ORNAMENTALSAND
TURF
ORNAMENTALS
The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.
Twolined spittlebug feeding has been observed recently. Though normally thought of as a turf resident, as turf begins to dry adult spittlebugs sometime move to the succulent undersides of holly leaves. They may easily go unnoticed. As the summer progresses, damage will become more evident; however, it may be too late to treat at that time. I will post a reminder later this fall when growers start to notice the damage.
Twolined spittlebugs are small (1/4 inch), dark insects that resemble overgrown leafhoppers. They have two orange lines across the wings. As these small insects fly, the dark red abdomen shows conspicuously. In late summer and early fall, the adult twolined spittlebugs fly to hollies (and other plants) to feed. They cause hollies to become splotchy and yellow and the leaves drop prematurely. Female twolined spittlebugs lay their eggs in turfgrass. The eggs are inserted into the plant stem or between the stem and leaf sheath. When the nymphs hatch from their eggs, they begin to feed. Spittlebugs suck sap from the plants with their needle-like mouthparts. As the nymphs feed, they excrete the spittle which protects them from predaceous mites and insects. Because spittlebugs feed on turfgrass near the soil, their numbers may be high without being noticed. Only after the adults emerge is the seriousness of an infestation realized. Use Decathlon, Dursban or Orthene for twolined spittlebugs management on hollies in mid to late summer. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Information Note 97 explains the biology of twolined spittlebugs and provides recommendations for chemical control.
The Japanese economy may be on the decline, but the twobanded Japanese weevil activity is increasing. Twobanded Japanese weevils feed during the day. Most other weevil pests of ornamental plants feed at night. They are seldom caught, though because they drop to the soil and remain motionless when disturbed. This small, dark gray beetle usually has two irregular dark bands across the wing covers. Twobanded Japanese weevils cannot fly. Hence, their damage tends to be severe in small areas such as plant beds in a landscape where they probably arrived in an infested plant. Twobanded Japanese weevils attack almost any ornamental plant. Damaged plants appear tattered and unhealthy. Females lay their eggs in the folds of leaves that they tie together. The grubs feed on roots. Twobanded Japanese weevils are resistant to several insecticides commonly used in the home garden, including Sevin, malathion and diazinon. Fortunately they are susceptible to Orthene insecticide which is labeled for home use and is systemic and not very toxic to humans. Because twobanded Japanese weevils drop from infested plants when disturbed, many can be trapped by carefully placing a cloth or large sheet of paper under the shrubs and then tapping or shaking the plant vigorously. The weevils can then be transferred to a container and destroyed by your favorite method.
Commercial growers and landscapers can use a pyrethroid (Astro, Mavrik, Talstar or Tempo 2) for control. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note No. 34 provides information on the biology and control of twobanded Japanese weevils.
The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) was detected inside a distribution warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina (Mecklenburg County) in mid-June. Preliminary surveys indicate the beetles were limited to the distribution warehouse only. Follow-up surveys in areas adjacent to the warehouse are to be conducted by North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services personnel in cooperation with local United States Department of Agriculture personnel when conditions are most ideal for detection of the beetle.
This introduction likely resulted from the movement of wooden crating materials shipped through from the port of Charleston, South Carolina. Following tips from Charleston port officials, United States Department of Agriculture officers in North Carolina surveyed suspect containers. After several inspections at the distribution center, five adult beetles were detected.
The Asian longhorned beetle is generally easy to identify and characteristically known by its large size (1 to 1 and 1/2 inch body) and long antennae. It is shiny, coal black and has multiple spots on each wing cover and has black and white banded antennae that are longer than the body. The beetle usually has one generation per year with some minor variations. Egg laying occurs primarily in May and June with deposits made on smooth bark on the tree trunk, on branches, or at ground level on exposed roots of the trees. Females may concentrate egg laying in areas of the tree that were formerly infested. Larvae bore through the sapwood and enter the heartwood of the tree to feed and mature.
The Asian longhorned beetle is known as a serious forest pest in China, Japan, Korea, and the Malaysian Peninsula where it is extremely destructive to trees. The beetle tends to prefer maple (Acer spp.). Other hosts include willow (Salix spp.), poplars (Populus spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), mulberries (Morus spp.), horsechestnut (Aesculus spp.), chinaberry (Melia spp.), apple (Prunus spp.) and pear (Pyrus spp.).
Federal and State regulatory officials need your assistance in detecting this serious pest. Typical signs of beetle infestations include 3/8 inch or larger round holes left in the bark of host species causing heavy sap flow and large sawdust accumulations at the base of the infested tree. Further, yellowing leaves and leaf drop may be indicators the pest is present.
Suspect infestations should be reported to the Plant Industry Division, Plant Protection Section, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The primary contacts are Lloyd Garcia, Staff Entomologist (e-mail: lloyd_garcia@mail.agr.state.nc.us; telephone: 919-733-6932) and Gene Cross, Plant Pest Administrator (e-mail: gene_cross@mail.agr.state.nc.us; telephone: 919-733-6930).
For additional information on the Asian longhorned beetle, please visit the following sites on the World Wide Web:
Web page last updated on July 27, 1998 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..
