Objectives To identify pests associated with common plants and crops.

Objectives To identify pests associated with common plants and crops.
To analyze the characteristics associated with common pests of plants. To identify the uses and types of pesticides.

Main Menu Introduction to Insects Pesticides
Integrated Pest Management Chewing Insects Insects A-D Insects E-L Insects M-S Insects T-Z

Pests Are any life forms competing for resources
Are plants or animals detrimental to humans or human concerns Are an organism which pose a threat to other organisms’ health Are parasites: organism which lives on or inside another organism obtains nutrients from host detriment to the host

Pests Can be any of the following: insects vertebrates nematodes weeds
pathogens fungal bacterial viral

Insects Are members of the arthropoda phylum
Damage lawns, crops and other plants by feeding off roots, leaves and fruits Can spread disease among plants

Insects Are members of the class Insecta
class characteristics include: three pairs of legs three body segments two pairs of wings (typically) one pair of antennae one pair of eyes examples include: ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, crickets, fleas, flies, moths

Insects Are not always considered pests
insect pollinators are essential to plant growth and reproduction other insects serve as predators and help control harmful insects Fun Fact: A predator can be any organism which preys on other organisms.

Insects Can be divided into categories based on mouthparts:
chewing insects cause damage to plants by chewing foliage examples include caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers sucking insects have mouthparts designed to pierce and suck examples include aphids, leafhoppers and mites

Insects

External Structure of Insects
Consists of the head, thorax and abdomen the head includes eyes, antennae and mouthparts the thorax includes legs and wings the adult abdomen has no legs or wings

External Structure of Insects

Complete Metamorphosis
Consists of four stages: egg female lays egg larva worm-shaped eating and growing stage Definition: Metamorphosis is the transformation of an organism from larva to adult stage.

Consists of four stages: pupa develops into adult while in a cocoon grows wings and legs adult breaks out of cocoon has identifiable insect features Definition: Cocoons are silky envelopes spun by the larvae of some insects to cover itself during metamorphosis.

Incomplete Metamorphosis
Consists of three stages: egg female lays hundreds of eggs eggs are white or yellow eggs hatch within 20 days nymph is the growing stage looks similar to adult insects

Consists of three stages: adult has developed all identifiable insect features adults mate, females lay eggs, and the entire process repeats

Vertebrate Pests Possess a spinal column composed of segmented bones known as vertebrae Includes: birds deer raccoons rodents

Nematodes Are very small roundworms Consists of two types:
may be parasitic or beneficial Consists of two types: ectoparasitic live outside plants and move between roots endoparasitic live inside plant tissues

Nematodes Are important decomposers in soil
Damage vascular tissue of plants, preventing nutrient dissemination Create wounds, causing susceptibility to other diseases May cause: leaves to turn yellow plants to wilt bare patches of grass abundance of weeds

Weeds Compete with desirable plants for nutrients, water and sunlight
Have one of three life cycles: annual perennial biennial

Pesticides Reduce, prevent, repel or eliminate pests
Control pests in landscapes, gardens, field crops and homes Protect plants, animals and humans

Pesticides Are classified by type: algaecides anti-microbial avicides
control algae anti-microbial control bacteria and microorganisms avicides control birds fungicides kill fungi herbicides kill weeds

Pesticides Are classified by type: insecticides molluscicides
kill insects and other athropods molluscicides kill snails and slugs nematacides kill nematodes repellents repel pests including insects and birds rodenticides control rodents

Categories of Pesticides
Include: biopesticides chemical pesticides

Biopesticides Are derived from animals, plants, bacteria and minerals
Are divided into the following categories: microbial plant-incorporated protectants biochemical

Microbial Biopesticides
Use a bacterium, fungus lines or protozoan as an active ingredient Control many different pests Bacillus thuringiensis commonly used microbial pesticide kills various species of mosquitoes, fungus gnats and blackflies has no negative effect on non-target organisms

