DACS-P-00124 Volume 51, Number 6, November - December 2012

DPI’s Bureau of Entomology, Nematology and Pathology (the botany section is included in this bureau) produces TRI- OLOGY six times a year, covering two months of activity in each issue. The report includes detection activities from nursery plant inspections, routine and emergency program surveys, and requests for identification of and pests from the public. Samples are also occasionally sent from other states or countries for identification or diagnosis.

Highlights Following are a few of the notable entries from this volume of TRI-OLOGY. Section Reports These entries are reports of interesting plants or unusual pests, some of which may be problematic. See Section Reports for complete information. Botany 2

Aphodius distinctus (a dung beetle) — a new Entomology 5 State Record. This beetle is abundant and Nematology 8 widespread in much of the United States, but not reported previously from Florida. Plant Pathology 10

Sipha maydis (a spiny cereal aphid) — a new State Record. This Eurasian cereal pest has a broad host range among grasses and cereal crops and can transmit at least one of the viruses in Aphodius distinctus (a dung beetle) Photograph courtesy of Dr. Paul E. the barley yellow dwarf complex. This colony was Skelley found on wheat in a greenhouse in Griffin, Georgia.

Meloidogyne incognita (the southern root-knot nematode) has been reported to be pathogenic to numerous plant species in several parts of the world. In Florida, this nematode species parasitizes many crops of agronomic and horticultural importance as well as weed plants. Recently, the noxious weed, Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), was found to be parasitized by this nematode.

Nelsonia canescens (blue pussyleaf), previously known as both Justicia canescens and Justicia brunelloides before recent taxonomic revision, was collected from the same county park where the original Florida population was discovered. No other locations with wild populations have been found. Although several other tropical relatives (blue pussyleaf) of this plant have become widely naturalized, this Photograph courtesy of Alan R. Franck, species does not appear to be a pest plant. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

Dracaena mottle badnavirus (Dracaena mottle) was found on Dracaena sanderiana (Belgian evergreen, lucky bamboo) in an Alachua County nursery. This is the first United States record of the viral pathogen. Dracaena mottle can integrate into the host genome and cause no symptoms, posing a How to cite Tri-ology: Dixon, W.N. and P.J. Anderson. (Editors). year. Section. regulatory dilemma. Tri-ology Volume(number): page. [date you accessed site] website address For example: Dixon, W.N. and P.J. Anderson. (Editors). 2012. Entomology section. Tri-ology 47(5): 8. [accessed July 5, 2012] http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ content/download/12542/151552/triology_5101.pdf

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services • Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner

1 Botany Section Sample Submissions

Compiled by Patti J. Anderson, Ph.D. Nov/ Year to This section identifies plants for the Division of Plant Industry, as well as for Dec date other governmental agencies and private individuals. The Botany Section Samples 1,174 8,404 maintains a reference herbarium with over 11,000 plants and nearly 1,400 vials submitted of seeds. Some of the samples received for identification are discussed below: by other DPI sections odorata Lour. (peppery orchid-tree, Chinese perfume plant), from a of about 120 species found in , the Indo-Malayan region and Pacific Samples 157 859 islands. . This evergreen shrub or small tree has scattered, tiny, submitted stellate scales on new growth, but is otherwise glabrous. The compound leaves for botanical are alternate, with three to five glossy green leaflets that are 3.5 to 7 cm long. identification The petiole and rachis are narrowly winged. Inflorescences are axillary, up to 14 only cm long, with panicles of tiny (about 2 mm across), fragrant, five-parted, yellow Total Samples 1,331 9,263 flowers. The fruits are yellowish berries, about 1 cm wide. At first glance, this Submitted species is similar in appearance to Murraya paniculata in the Rutaceae (citrus Specimens 18 226 family), but Aglaia leaves have no pellucid glands as do those of Rutaceae. added to the This species could be a useful addition to the landscape as a fragrant hedge herbarium plant that is not subject to diseases of Citrus species. Aglaia odorata is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The flowers are used to scent tea and in linen closets. Other more common members of the Meliaceae or mahagony family in Florida include the weedy chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach, and the Florida endangered West Indian mahagony, Swietenia mahagoni. (Sarasota County; submitted by the general public; 10 November 2012.) (Mabberley 2008; Walker 1976; http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&sear chword=herb_id=D00922 [accessed 14 December 2012].)

Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urban (chew-stick), from a genus of about 50 species native to tropical and warm regions. . This woody vine or scrambling shrub can grow 7-12 m in length or height. It climbs with coiled tendrils at the base of the inflorescences and can be distinguished from other vines in this family by those tendrils. The alternate leaves have serrate to bluntly toothed margins with glands at the tip of each tooth, ovate to elliptic blades that can be up to 10 cm long and 5 cm wide, and tips that are acute Aglaia odorata (peppery orchid-tree) to short acuminate. The petioles are 0.5 to 2 cm long. Racemes of tiny white Photograph courtesy of Top Tropicals to yellow green flowers produce small, three-winged fruits, containing deep brown seeds that are 3-4 mm long. The native range of chew-stick includes Florida, the West Indies, the Bahamas, , and northern . The species grows on roadsides, in pastures and in forests. In Florida, chew-stick grows in coastal hammocks. Austin (2008) reports numerous common names in several languages that suggest using the vine for teeth cleaning or as a washing soap, including chaw stick, toothbrush tree, limpia dientes (tooth cleaner), liane savon (soap vine) and soap stick. It seems that wherever the plant grows, stem cuttings are used to clean teeth and gums. Even the popular Frommer’s travel guide to Jamaica mentions the attraction of a compounding pharmacy in Kingston that makes a medicinal toothpaste on the premises, called Chew Dent using G. lupuloides; Chew-stick is also used in flavoring Jamaican beers. (Miami-Dade County; B2012-728; Jake M. Farnum; 5 November 2012.) (Austin 2004; Nelson 2011; Porter and Prince 2004; Wunderlin and Hansen 2011; http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/ %20lupuloides.pdf [accessed 20 December 2012].)

Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka. (rose Natalgrass) from a genus of 22 species native to tropical and southern Africa. Gramineae/Poaceae. This is a weedy Gouania lupuloides (chew-stick) herbarium specimen annual or short-lived perennial that is now widely distributed through the tropics Photograph courtesy of New York Botanical Garden and subtropics, but is thought to be native in southern Africa. Introduced to the http://sweetgum.nybg.org/vh/specimen.php?irn=906173

2 United States as a forage grass, it has become naturalized throughout the southern states from North Carolina to California. A field full of rose Natalgrass is a beautiful sight, especially when backlit by the setting sun. Unfortunately, its beauty belies its weedy tendencies, and it has spread to nearly every county in Florida. This grass was brought to Florida about 1875 and is now documented in all but 13 of the state’s 67 counties. The culms are 40-150 cm long, decumbent and usually rooting at the lower nodes. The erect to spreading leaf blades are 4-27 cm long and 2-9 mm wide. Erect, airy panicles, 6-22 cm long and 3-12 cm wide, are borne in late summer or early fall, with distinctive spikelets about 4 mm long, their glumes densely covered in long and silky, pink or red hairs that turn silver with age. It is found in disturbed areas and open grasslands in a wide range of soil conditions. Because this grass is displacing native plants, it has been placed on the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Melinis repens (rose Natalgrass) close view of flower Council’s (EPPC) list of invasive species (Category I). The species was also Photograph courtesy of Patti J. Anderson, DPI known as Rhychelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E.Hubb. and many older references use that name. (Miami-Dade County; B2012-705 and B2012-706; Andrew I. Derksen, USDA/CAPS; 29 October 2012; Orange County; B2012-735; George A. Warden; 7 November 2012; and Alachua County; by the general public; 5 November 2012.) (Langeland et al. 2008; Wipff 2003.)

