An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response: An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response
An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response: An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response Susan E. Halbert, PhD
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Plant Industry
Greg Hodges, PhD
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Plant Industry
Rick Sapp, PhD
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida SART Technical Writer Prepared by
Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements Photos
Jeff Lotz, Gary Steck, Steve Garnsey, Julieta Brambila, Paul Skelley, Avas Hamon, Susan Halbert, Russ Mizell, Jim Cuda
USDA: APHIS, Forest Service
FDACS-DPI, SPDN/NPDN
University of Florida/IFAS, University of Georgia, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Beckman Institute)
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
Orkin, Inc.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives At the end of this training module, participants
will be able to:
Identify some of the exotic insect pests currently present and those which pose a significant potential threat to Florida
Discuss the nature of the threat associated with each significant exotic pest currently in Florida and the consequences of unchecked spread
Identify steps being taken to ameliorate the effects of current exotic insect pest infestation and to prevent the introduction of additional threats
Identify key resources that participants can easily access for further information and assistance
What is SART?: What is SART? Multi-agency coordination
Governmental and private
All-hazard preparation, response and recovery
Animal and agricultural
Bugs Rule! The Wide World of Arthropods: Bugs Rule! The Wide World of Arthropods Insects, spiders, bees, cockroaches, butterflies …. Any invertebrate with a segmented body, jointed limbs and a mineralized shell covering
- Almost one million species
- Oldest was alive 350,000,000 years ago
- In the forest, almost 10,000/square foot
or 425 million individual animals per acre
- Airborne collection has estimated 25 million
per cubic mile
- Estimated of fly reproduction from one pair,
April to August if none died = (191 million)
x (1 trillion)
- A 5 mph locust swarm estimated 100 miles wide, 300 miles long, and more than ½-mile high
A rare Florida purplewing
Some are Beneficial to Man: Some are Beneficial to Man Beneficial
Honeybees and wild bees
Ladybug (larvae)
Praying mantis
Ambush bugs
Common lacewing
(larvae)
Ground beetle
Robber flies
Predatory thrips
Tachinid flies Beneficial Activities
Decomposers/recyclers
Pollinators
Pest controllers
Food sources for other animals (or humans)
Products for humans
Medical research
Soil engineers
Some are NOT Beneficial: Some are NOT Beneficial People pests
Mosquitoes, fire ants, venomous spiders and hornets can injure and annoy people
Plant pests
Other insects threaten plants including plants that humans depend on for food Black
Widow
Spider Wheat
Aphid
Know the Difference: Know the Difference It is critical to know the difference between beneficial insects and harmful pests Pest - southern green stink bug Beneficial - a predatory stink bug
Major Groups of Arthropod Pests: Major Groups of Arthropod Pests Scales & Mealybugs
Aphids & Whiteflies
Spider Mites
Borers & Beetles
Caterpillars & Thrips Claw of assassin bug: Courtesy Imaging Technology Group,
Beckman Institute, Univ. Ill. At Urbana-Champaign
Scales & Mealybugs: Scales & Mealybugs Scales & Mealybugs
Host Range: Most generalists some specialists
Sampling Methods: Visual inspection; look for crawlers every 7-10 days Settled crawler of
lobate lac scale Lobate lac scale Long-tailed mealybug
Aphids & Whiteflies: Aphids & Whiteflies Green peach aphid
Wingless and winged forms Whiteflies
Host Range: some specialists, several generalists
Sampling Methods: visual inspection every 7-10 days
Potential vector for disease Aphids
Damage: tips, leaves; watch for detectable sooty mold
Sampling Methods: visual inspection 1-2x Per week
Potential vector for disease
Spider Mites: Spider Mites Spider Mites
Damage: leaf chlorosis, defoliation
Host Range: some specialists, several generalists
Sampling Methods: tap leaves on paper 1-2x per week Boxwood spider mite Boxwood spider mite damage
Beetles & Borers: Beetles & Borers Borers
‘Bore’ into host trunk, stem, twig or root during life cycle
Sampling Method: inspect trunk/branches for damage Beetles
Damage: foliage, fruit, roots; some wood-boring species
Host Range: some generalists and specialists
Sampling Method: inspect host and associated damage
Caterpillars & Thrips: Caterpillars & Thrips Caterpillars
Damage: foliae, stems, webs, tents
Host Range: some generalists and
specialists
Sampling Methods: visually look for
caterpillars associated with damage Thrips
Damage: foliage, flowers
Sampling Methods: inspect foliage,
flowers; tap flower heads; yellow and
blue sticky traps
Potential disease vector Onion
thrips
Florida – A “Sentinel State”: Florida – A “Sentinel State” Florida is a “Sentinel State”
A constant invasion of exotic species
Not native to the Florida eco-system
Causes harm to or has potential to cause harm to the environment
Can be a native American species that has invaded a new area or crop or from Africa or Asia or even from another world! Melaleuca Armadillo Love bugs
Florida Entomological Emergencies: Florida Entomological Emergencies The major source of new plant pests
is from movement of plants by people.