Plant-Incorporated Protectants
Are produced by plants with added genetic material scientists introduce certain genes into plant’s genetic make-up engineered plant produces pesticidal proteins, controlling pests Bacillus thuringiensisis is the most common plant-incorporated protectant

Biochemical Pesticides
Are natural substances, controlling pests through non-toxic mechanisms Affect a specific pest and do not harm other organisms Are effective in small quantities Include: insect sex pheromones, which interfere with mating scented traps

Chemical Pesticides Are agents designed to prevent, repel or eliminate pests Can be toxic to the environment if not use correctly Are categorized as: organophospate pesticides attack the nervous system can be highly poisonous are usually insecticides

Chemical Pesticides Are categorized as: carbamate pesticides
attack the nervous system organochlorine insecticides often used in the past have been removed from the market due to health and environmental effects pyrethroid pesticides least toxic to the environment synthetic versions of the natural pesticide pyrethrin

Integrated Pest Management
Is a strategy to control pests uses most economical process and presents least amount of possible hazards to humans and environment Used in agricultural crops, landscapes, lawns and home gardens

Integrated Pest Management
Follows a four step approach: setting action thresholds monitoring and identifying pests pest prevention pest control

Action Thresholds Are levels of pest infestation at which pest prevention and control must be taken Examples: health hazard to plants economic threat

Monitoring & Identifying Pests
Provides individuals with knowledge about insects one can identify an insect as either a pest or a beneficial Reduces the chance of using pesticides when unnecessary

Pest Prevention Utilizes cultural methods such as: Is cost effective
crop rotation planting pest-resistant varieties Is cost effective Has little or no effect on environment

Pest Control Is based on effectiveness and risk Include:
highly selective chemicals targeted spraying broadcast spraying

Techniques of Pest Control
Biological controls pest control which is non-toxic to plants, humans and wildlife use beneficial insects to control pests example: introducing ladybugs to control aphid populations

Cultural controls simple to use and inexpensive Include: mulching crop rotation planting time irrigation Definition: Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops on the same land over a period of several growing seasons; aids in insect control and preservation of soil quality.

Mechanical controls use physical methods, such as insect and animal traps, to reduce weeds and control pests by spreading less seeds are less effective and impractical on a large scale

Chemical controls use biological, natural and synthetic pesticides to control pests can be harmful to environment if not applied correctly

Host-plant resistance use plant varieties resistant to attack of pests and diseases plant breeders breed plants for certain traits making the plant resistant

Regulatory controls contain and eliminate pests already established in limited areas prevent introduction of pests from foreign countries restrict entry of any infested goods

Alfalfa Weevil Characteristics: brown in color
dark stripe down middle of back distinguishable beak projecting from head approximately one-quarter inch long primarily feeds on alfalfa, but can be found on clover and vetch

Alfalfa Weevil Effects on plants: Prevention methods: shreds leaves
complete defoliation can occur Prevention methods: monitor crops regularly to determine if pests are present cut crops early in bud state to prevent further damage parasitic wasps help control weevils

Alfalfa Weevil Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
pesticides which contain: indoxacarb malathion cyfluthrin Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Army Worm Larva Characteristics: grow one to two inches long
series of horizontal stripes on body smooth and hairless can be shades of green, gray, brown, pink or black

Army Worm Larva Effects on plants: Prevention methods:
chews leaves of small grains and grasses cuts off rice panicles at base destroys host plant completely when population is high Prevention methods: keep yard manicured through elimination and control of grassy weeds

Army Worm Larva Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
natural predators, such as beetles Life cycle: complete Economic impact: becoming highly abundant during outbreaks moving from field-to-field destruction of vegetative parts

Bagworm Characteristics: young are black, while older are gray
have a cone-shaped bag males have wings; females do not feed on more than100 different types of plants spread by wind most go unnoticed until damage becomes severe

Bagworm Effects on plants: cause small brown spots on trees
strip evergreen trees of needles can consume entire leaves

Bagworm Prevention methods: hand pick off plants in spring and destroy
allow predatory insects to control