Momordica charantia L. (balsam-apple, balsamito, bitter melon, karela, ku gua), from a genus of about 40 Old World tropical species. Cucurbitaceae. This annual, herbaceous vine to 5 m long is cultivated as a vegetable and has escaped cultivation to grow in disturbed areas throughout much of Florida. The vines have deeply dissected, alternate leaves with five to seven lobes and climb with coiled tendrils that grow from the petiole base of the leaves. The showy, yellow flowers are unisexual with both staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers found on the same vine. Male flowers mature before the Melinis repens (rose Natalgrass) in the landscape Photograph courtesy of Patti J. Anderson, DPI female flowers, encouraging cross-pollination. The fruit, used as a vegetable, is oblong to ovoid, with a warty, wrinkled, yellow-orange exterior that bursts open when ripe to reveal a bright red interior. The seeds are covered with a red aril and red pulp. There are several varieties of the cultivated fruit, for example, the form found in Chinese markets is usually pale green, oblong with blunt ends, with a warty surface texture. The form associated with Indian cuisine has jagged, tooth-like projections on the exterior and both ends of the fruit form sharp points. There are numerous intermediates between these two examples, as well as miniature forms and ripe fruits in a range of colors. M. charantia has been used in traditional medicine both as a tea to treat respiratory illnesses and to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rigorous experimental studies of the plant’s medicinal efficacy remain inconclusive. (Miami-Dade County; B2012- 771; Linda G. McRay; 9 November 2012 and Miami-Dade County; B2012-789; Jake M. Farnum; 26 November 2012.) (Hammer 2002; Huxley 1992; http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/karela.html; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166099 [accessed 20 December 2012].)

Nelsonia canescens (Lam.) Spreng. (blue pussyleaf), from a genus with a single species from the Old World tropics. Acathaceae. This annual grows 10-20 cm tall, with a creeping or sprawling habit and stems that often root at basal nodes to form ground-covering mats. This growth habit has been found to give a competitive advantage to the species in seasonally dry areas of Central Africa. The opposite leaves are petioloate, with petioles usually about 1.2 cm, but occasionally up to 4 cm long. The leaf blade is elliptic to ovate, with an entire margin, cuneate base and acute apex. The inflorescence consists of cylindrical spikes with spiraling, imbricate bracts. The sessile flowers have Momordica charantia (balsam-apple, balsamito, bitter melon, karela, ku gua) a lobed, 4-5 mm long calyx and a lobed, 4-5.5 mm long, glabrous corolla Photograph courtesy of Roger L. Hammer, Atlas of Florida from bluish purple to white in color. Most plant parts are covered with soft, Vascular Plants 3 non-glandular hairs, including inflorescence bracts with trichomes up to 2 mm long. The fruit is a capsule about 2 mm long with 8-16 seeds. This species was known as Justicia canescens Lamarck and Justicia brunelloides Lam. before recent taxonomic revision. This sample was collected from the same county park where the original Florida population was discovered. Although several other tropical relatives of this plant have “adopted” Florida as their home and become widely naturalized, including several species of Ruellia, Justicia and Thunbergia, the initial discovery of Nelsonia remains the only known population. In spite of its ability to naturalize here, this species does not appear to be a pest plant at this time. It grows in open areas in Asia and Africa where it is native and was found growing along a sidewalk in Sarasota. The plant is used medicinally and has been found to contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds. Nelsonia canescens (blue pussyleaf) (Sarasota County; B2012-861; Karen ‘Lea’ Etchells; 27 December 2012.) Photograph courtesy of Alan R. Franck, Atlas of Florida Vascular (Chidumayo 2006; Franck and Daniel 2011; Owoyele et al. 2005; Plants http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022012 [accessed 31 December 2012].)

