http://www.barkbeetles.info/z_chklist_target_species.php?lookUp=921">Phloeosinus dentatus</a></i> (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a species known to colonize various Cupressaceae including eastern red cedar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoPIs6C2nb-Gl5XDmW9OnH2prJ7qbfn4w9xFRnVPtQO5FQBIYzIULZdAzYOkwtPwO3FNwDRufImcELbuOoiHxbGj7j2WzG3TJVH2v2TZ5OpZj0RAd5KkE3PGZIa8niZqNHsqtctgsi0lV/s1600/phloeosinus_cedar_beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoPIs6C2nb-Gl5XDmW9OnH2prJ7qbfn4w9xFRnVPtQO5FQBIYzIULZdAzYOkwtPwO3FNwDRufImcELbuOoiHxbGj7j2WzG3TJVH2v2TZ5OpZj0RAd5KkE3PGZIa8niZqNHsqtctgsi0lV/s1600/phloeosinus_cedar_beetle.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little beetles like this <i>Phloeosinus dentatus</i> always interest me. [Size: 2.5 mm]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was somewhat surprised with the speed at which these beetles began to arrive. It was late afternoon and only took about 20 minutes of cutting before they smelled the distinct odor of cedar. About two dozen landed around the various piles of wood. These beetles, <a href="http://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/are-bark-beetles-chewing-up-our-forests-what-about-our-coffee/#.VP8gFvnF98E">although having relatives that are detrimental to our trees and landscape</a>, are important decomposers of trees and their activities help to begin the process of decay in forests. They are also monogamous and create <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/259924/bgpage">nice galleries</a> under bark in which they and their larvae live and feed.</div>
<br />
And now for a couple more photos:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7RuJgdOp2R9a1PH5-BSLp6pJFH3nO2oIEr3sLrIkDCN0_aNeqNScX3492z9OuVJFq3j5C0NHE_hZoepJjL_AUT1ijigS1HM14dbIkViYsHK8AN6shRtlO2M_G3Lgab8Qvs6-lJbMk5PD/s1600/phloeosinus_cedar_beetle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7RuJgdOp2R9a1PH5-BSLp6pJFH3nO2oIEr3sLrIkDCN0_aNeqNScX3492z9OuVJFq3j5C0NHE_hZoepJjL_AUT1ijigS1HM14dbIkViYsHK8AN6shRtlO2M_G3Lgab8Qvs6-lJbMk5PD/s1600/phloeosinus_cedar_beetle2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar bark beetle (Curculionidae: Scolytinae: <i>Phloeosinus dentatus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZYRfreAWEDhmppvjbZFWK9dSc3Sa_oN6rpq273-D3TFop7LN_YB3T6V8gsB-aNyU6lPbk3Nc1PXHlyjyZMR_GL1TMn2WHmv5upOIuN32nQ2JQZumfJT6UgEDZPvdYoOq_zuAQXHMjPHB/s1600/cedar_longhorn_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZYRfreAWEDhmppvjbZFWK9dSc3Sa_oN6rpq273-D3TFop7LN_YB3T6V8gsB-aNyU6lPbk3Nc1PXHlyjyZMR_GL1TMn2WHmv5upOIuN32nQ2JQZumfJT6UgEDZPvdYoOq_zuAQXHMjPHB/s1600/cedar_longhorn_1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Cedar longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: </span><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Semanotus ligneus</i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">)</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-21978667091330452482015-02-17T10:41:00.000-05:002015-02-17T10:43:01.046-05:00PDIC update: closed today, Tuesday February 17, 2015. Due to adverse weather, NCSU and the PDIC are closed today, Tuesday February 17. Check back for weather-related updates as they become available. Be sure to read our recent posting on how to protect samples from cold when you ship them to the PDIC. Stay safe!BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-43476588752811285082015-02-16T17:41:00.000-05:002015-02-16T17:41:28.655-05:00PDIC update: Winter weather scheduleThe PDIC anticipates opening at noon on Tuesday, February 17 due to
adverse weather. Check back for updates as our weather develops.BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-84427591168139439542014-12-17T14:07:00.002-05:002016-12-06T17:00:24.119-05:00Pest Alert: Boxwood Blight on Holiday Greenery<div class="MsoNormal">
Note to the reader: This blog was originally published in December 2014. The first paragraph was updated in 2016 to reflect changes in the intervening years.<br />
<br />
Boxwood blight has been a problem in North Carolina since it was first found here in the fall of 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> At first it was primarily a problem for the nursery industry, but it has been found in an increasing number of landscapes across the state. Now, according to NCDA&CS plant pathologist Leah Roberts, there are widespread reports this month [November 2016] of boxwood blight on holiday greenery being sold at retail outlets. For this reason we are re-publicizing this 2014 blog post.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRHhYRHOTFVzm7Zz42O7XudurBaeKxMnC1d2fP-pEwOCMfuvREvtP3XlmtMWyMwt_ESysS08dxQpE18i2rbhEIJ3S8234sD1SqHbDk0tCh2K7UK5nfBIIfBEfVmuCkjVkgWhxyaz2jqqF/s1600/box_blight_wreath_bertone_dec2014_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leaves darkened and drying, falling from twigs. Dark streaks on green stems." border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRHhYRHOTFVzm7Zz42O7XudurBaeKxMnC1d2fP-pEwOCMfuvREvtP3XlmtMWyMwt_ESysS08dxQpE18i2rbhEIJ3S8234sD1SqHbDk0tCh2K7UK5nfBIIfBEfVmuCkjVkgWhxyaz2jqqF/s1600/box_blight_wreath_bertone_dec2014_cropped.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxwood blight on tips from a holiday wreath. Photo (2014) by Matt Bertone, NCSU PDIC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The situation took a new turn this month [December 2014] with the discovery by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services of boxwood blight in boxwood holiday greenery sold at retail
stores in a few North Carolina locations. We do not know how widespread this
disease is on boxwood tips sold for holiday greenery, but this alert is being
distributed to avoid potentially irreversible damage to established boxwood
plantings. It is written for purchasers of boxwood wreaths or other holiday
greenery made from boxwood. Tip growers and nursery operations should consult
with their local <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters" target="_blank">County Cooperative Extension Service</a> or the NCDA&CS<a href="http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/" target="_blank"> Plant Protection Section</a>.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt4eamO1-M8508GEdWX0ChxDl-CZzfYi0GX5PdIO1gjCMrsjp4j1JBkB8Gmj99ywJv_GI-I8aG7acCV1ZEcv3JD-3PY-gD56mbdtN74iE8mmaW-NdwVfQFsI0TBn21hknkayxgz8z8-AU/s1600/box_blight_side-by-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="dark leaf spots and dark stem streaks, as well as leaf loss, are typical symptoms of boxwood blight" border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt4eamO1-M8508GEdWX0ChxDl-CZzfYi0GX5PdIO1gjCMrsjp4j1JBkB8Gmj99ywJv_GI-I8aG7acCV1ZEcv3JD-3PY-gD56mbdtN74iE8mmaW-NdwVfQFsI0TBn21hknkayxgz8z8-AU/s1600/box_blight_side-by-side.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark leaf spots (left) and dark stem streaks and defolation (right) are typical boxwood blight symptoms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Affected boxwood show three main symptoms:<br />
<ul>
<li>dark leaf spots</li>
<li>dark
streaks on green twigs</li>
<li>leaf drop. </li>
</ul>
In some cases leaves will lose their
luster and dry up without the typical spots, but this can happen for reasons
other than boxwood blight. American and English boxwoods are particularly
susceptible and are rendered unsightly by the disease, although they do not die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sarcoccoca</i>
(sweet box) is also affected. The fungus can infect <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pachysandra</i>, too, causing leaf spots that could go unnoticed. <br />
<br />
Boxwood blight is caused by a fungus known scientifically as
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Calonectria pseudonaviculata</i>. It also
goes by the names <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylindrocladium
pseudonaviculata</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylindrocladium
buxicola</i>. The
