Tue, 19 Aug 1997
Insect Identification Lab (Eric Day)
Stinging Caterpillars - many types of stinging caterpillars are active on redbud, oak, sweetcorn, and shrubs. In general they are covered with hair or spines and have bright coloration although some are dull brown. Often someone is not aware that they have encountered a caterpillar, they just know that they brushed against a shrub and now they have a stinging sensation. Stinging caterpillars are in three families of moths but all have hairs or spines tipped with a small amount of poison. See the fact sheet in the 3-ring binder for more information.
Treat for Locust Borer now. The adults are active when goldenrod is in bloom.
Treat for Magnolia Scale and Tuliptree Scale in early September, they have a late crawler date. Otherwise wait and use a dormant oil in March.
Also in 1996, I received several samples of sod webworms from corn and sorghum. In both cases they were boring in the base of the plant much like the action of the wireworm. The caterpillars are green with black bands and 1.25 inches in length at the maximum. The specimens key out to the genus Crambus but I am still trying to get a key to species to find out exactly what we have. Any suspect specimens can be sent to my lab.
Soybean samples continue to arrive in the IIL with two-spotted spider mites and their injury. Look for "sandblasted" leaves and the mites themselves on the undersides of the leaves. Leaf puckering has also been associated with mite activity. See last week's spider mite update from Ames Herbert.
Also on Soybeans I have received samples of Asiatic Garden Beetles (Maladera castanea) feeding on the foliage. This beetle is easily recognized by its similarity to June beetle. It is slightly smaller then the June Beetle, more reddish brown, and most importantly has distinct rows of spines on the underside of the abdomen. It is not likely to be a major pest.
In 1996, I had several reports of heavy damage from Fall Armyworms on field crops. See PMG 456-016 page 151 for thresholds and recommended chemicals. This armyworm is light brown with a dark head. On the head you will find an inverted pale "Y" distinguishing it from other caterpillars including the corn earworm.
SUBJ: A new weevil in PA and U.S.
A new weevil Ischnopterapion virens has been detected on white clover in Pennsylvania. This insect is not known to occur in Virginia but its range could possibly include Virginia.
The following information has been supplied by Dr. Robert A. Byers, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, USDA, ARS, University Park, PA and Dr. Karl Valley, PA Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.
In 1994, Dr. Byers and his staff collected an adventive weevil, Ischnopterapion (Chlorapion) virens (Herbst) from pitfall traps in grazed dairy pastures in two Berks County, PA farms (Hamburg and Robesonia areas.) The specimens were recently identified by E. Richard Hoebeke, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, who then forwarded them to Dr. Miguel Alonso-Zarazaga in Spain for confirmation. According to Hoebeke, this weevil is native to Europe and has never been reported in North America. It attacks white clover seed and foliage and is a secondary pest in Europe, where it interferes with recruitment of white clover into pasture from seed. A recent collection in the Kirkwood area (Lancaster Co.) yielded three adults on July 28, 1997. The weevil was also found in Chester Co. on July 30, 1997. Dr. Byers and his staff plan to continue surveying for the weevil and to study its seasonal history.
An image of the weevil has been posted to the PSU Department of Entomology's Insect Gallery and is available on the World Wide Web, URL:
http://www.psu.edu:80/dept/beehive/gallery/beetle30.html
Information provided by:
Nancy S. H. Richwine
State Survey Coordinator and Plant Pathologist
PA Department of Agriculture
2301 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
VOICE: 717-772-5223
FAX: 717-783-3275
EMAIL:
Nrichwine@pda005.pda.state.pa.us
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