****Special Note****
Because of the UPS strike some of you may not be receiving your packages from the Extension Distribution Warehouse and THUS you are also not receiving your reports back from the Insect Identification Lab. If this is a problem send a note with the name of the grower, date submitted, and your FAX number and we will get it to you. Send a note to my assistant, Alexandra Spring (aspring@vt.edu) and she will send a FAX to you.
****After this issue we will switch to a updates every two weeks****
House/Yard
The I.D. Lab continues to receive new county/city records for the Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM), Aedes albopictus. This mosquito continues to spread across Virginia, it is currently established in much of Southeast VA, as well as Richmond and Roanoke. The most recent record is from Charlottesville. The ATM is not known to transmit disease in the United States but is a vector for many diseases in its native range in Asia. Several diseases have been recovered from the ATM in the United States but it has not been implicated in transmitting those diseases to humans. Its main problem stems from the fact that it is a very good urban mosquito. It is adapted for life in the types of small water holding containers found in cites and near houses. It is also a day-flying mosquito and bites in the middle of the day. Several folks have asked me for a good picture of this critter of which I have none, but it is a very distinctive mosquito that is easy to identify. It is medium to small sized, black in color with white bands on the legs. It also has a white stripe down its back. Very few mosquitoes come close to this description. If anyone brings in a day-biting mosquito that fits this description please send it to my lab. If you have the mosquito in your area I have some information I can send you. We are very lucky to have a new faculty member, Dr. Sally Paulson, who has experience with this mosquito.
Ornamentals and Field Crops
Locust leafminers are active now and are laying eggs. Those wishing to preserve the green foliage (or what's left) may wish to treat the trees now with orthene. Those just growing the trees for firewood and fence posts (like myself) need not treat as this insect rarely kills the tree or stunts its growth in a major way. This insect will also feed on SOYBEANS but is a very minor pest. See the fact sheet in the 3-ring binder.
Fruit
Look now for San Jose Scale on apples. It causes a distinctive red halo around each scale on the fruit itself. Not much can be done for control now but a winter dormant oil should be planned for the next season. See the fact sheet in the 3-ring binder.
Hampton Roads AREC Notes: (Pete Schultz)
Noticed a 2-banded Japanese weevil last night on my heat pump unit. They have been out for some time this season (based on the feeding injury) but this was the first adult I'd observed. If damage is heavy, acephate (Orthene) is an effective control.
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