fungus is harmless to other kinds of plants, to animals, and to people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFnqoqRlCMMNYM1JZVwFnEEQ-wovFEUec_KoATZ4QK13xbBhWSkkGHNQ_0ruZrfMo4lSRN_-aJawk70KTe9mhpX7YAOZ3OpvFnRjCvVDVju8s8USVTkVnWryINxYPUb0ZKKLNrItfZAfN/s1600/box_blight_defoliation_ivors_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lower leaves brown and fallen on boxwood-blight-stricken shrub" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFnqoqRlCMMNYM1JZVwFnEEQ-wovFEUec_KoATZ4QK13xbBhWSkkGHNQ_0ruZrfMo4lSRN_-aJawk70KTe9mhpX7YAOZ3OpvFnRjCvVDVju8s8USVTkVnWryINxYPUb0ZKKLNrItfZAfN/s1600/box_blight_defoliation_ivors_2012.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defoliation typically begins near the base of the boxwood plant and moves upward. Photo by Kelly Ivors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Calonectria
pseudonaviculata</i> can be spread long distances on infected plant material and could
be moved on contaminated clothing, bags, footwear, tools, vehicles, etc. used by workers
moving from field to field. Short-distance spread is by splashing water and
potentially by animal activity. The sticky spores do not easily
become airborne except by water splash. Infected wreaths and roping that are exposed to rains could
be a source of the fungus for nearby boxwood, sweet box, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pachysandra</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greenery that
is hanging in a sheltered area will pose little immediate risk, but leaves
falling from them could be a source of contamination later on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What should you do if you have boxwood greenery for the
holidays? As a precaution, we are recommending the following:<br />
(1) Inspect boxwood greenery for blight, and immediately discard suspicious material, including fallen leaves. <br />
(2) If there are boxwood shrubs in your landscape and if any
boxwood greenery has been placed in an area where it is exposed to rainfall,
relocate the greenery or bag and discard it. Do <u><b>not </b></u>handle the material when
wet, because you could easily spread the spores.<br />
(3) At the end of the holiday season, bag up all boxwood greenery and dispose of it in a landfill. Do not place it in the compost.<br />
(4) Monitor nearby boxwood plantings for symptoms of the disease.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More information about this disease, including more
photographs, can be found on NCSU’s <a href="http://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu/pp-ornamentals/" target="_blank">Plant Pathology Portal</a>. The <a href="http://www.ext.vt.edu/topics/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/boxwood-blight/" target="_blank">Virginia Boxwood Blight Task Force</a> web page
is also a good reference and includes lists of best management practices for
different situations.</div>
Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-86385438984725047862014-09-19T16:29:00.003-04:002014-09-19T16:45:22.593-04:00Almost-plague-level Liriope Munchers!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncIwPqoKIy_jwqOx0uZqI_YFtkgxx_ZGhyphenhyphenC3W0BnHFL2tjK3B3kfQNGJaRDeIKaWIcal2Ff-pETyuB5GpOviRfSksKuAlSDHZTPsjDtljgb10EMfcTYbqiXWxjjf9FvYNPqXHG6UfvPwx/s1600/brick_wall_grasshoppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncIwPqoKIy_jwqOx0uZqI_YFtkgxx_ZGhyphenhyphenC3W0BnHFL2tjK3B3kfQNGJaRDeIKaWIcal2Ff-pETyuB5GpOviRfSksKuAlSDHZTPsjDtljgb10EMfcTYbqiXWxjjf9FvYNPqXHG6UfvPwx/s1600/brick_wall_grasshoppers.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red bricks of NCSU's campus are a nice resting pad for some grasshoppers with full bellies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As I walked back from lunch the other day, I stopped by the library to take a peak at a single, large grasshopper on a rail. It was a differential grasshopper (Acrididae: <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/5380">Melanoplus differentialis</a></i>), and although I don't usually look at these common insects it was too conspicuous not to stop and admire. The next day our good friend Dave Stephan came to me to ask if I had good pics of the species. I said no, but figured "Why not?" So Dave, being the great person he is, collected some for me. The odd thing though was what they were feeding on:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklYDpdXogAM9KEnUc79q8g6-_6qDIOYD0FqWV92aR2NOsMKPTUfOw_7YI6L9OA20r-YOd0SBlbv1p-qLvMg8hskzTDCWCooIbrndS8wi55xWwDEBngWXLIH-Z4huXjSPs1ioLnCGNnMF6/s1600/differentialis_liriope_feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklYDpdXogAM9KEnUc79q8g6-_6qDIOYD0FqWV92aR2NOsMKPTUfOw_7YI6L9OA20r-YOd0SBlbv1p-qLvMg8hskzTDCWCooIbrndS8wi55xWwDEBngWXLIH-Z4huXjSPs1ioLnCGNnMF6/s1600/differentialis_liriope_feeding.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A differential grasshopper sitting among the destruction it and its friends caused.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That's right, liriope or monkey grass (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liriope_(genus)">Liriope</a></i> sp.)! This widely planted, grass-like ground cover is rarely ever attacked by pests. The most frequently encountered insect feeding on this ornamental is the fern scale, <i><a href="http://scalenet.info/validname/Pinnaspis/aspidistrae/">Pinnaspis aspidistrae</a></i>. Otherwise I could only find reference to snails and slugs as animals that feed on this host. These grasshoppers must not know that they are not supposed to feed on it, because there were <i>hundreds</i> in the large patch on campus! But why? We really don't know. I am also unsure if they will feed on the related lilyturf or mondo grass (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiopogon"><i>Ophiopogon</i></a> sp.).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LWAfMhTpo8gW4sIzMkSH55Yj1Q301K46n9frxNgm6LTHsrRrXPTW8ICtdEccLikoRG9BryXjxVOSA6Hr1PsNG00CsOPY48TetQZyWjCQ-pw_WV-60BRs3xWQpqmS33hiXN1DiPInZAVv/s1600/differentialis_male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LWAfMhTpo8gW4sIzMkSH55Yj1Q301K46n9frxNgm6LTHsrRrXPTW8ICtdEccLikoRG9BryXjxVOSA6Hr1PsNG00CsOPY48TetQZyWjCQ-pw_WV-60BRs3xWQpqmS33hiXN1DiPInZAVv/s1600/differentialis_male.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male <i>Melanoplus differentialis</i>, the differential grasshopper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaJmvbyP-ranNefDYD1r-Oewmm4d3bM8er_ln_iJVX2N4c9mtJEBJEBzClRWS1Y0coU8fQ2F02KWhyphenhyphenbhgWuXbndEQL1x9oiZP0bkT9fkcm-Qy9IknMhn0HL3BYVMS-7wMCqKF2rC2-OeZ/s1600/differentialis_female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaJmvbyP-ranNefDYD1r-Oewmm4d3bM8er_ln_iJVX2N4c9mtJEBJEBzClRWS1Y0coU8fQ2F02KWhyphenhyphenbhgWuXbndEQL1x9oiZP0bkT9fkcm-Qy9IknMhn0HL3BYVMS-7wMCqKF2rC2-OeZ/s1600/differentialis_female.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female differential grasshopper.</td></tr>
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Differential grasshoppers are typically pests of field crops like soybean, corn and cole crops, but also feed on many grasses and other plants. They can become serious pests in some areas during certain years. Their large size (about 2" long) also makes them conspicuous and also very hungry! Keep an eye out and let us know if you notice them feeding on liriope (or mondo grass) - perhaps this is an isolated event, but we don't know for sure.Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-64678510282792995342014-08-30T14:16:00.002-04:002014-08-30T14:16:47.425-04:00Attack of the Armyworms<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46KzESP-KdIglWgsFYWiSfDUMqRpusPVPubkTDr3aBNkAXsCqm861P82IVKSybiYu4JvsRruKOMwPm99fVsMlZRMIDhJgPCN1XJpApIA7NCKTSu7OxDHPhC2dRSzfajroWx3ueF8yq3wW/s1600/fall_armyworm_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46KzESP-KdIglWgsFYWiSfDUMqRpusPVPubkTDr3aBNkAXsCqm861P82IVKSybiYu4JvsRruKOMwPm99fVsMlZRMIDhJgPCN1XJpApIA7NCKTSu7OxDHPhC2dRSzfajroWx3ueF8yq3wW/s1600/fall_armyworm_wide.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The edge of the battlefield.</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (its species name meaning "fruit ruiner") was always a fun name to say when learning insect trivia for <a href="http://www.entsoc.org/am/cm/linngame">Linnaean games</a>. The common name, fall armyworm, was also visually interesting, evoking marching hordes of munching, wriggling larvae. Apparently those descriptions aren't too far off. This year looks to have been a good year for them and a bad year for homeowners with lawns and crop producers. As evidence, there are now many reports about these pests from across the country (<a href="http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2014/08/28/armyworms-invading-texas-lawns.html">TX</a>, <a href="http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/thousands-of-armyworms-invade-tulsa-neighborhoods-eating-up-grass-and-killing-lawns">OK</a>, <a href="http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20140806/NEWS/140809865">AL</a>, <a href="http://www.thepittsburggazette.com/articles/2014/08/06/here-come-armyworms">PA</a>, and more).<br />