References

Austin, D. F. 2004. Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. 909 p. Chidumayo, E.N. 2006. Fitness implications of clonal integration and leaf dynamics in a stoloniferous herb, Nelsonia canescens (Lam.) Spreng (Nelsoniaceae). Evolutionary Ecology 20: 59-70. Franck, A. R. and T. F. Daniel. 2011. Florida Nelsonia canescens, a genus and species new to the adventive flora of the United States. Castanea 76: 429- 431. Hammer, R. 2002. Everglades wildflowers. Falcon Press, Guilford, Connecticut. 231 p. Huxley, A.J. (editor). 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening. 4 volumes. Macmillan Press, London, England. 3,240 p. Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick and K.A.Craddock Burks. 2008. Nonnative plants in Florida’s natural areas. The University of Florida, IFAS Communications Services, Gainesville, Florida. 193 p. Mabberley, D.J. 2008. Mabberley’s plant-book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses, 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press, New York, New York. 1,021 p. Nelson, G. 2011. Botanical key to Florida’s trees, shrubs and woody vines. Pineapple Press, Inc., Sarasota, Florida. 208 p. Owoyele, V.B., Y.Y. Oloriegbe, E.A. Balogun and A.O. Soladoye. 2005. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Nelsonia canescens leaf extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99: 153-156. Porter, D. and D. Prince. 2004. Frommer’s Jamaica, 3rd edition. Wiley Publishing, Hoboken, New Jersey. 247 p. Walker, E.H. 1976. Flora of Okinawa and the Southern Ryukyu Islands. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. 1,159 p. Wipff, J.K. 2003. Melinis. Flora of North America 25: 490-492. Wunderlin, R. P. and B. F. Hansen. 2011. Guide to the vascular plants of Florida, 3rd edition. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 783 p.

4 Sample/Specimen Entomology Section Submissions Compiled by Susan E. Halbert, Ph.D.

This section provides the division’s plant protection specialists and other November customers with accurate identifications of . The entomology section Samples Submitted 732 also builds and maintains the reference and research collection Specimens Identified 8,421 (the Florida State Collection of Arthropods with over 9 million specimens), and investigates the biology, biological control and of arthropods. December Samples Submitted 627 Halotydeus bakerae (a redlegged mite) — a new US Continental Record. Specimens Identified 4,694 An exotic phytophagus mite tentatively identified as Halotydeus bakerae Qin Year to Date & Halliday (Penthaleidae), recently was discovered in the top layer of soil of a potted plant at a nursery in Homestead. The genus Halotydeus is native to Samples Submtted 9,616 Australia and Africa. These mites feed primarily on grasses, but they also have Specimens Identified 142,655 been found on clover, mosses, and other plants. All Halotydeus species are phytophagous, and none are known to be established in the USA.

Mites in the genus Halotydeus are relatively easy to identify in the field due to their dark body and red to orange legs. Halotydeus are more likely to be found fall through early spring. They can be gregarious when feeding, but congregate in the upper soil layer or under leaves at other times. If disturbed, the mites will frequently drop to the ground. (Miami-Dade County; E2012-7960; Holly B. Glenn, University of Florida, Tropical Research and Extension Center; 18 October 2012.) (Dr. W.C. ‘Cal’ Welbourn.)

Aphodius distinctus (a dung beetle) — a new Florida State Record. This is an introduced species, abundant and widespread in the USA, but not reported previously from Florida. (Santa Rosa County; E2012-8884; Johanna K. Welch, USDA/APHIS/PPQ, and J. Mikaela Anderson; 13 November 2012.) (Dr. Michael C. Thomas.)

Sipha maydis (a spiny cereal aphid) — a new Georgia State Record. This Eurasian cereal pest was found in the United States for the first time in 2007 in California. It has a broad host range among grasses and cereal crops and can transmit at least one of the viruses in the barley yellow dwarf complex. This colony was found on wheat in a greenhouse in Griffin, Georgia. (Spalding County, GA; E2012-9123; Daniel E. Bland, Jr. and Lisa M. Ames, University of Georgia; 30 November 2012.) (Dr. Susan E. Halbert.)