Bagworm Treatment methods: insecticides which contain:
carbarly chlorpyrifos trichlorfon diazinon acephate malathion biopesticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis

Bagworm Life cycle: Economic impact: complete
destruction of vegetative parts

Bean Leaf Beetle Is a common pest on beans, such as: dried beans
lima beans snap beans soybeans

Bean Leaf Beetle Characteristics:
approximately one-quarter inch in length yellow or green in color four black spots on exoskeleton some may lack spots black margins on wings can be identified by black triangle at top of exoskeleton

Bean Leaf Beetle Effects on plants:
feeds on underside of leaves, causing small holes spreads disease from plant-to-plant severe cases can cause complete defoliation of young plants Definition: Defoliation means loss of leaves.

Bean Leaf Beetle Prevention methods: delay planting time
consider using early-season insecticide

Bean Leaf Beetle Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: permethrin carbaryl esfenvalerate Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Blister Beetles Characteristics: Effects on plants:
cylindrical bodies wings which cover narrow body soft body and long legged between one-half inch to one inch length can be black, gray or brown in color Effects on plants: feeding on foliage, legumes Prevention methods: keeping a clean lawn

Blister Beetles Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: Sevin® methoxychlor Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Beet Armyworm Characteristics: one and one-quarter inches long
very noticeable black spot behind head on each side of thoracic body segment

Beet Armyworm Characteristics:
young larvae feed on underside of leaves older larvae feed on top of leaves feed on numerous agricultural crops and horticultural plants adults are small, gray moths olive-green or black with a yellow stripe down each side

Beet Armyworm Effects on plants: Prevention methods:
skeletonize leaves by eating interior tissue of leaves, leaving only leaf veins and margins can result in defoliation of entire host plant Prevention methods: monitor and inspect crops regularly controlled by predators, such as lacewings, spiders and pirate bugs

Beet Armyworm Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: methomyl indoxocarb biopesticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Boll Weevil Is also referred to as the “Snout Beetle” Characteristics:
yellow, gray or brown in color turn black as they age

Boll Weevil Characteristics:
mature boll weevils have a long snout (or bill) used for digging inside seed pods prefer lower buds for feeding and reproducing feed on cotton seedlings and bolls in spring

Boll Weevil Effects on plants: holes in cotton bolls
reduce quality and yield of cotton plants turns cotton bolls yellow Fact : Eight percent of the annual U.S. cotton crop is lost to boll weevil damage.

Boll Weevil Prevention methods: control weeds
promote rapid growth of cotton plants with adequate fertilizing plant crops early select varieties resistant to boll weevils manage crop residues

Boll Weevil Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: malathion Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Bollworm Characteristics:
approximately three-quarters of an inch in length olive-green, red or brown in color have tiny spines covering most of body

Bollworm Effects on plants: Prevention methods:
eat lint, flowers and seeds of cotton plants causes damage to cotton bolls and squares chews holes in base of bolls Prevention methods: beneficial predators and pests plant varieties resistant to bollworms

Bollworm Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: biopesticide flubendiamide methamidophos methomyl Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Borer Characteristics: Effects on plants:
usually called borers during larval stage certain beetles and moths are most common types of borers Effects on plants: tunneling into plants and causing damage chewing through bark to find ways out of plants attaching to stressed trees during periods of drought, disease or injury

Borer Prevention methods: Treatments methods: Life cycle:
promoting healthy tree growth Treatments methods: limited insecticide use due to location of borers within host plants Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Cabbage Looper Characteristics: green with a white stripe on each side
smooth skin with several bristles on back

Cabbage Looper Characteristics: grows to one and one-half inches long
distinguished by loop in middle of body when they crawl can affect any plant in cabbage family mainly cabbage and broccoli

Cabbage Looper Effects on plants: chew holes in leaves
young plants can withstand a great amount of leaf damage without affecting yield rarely cause severe damage

Cabbage Looper Prevention methods: plant crops in early spring
provide protection for crops, such as a floating row cover Fun Fact : Definition: A floating row cover is a material protecting plants, but still allows them to breathe and absorb moisture and sunlight.

Cabbage Looper Prevention methods: monitor plants consistently
allow beneficial insects to prey on pests, such as ladybugs

Cabbage Looper Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: emamectin benzoate spinotoram indoxocarb spinosad Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Colorado Potato Beetle
Characteristics: thrive on potato plants, though will consume any eats foliage of many other plants black spots behind head black and yellow stripes on body lay eggs underneath leaves

Effects on plants: affects crop yield causes defoliation often kills plant Definition: Crop yield is the measurement of the total amount of crop harvested; expressed as a ratio of amount planted to amount harvested.

Prevention methods: plant fast-growing, resistant varieties as early as possible use crop rotation use heavy layers of organic mulch around plants inspect plants regularly

Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: rotenone Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Corn Borer Characteristics: brown head white body
small brown spots on body

Corn Borer Effects on plants:
chews holes in leaves causing leaves to break destroys buds resulting in complete loss of plant yield chews a complete hole in stalk at base

Corn Borer Prevention methods: plant resistant varieties
plant corn early monitor field regularly to identify damage allow predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings, to provide control by consuming eggs

Corn Borer Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: pinosad pyrethrum Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Corn Earworm Characteristics: Effects on plants:
stripes down back, pale underside three-quarters of an inch long moderately hairy olive-green, tan or dark reddish-brown in color Effects on plants: cosmetic damage to crop, causing it to be unmarketable, meaning it cannot be sold in stores complete destruction of host plant

Corn Earworm Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
early planting requires less treatment Treatment methods: planting resistant hybrids Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Corn Earworm Larva Characteristics: light-green to dark-brown in color
light and dark stripes on the body approximately one inch long

Corn Earworm Larva Effects on plants: cause severe damage to product
feed on numerous crops, including: clover corn cotton green beans lettuce sorghum soybeans tomato

Corn Earworm Larva Prevention methods: plant resistant varieties
plant early allow predators such as pirate bugs, spotted lady beetles and big-eyed bugs to consume

Corn Earworm Larva Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
biopesticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Corn Rootworm Larva Characteristics: Effects on plants:
long, slender and white usually have brown color on both ends of their bodies slightly wrinkled appearances one-eighth to one-half inch long Effects on plants: feed on roots of corn plants small larva feed on root hairs larger, more mature larva feed on primary roots

Corn Rootworm Larva Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
crop rotation is best prevention method early planting Treatment methods: apply a soil insecticide at time of planting Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Cricket Characteristics: dark-brown to black
three-quarters to one inch in length males chirp loudly to attract females have powerful hind legs for jumping

Cricket Effects on plants: eat seeds and small fruits
damage stems and leaves high numbers of crickets cause chewing damage to plants

Cricket Prevention methods: Treatment methods:
eliminate areas of high weeds, brush, rocks and plant debris allow natural predators such as birds, turtles and foxes to reduce population reduce artificial lighting near plants and trees Treatment methods: insecticides such as Diazinon®

Cricket Life cycle: Economic impact: incomplete
destruction of fruit/flower

Cutworm Characteristics: Effects on plants:
stout, smooth, soft bodied, plump worms can be black, brown, pink or green in color can be striped, one colored or spotted Effects on plants: destroys more of the plant than they consume cut young plants at soil line

Cutworm Prevention methods: Treatment methods:
cultivate and plow frequently to prevent laying of eggs Treatment methods: plowing exposes worms to predators by bringing them to surface

Cutworm Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

Cutworm Larva Characteristics:
usually a dull gray color with stripes down length of body approximately one inch in length blends in well with soil appears to have smooth skin

Cutworm Larva Effects on plants:
chews young plants off at base or near ground level

Cutworm Larva Prevention methods:
remove plant debris from field or garden after harvest allow time for crop residue to decompose before planting next crop inspect young plants regularly for plant damage

Cutworm Larva Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: indoxacarb, as found in Lorsban® chlorpyrifos, as found in Steward® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Elm Leaf Beetle Characteristics: yellow, brown or green
black spots on head and thorax one-quarter to one-half inch long

Elm Leaf Beetle Effects on plants:
feed on new foliage of elm trees causing premature defoliation eat areas of leaf between veins leaves turn red or brown, dry and fall

Elm Leaf Beetle Prevention methods: prune dead or dying branches
protect tree trunks and roots from injury provide proper care and watering allow tachinid flies to help control and reduce populations

Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: azadirachtin, such as AzaMax™ and Azatrol® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

European Corn Borer Characteristics: Effects on plants: small tan
night flyers look like moths Effects on plants: feed on all above-ground corn plants not only affects corn crops, but others including bell peppers can cause hundreds of dollars per acre loss

European Corn Borer Prevention methods: Treatment methods:
area must be scouted first location will determine type of prevention used Treatment methods: treatments are ineffective without scouting area first to select proper strategy Fun Fact : Scouting can also be called monitoring and works best when data about findings is collected.

European Corn Borer Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

European Corn Borer Larva
Characteristics: pale-gray to pinkish-brown in color dark lines or spots on body sheds skin to continue growth Effects on plants: tunnel into corn plants damaging internal processes Prevention methods: biological controls row covers

European Corn Borer Larva
Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: acephate Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction by removal of plant fluids

Fall Webworm Characteristics: grow to one inch long
yellow or green bodies with black or red heads covered with long white hairs yellow patterns on sides

Fall Webworm Effects on plants:
skeletonizes leaves of many common trees hickory mulberry oak pecan causes defoliation covers entire branch with webs containing caterpillars

Fall Webworm Prevention methods: monitor trees and remove webs
allow natural predators to provide control: birds flies stink bugs wasps

Fall Webworm Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis diazinon Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Flea Beetle Characteristics:
approximately one-quarter of an inch in length hind legs are used for jumping colors vary by species potato flea beetle and eggplant beetle are black striped flea beetles have yellow and black stripes on back other beetle species are usually brown

Flea Beetle Effects on plants: chews small holes in leaves
primarily feed on vegetable plants such as: corn eggplants peppers

Flea Beetle Prevention methods: use sticky traps
plow or till weeds in fall protect with row covers

Flea Beetle Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: pyrethroids carbamates Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Grain Weevil Characteristics: Effects on plants: three species:
rice granary maize weevils all have wings, but not all can fly dark-brown, almost black in color Effects on plants: larva develops in whole kernel grain grown weevils emerge out of holes in grain

Grain Weevil Prevention methods: Treatment methods:
proper sanitation before, during and after grain is stored Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: resmethrin sumithrin tetramethrin permethrin pyrethins

Grain Weevil Life cycle: Economic impact: complete
destruction of fruit/flower

Grasshopper Characteristics: brown, green or yellow in color
grows to two inches in length powerful back legs for jumping lives in grassy areas feeds on stems and leaves

Grasshopper Effects on plants: eats foliage damages entire crop

Grasshopper Prevention methods:
till soil to disturb areas where grasshoppers lay eggs mow tall grasses to reduce food supply

Grasshopper Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides such as: Capture® 2 EC for corn Guthion® 2 L for vegetables Leverage™ 2.7 for cotton Life cycle: incomplete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Green June Beetle Characteristics: approximately one inch long
a mixture of green, yellow, orange and brown colors throughout body

Green June Beetle Effects on plants:
adults feed on ripening and decaying fruits larvae feed on roots of the following plants: alfalfa oats sorghum turf grass

Green June Beetle Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
maintain a healthy lawn by limiting weed growth in fall, over-seed damaged areas Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: carbaryl, such as Sevin® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Green Lacewing Characteristics: Effects on plants:
light-green with long slender antennae golden eyes and veined wings Effects on plants: can consume over 200 aphids or other prey in a week beneficial insect medically harmless, will not cause harm to humans

Green Lacewing Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
none, this is a beneficial insect Treatment methods: Life cycle: complete Economic impact: benefit the economy by destroying pests