Emergency Responses Eradication vs. Management: Emergency Responses Eradication vs. Management Timely response needed to prevent further damage
Response will depend on the nature of the new problem
Eradication vs. Management
First choice is eradication, but there are conditions
Insect is not very mobile (some scales)
Good baits are available (fruit flies)
Insects are confined (as in a greenhouse)
Infestation is limited
If eradication is not possible, then a management program is developed
Eradication Example The 1997-98 Medfly Program: Eradication Example The 1997-98 Medfly Program Latest Mediterranean fruit fly or “medfly”
in late May 1997
Multiple outbreaks were involved
Rapid response from survey crews
Teams immediately organized
Unified Command and Area Command
Multiple agencies involved, so
multi-agency coordination was needed
Public Information Officer (PIO) and a
well-supervised public “Help Line”
were very important
The only alternative to eradication is to
bag individual fruits to prevent infection! Bagging individual peaches to
prevent infection In Taiwan Ceratitis capitata
Why the emergency?: Why the emergency? Mediterranean fruit fly damage to grapefruit
Why the emergency?: Why the emergency? An African fly.
Spread around the world. First known in Florida in 1929. Continuing eradication efforts prevent it from becoming established and destroying our citrus economy.
Grapefruit trees with fallen fruit were prime suspect locations indicating presence of destructive medflies.
Why the emergency?: Why the emergency? One of Florida’s largest agricultural commodities
Florida produces 80% of all United States citrus.
Total citrus production is 2nd in the world following Brazil.
287 million boxes (15 million metric tons) of citrus
On-tree value (before value-added operations such as shipping and processing) about $879 million
Post value-added worth about $9.13 billion
90,000 jobs and 800,000 acres of cultivation in 32 counties; $39 million in ad valorem (property) taxes; and $900 million in taxes at all government levels
Eradication Phase 1: Survey: Eradication Phase 1: Survey Phase 1: Survey groves and
home yards, then plot finds
on the map.
Slide25: Eradication Phase 2
Organization 1997-98 State Agricultural Response Team 25 Fruit stands Airport Farmers’ market Public Information Officer Sterile release
Eradication Phase 2: Regulate: Eradication Phase 2: Regulate Phase 2: Establish regulatory oversight
Prevent movement of fruit out of area by monitoring airports
Establish quarantine zone and make sure fruit stands within it keep susceptible produce covered
Inspect produce section of quarantine zone every day [In 1997-98, this was the produce section of the port of Tampa]
Eradication Phase 3: Control: Eradication Phase 3: Control Phase 3: Control
Spray infested area with bait spray
Air and ground
Pick and dispose of infected fruit
Rear and release sterile fruit flies
Eradication: Public Education: Eradication: Public Education Keeping the public informed
Timely and accurate communication with the press is very important
Control actions for pests and diseases can be very unpopular with the public
Eradication Success!: Eradication Success! The program was successful.
No additional non-sterile medflies have been found in Florida since 1998.
Management Example Pink Hibiscus Mealybug: Management Example Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM) has been a major pest in the Caribbean basin
PHM appeared in Florida in June 2002
No eradication attempt was made
Biological controls of PHM are determined to work well
Not an Emergency, but a Management Dilemma: Not an Emergency, but a Management Dilemma Hibiscus a magnificent decorative flower, but is not economically significant
200-220 varieties and grown throughout Florida
State flower of Hawaii; national flower of South Korea, Malaysia
Large, trumpet-shaped flowers in many colors: red, pink, yellow, blue, lavender, white, brown, gold and mixed
Unfortunately, this bug also attacks many Florida food crops!