Entomology Specimen Report Aphodius distinctus (a dung beetle) Following are tables with entries for records of new hosts or new Photograph courtesy of Dr. Paul E. Skelley geographical areas for samples identified in the current volume’s time period as well as samples of special interest. An abbreviated table, with all the new records, but less detail about them, is presented in the body of this web page and another version with more complete data is downloadable as an Excel spreadsheet.

The tables are organized alphabetically by plant host if the specimen has a plant host. Some arthropod specimens are not collected on plants and are not necessarily plant pests. In the table below, those entries that have no plant information included are organized by arthropod name.

Sipha maydis (a spiny cereal aphid) Photograph courtesy of Lisa M. Ames, University of Georgia 5 New Records INCIDENT REGULATORY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION HOST INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY STATE COUNTY HOST INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION US CONTINENTAL COUNTY County Monroe Hamilton Nassau Alachua Escambia Pinellas Collier Escambia Escambia Alachua Glades Nassau Escambia Brevard Charlotte Nassau Indian River Wakulla Escambia Gadsden Santa Rosa Baker Alachua Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Suwannee Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Miami-Dade Palm Beach Arthropod Common Name an armored scale an armored scale a dwarf sheetweaver southern armyworm an agromyzid fly a leafhopper bagrada bug seedcorn maggot potato psyllid a dwarf sheetweaver gray garden slug currant-lettuce aphid magnificent weevil a spilomeline moth gray garden slug a clusiid fly a gall midge light brown apple moth a buprestid beetle a dung beetle daylily leafminer mite potato psyllid a leafhopper a leafhopper a leafhopper seedcorn maggot California pea leafminer California pea leafminer California pea leafminer California pea leafminer pale legume bug pale legume bug a western lygus bug aphid a leafhopper a redlelgged mite a crambid moth n. sp. (?) sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. Arthropod Species Fiorinia externa Fiorinia externa nigriceps Spodoptera eridania Phytomyza Japananus hyalinus Froggattiella Bagrada hilaris Delia platura Bactericera cockerelli Floricomus crosbyi reticulatum Deroceras Nasonovia ribisnigri magnificus Eurhinus Penestola bufalis reticulatum Deroceras quadrimaculata Sobarocephala euthamiae Asteromyia Epiphyas postvittana Agrilus macer Aphodius distinctus Ophiomyia kwansonis Oligonychus coffeae Bactericera cockerelli Ceratagallia Ceratagallia Ceratagallia Delia platura Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei elisus Lygus elisus Lygus hesperus Lygus Tetraneura ultratus Texananus Halotydeus bakerae Nacoleia Plant Common Name southern balsam fir Fraser's fir, southern balsam fir Fraser's fir, fir celery carambola; starfruit bok-choy, pak-choi, bok-choi, pak-choy, Chinese mustard, celery mustard bok-choy, pak-choi, bok-choi, pak-choy, Chinese mustard, celery mustard pepper pecan endive, escarole, frisee cultivated endive carrotwood; tuckeroo tree cardoon, artichoke, globe artichoke Surinam cherry; Cayenne cherry common goldentop, flattop goldenrod garden strawberry ash tree cultivated cotton sweetspire Virginia Virginia-willow, lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce mandevilla mango sp. ananassa sp. sp. x sp. sp. sp. sp. Plant Species Abies fraseri Abies fraseri Abies Agave Apium graveolens carambola Averrhoa Bambusa Brassica rapa Brassica rapa Capsicum annuum Carya illinoinensis Cichorium endivia Cichorium endivia Citrus Cupaniopsis anacardioides Cynara cardunculus Eugenia uniflora Euthamia graminifolia Fragaria Fraxinus Gossypium hirsutum Hemerocallis Itea virginica Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Mandevilla Mangifera indica

