7/2/2013 - By Matthew Shultz

Across much of the northern U.S. the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is still getting lots of attention. With the warm winter that we have had I would bet that the stink bug population will be up this year. I got an email from Mike Hall this winter with a picture of his first stink bug in his house out in Columbus, OH, so these pests are on the move! Systemic neonicotinoids like Flagship, Tristar and Safari work best when used preventatively. In outbreak situations sprays of Acephate might be warranted on crops.

The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly continues to invade nurseries and landscapes across the southern U.S. This pest was first documented in the U.S. in Miami Dade County, FL in 2009 and since then has spread across much of the state. The large adults lay egg casings on leaves in a spiraling white mass. The white fluffy masses can cause the tree to appear as if it is covered in snow or cotton. This species of whitefly has a wide range of host plants which is why it is quickly becoming a problem. Trunk injections or soil drenches of Flagship or Safari on larger plants seems to work effectively. Sprays of Botaniguard, Avid and Azatin will control this pest. This whitefly also has many naturally occurring predators!

Croton scale is also a new pest in the south. This scale insect was introduced to the U.S. just recently and it is quickly becoming a problem on tropicals. Croton scales feed on a wide range of host plants, many of them being native flora. The scale will feed on any of the aerial parts of the plant including; stems, branches, leaves and buds. Populations can build very rapidly and can cause severe plant decline and leaf drop. Croton scales produce a sugary substance called honey dew which can grow black sooty mold. Look for plants that looked like they have been sprayed with tar or charcoal powder as this is usually a giveaway to the presence of a pest. Flagship, Safari, and Tristar work well on the immobile lifestages, while acephate, Azatin, Duraplex, and oils work effectively against the crawler lifestage.

In palm country the Red Bay Ambrosia beetle continues to get plenty of publicity, mainly because it transmits the Laurel Wilt pathogen.  The Red Palm Weevil is also causing plenty of problems too! Both pests are controlled using trunk injections or soil drenches of labeled systemic products.

Some interesting research findings that have recently come from Dr. J.C. Chong at Clemson included that neonicotinoid insecticides work more effectively at controlling foliar feeding thrips than they do against flower feeding thrips.