REDLEGGED FLEA BEETLE, Derocrepis erythropis, is being found on the blossoms of apple trees in high elevations in SW Virginia. This critter may be found in other parts of the state as well. Look far a small red flea beetle with blue-black wing covers. It will feed on the flowers and tender leaves but is probably a minor pest. Treat with a general purpose fruit tree spray just after petal fall if damage is objectional. Interestingly this beetle is a sproadic pest and we have records of "outbreaks" going back 50 years in the museum.
>From Hampton Roads
Fall cankerworms continue to generate calls from citizens with concerns about their defoliated trees.
Giant bark aphids samples were submitted this week. They are the largest aphids seen on ornamental trees, easily 1/4 inch long. The usual aphid controls will be effective.
Eastern tent caterpillar larvae are leaving their host trees and migrating on the ground in search of pupation sites. Despite the cessation of feeding, more citizens notice the migrating larvae on the ground than injury in the trees. At this point, chemical control is ineffective.
The first report of Forest tent caterpillar was recorded the last week of April. Some years they are a major pest, particularly of oaks in urban areas. This year, they are unusually light. Other parts of the state may differ.
Peter B. Schultz, Director, Hampton Roads AREC
COOLY SPRUCE GALL ADELGIDS are just now starting to feed on spruce and will form the gall soon. Treat with a foliar insecticide if you find the aphids with their cottony covering feeding the othe tips of branches. If you miss the treatment window prune off and destroy the green galls in the summer.
http://viner.ento.vt.edu/~idlab/vegpests/veg1.html
This site is up and running and should come in handy for ID and control of vegetable pests.
See: http://www.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDLab/AnnualReports/rpt96.html
The 1996 Annual Report is now on line. Data on host-pest associations and county submissions is contained within. IT IS A BIG FILE.
See my lab homepage: