[Image: Lubber Grasshopper]Bugs, Bugs, Bugs – April 2009
Well, the weather cannot make up its mind as to rainfall or temperature, but the insect population has been awakened and is already moving everywhere. Looks like it will be a big bug year, so be aware. Remember to watch for any unusual signs symptoms or bugs since several invasive pests are heading to our doorsteps, knocking on the door and trying to get in.
HONEYBEES – Numerous calls are coming in about swarms and hives in structures. Remember the list on the Web site, and if you have beekeepers who want to be added, have them send in the information as shown on the site. Killing colonies in walls can just lead to bigger problems.
TERMITES – Termites are another group that is swarming at this time. These are primarily dry woods and native subterranean with the Formosans to begin around Mother’s Day. Many people see the swarms and begin spraying. It’s better to identify the specimen and check around the home’s foundation for tunnels before treating, particularly if you treated recently. For the swarmers crawling around the carports and such, treatments with pyrethroids should remove them.
DEVIL HORSE GRASSHOPPERS – Each year we have several populations of these black grasshoppers pop up and cause problems. This year is no different. I have had several calls and specimens brought in for identification. They are primarily grass and weed feeders, but will eat a wide variety of plant materials, including flowers and vegetable plants. When small, they are a curiosity to most, but as they begin to ravage plants they become a bigger pest.
They are a shiny black with orange markings down the back and on the legs and head. They have wings buds that begin to develop with the second or third instar and complete development at maturity. The forewing is black, but the hind wing is a bright pink. When disturbed, they flare their wings and hiss at the intruder.
They have a unique odor that some find nauseating. Unless feeding on your plants, they are considered an amusement that can be easily managed with a spray of Sevin. What makes the biggest problem is that they are gregarious, and instead of one or two that can be managed with a heavy foot on occasion, they need to be sprayed – but quick feet can usually do a good job of management. What would be more desirable is to use them as fish bait, but the fish don’t like them either.
SLUGS AND SNAILS – With the rains, planting of gardens and the mulching, an ideal environment has been created for these pests. These conditions, along with any thatch buildup in your lawn, are ideal habitats for these pests. Snails and slugs feed on organic material and the lush tender vegetation of young plants. Their feeding is noted by the slime trails they leave as they move about. Although not insects, they can create as big a problem as them. Several slug and snail baits are available on the market – not to mention making a beer trap. Where baits are used, try not to water or put out prior to a rain because this will destroy the bait’s activity and effectiveness. Pieces of fruits and vegetables cut thinly or their peelings placed under a board or rock will draw slugs and snails that can be gathered up and destroyed. Thatch removal also will help to reduce population habitat and food sources.
CENTIPEDES AND MILLIPEDES – These arthropods, although not insects, will feed on small insects and can be as big a nuisance as some insects. Centipedes and millipedes have a few more legs than insects. Centipedes have one pair for each segment of the body, and millipedes have two pairs per segment of the body. They do not sting but centipedes have poison fangs for catching prey. Larger specimens will bite if provoked, and millipedes can excrete an ill-smelling pungent f[Image: Citrus Leaf Miner]luid. Centipedes are usually yellowish brown, and millipedes are slate gray to black. Both prefer moist habitats but can be driven indoors by heavy flooding rains or hot, dry weather.
MOLE CRICKETS – Once again the warm, damp weather has awakened the mole crickets from their winter naps. Populations have been observed tunneling through sandy soils drying out root systems on lawns and gold greens. These populations are emerging to complete development from last year’s generation and then search for mates to complete their cycle. If found early enough, these populations in localized areas can be treated and controlled before they mate and lay eggs. This preventive measure can reduce the cost and amount of pesticide used. It’s a lot cheaper to treat a small area than to wait and treat for a whole year or a whole golf course. Scout areas where mole crickets have been a problem in the past. Drench possible infestation cites with a lemon soap solution, and see if they emerge. If found, plan your management strategy. Several materials and baits are available for safe, economic management of this pest. We have three species in the state and, if identification is needed, bring specimens to the LSU AgCenter extension agent or ask the agent send the specimens to me for identification.
CITRUS LEAF MINER – Now is the time to check your new citrus growth and watch for this leaf miner. Unchecked, it can damage a large number of leaves and possibly reduce yield or size of the fruit. These are small caterpillars that feed between the upper and lower surface of the leaves creating the mines or galleries that cause the leaves to become wrinkled and curl up. This needs to be checked for each time during the year that the citrus plants put on a new flush of growth. The best management tool is Spinosad. This organic material is effective and safe for use on back yard and commercial citrus. It is known to be effective on thrips and caterpillars.
LOVE BUGS – I hate to say this but I saw the first love bug Easter Sunday. This may be a very bad omen that we will have a bumper crop this year. We have had the rain, so the moisture is there, and the grass clipping along road and highways is bountiful. When the [Image: Town Ants]weather warms, we could see the skies and the fronts of our cars full of love bugs. These little pests are attracted to heat and the exhaust from vehicles, which is why they are so gathered around the highways and your car. Remember that not only windows and the finish on your car need to be cleaned but also the radiator needs to be washed off to prevent overheating.
TOWN ANTS – These ants, although limited in distribution, are gradually expanding their range and potential for creating problems. Their mounds can be very large and cover as much as an acre. Damage to the area aside from stripping the foliage on plants and trees is the tunneling or mining of area under roads or in pastures. This could lead to cave-ins or other accidents for cattle or humans. Some central mounds are large enough to hide a small house or tractor in. To our regret, the two materials that used to work on these ants have be taken off the market. The only material labeled is Amdro Yard-Guard and, regretfully, does little to halt the town ant from clipping foliage or in reducing populations. Thankfully, these ants do not bite.