Not an Emergency, but a Management Dilemma: Not an Emergency, but a Management Dilemma Damage from PHM feeding can be seen as “bunchy top” or distorted plant tissues
Presence of white wax with pinkish mealybugs (pink eggs) are a good sign that PHM may be present
Program is on-going
Male pheromone traps now being used
Geographical range of PHM is expanding as a result of the nursery trade
August 2004: Grower in Homestead, Florida accidentally ships PHM-infected plants to 30+ states
Confirmed presence in Kansas, Louisiana and North Carolina
Emergencies, Interceptions and Discoveries : Emergencies, Interceptions and Discoveries
Two of Florida’s Current Entomological Emergencies: Two of Florida’s Current Entomological Emergencies Citrus greening
Spread by bacterium on Asian citrus psyllid: Effects are spot/sector yellowing, notched leaves, misshapen, bitter fruit: Potentially devastating to Florida’s $9.13 billion citrus industry. Africanized bees
Originally from Africa
Introduced to Americas
in 1956: very aggressive,
easily agitated, pursues
¼-mile to continue attack
can easily kill. Present in
Florida now.
Recent Interceptions: Recent Interceptions Chlorophorus strobilicola
Found in scented pine cones from India
Packaged with potpourri, December 2003
Not known to be established
Recent Interceptions: Recent Interceptions Anastrepha ludens (Mexican fruit fly)
With Manzano peppers originating from Mexico in May 2003 (Pinellas County)
Potential pest of citrus
No lures for this pest
Not known to be established
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Brown Citrus Aphid: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Brown Citrus Aphid Found in Florida November 1997
Spreads citrus tristeza virus
Occurrences of CTV
have increased since
the establishment of
this exotic aphid
Brown Citrus Aphid: Brown Citrus Aphid Overall CTV Occurrence in Southeast Florida
Before and After Brown Citrus Aphid
Brown Citrus Aphid: Brown Citrus Aphid Severe CTV in Southeast Florida
Before and After Brown Citrus Aphid
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Dieuches armatipes: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Dieuches armatipes In Florida for about a decade
Found as far north as Gainesville
Serious peanut pest in Africa
Pest status in Florida not known
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Cactus Moth: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Cactus Moth In Florida for about 15 years, perhaps spread by hurricanes
Threatens $70 million US cactus industry (and Mexico’s, estimated $50-$100 million)
Spread by transportation of infected plants UF Associate Professor Jim Cuda studies
cactus moth caterpillars on prickly pear. Moth has no natural predators in North America.
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Myllocerus undatus: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Myllocerus undatus Weevil native to Sri Lanka
Found established in September 2000
Many hosts including sea grape, Turk’s cap, upland cotton, peach, live oak and some palms
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Lobate Lac Scale: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Lobate Lac Scale Paratachardina lobata
First reported in Florida
in 1999 but already
established
Polyphagous scale
Could be a problem
for native woody plants
Sign of possible infestation
is trees looking black from sooty mold
Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Mexican Red-Rump Tarantula: Exotics Recently Discovered In Florida: Mexican Red-Rump Tarantula Established in a citrus grove in Ft. Pierce
Unwanted pets probably were the source of the population
An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response: An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response
Now.
Get ready for some really bad bugs that are NOT found in Florida … yet!
More Really Bad Bugs Suni Bug: More Really Bad Bugs Suni Bug Eurygaster integriceps
Absolutely the world’s worst agricultural pest!
Feeds on wheat, perhaps the world’s most important food crop.
Not found in western hemisphere … yet.