Honeybee Characteristics: Effects on plants: three types
queen drones worker brightly colored pattern on back hairy legs to help transport pollen some have stingers and sting when threatened Effects on plants: pollinators

Honeybee Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
none, this is a beneficial insect Treatment methods: Life cycle: complete Economic impact: benefit the economy by destroying pests produce honey

Japanese Beetle Characteristics: metallic-green with brown wings
patches of white hair along sides of the body oval shaped one-half inch long commonly damage turf grasses, roses, grapes and beans adults feed on fruit, ornamental and vegetable plants

Japanese Beetle Effects on plants:
skeletonizes leaves, leaving only vein and margins chews roots off grass, preventing water and nutrient uptake

Japanese Beetle Prevention methods:
monitor garden and inspect plants regularly allow natural predators to control crows moles skunks

Japanese Beetle Treatment methods: insecticides which contain:
diazinon, found in Diazinon® carbaryl, found in Sevin® imidacloprid, found in Merit® malathion, found in Malathion® bifenthrin, found in Talstar®

Japanese Beetle Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

Lady Beetle Larva Characteristics: Effects on plants: elongated body
slightly pointed rear gray or black with spotting Effects on plants: feed on a variety of pests, most notably aphids

Lady Beetle Larva Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:

Ladybird Beetle Characteristics: Effects on plants: oval in shape
brightly colored yellow, orange or red black spots or markings Effects on plants: feed on a variety of pests, most notably aphids

Ladybird Beetle Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:

Leaf Skeletonizer Characteristics: Effects on plants:
adults are gray to brown in color with black spots larva are white to yellow in color with faint stripes Effects on plants: palms are only recorded hosts prefer leaf parts between veins for meals causing skeletonized look on leaves

Leaf Skeletonizer Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
early detection and removal of larva is best Treatment methods: biopesticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Long-Horned Beetle Characteristics:
medium-sized, ranging from three-quarters to one and one-half inches in length known for extremely long antennae black with yellow or white markings

Long-Horned Beetle Effects on plants:
injures trunks and branches of trees damages flowers

Long-Horned Beetle Prevention methods:
regularly inspect plants and trees minimize plant stress avoid injuring tree trunks with lawn mowers and other equipment thin and prune trees during summer remove all dying or injured plant parts Definition: Pruning means to cut back or cut out any unwanted plant growth.

Long-Horned Beetle Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: imidacloprid, such as: Dominion®, Scotts® GrubEx® or Merit® 75 W Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Mexican Bean Beetle Characteristics: yellow to light brown in color
adults darken as they age, eventually turning orange eight black spots on each wing

Mexican Bean Beetle Feeds on plants such as: alfalfa clover lima beans
snap beans soybeans

Mexican Bean Beetle Effects on plants: damages surface of leaves
skeletonizes leaves, leaving only vein and margins

Mexican Bean Beetle Prevention methods: Treatment methods:
delay planting plant resistant varieties Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: carbaryl, found in Sevin® malathion, found in Malathion®

Mexican Bean Beetle Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

Pink Bollworm Larva Characteristics: major cotton pest
young larvae are tiny, white body with dark brown head pink bands on back adults are small gray-brown moths larva grows to one-half inch long Definition: Larvae are immature form of an insect which is often worm-like.

Pink Bollworm Larva Effects on plants:
damage cotton squares and bolls by chewing through lint to feed on seeds larvae cut and stain lint, reducing quality and yield

Pink Bollworm Larva Prevention methods: plant resistant varieties
irrigate in winter to reduce populations eliminate bollworms by reducing green bolls achieved by stopping irrigation early in growing season

Pink Bollworm Larva Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides which contain: spinosad, found in Entrust® indoxacarb, found in Steward® chlorpyrifos, found in Lorsban® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Potato Beetle Characteristics: Effects on plants:
commonly black and yellow striped larva are red with black spots Effects on plants: most damage occurs in home gardens mostly on potatoes and potato foliage can cause yields to severely drop