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Fall armyworms feed on a variety of plants - at least 80 species. Hosts like apples, strawberries, flowers and many weeds may be eaten by these caterpillars. They are even common in many field crops like alfalfa and soybeans. However, fall armyworms prefer to feed on various grasses (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaceae">Poaceae</a>), including some of our favorite foods (corn, wheat) and turf grasses (fescue, Bermudagrass, etc.). The larvae grow rapidly by chewing holes in leaves, or completely devouring entire grass blades. At first, larvae are less than a centimeter long and may be a bright green:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXWU5cB_pnTrcEXwCxMPJJLmh8Yq_7_LlfmgoMeYhGTgeAWkDHPrSKiZ4PYHzHLS01xMg923fp6PIjQsaTEqFDCgTVGaU0wsMQteVmAD6mDjQuGx4TB5x2cQPiyrs7o7GnDNS3kkykppA/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXWU5cB_pnTrcEXwCxMPJJLmh8Yq_7_LlfmgoMeYhGTgeAWkDHPrSKiZ4PYHzHLS01xMg923fp6PIjQsaTEqFDCgTVGaU0wsMQteVmAD6mDjQuGx4TB5x2cQPiyrs7o7GnDNS3kkykppA/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_young.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young fall armyworms are more green than brown, but even older ones can vary in color. Specific traits other than color are best used to identify this species.</td></tr>
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As they age through six instars (larval "stages"), they normally change to a darker green-brown color:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGonWNyd6HLqIPwcN-d5fwHpCn-gX-Wf7VNpIdM3vfRIP_cD5wWavO_qHYBbwa2dZuZZfmF4iTX3AriAkAU7K45timvFDJl2dkIdPOzSSq0B_1chwITKfy9C4oRyo9XEcR7_a1-c86jDiI/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGonWNyd6HLqIPwcN-d5fwHpCn-gX-Wf7VNpIdM3vfRIP_cD5wWavO_qHYBbwa2dZuZZfmF4iTX3AriAkAU7K45timvFDJl2dkIdPOzSSq0B_1chwITKfy9C4oRyo9XEcR7_a1-c86jDiI/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva.jpg" height="280" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature fall armyworms can be close to 1.5" long and olive green-brown, giving them a military appearance further adding to the "army" moniker.</td></tr>
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It takes about 16-30 days for the caterpillars to mature (depending on temperature) at which time they burrow into the ground where they pupate. Pupae are reddish brown and may be found in high densities in the soil of infested areas:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtCfinj71JaS37hOevoNCjdA3YW4s9UmUDGNvACX-TS_cVYAcNjd0XLOHyJkGLnNmBsqPHwMepU6PVbAbEtWNtHgMDPo4-FacmKPzhj-eMVmR15dIAgAoXNljSqZ92DfmZWwbccUqGEYS/s1600/poss_armyworm_pupa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtCfinj71JaS37hOevoNCjdA3YW4s9UmUDGNvACX-TS_cVYAcNjd0XLOHyJkGLnNmBsqPHwMepU6PVbAbEtWNtHgMDPo4-FacmKPzhj-eMVmR15dIAgAoXNljSqZ92DfmZWwbccUqGEYS/s1600/poss_armyworm_pupa.jpg" height="340" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pupae of fall armyworms are typical of many moths - reddish-brown, wiggly and buried in the soil.</td></tr>
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After a little more than a week in warm weather, adult moths emerge from the pupae, take flight, and mate to make more armyworms. Eggs are laid on vegetation around grassy areas. Adults are readily sexed due to their strong color dimorphism. Females are a drab brown with subtle markings, while males have much more bold patterns and are actually pretty attractive:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnwv6F_Jv390f7HLNBDCed7dMh9TOFacVGQUv4i4Q-tXebS4qL_K11edAkMGoR4WfnKKbnFDJjwZXoErLht5YIuypL-jeJAwk7Z7SO2J8YQm9B8-JSilpmHdTpuQS3xaQhZTPpVZVmpn/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnwv6F_Jv390f7HLNBDCed7dMh9TOFacVGQUv4i4Q-tXebS4qL_K11edAkMGoR4WfnKKbnFDJjwZXoErLht5YIuypL-jeJAwk7Z7SO2J8YQm9B8-JSilpmHdTpuQS3xaQhZTPpVZVmpn/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_female.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adult female fall armyworm, exemplifying the typical brown moth appearance (length ~2 cm).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P6sVIWeSfwGDNEeMP3yj_Iu5C1BCF1ppkyD5kPB6dA3Wq3a7ktNOrOh5BQAvzLTRuNXJ5vCDDrKygsJCo-htTyzCCV8Uyx3z71mE4_K9buGSNroDF7N1WSAKpxEQqXrYlum9stryZxr7/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P6sVIWeSfwGDNEeMP3yj_Iu5C1BCF1ppkyD5kPB6dA3Wq3a7ktNOrOh5BQAvzLTRuNXJ5vCDDrKygsJCo-htTyzCCV8Uyx3z71mE4_K9buGSNroDF7N1WSAKpxEQqXrYlum9stryZxr7/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_male.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Male fall armyworms are pretty nice looking for a pest (length ~2 cm).</td></tr>
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The best way to tell larvae of fall armyworms from other armyworms in the genus <i>Spodoptera</i> (as well as other owlet caterpillars in the family <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/173">Noctuidae</a>) is through a combination of traits. The most often cited characteristic is the inverted yellow "Y" on the head (extending up the pronotum) as seen here:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3wlpmMjleH17GDJP8s8F3YTyxkUHa8J1WOeZNFAdU4N6RYYrALwg3iVtiRBgB4okR7eYHZJu9WiSOykhq2HFph-NnwLqbw-1FTea37PErZ03eb_IHQiOL8D0_Wf0kYLlBnnz951Z8H2B/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3wlpmMjleH17GDJP8s8F3YTyxkUHa8J1WOeZNFAdU4N6RYYrALwg3iVtiRBgB4okR7eYHZJu9WiSOykhq2HFph-NnwLqbw-1FTea37PErZ03eb_IHQiOL8D0_Wf0kYLlBnnz951Z8H2B/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_head.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature caterpillar's head and thorax, showing the inverted "Y" found on this species.</td></tr>
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However, some other members of the genus have a similar "Y" and some fall armyworm instars lack it (later ones show it best). Thus Wagner et al. in <i><a href="http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9420.html">Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America</a></i> have a key that includes a character that is more reliable and separates out <i>S. frugiperda</i> from its relatives in the first couplet: the dorsal pinnacula (top-most black spots with an associated seta) are as big or bigger than the spiracles:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3RFS_DNBitVypBxnf92fa5K_a6bBPT6DR9sFV1XVlZxaSFb8YQI1osTjVneHvkr_vGx7QGb_vkVP1tUnAYhaITYSl6QGM-H9Qftv-KQdC_X9nXjXTix6AU7caloCXet9ahykNXWKPYvf/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_curled_arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3RFS_DNBitVypBxnf92fa5K_a6bBPT6DR9sFV1XVlZxaSFb8YQI1osTjVneHvkr_vGx7QGb_vkVP1tUnAYhaITYSl6QGM-H9Qftv-KQdC_X9nXjXTix6AU7caloCXet9ahykNXWKPYvf/s1600/spodoptera_frugiperda_larva_curled_arrows.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The black dots (pinnacula) on the tail end reveal the fall armyworm's identity: the dorsal ones (square of four shown by orange arrow) are each larger than the spiracles (blue arrow).</td></tr>