Unlikely to be a problem in Florida, although an insect of this genus has been intercepted in Florida on European tile
More Really Bad Bugs Soybean Aphid: More Really Bad Bugs Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines
Asian species
Found in Minnesota in 2000
Occurs as far south as Georgia Yellow dots are Aphis glycines
More Really Bad Bugs Foxglove Aphid (Asian Strain): More Really Bad Bugs Foxglove Aphid (Asian Strain) Not in Western Hemisphere
Colonizes soybean plants and many ornamentals
Causes bright yellow damage
Transmits soybean dwarf virus, a persistent virus of legumes
Possible hosts travel the world as cut flowers and nursery plants
Aphids themselves do not invoke an automatic quarantine in many cases, especially if the species is already present in the US
More Really Bad Bugs Oxycarenus hyalinipennis: More Really Bad Bugs Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Serious pest of cotton
Established now in the Caribbean
More Really Bad Bugs Russelliana solanicola: More Really Bad Bugs Russelliana solanicola A potato psyllid
Found in South America (Peru)
Causes serious damage to potato
Transmits a newly discovered plant pathogen
More Really Bad Bugs Asian Longhorn Beetle: More Really Bad Bugs Asian Longhorn Beetle Established in Chicago and New York
Discovered during an agricultural “stake-out”
Eradication effort involves cutting down large trees in residential areas
And Even More Really Bad Bugs Citrus Longhorn Beetle: And Even More Really Bad Bugs Citrus Longhorn Beetle Not established in United States, but intercepted on bonsai trees in Georgia and Washington
Host plants are numerous hardwoods and citrus spp., hibiscus, Ficus, sycamore, willow, pear, oak, maple, Japanese red cedar, etc.
And Even More Really Bad Bugs Citrus Longhorn Beetle, ctd.: And Even More Really Bad Bugs Citrus Longhorn Beetle, ctd. Signs of damage
Emergence holes located on the lower trunk and exposed roots Identification
Adults 1-1.5” long, shiny black with white dots, rows of polished tubercles at base of front wings
And Even More Really Bad Bugs African Citrus Psyllid: And Even More Really Bad Bugs African Citrus Psyllid Trioza erytreae
Not in Western Hemisphere
Occurs in Africa and several islands in the Indian Ocean
Is the other known vector of citrus greening disease
Causes puckers in the leaves that look like an incipient scab infection
And Even More Really Bad Bugs Bemisia tabaci, Biotype ‘Q’: And Even More Really Bad Bugs Bemisia tabaci, Biotype ‘Q’ Bemisia tabaci biotypes are prolific pests worldwide
Occasional outbreaks reported in US in early 1800s
In 1986 became economically important; listed as Biotype B
March 2005, University of California and Arizona researchers identify Biotype Q on poinsettias
Resistant to systemic pesticides and IGRs
And Even More Really Bad Bugs Bemisia tabaci, Biotype ‘Q’ ctd.: And Even More Really Bad Bugs Bemisia tabaci, Biotype ‘Q’ ctd. FDACS-Division of Plant Industry response
(1) Inquire with growers, “Are you having problems with white fly control? Do they seem to be resistant to systemics and IGRs?”
(2) Pest alert issued (see Resources)
(3) Samples identified at DPI – Bemisia or not?
(4) Bemisia samples sent to USDA collaborator for biotype identification
A Take-Home Message…: A Take-Home Message… Be aware!!
Recognize plant damage you have not seen before
Notice odd plant coloration, defoliation, fallen fruit, etc.
Key Resources: Key Resources United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
www.usda.gov
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) www.doacs.state.fl.us
FDACS-Division of Plant Industry
www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/
FDACS Division of Animal Industry
www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/
Florida Agriculture Statistical Directory 2004
www.florida-
agriculture.com/pubs/pubform/pdf/Florida Agriculture Statistical Directory 2004.pdf
Bemesia pest alert issues by FDACS-DPI
www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/b.tabaci.html
Key Resources: Key Resources Florida Department of Agriculture Annual Report 2004
(www.florida-agriculture.com/pubs/puform/pdf/FDACS_Annual_Report_2004.pdf)
FDACS’ Division of Marketing and Development Internet site provides information to agribusinesses and the general public about Florida agriculture (www.florida-agriculture.com)
USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Center for Import and Export (www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/)
Insecta Inspecta World (www.insecta-inspecta.com/bees/killer/)
Florida State Agricultural Response Team (www.flsart.com)
Integrated Pest Management, IFAS Extension, University of Florida (http://ipm.ufl.edu/)
Florida and The World: Florida and The World
Working Together To Protect Florida’s Agriculture & Way of Life: Working Together To Protect Florida’s Agriculture & Way of Life Thank You!