Potato Beetle Prevention methods: Treatment methods: Life cycle:
crop rotation Treatment methods: rotate different insecticides for best options of treatment Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Red Harvester Ant Characteristics: red to dark brown
one-quarter to one-half inch long square-shaped heads primarily feed on seeds

Red Harvester Ant Effects on plants: Prevention methods:
reduce crop yields by taking plant seeds and storing them in ant beds Prevention methods: mow over ant beds allow beneficial insects to control ground beetles parasitic wasps

Red Harvester Ant Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
insecticides such as Diazinon® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Salt Marsh Caterpillar/Wooly Worm
Characteristics: wooly worms have black bands on each end and reddish/brown band in middle salt marsh caterpillars are more white in color with small irregular black dots

Characteristics: folklore says wooly worm stripes can predict how harsh winter will be: a narrow brown band is said to predict a harsh winter a wider brown band is said to predict a more mild winter

Effects on plants: tend to damage fall planted crops larva are defoliators Prevention methods: plant resistant varieties Treatment methods: pesticides which contain: Bacillus thuringiensis Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Slug Characteristics:
more similar to clams and mussels than other garden pests body contains mostly water, they are susceptible to drying often described as a snail without a shell soft body without segmentation

Slug Effects on plants: Prevention methods:
destructive and difficult to control produce slime trails which ruin garden produce small leaves are destroyed while larger leaves are chewed around edges Prevention methods: remove habitat composting mulch in spring

Slug Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
molluscicides which contain: metaldehyde Life cycle: incomplete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Snail Characteristics: brown, white or gray in color
has an external, spiral shell most active at night

Snail Effects on plants:
chews holes in many plants and decaying plant matter

Snail Prevention methods: eliminate daytime hiding places
boards, rocks, brush use drip irrigation to reduce humidity snails prefer humid environments remove snails by hand use traps

Snail Prevention methods: use natural enemies birds ground beetles
snakes turtles

Snail Treatment methods: Life cycle: Economic impact:
can be achieved by using metaldehyde baits Life cycle: incomplete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Also known as “Southern Corn Rootworm Beetle” Characteristics: grows to one-quarter inch in length yellow or green in color black head and antennae twelve black spots on wing covers

Effects on plants: injures corn and sorghum in seedling stage of development stunts plant growth and can kill entire crop

Prevention methods: cover crops with floating row cover after planting remove when blossoms appear plant resistant varieties use traps with a sticky adhesive

Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: rotenone pyrethrum sabadilla Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Tobacco Hornworm Larva
Also known as “Tomato Hornworm Larva” Characteristics: commonly feed on tomato and tobacco plants gray with six yellow or orange spots on sides when adults, hind wings have alternating light and dark stripes

Effects on plants: attacks upper portion of plants and eats foliage, blossom and fruits causes defoliation by consuming leaves

Prevention methods: physically remove and destroy larva practice normal soil tillage allow natural predators such as parasitic wasps to provide control

Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: carbaryl permethrin spinosad Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of fruit/flower

Western Corn Rootworm Beetle
Characteristics: adults are slender and approximately one-quarter inch long yellow or green with three dark stripes down back feeds on root hairs and small roots affects corn, barley and grasses

Effects on plants: severe cases can destroy entire root systems adults feed on corn leaves, damaging leaves prevents pollination missing kernels in corn because of reduced fertilization

Prevention methods: rotate crops, causing rootworms to starve to death plant varieties best suited for local environment

Treatment methods: insecticides which contain: carbaryl, found in Sevin® pyrethroid, found in Bifenthrin® Life cycle: complete Economic impact: destruction of vegetative parts

White Grub Characteristics: Effects on plants:
one-half to one inch long red or brown in color reside in the soil recognized by C-shaped body Effects on plants: feeds on and damages roots, grasses, weeds and agricultural crops lawns turn yellow and die

White Grub Prevention methods:
spray turfgrass with a diluted, liquid, dishwashing soap to force white grub larvae out of soil predators such as ground beetles, ants, thrips and scoliidae help control white grubs crop rotation

