Virginia Entomologist 4:1998

 

Check out:

http://www.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDInfo.html

I have updated the Insect Identification Laboratory Homepage for 1998. It should be a bit easier to use. In addition don't forget to use the new pages on Christmas Tree Pests and the section on Vegetable Pest identification and control. Send any comments or suggestions for improvement to idlab@vt.edu.

Insects of Note this week:

According to Pete Schultz, both Eastern Tent Caterpillar and Shothole borer are active now. The ETC will feed on black and choke cherries as well as many ornamental and fruit cherries and other fruit trees. Look for the small tents starting on the bases of branches at the crotches. The shothole borer also attacks cherry and other fruits and leaves small globs of gummy resin on scaffold branches and trunks. Prune the worst infested branches from the tree. For ornamental plantings (not fruit), treat with Dursban on the bark.

HWA - Now is a good time to control for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, 1% dormant oil will work well and can be applied now. The best time is in November, but dormant oil will work anytime of the year.

Boxwood leafminers are starting to come out of leaves this week and if large numbers of orange flies are present on the leaves it would be a good time to apply control measures. See PMG 018, pg. 115.

Hoplia Beetles look like small black Japanese beetles and will be flying this month. They cause little damage but cause concern when they show up on sides of houses and sheets hung out to dry. They may feed some on tender new growth of trees and shrubs. They can be controlled with Sevin if damage is severe.

Crawlers are active for Pine Needle Scale based on a sample from Russell County. See the fact sheet in the 3-ring binder for biology and control of this pest.

 

Household:

Eastern Subterranean termites are emerging statewide. This is the common termite and can be distinguished by its four wings of equal size and the small round scent gland on the front of its head. See PMG 018 pg. 163 for control. See: http://www.ext.vt.edu/entomology/factsheets/eastterm.html for a fact sheet.


Eric Day
Insect Identification Laboratory
Department of Entomology
215 Price Hall
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
(W) 540-231-4899
Fax 540-231-9131

See my lab homepage:
http://www.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDInfo.html