Now, Test Your Knowledge and Awareness (1 of 3): Now, Test Your Knowledge and Awareness (1 of 3) (True/False) Florida “SART” is a rescue team of trained dog handlers and crime scene investigators on-call following an emergency.
You might say that insects and man have a love-hate relationship – even though bugs may not be capable of feeling those emotions. Nevertheless, which of the following activities is actually beneficial to man?
a. pollination of plants d. predation on other insects
b. nature’s recyclers e. all of the above are beneficial
c. used in medical research
Because of its sub-tropical climate, unusual geography as a peninsula pointing 300 miles from the mainland of North America to the heart of the tropics and accessibility for exotic imports, Florida is considered a “__________ State.”
Pre/Post Test (2 of 3): Pre/Post Test (2 of 3) (True/False) The major source of new plant pests is from movement of plants by people.
An invasive plant pest such as the Africanized honeybee or pink hibiscus mealybug will be met with one of two control strategies. Name these two threat responses.
The on-going phase of an eradication effort aimed at an invasive exotic species, the continuing public effort before, during and following A. Survey, B. Organize and Regulate and C. Control is _______________.
Two current invasive threats that have potentially deadly and/or devastating consequences in Florida are _______ and ______.
Which of the following has not been identified yet in Florida?
A. Mexican fruit fly B. Suni bug C. Onion thrips D. Mediterranean fruit fly
Pre/Post Test (3 of 3): Pre/Post Test (3 of 3) If you recognize an unusual insect or plant damage that seems extra-ordinary you should notify:
a. nobody – you’re not an expert and your meddling will only take up the time of people who are involved in serious work to eliminate exotic pests
b. Ghost Busters
c. your County Agricultural Extension Service
d. the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services consumer Help Line 888-397-1517.
10. Approximately how many species of arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans, etc.) are there on earth?
Test Answer Key: Test Answer Key False
(d) all of the above
a “Sentinel State”
True
Eradication or management
Public Relations
Africanized honeybees and citrus greening
Suni bug
c. or d. – your County Agricultural Extension Service or the DACS Help Line [1-888-397-1517] are acceptable.
About 1,000,000
Glossary (1 of 2): Glossary (1 of 2) Agroterrorism: When any person knowingly or maliciously uses biological or chemical agents as weapons against the agriculture industry and food supply. It may also be thought of as the malicious use of plant or animal pathogens to cause disease in the agricultural sector – plants or animals.
Arthropod: Any organism belonging to the phylum Arthropoda, characterized by a segmented body, jointed legs, a digestive tract and, in most cases, a chitinous shell that is periodically molted to allow growth. Modern-day arthropods include spiders, insects, crustaceans, scorpions and horseshoe crabs.
Chitin: The tough, horny protein material similar to fingernails, it is a nitrogenous polysaccharide, which forms the exoskeleton of an insect.
Entomology: The study of insects: life cycle, behavior, ecology, diversity, control.
Exotic: Not native, introduced from abroad.
Killer bees (Africanized honeybees): A strain of honeybees that originated in Brazil in the 1950s, a cross between an aggressive African bee and a European honeybee. These bees retain most of the African traits: highly aggressive, relatively poor pollinators and poor honey producers.
Glossary (2 of 2): Glossary (2 of 2) Mesophyll: The photosynthetic tissue of a leaf located between the two outer leaf tissues.
Phloem: The food-conducting tissue of a plant, the “inner bark,” made up of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and fibers.
SART: The Florida State Agricultural Response Team, is a multi-agency coordination group consisting of governmental and private entities dedicated to all-hazard disaster preparedness, planning, response and recovery for the animal and agriculture sectors in Florida.
Siphunculi: A characteristic common to most aphids is the presence of two tubes, called siphunculi, on the back ends of their bodies. These siphunculi secrete defensive substances.
Stylets: Sharp appendages on an insect, used for piercing and sucking.
Xylem: The supporting layer of tissue in vascular plants that conducts water and nutrients from the roots to other parts of the plant.
An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response: An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response That concludes our presentation on “An Entomological Perspective for Emergency Agricultural Response.” Thank you for attending and for participating!