6 New Records INCIDENT REGULATORY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION HOST INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY STATE COUNTY HOST INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION US CONTINENTAL COUNTY New Records COUNTY HOST HOST INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY HOST RECORD STATE GEORGIA COUNTY INTERDICTION INTERCEPTION COUNTY COUNTY INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY INCIDENT REGULATORY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY County Monroe Hamilton Nassau Alachua Escambia Pinellas Collier Escambia Escambia Alachua Glades Nassau Escambia Brevard Charlotte Nassau Indian River Wakulla Escambia Gadsden Santa Rosa Baker Alachua Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Suwannee Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Escambia Miami-Dade Palm Beach County Hendry Monroe Volusia Escambia Palm Beach Escambia Escambia Nassau Hillsborough Clay Columbia Okaloosa Suwannee Baker Escambia Suwannee Sarasota Sarasota Nassau Escambia Escambia Hendry Alachua Spalding Hendry Nassau Liberty Broward Seminole Jackson Nassau Liberty Alachua Broward Manatee Broward Bay Hillsborough Liberty Arthropod Common Name an armored scale an armored scale a dwarf sheetweaver southern armyworm an agromyzid fly a leafhopper bagrada bug seedcorn maggot potato psyllid a dwarf sheetweaver gray garden slug currant-lettuce aphid magnificent weevil a spilomeline moth gray garden slug a clusiid fly a gall midge light brown apple moth a buprestid beetle a dung beetle daylily leafminer spider mite potato psyllid a leafhopper a leafhopper a leafhopper seedcorn maggot California pea leafminer California pea leafminer California pea leafminer California pea leafminer pale legume bug pale legume bug a western lygus bug aphid a leafhopper a redlelgged mite a crambid moth Arthropod Common Name an odiniid fly a mealybug eastern omnivorous leafroller a tenebrionid beetle a cerambycid beetle an issid plant hopper a scolytid beetle a scolytid beetle a podocarpus aphid a podocarpus aphid a podocarpus aphid a podocarpus aphid a podocarpus aphid a leafhopper a fulgorid planthopper a flower fly a vinegar fly a scolytid beetle Ligurian leafhopper Ligurian leafhopper a cobweb spider fern scale a cereal aphid biglegged bug a silvanid beetle camphor shot borer a seed bug gray garden slug European pepper moth brown marmorated stink bug a scolytid beetle a weevil a weevil nut leaf weevil a pyralid moth a scolytid beetle a scolytid beetle a scolytid beetle fransseni fransseni fransseni fransseni fransseni scabrosa sp. nr. sp. nr. sp. nr. sp. nr. sp. nr. sp. nr. n. sp. (?) sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. n.sp. sp. sp. nr. sp. nr. Arthropod Species Fiorinia externa Fiorinia externa Ceratinopsis nigriceps Spodoptera eridania Phytomyza Japananus hyalinus Froggattiella Bagrada hilaris Delia platura Bactericera cockerelli Floricomus crosbyi reticulatum Deroceras Nasonovia ribisnigri magnificus Eurhinus Penestola bufalis reticulatum Deroceras quadrimaculata Sobarocephala euthamiae Asteromyia Epiphyas postvittana Agrilus macer Aphodius distinctus Ophiomyia kwansonis Oligonychus coffeae Bactericera cockerelli Ceratagallia Ceratagallia Ceratagallia Delia platura Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei Liriomyza langei elisus Lygus elisus Lygus hesperus Lygus Tetraneura ultratus Texananus Halotydeus bakerae Nacoleia Arthropod Species irroratus Traginops Phenacoccus parvus Platynota rostrana Blapstinus Eleodes Scaphinus muticus Thionia elliptica Xyleborinus andrewesi Xyleborus intrusus Neophyllaphis Neophyllaphis Neophyllaphis Neophyllaphis Neophyllaphis Colladonus montanus Alphina glauca Ocyptamus parvicornis Rhinoleucophenga obesa Xyleborus impressus Eupteryx decemnotata Eupteryx decemnotata Meotipa pulcherrima Pinnaspis aspidistrae Sipha maydis Acanthocephala confraterna Ahasverus Cnestus mutilatus Cymoninus notabilis reticulatum Deroceras Duponchelia fovealis Halyomorpha halys Monarthrum fasciatum Pissodes strobi Sibinia sellata melanogrammum Strophosoma Stylopalpia lunigerella Xyleborus celsus Xyleborus intrusus Xyleborus intrusus Plant Common Name southern balsam fir Fraser's fir, southern balsam fir Fraser's fir, fir celery carambola; starfruit bok-choy, pak-choi, bok-choi, pak-choy, Chinese mustard, celery mustard bok-choy, pak-choi, bok-choi, pak-choy, Chinese mustard, celery mustard pepper pecan endive, escarole, frisee cultivated endive carrotwood; tuckeroo tree cardoon, artichoke, globe artichoke Surinam cherry; Cayenne cherry common goldentop, flattop goldenrod garden strawberry ash tree cultivated cotton sweetspire Virginia Virginia-willow, lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce lettuce, romaine leaf lettuce mandevilla mango Plant Common Name mango snow squarestem olive date palm date palm date palm pine pine pine Japanese yew Japanese yew Japanese yew podocarpus podocarpus English primrose oak oak oak oak rosemary rosemary Brazilian pepper tree; Florida holly; Christmas berry Chinese stonecrop, coral reef sedum wheat sp. sp. sp. ananassa sp. sp. x sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. sp. Plant Species Abies fraseri Abies fraseri Abies Agave Apium graveolens carambola Averrhoa Bambusa Brassica rapa Brassica rapa Capsicum annuum Carya illinoinensis Cichorium endivia Cichorium endivia Citrus Cupaniopsis anacardioides Cynara cardunculus Eugenia uniflora Euthamia graminifolia Fragaria Fraxinus Gossypium hirsutum Hemerocallis Itea virginica Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Lactuca sativa Mandevilla Mangifera indica Plant Species Mangifera indica nivea Olea europaea Phoenix dactylifera Phoenix dactylifera Pinus Pinus Pinus Pinus Podocarpus macrophyllus Podocarpus macrophyllus Podocarpus macrophyllus Podocarpus Podocarpus Primula vulgaris Quercus Quercus Quercus Quercus Rosmarinus officinalis Rosmarinus officinalis Schinus terebinthifolia Sedum tetractinum aestivum Triticum