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Fall armyworms can be found during warm parts of the year throughout the eastern United States (east of the Rocky Mountains). However, they can only survive winters in places like Texas and Florida (as well as Mexico and the Caribbean). Adults are strong fliers and migrate up through the states, sometimes with help from storms that blow them part of the way. Here in NC they may be present for several generations from spring through fall, while there is usually only one generation up north. The generations around late summer and early fall are usually the largest, thus the "fall" in the armyworm's name.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNMTBjCC-KZQQpRwC_sVh58MgP8RdxnjlsbHXz-RpStDqdWDZApaA-T_0y8TOPuSYDQJLD0Ud-syKbm35z5uILpIwEAHWAgaOZuckTnVEDoP9qAiylaPDgxiIidjjV_-3IMWyJL6STR5J/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-30+at+1.53.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNMTBjCC-KZQQpRwC_sVh58MgP8RdxnjlsbHXz-RpStDqdWDZApaA-T_0y8TOPuSYDQJLD0Ud-syKbm35z5uILpIwEAHWAgaOZuckTnVEDoP9qAiylaPDgxiIidjjV_-3IMWyJL6STR5J/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-30+at+1.53.48+PM.png" height="403" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Sparks (1979)</td></tr>
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So what can be done and why is this year worse? Fortunately, most years do not see mass amounts of these caterpillars. Parasitoids and pathogens kill many of the armyworms in the overwintering areas, reducing the size of the resulting northern migrants. However, as Sparks (1979) describes below, some weather conditions in their year-round range can cause mass outbreaks:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqasjTPjuHam8mNP0X8qsZPj8jL9Cz-dkcdbESy239TiVe0C0tglsR5TIcdniJTbQHIPdRapMZfRRR5ZM4AqK4aXbs6dn6P0XHc161AXRNTBBlX5ge92zwTXsrBJSr2N9SfPMK5O9jHjWT/s1600/FAW_weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqasjTPjuHam8mNP0X8qsZPj8jL9Cz-dkcdbESy239TiVe0C0tglsR5TIcdniJTbQHIPdRapMZfRRR5ZM4AqK4aXbs6dn6P0XHc161AXRNTBBlX5ge92zwTXsrBJSr2N9SfPMK5O9jHjWT/s1600/FAW_weather.jpg" height="262" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Sparks (1979)</td></tr>
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If you fear you may have armyworms in your lawn or corn crop, monitoring early can help detect the caterpillars. For homeowners, the presence of birds in a lawn can indicate an abundance of larvae. However, by the time large, mature larvae are seen, control may not be helpful as they will soon pupate. Thresholds for crops and potential control methods can be found through the links below.<br />
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Helpful Resources:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/article/view/57356/55035">A Review of the Biology of the Fall Armyworm</a>, Sparks, A.N. (1979) </li>
<li>Fall armyworm information at NCSU (<a href="http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/insects/fall_armyworms.aspx">1</a>) (<a href="http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG271/corn_sorghum/fall_armyworm.html">2</a>) (<a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/ent/cornFAW.html">3</a>) (<a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/lawn/note128/note128.html">4</a>)</li>
<li><a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/field/fall_armyworm.htm">Fall armyworm at UFL</a></li>
<li>Bugguide: <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/40787">Spodoptera frugiperda</a></i></li>
</ul>
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Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-17019400345610741452014-08-18T17:19:00.003-04:002014-08-18T17:20:33.553-04:00Box Blight Confirmed in Wake CountyBox blight has been confirmed in boxwood plants originating in a nursery in the NC mountains and offered for sale at the North Carolina State Farmers Market in Raleigh. The disease also has been confirmed at the Raleigh home of the vendor. A small number of customers may have purchased infected plants between the beginning of July and mid-August 2014.<br />
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Box blight is a destructive fungal disease of boxwood leaves and twigs. Symptoms include brown leaf spots, dark streaks on twigs, and extensive leaf drop. <i>Sarcococca</i> (sweetbox) and <i>Pachysandra</i> can also become infected. A <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Box-blight-Guide-07.22.13.pdf" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> is available with additional information about identification and management of this disease. Note that sanitizer information is currently being updated. For most bleach formulations the correct ratio of bleach to water is now 1:14.<br />
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Personnel from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are attempting to trace the sales of these plants from the Farmers Market. Careful removal and destruction of all infected shrubs may help keep losses to a minimum and prevent further local spread. If believe you may have purchased one of the plants in question, please contact the office of Phil Wilson, Plant Pest Administrator for the NCDA&CS at 919-707-3753. Other parties with questions about box blight should direct them to their local County Cooperative Extension Service office.Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-54150752106560866942014-08-15T11:25:00.000-04:002014-08-15T11:27:43.558-04:00Soybean Disease Update from Steve Koenning<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Physiological Scorch – Is it SDS, Stem Canker, Black Root Rot (CBR), Brown Stem
Rot, or something else? </span></b> </span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">We are receiving soybean samples in the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) that have symptoms of Physiological Scorch (Figure 1). Most of the scorch in these samples is due to SDS or Sudden Death Syndrome, but numerous diseases can cause similar symptoms.
Regardless of the cause, </span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #222222;"></span>this symptom is
indicative of a problem with the vascular system </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #222222;">once soybean has shifted to
the reproductive phase</span></span></span>. Usually “Scorch”
is the result of a root-rot such as SDS, CBR, dectes stem borer, or
Phytophthora root rot. Fungicide sprays will not impact these problems at all and should be avoided. Below
are links to disease notes that will explain how to differentiate these
diseases and what action to take in the future. </span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Soybean/soy007/soy007.htm">http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Soybean/soy007/soy007.htm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Soybean/soy005/soy005.htm">http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Soybean/soy005/soy005.htm</a></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonRrVEiMN9p7HuuI52TqfTPt2BPs74VtcYYqVoE_Q29DUzR6ArarERXUGdM7NHSuMlKZvOW-YsSv6NhuBtsvFaSh6XtWkgv5hQdhUWj9hlo73MMSMy8ccNWDJcUykLh05OqaoeFD1XCg/s1600/soybean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonRrVEiMN9p7HuuI52TqfTPt2BPs74VtcYYqVoE_Q29DUzR6ArarERXUGdM7NHSuMlKZvOW-YsSv6NhuBtsvFaSh6XtWkgv5hQdhUWj9hlo73MMSMy8ccNWDJcUykLh05OqaoeFD1XCg/s1600/soybean.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Physiological scorch symptoms</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Frogeye leaf spot,
Target spot, and Stem Canker</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b>Target spot</b> of soybean and <b>frogeye leaf spot</b> have both been
identified in North Carolina this year. Many cultivars are resistant to these diseases so
there is no cause for alarm at this time. If the disease is detected, a fungicide should be applied. If target spot is identified, it
warrants an application of a strobilurin fungicide. If frogeye is
identified, then a combination fungicide (StrategoYLD, Fortix, Quadris Top, or
Affiance) may be warranted since resistance to strobilurin fungicides was
identified last year in Beaufort County. See the <b><a href="http://ipm.ncsu.edu/agchem/agchem.html" target="_blank">North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual</a> </b>for more information. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Soybean <b>Stem Canker</b> has been found in
the Piedmont and in Martin County.