White Grub Treatment methods: insecticides which contain:
imidacloprid, found in Merit® halofenozide, found in MACH2® consult with a turfgrass specialist before applying chemicals to avoid further damage

White Grub Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

Wireworm Characteristics: orange, yellow, white or brown
one-quarter to two and one-half inches long and very slender wireworms develop where grass is abundant, including crops adults are known as “Click Beetles” reside in the soil

Wireworm Effects on plants:
feed on seed of plant, causing plants to wilt and die in severe cases, bare spots may appear in field can lead to bacterial and fungal rot infections crops cannot be rescued once infested

Wireworm Prevention methods:
sample soil before planting to determine if wire worms are present use preventive insecticides during planting if wireworms have been present in past

Wireworm Treatment methods: insecticides which contain:
chlorpyrifos, found in Lorsban® clothianidin, found in Poncho® thiamethoxam, found in Cruiser®

Wireworm Life cycle: Economic impact: complete

Resources Armyworm information sheet. International Rice Research Institute. Retrieved from (1999). Blister beetle. AgriLIFE Extension. Retrieved from (2000). Blister beetles. University of Florida. Retrieved from Cranshaw, W. S., & Leatherman, D. A. (1999). Shade tree borers. Colorado State University. Retrieved from (1999). Chinch bugs fact sheet. University of Rhode Island. Retrieved from

Resources Cook, K. A., & Weinzierl, R. (2004). Corn earworm. Integrated Pest Management. Retrieved from Peairs, F. B., & Pilcher, S. D. (2010). Western corn rootworm. Colorado State University. Retrieved from (1999). Cutworms. University of Rhode Island. Retrieved from European corn borer. Iowa State University. Retrieved from (2011). Weevils on stored grain. The Pennsylvania State University Retrieved from

Resources (1999). Green lacewing. AgriLIFE Extension. Retrieved from Mason, J. Honeybee. Retrieved from Cranshaw, W. S. (2006). Lady beetles. Colorado State University. Retrieved from (2010). Screening aid to pests. Retrieved from Bessin, R. (2004). Colorado potato beetle management. The University of Kentucky. Retrieved from Capinera, J. L. (2001). Saltmarsh caterpillar. University of Florida. Retrieved from

Resources Cranshaw, W. S. (2008). Slugs. Colorado State University. Retrieved from (2011). Stink bugs guide. Retrieved from Beauzay, P. (2008). Corn rootworm management. NDSU Extension Entomology. Retrieved from Hamon, A. B. (1998). Armored scale insects as pests of bromeliads. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Retrieved from Scale insects. University of Florida. Retrieved from

Resources Boone, M. Archived photos of living moths. Mississippi State University. Retrieved from Roos, D. (2006). Tarnished plant bug. North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from (2008). Cotton bollworm. UC Pest Management Guidelines. Retrieved from (1998). A field guide to common texas insects. College Station: Texas AgriLIFE Extension. Retrieved from (2010). Viral diseases. PAN Germany. Retrieved from

Resources Integrated pest management. Prosser: Washington State University Extension. Retrieved from (1993). Leafminers on ornamental plants. University of Florida. Retrieved from Entomology & plant pathology. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University. Retrieved from Eaglin, A. Animal and plant health inspection service. USDA. Retrieved from (2010). Animal and plant health inspection service. USDA. Retrieved from (2010). News and events. USDA. Retrieved from Capinera, J. L. (2001). Saltmarsh caterpillar. University of Florida. Retrieved from creatures/veg/leaf/saltmarsh_caterpillar.htm

Acknowledgements Production Coordinators Kelly Harkey Baron Bartels
Layton Norwood Assistant Brand Manager Olivia Mitchell Graphic Designer Melody Rowell Production Manager Maggie Bigham V.P. of Brand Management Clayton Franklin Executive Producer Gordon W. Davis, Ph.D. © MMXIII CEV Multimedia, Ltd.

Objectives To identify pests associated with common plants and crops.

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Objectives To identify pests associated with common plants and crops.

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