7 Nematology Section Sample Submissions Compiled by Janete A. Brito, Ph.D., Susan A. Wright, M.S., M. Sedonia Steininger, B.S. and Linhchi D. Nguyen, B.S. Nov/ Year to Dec date This section analyzes soil and plant samples for nematodes, conducts pest Morphological 1,307 11,613 detection surveys and provides diagnoses of plant problems, in addition to Identifications completing identification of plant parasitic nematodes involved in regulatory and certification programs. State of Florida statutes and rules mandate the Molecular 104 2,336 predominant regulatory activities of the section. Analyses of plant and soil Identifications samples include those from in-state programs, plant shipments originating in Total Samples 1,411 13,949 Florida destined for other states and countries, as well as samples intercepted Submitted in Florida from outside the United States. Certification and Nematodes of Special Interest Regulatory Samples Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949, was found infecting the roots of the noxious weed, Sapium sebiferum or Triadica Nov/ Year to sebifera (Chinese tallow tree). (Alachua County; N12-01253; Susan A. Wright; Dec date 14 October 2012. ) Multistate 825 8,203 Certification Meloidogyne incognita, the southern root-knot nematode has been reported for to be pathogenic to numerous plant species in several parts of the world. In National and Florida, this nematode species has been found to parasitize many crops of International agronomic and horticultural importance as well as weed plants. Recently, Export Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), a deciduous tree species in the Spurge California 293 2,126 family (Euphorbiaceae), was found parasitized with M. incognita. This plant, Certification native to eastern Asia where it has many commercial uses, was introduced into the United States in the late 1700s as a source of oil for the production Pre- 40 224 of candles and soap and was later used as an ornamental. Having escaped movement cultivation, Chinese tallow now occurs in the southeastern United States, from (Citrus Nurs- North Carolina to Texas, as well as in California. The species thrives in wetland, ery coastal and disturbed habitats. It is a Florida state noxious weed and has been Certification) designated as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Site or Pit 51 188 Council (FLEPPC). The USDA Invasive Plant Research Laboratory began Approval research on biological control of Chinese tallow in 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale and in (Citrus its Gainesville satellite laboratory in 2008. Although M. incognita has been found Nursery and reproducing on the Chinese tallow, this root-knot nematode species is not a Other biological control agent and should not be used as one. Certifications)