Soybean stem canker must be controlled with varietal resistance. Fungicides rarely impact this disease, especially at this point in the season.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />BBshewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481190294633183047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-55205355940627051962014-07-18T10:55:00.000-04:002014-07-18T11:38:40.364-04:00TSWV in Chrysanthemum<br />
A greenhouse-grown chrysanthemum was received in the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic on July 10th and diagnosed with <i>Tomato spotted wilt virus</i> (TSWV) by Emma Lookabaugh. Symptoms consisted of dark leaf spots, lateral curling of the leaves at some of the spots, and at least one stem lesion.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuZHbvv7-ijKbu_IjS1rU45FPFj7pfcQ459dOiNW9R9uvIS1yp566p1QM9JyxPX1aPIcEmpSMu0LzkXcMF0CLq9Fa7zwNbG7ylYYriBqi47zWiV3sT_Yy7jb9yFO6IsorcU6qgkQnzVT7/s1600/19318_Chrysanthemum_2014B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuZHbvv7-ijKbu_IjS1rU45FPFj7pfcQ459dOiNW9R9uvIS1yp566p1QM9JyxPX1aPIcEmpSMu0LzkXcMF0CLq9Fa7zwNbG7ylYYriBqi47zWiV3sT_Yy7jb9yFO6IsorcU6qgkQnzVT7/s1600/19318_Chrysanthemum_2014B.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TSWV symptoms on <i>Chrysanthemum</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Although TSWV is the most commonly diagnosed viral disease here in the PDIC, it has been a long time since we've detected it on chrysanthemum from North Carolina. We have no records of it during the current millennium, but if memory serves there was at least one case back in the late 1990s. The current case does not constitute an outbreak, but should serve as a reminder to growers to take measures to prevent this disease.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD-sOmdhDIVxSfAxpITDeyFR06qdez_rjHHqxQuXr3CFQl5O8B0FTsaEky1XmbBq_a9kU_VMWwE0CrrLVePJLE7WCs8m_2YoUNmqARE-sFuDi0LD2pUTE1y-FvSwRW6ULO7DpzMIprHla/s1600/15435_Chrysanthemum_2012C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD-sOmdhDIVxSfAxpITDeyFR06qdez_rjHHqxQuXr3CFQl5O8B0FTsaEky1XmbBq_a9kU_VMWwE0CrrLVePJLE7WCs8m_2YoUNmqARE-sFuDi0LD2pUTE1y-FvSwRW6ULO7DpzMIprHla/s1600/15435_Chrysanthemum_2012C.jpg" height="152" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different sort of TSWV symptom on mum, from a different sample.</td></tr>
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Tomato spotted wilt occurs on hundreds of field and crops, including peanut, tobacco, tomato, pepper, and potato, as well as on a wide range of ornamentals. In the last 6-1/2 years we have diagnosed it on the following ornamentals from commercial sources: African marigold, angel-wing begonia, calla lily, <i>Cyclamen</i>, <i>Gaillardia</i>, <i>Gerbera</i>, <i>Senecio</i> <i>confusus</i>, <i>Lisianthus</i>, <i>Lobelia</i>, Madagascar periwinkle, <i>Sedum</i>, and Stoke's aster. Its sister virus, INSV, is a frequent problem on many ornamentals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAEnNviF-mjVedtlOtGeJRK-SnE-H9kKKCh8gtBntMMUtQRZfdTf1j_ZXPTxCx9iscKviY978FISOLMWxqpsIvTeDN0IbegbvhU1VthsprzVCJhlFJUt-DveQAlvDv52ZOCkv1X26rOzy/s1600/Senecio_Stokesia_TSWV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAEnNviF-mjVedtlOtGeJRK-SnE-H9kKKCh8gtBntMMUtQRZfdTf1j_ZXPTxCx9iscKviY978FISOLMWxqpsIvTeDN0IbegbvhU1VthsprzVCJhlFJUt-DveQAlvDv52ZOCkv1X26rOzy/s1600/Senecio_Stokesia_TSWV.jpg" height="143" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mottling and ringspot symptoms on TSWV-infected <i>Senecio </i>(left) and <i>Stokesia </i>(right)</td></tr>
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Both TSWV and INSV can cause a wide range of symptoms, including mottling, ringspots, stunting, and necrotic leaf and stem lesions. Both are members of the genus <i>Tospovirus</i> and are transmitted by minute insects called thrips*. One curious fact about this transmission is that the virus is
acquired by the insect during its larval development, but then the
insect itself becomes permanently infected. Of course the virus can be brought into a greenhouse with infected plants, and could be perpetuated through vegetative propagation. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbQtb2owM_67EDPkEDdAfUDpqqX_tP_KtkgmcProepJN14k4LYQK-iLie-gp6NBpHbq0vbyC0liYCps7HH-ew3gZg9RBicWv5tZBbbhITyFPmZ5ZZpP0GgLTdHDLKc8oauTlmKLUWRNV3/s1600/thrips_pin_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbQtb2owM_67EDPkEDdAfUDpqqX_tP_KtkgmcProepJN14k4LYQK-iLie-gp6NBpHbq0vbyC0liYCps7HH-ew3gZg9RBicWv5tZBbbhITyFPmZ5ZZpP0GgLTdHDLKc8oauTlmKLUWRNV3/s1600/thrips_pin_cropped.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A thrips compared to the tip of a pin.</td></tr>
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These strategies against TSWV (and INSV) are recommended for greenhouse flower production:<br />
<ul>
<li>Avoid growing vegetable transplants and flowers in the same greenhouse, and avoid growing plants of different ages together.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/production/note104.html" target="_blank">Screen greenhouse vents and air intakes</a> to exclude thrips from entering the greenhouse. </li>
<li>Control weeds in and around the greenhouse. Many weeds are susceptible to tospoviruses and can serve as reservoirs of virus and thrips.</li>
<li>Monitor greenhouses for thrips activity using blue or yellow sticky cards, with the top 2/3 of the card placed above the plant tops. Use two cards per 5000 sq. ft. of greenhouse area.</li>
<li>Use insecticides to manage thrips populations when necessary. Remove flowers from plants before treatment since the interior of flowers rarely get adequate coverage. It is important to note that some thrips populations have developed insensitivity to commonly used insecticides. In addition, no insecticide can completely eliminate thrips. Utilize the most effective chemistries wisely by rotating insecticides by mode of action (IRAC class) with each application, or at least with every generation of thrips. Always follow label directions and check that products are labeled for the intended crop. Details on insecticides for thrips management can be found in the NCSU Information Note on <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/ort072e/ort072e.htm" target="_blank">Western flower thrips</a> and the University of Florida's <a href="http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/DOCUMENTS/ThripsManagementProgram-February%202011-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">thrips management information</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ps6p_ljkril5zgWq-6Ubl99cQgexXEub2FFNaYM-gpBmUKEe0UnZz49jYvE_vTPe7RBsFul0kMMbm_UsFIDmStWSTwrUM0BRNxURppQUitD5XOfbnyPj5AknLkRRSTMIl1sB8R4G2vGv/s1600/18736_Lobelia_2014A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ps6p_ljkril5zgWq-6Ubl99cQgexXEub2FFNaYM-gpBmUKEe0UnZz49jYvE_vTPe7RBsFul0kMMbm_UsFIDmStWSTwrUM0BRNxURppQUitD5XOfbnyPj5AknLkRRSTMIl1sB8R4G2vGv/s1600/18736_Lobelia_2014A.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TSWV symptoms on Lobelia</td></tr>
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If you suspect you have infected plants, we recommend having the diagnosis confirmed by a laboratory. Large growers with recurring problems may want to keep a supply of the simple lateral-flow ELISA tests on hand. Suppliers** include <a href="http://www.acdiainc.com/" target="_blank">AC Diagnostics</a> and <a href="http://www.agdia.com/" target="_blank">Agdia</a>. There is no cure, so all infected plants must be removed and destroyed. The potting mix of these plants should also be discarded, as
this is where the thrips vectors pupate. Eliminate old
stock plants as these are often sources of thrips and viruses.<br />
<br />
More information about TSWV in the following crops is also available:<br />
- <a href="http://www.peanut.ncsu.edu/Diseases/Spotted_Wilt.aspx" target="_blank">peanut </a><br />
- <a href="http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/fact_sheets/Tobacco_-_Tomato_Spotted_Wilt_Virus.htm" target="_blank">tobacco</a> <br />
- <a href="http://ncsupdicblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/attack-of-killer-tomato-spotted-wilt.html" target="_blank">tomato</a> <br />
<br />
Mike Munster and Steve Frank<br />
<br />
*Grammatical footnote: The word thrips is both singular and plural.<br />
**Mention of trade names and companies does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University or the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic.Mike Munsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125188345796236138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403656644732965755.post-39436255629453744092014-06-17T14:14:00.001-04:002014-06-17T14:14:57.666-04:00Bark & Ambrosia Beetle Academy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL89PcRSWXwoJYBsD2EGsNvTxxyhWOyZZsEUFOLXy9ozEhec3ZYlHmcKrwO-AyO_S7zu-1eYpJY0RkorVKckX4_j2eOM8n-_HQlgNSer8888g1N_cDhojcCuWoAKID6Em6E3pfHaZWV94q/s1600/xyleborine_maple2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL89PcRSWXwoJYBsD2EGsNvTxxyhWOyZZsEUFOLXy9ozEhec3ZYlHmcKrwO-AyO_S7zu-1eYpJY0RkorVKckX4_j2eOM8n-_HQlgNSer8888g1N_cDhojcCuWoAKID6Em6E3pfHaZWV94q/s1600/xyleborine_maple2.jpg" height="417" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
An <i>Ambriosiodmus</i> beetle excavated from its tunnel in a dead maple tree. The beetle is very small, only a few millimeters long.</div>
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Beetles are hard to avoid. They are the most diverse group of organisms, making up a whopping 25% of all multicellular species described to date. With a grab bag of over 350,000 species you're bound to have many that are interesting biologically or important to human endeavors. <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/13889">Scolytinae</a> and <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/45346">Platypodinae</a> (or Scolytidae and Platypodidae for the old schoolers) are two groups of highly specialized weevils (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/139">Curculionidae</a>) that fit both of those profiles. Thus, if any insect groups merit their own week-long course it's these amazing beetles.<br />
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Luckily, a group of experts had that in mind when they developed the <a href="http://ambrosiasymbiosis.org/academy/">Bark & Ambrosia Beetle Academy</a>, hosted and organized by <a href="http://www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/">Jiri Hulcr and his team</a> at the University of Florida. I was fortunate enough to attend the first ever (and surely not the last) class in early May, and although I could tell many stories I am going to just mention some of the informative tidbits I learned through fun facts and photographs I took.<br />
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<ul>
<li>"Bark beetles" and "ambrosia beetles" are not taxonomic groups. They are not even completely black and white definitions. Some of these beetles feed only on bark and phloem (former), others grow fungi on which they feed (latter), and still others use different strategies like finding fungi or supplementing their wood diet with fungi. There are even "bark beetles" that bore into cacti or herbaceous plants - truly a diverse group.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAcRAFLlTB9GtopPvMrkEZbYiHJyTwFqu19V-eObuuQZOHspRalJJJRLuxYbNQLLHJSKxkoU759zZqukrtJC8d_06vipUNuV6Jae6a1fwVwePM5lg_ilbyWHnrCWCKYlG3XHFaeq6MLId/s1600/galleries_and_fungi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAcRAFLlTB9GtopPvMrkEZbYiHJyTwFqu19V-eObuuQZOHspRalJJJRLuxYbNQLLHJSKxkoU759zZqukrtJC8d_06vipUNuV6Jae6a1fwVwePM5lg_ilbyWHnrCWCKYlG3XHFaeq6MLId/s1600/galleries_and_fungi2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Galleries under the bark of a loblolly pine (<i>Pinus taeda</i>) made by the southern pine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus frontalis</i>). Dark streaks of <i>Ophiostoma</i> blue stain fungus can be seen which compete with bark beetles and can cause mortality. Life under bark is a diverse ecosystem.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fKREx5Sl56w0Oby1BzzK0SlK1zzDH1LFnhGX04eL490dJjTR3OhlbHxPCvtCCGlCv6Ix-F3AKBC3nNPxLoQXtwbitQRx7rOdlH98rSDZ8zhE5TbzYzVe-qwcrL231wLvjxxKlP5bhnBL/s1600/xyleborine_gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fKREx5Sl56w0Oby1BzzK0SlK1zzDH1LFnhGX04eL490dJjTR3OhlbHxPCvtCCGlCv6Ix-F3AKBC3nNPxLoQXtwbitQRx7rOdlH98rSDZ8zhE5TbzYzVe-qwcrL231wLvjxxKlP5bhnBL/s1600/xyleborine_gallery.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Bore holes lined with fungus grown by beetles. These ambrosia beetles can gnaw away the wood, but need to feed on the fungus to survive.</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>Fungus farming has evolved independently at least 11 times in these two groups (once in Platypodinae and several times in the Scolytinae). The beetles have special pockets (<i>mycangia </i>or <i>mycetangia</i>) on various body parts to carry the spores of their fungi. What was even more surprising to learn was that some ambrosia beetles actually "steal" fungus (called <i>mycocleptae</i>) from other beetles by tunneling close to the true farmers and letting the fungus grow into their tunnel!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBScgs_UnzmJ9makWeERG4plvAF3MSRp5Que3VW8LPRycfTAR0zt7XJ8-eAttOcg74FZkx4mfMr-20UPq5Zm2cyDDSkI1-CT2NK7GeIgSYDqoOFy8-JmqlEYaRl2CRYpJqjOnKS5iPYIRS/s1600/abrosiophilus_female_odmus_male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBScgs_UnzmJ9makWeERG4plvAF3MSRp5Que3VW8LPRycfTAR0zt7XJ8-eAttOcg74FZkx4mfMr-20UPq5Zm2cyDDSkI1-CT2NK7GeIgSYDqoOFy8-JmqlEYaRl2CRYpJqjOnKS5iPYIRS/s1600/abrosiophilus_female_odmus_male.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
A composite image of two different ambrosia beetles tunneling in a dead maple. The one on the left is a female <i>Ambrosiophilus </i>while the one on the right is a male <i>Ambrosiodmus </i>(see female in title image). The two upper right tunnels are in such close proximity that the fungus grows between them, a phenomenon that lead some beetles to evolve a fungus stealing strategy (including some species of the genus <i>Ambrosiophilus</i>).</div>
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<ul>
<li>Like wasps and some other animals, many of theses beetles have unusual sex systems (namely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplodiploidy"><i>haplodiploidy</i></a>) whereby males are produced from unfertilized eggs, while females come from fertilized eggs. What's more, in many of these beetles a foundress mother beetle will create a tunnel and lay many female eggs and one male that will end up mating with his sisters. The males in many cases are much smaller, cannot fly and are mainly used for one task - reproduction. In one extreme case, the species <i><a href="http://www.uib.no/fg/fse/69192/forkningsmidler-fra-meltzerfondet-til-bergen-museum">Ozopemon uniseriatus</a></i>, the male is larviform (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny">paedomorphic</a>) and very different from a typical adult beetle. This sexual system along with living in a domicile with other members of the family is likely the reason one species, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austroplatypus_incompertus">Austroplatypus incompertus</a></i>, has become the only known eusocial (i.e. truly social) beetle, with a reproductive "queen" that has many offspring that do not reproduce and instead take care of their brothers and sisters. Colonies can last as long as 37 years (as does the queen) in a single eucalyptus tree!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMRRyklznmkAM8grEeR5aknXMGjynX1URqxnQrtPSV3_wlV9pnVteHnDEm8Ovx5MxSV_iQsax1yeNBBB8eHGnHUM3ylaiorn9HrUBWD_hRSbIAF_U0pyW_MIwN6Ie2Kn1PGzLCKZgdCxh/s1600/14174016994_7e61dc18d5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMRRyklznmkAM8grEeR5aknXMGjynX1URqxnQrtPSV3_wlV9pnVteHnDEm8Ovx5MxSV_iQsax1yeNBBB8eHGnHUM3ylaiorn9HrUBWD_hRSbIAF_U0pyW_MIwN6Ie2Kn1PGzLCKZgdCxh/s1600/14174016994_7e61dc18d5_b.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The black twig borer (<i>Xylosandrus compactus</i>) is a species that exhibits haplodiploidy. Here a tiny, pale male (center) can be seen with his more massive sisters. He will fertilize them before they go colonize other twigs.</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>In the South, pines (<i>Pinus </i>sp.) are a prevalent tree that have their own groups of bark beetles, mostly members of the genus <i>Ips </i>and <i>Dendroctonus</i>. Several species inhabit trees just under the bark and are usually located at specific heights depending on the species. <i>Ips </i>are likely to invade unhealthy/dead trees, stumps and logs but can cause damage to healthy ones in certain situations. They are easily identified by the scooped-out rear (elytral declivity) with several spines surrounding the concavity (see below). <i>Dendroctonus </i>have a head that's visible from above and a gradual, even declivity. Though the black turpentine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus terebrans</i>) is large and infests healthy trees, it is rarely ever of concern. The southern pine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus frontalis</i>), on the other hand, aggressively attacks healthy trees en masse until tree death occurs. There are other <i>Dendroctonus </i>species that attack pines out West, with similar consequences (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_pine_beetle">mountain pine beetle</a> <i>Dendroctonus ponderosae</i>, for example, is extremely damaging). The main difference between identifying <i>D. frontalis</i> and <i>D. terebrans</i> entrance holes and pitch tubes on pine is that the former's pitch flows are larger and nearer the base of the tree, while the latter's are smaller, more numerous and about breast height (see below).</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSh2jBQNJAhdq__m_9BS7fvGBKwd2fSH2fRe83yaIGz0IYicmzVcSVm95Ro8ajzSnUUbLlFYWaJZjIzIK-P6LGP9dC9GRjIaaiqgPWquu90pHnKK7jozBxK6yH0mNin0cWtqpU2cSMpDE/s1600/pitch_tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSh2jBQNJAhdq__m_9BS7fvGBKwd2fSH2fRe83yaIGz0IYicmzVcSVm95Ro8ajzSnUUbLlFYWaJZjIzIK-P6LGP9dC9GRjIaaiqgPWquu90pHnKK7jozBxK6yH0mNin0cWtqpU2cSMpDE/s1600/pitch_tubes.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Resin flows from a loblolly pine (<i>Pinus taeda</i>) under attack by southern pine beetles (<i>Dendroctonus frontalis</i>). Note that the "popcorn" (i.e. resin flows) is found in the crack between the bark, unlike <i>Ips </i>which will often bore right through the bark plates.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNs32Ru0jj1Rii3MDGkHc9GP0Xw8yI6o1DqXij4b-RyOKJV2IEdsFMcA7YFJk2geo4VzxJjIpVr677PGQ4W1Fesy7YJk6mylafwtLuUeBxUdWvZUvrdS2Yv5t89xpgwPJpRrsJ7C5lXtdt/s1600/13987378520_f19c2c741d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNs32Ru0jj1Rii3MDGkHc9GP0Xw8yI6o1DqXij4b-RyOKJV2IEdsFMcA7YFJk2geo4VzxJjIpVr677PGQ4W1Fesy7YJk6mylafwtLuUeBxUdWvZUvrdS2Yv5t89xpgwPJpRrsJ7C5lXtdt/s1600/13987378520_f19c2c741d_b.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Close up of the small, hardened resin flow created by a southern pine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus frontalis</i>). These are made when the beetle enters the tree, which uses the resin to push the beetles out. When they exit, the beetles leave tiny dry holes because the tree is dead and does not produce the protective resin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bMuteZMzEV55WOpq1Hgr5xJn40be9FMTixPPtNKV-efd4aF5sPk1Ya0V4B1Up8sncexXwATpI6grQxfUEjrRwaAVR9J4FpRwHFgST4czl8yr9d_Pmez2-GTmSpt-pMDxOC3H38SGyo6/s1600/13987345727_28ed418084_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bMuteZMzEV55WOpq1Hgr5xJn40be9FMTixPPtNKV-efd4aF5sPk1Ya0V4B1Up8sncexXwATpI6grQxfUEjrRwaAVR9J4FpRwHFgST4czl8yr9d_Pmez2-GTmSpt-pMDxOC3H38SGyo6/s1600/13987345727_28ed418084_b.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">An adult southern pine beetle <span style="text-align: left;"> (</span><i style="text-align: left;">Dendroctonus frontalis</i><span style="text-align: left;">). The total length of the beetle is ~3 mm. Note the head is visible from above as in all <i>Dendroctonus</i>. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaQrx2lYOkVDTOAfx9MYhhDFl-btXkhL9mQVKNyAt1lV_Y3NCKeSXPouRWXvlTA2fPlLhOgz1qeNMG4h73HXna2n9CiMmXObsV5haC4-S_cnLFM5d8C02SwjAbn6VcaA_4KDd4kYuuMIm/s1600/dendroctonus_terebrans_pitch_tube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaQrx2lYOkVDTOAfx9MYhhDFl-btXkhL9mQVKNyAt1lV_Y3NCKeSXPouRWXvlTA2fPlLhOgz1qeNMG4h73HXna2n9CiMmXObsV5haC4-S_cnLFM5d8C02SwjAbn6VcaA_4KDd4kYuuMIm/s1600/dendroctonus_terebrans_pitch_tube.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The resin flow of a black turpentine beetle (<i>Dendroctonus terebrans</i>) is much larger, as is the beetle itself (about 5-8 mm).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEOv_uchbUHjUg_e0PqNKLTPt7RWLruXjA5DQb2r24t0NPEwHSifXKrGo4al2rMaQ0HprgJMRnK7Fpikb43C05vTnOpbnP_bkmwBFVRTBHogBLyknkN1PQ4zovDuryxUhPHen284tjNCi/s1600/13987324208_716f17cd72_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEOv_uchbUHjUg_e0PqNKLTPt7RWLruXjA5DQb2r24t0NPEwHSifXKrGo4al2rMaQ0HprgJMRnK7Fpikb43C05vTnOpbnP_bkmwBFVRTBHogBLyknkN1PQ4zovDuryxUhPHen284tjNCi/s1600/13987324208_716f17cd72_b.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Ips</i>, like this <i>Ips grandicollis</i>, are frequently found under pine bark, but rarely cause problems for healthy trees. Their presence may mean that a tree is under stress or unhealthy in some way. This beetle is about 4 mm long and has a head hidden below the pronotum and spines circling the tip of the elytra. </td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>As most people know, some species of these beetles are extremely economically important. The classic example is the European elm bark beetle (<i>Scolytus multistriatus</i>), which along with a few other species transmits the causative agent of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_elm_disease">Dutch elm disease</a> (<i>Ophiostoma </i>sp.). I learned that it's actually the maturation feeding of adult beetles (i.e. when they feed externally on new trees to gain nutrition) that partly helps to spread the disease. Other beetles are as or more destructive. Closer to home, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xyleborus_glabratus">redbay ambrosia beetle</a> (<i>Xyleborus glabratus</i>) is an exotic species from Asia that attacks healthy members of the family <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauraceae">Lauraceae</a>. It brings with it a fungal pathogen (<i>Raffaelea lauricola</i>) that causes laurel wilt, a disease that leads to mortality in these plants, many of which are important for forests and commercial use (e.g. avocado and cinnamon). Lastly, a commodity close to many people's heart is also under attack around the world: coffee. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_borer_beetle">coffee berry borer</a> (<i>Hypothenemus hampei</i>) threatens the supply of the world's favorite caffeinated drink by boring into the seeds (the very beans we love) and living out their existence inside. Their small colonies significantly reduce the quality of the product and are difficult to control. All of these beetles are being studied to understand the best ways to manage and prevent their destructive, however unintended, nature.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET5TlqnLFT3LCdnKsUH9_poejwK6ZG5d_awHnIQmWIrJ4QGPYjGY8J6O5gSHQZRhWs2bHdnAN5TlkQnsoyBvqh1ZIomt1hu9zPZegZdNd5tI__YrxuRzR_QVQFIeTF6zEbuscI0MsfrRE/s1600/13987214769_0335cd3254_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET5TlqnLFT3LCdnKsUH9_poejwK6ZG5d_awHnIQmWIrJ4QGPYjGY8J6O5gSHQZRhWs2bHdnAN5TlkQnsoyBvqh1ZIomt1hu9zPZegZdNd5tI__YrxuRzR_QVQFIeTF6zEbuscI0MsfrRE/s1600/13987214769_0335cd3254_b.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The redbay ambrosia beetle (<i>Xyleborus glabratus</i>) is a tiny beetle that prefers infesting healthy trees in the family Lauraceae. Though not a pest in its native Asia, outside of its home range it transmits <i>Raffaelea lauricola</i> to trees, causing a wilting disease by interfering with the plant's vascular system.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ahodI1eUWLBbL8wXBYLBIgn0Cmed3BpIoDmE5E7cA0kEcCD5eobQRr2f0PbtQR8h28kxmwFC4sVniqsXVNqyftEr-abxg6bCqd2voG4sU-lAAldByjIKGaJ_9eYr0ttYFQ-5keuvXNt/s1600/14171219152_fb20af0af5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ahodI1eUWLBbL8wXBYLBIgn0Cmed3BpIoDmE5E7cA0kEcCD5eobQRr2f0PbtQR8h28kxmwFC4sVniqsXVNqyftEr-abxg6bCqd2voG4sU-lAAldByjIKGaJ_9eYr0ttYFQ-5keuvXNt/s1600/14171219152_fb20af0af5_b.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The effects of laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola) can at first be seen in the dying leaves atop redbay trees. Upon further investigation, dark streaks can be seen under the bark of trees with the disease.</td></tr>
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<br /><ul>
<li>It's an uphill battle: every year we get more species of insect pests. Bark beetles, due to their cryptic nature and small size, are among the most commonly imported species. Over 60 species of bark beetles have been introduced and established in the US and the number will surely climb. Many are not important pests, relying largely on dead trees for their homes and food. Those that attack healthy trees, and especially those that bring with them pathogenic fungi, are the ones we should and do worry about. It should be noted, though, that these beetles in general are important decomposers of dead trees in natural systems and play a key role in forest health.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4KRnMtuQPq7nxZPnp4Vi5qzJWsRe76uqtDFSjkT7siZmgLKCjgeniroE4CIPQpW6gpyjBjKDVq_cD79Sfwn6UllHmRyGa5JXkcNtK5nSfa0LjRSTfMYyudGDUmihTmeqXvQvhoQd7Y76/s1600/14173913784_739f3675bf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4KRnMtuQPq7nxZPnp4Vi5qzJWsRe76uqtDFSjkT7siZmgLKCjgeniroE4CIPQpW6gpyjBjKDVq_cD79Sfwn6UllHmRyGa5JXkcNtK5nSfa0LjRSTfMYyudGDUmihTmeqXvQvhoQd7Y76/s1600/14173913784_739f3675bf_b.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Xylosandrus amputatus</i> was recently (2010) found in Florida and has now been collected in Georgia; its home range is East Asia. Luckily this species attacks dead or dying trees, so it will likely not become a pest.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Even though it may seem futile, we are developing new methods for controlling them. <a href="http://nau.edu/CEFNS/Forestry/Faculty-and-Staff/Directory/Hofstetter/">One researcher</a> is even using the sounds these beetles produce to communicate with each other as a potential source of control, by confusing or repelling them. We are also not in this alone: many species of insects and other animals are predators or parasites of bark and ambrosia beetles. Knowing the good from the bad is important, as is implementing control strategies that reduce pest beetle populations while encouraging the livelihood of these beneficial insects.<br /></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhvXyxE3H9dWTu3ydCBqkH03rG6YFlD4MUw1aJimzE0kAueAJ4h4wDrJrDJ11DZQFa6gaDBEkwqoVhbdSWnQE2CQemd6D-Ps0T0zTGTvYDaCR4vz2NFphdIhWhY84NwHm_mzw13ngQU7t/s1600/13987264879_ca95ecc7f8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhvXyxE3H9dWTu3ydCBqkH03rG6YFlD4MUw1aJimzE0kAueAJ4h4wDrJrDJ11DZQFa6gaDBEkwqoVhbdSWnQE2CQemd6D-Ps0T0zTGTvYDaCR4vz2NFphdIhWhY84NwHm_mzw13ngQU7t/s1600/13987264879_ca95ecc7f8_b.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Darkling beetles (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/152">Tenebrionidae</a>) in the genus <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/36665">Corticeus</a></i> (like this <i>C. thoracicus</i>) are often found among bark beetle galleries where they feed on many things, including the larvae of bark and ambrosia beetles. They can contribute to the control of some pest beetles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8yrf-EmVMWwZrAVL2rvsrfYhf0IJLesrHUBtmRLKGMyxa-Jk9RmgVEGjusNftbS2Oz09EiQpJfuPnQ1kOWuFyBTE4M72G8egg8HLInZa6hkfJSq1cU1Gt2S5JvNeGQjAW0QE_3HxWpW/s1600/13995457860_0846ab0c4b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8yrf-EmVMWwZrAVL2rvsrfYhf0IJLesrHUBtmRLKGMyxa-Jk9RmgVEGjusNftbS2Oz09EiQpJfuPnQ1kOWuFyBTE4M72G8egg8HLInZa6hkfJSq1cU1Gt2S5JvNeGQjAW0QE_3HxWpW/s1600/13995457860_0846ab0c4b_b.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A cylindrical bark beetle (Zopheridae: <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/209012">Colydiinae</a>: <i>Colydium lineola</i>) is the perfect shape to fit into bark and ambrosia beetle tunnels. They are predators of the wood boring beetles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO6P_Pn1BOPt0vps8ITVhitILaUrBfvgC4D0kXEoSJAp69S_kz2hPc-nlcC13Mfh7Hyl9FLIDZslvDDysEe6QM-wBYhy5jD7Y1Y0v_wVSie5sl_CR1V3cAsGnpGdqxOwDEpns1OUhyphenhyphenHJ-/s1600/14170693151_f7842aa226_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO6P_Pn1BOPt0vps8ITVhitILaUrBfvgC4D0kXEoSJAp69S_kz2hPc-nlcC13Mfh7Hyl9FLIDZslvDDysEe6QM-wBYhy5jD7Y1Y0v_wVSie5sl_CR1V3cAsGnpGdqxOwDEpns1OUhyphenhyphenHJ-/s1600/14170693151_f7842aa226_b.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Checkered beetles (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/113">Cleridae</a>) are predators as larvae and adults. Here the larva of one is found under pine bark, likely feeding on the many <i>Dendroctonus</i> larvae located underneath.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcPycYdtuYN-WmlkaXWfTIUi6xmGPhGn09btiKQ243-lF2tz8w0IflJLSXm9HJsAXGTolhYQJq2MQanccKajgKMLQ1LkKKEWRLbgy1a4WL6CcizeZm_LCTjGzqHR5thvorwZBR4z3-IgN/s1600/14174046944_3e6953d34b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcPycYdtuYN-WmlkaXWfTIUi6xmGPhGn09btiKQ243-lF2tz8w0IflJLSXm9HJsAXGTolhYQJq2MQanccKajgKMLQ1LkKKEWRLbgy1a4WL6CcizeZm_LCTjGzqHR5thvorwZBR4z3-IgN/s1600/14174046944_3e6953d34b_b.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A clown beetle (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/6577">Histeridae</a>) is yet another predator of bark and ambrosia beetles. Though this one was a moderate size (~4 mm), I have seen tiny <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/48677">Plegaderus</a></i> (~1.5 mm) that were mistaken for bark beetles because they were found inside tunnels.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLWGG-KM35DGPSJ0It2LdJMKuAw7rrjODY8UgLMn_cJES7F73dHi_usyOjzX75Mh0UfuWrFtD9qhEKu7N-laUrLyNk-BG-Dy2tlQEcqcPPcUlScKJtUvOy2yUwB7kWnPO8BNRzmOBsDuD/s1600/14173969064_b5acf7d449_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLWGG-KM35DGPSJ0It2LdJMKuAw7rrjODY8UgLMn_cJES7F73dHi_usyOjzX75Mh0UfuWrFtD9qhEKu7N-laUrLyNk-BG-Dy2tlQEcqcPPcUlScKJtUvOy2yUwB7kWnPO8BNRzmOBsDuD/s1600/14173969064_b5acf7d449_b.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not just beetles that feed on bark and ambrosia beetle. These maggots of the long-legged fly <i><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/33749">Medetera</a></i> (<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/100">Dolichopodidae</a>) inhabit wood-boring beetle galleries and feed on their young. </td></tr>
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The course was excellent and I advise anyone interested in the subject to attend the next time it is held. I enjoyed meeting all of the participants, and the presenters were very helpful and had a wealth of knowledge. It's great to see so many people are interested in not just controlling these beetles, but understanding their lifestyles and evolution.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH9VPmRcNXwprErPOviafTDVyZDi5PisjoOGg2aeO0nDJ57vQsIRqbOWXGvEyoDyrQLCa6MjIBux9qszzvJFTGBeqCvqbDykIIInKB5kxqpnuX2CXwHg29YqDc00Wb3Jw6WI9uFA9aATK/s1600/14158966716_0e046d6e60_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH9VPmRcNXwprErPOviafTDVyZDi5PisjoOGg2aeO0nDJ57vQsIRqbOWXGvEyoDyrQLCa6MjIBux9qszzvJFTGBeqCvqbDykIIInKB5kxqpnuX2CXwHg29YqDc00Wb3Jw6WI9uFA9aATK/s1600/14158966716_0e046d6e60_b.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants signed a copy of one of <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088318/">Stephen Wood</a>'s tome on bark and ambrosia beetles.</td></tr>
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For more photos, please visit <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/76790273@N07/sets/72157644649176925/">my Flickr album from the trip</a> (including photos of some other insects and nature I encountered).</div>
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Matt Bertonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734200829822637695noreply@blogger.com