Collectors submitting five or more samples that were Other Samples processed for nematological analysis during November - December 2012 Nov/ Year to Bailey, W. Wayne 7 LeBoutillier, Karen W. 80 Dec date Blaney, Richard L. 11 Ochoa, Ana L. 33 Identifications 0 23 (invertebrate) Bloom, Richard T. 30 Qiao, Ping 116 Plant Prob- 20 165 Brodie, Matthew W. 7 Spriggs, Charles L. 152 lems Burgos, Frank A. 108 Terrell, Mark R. 14 Intrastate 78 661 Hassell, Lisa M. 6 Vazquez, Dagne A. 20 Survey, Krueger, Scott D. 13 Wallace, Howard L. 12 Random Molecular 104 2,336 Identifica- tions*

8 References

Brito, J.A., R. Kaur, R. Cetintas, J.D. Stanley, M.L. Mendes, E.J. McAvoy, T.O. Powers and D.W. Dickson. 2008. Identification and isozyme charac- terisation of Meloidogyne spp. infecting horticultural and agronomic crops and weed plants in Florida. Nematology 10:757-766. Brito, J.A., R. Kaur, R. Cetintas, J.D. Stanley, M.L. Mendes, T.O. Powers and D.W. Dickson. 2010. Meloidogyne spp. infecting ornamental plants in Florida. Nematropica 40:87-103. Zinno, Y and Y. Mamiya.1976. Damage to Sapium sebiferum caused by Meloidogyne spp. Forest Pest 25:2-5.

Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree) showing stunted growth and yellowing leaves caused by Meloidogyne incognita infection. Photograph courtesy of Mariana P. Beckman and J. A. Brito, DPI.

Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree) A close view of the roots of Sapium sebiferum showing root galling, the typical below ground symptom, induced by Meloidogyne incognita infection. Photograph courtesy of Mariana P. Beckman and J. A. Brito, DPI.

9 Plant Pathology Section Sample Submissions Compiled by Timothy S. Schubert, Ph.D., and David A. Davison, M.S. Nov/ Year to This section provides plant disease diagnostic services and conducts a citrus Dec date germplasm introduction program. The agency-wide goal of protecting Florida Pathology 600 3,000 agriculture very often begins with accurate diagnosis of plant problems. Disease management recommendations are offered where appropriate and available. Bee 0 9 Our plant pathologists are dedicated to keeping informed about plant diseases Black Spot 150 219 outside Florida in order to be prepared for potential introductions of new Box Blight 0 16 pathogens. Citrus Canker 333 1,722 Dracaena mottle badnavirus (Dracaena mottle) was found on Dracaena Citrus Green- 421 4,523 sanderiana (Belgian evergreen, lucky bamboo) at a nursery. (Alachua County; ing P2012-68621; Cheryl A. Jones and Michael L. Dornberg; 13 December 2012.) Interdictions 8 109 Laurel Wilt 10 132 Regulatory dilemma on the horizon - One of the pathogens in this Tri- Soil 3 55 ology issue presents a new twist on the regulatory approach to managing a plant disease. Dracaena mottle badnavirus causes discolored patterns in the Sudden Oak 28 47 foliage of lucky bamboo, Dracaena sanderiana. The virus can be transmitted Death mechanically through asexual propagation and by mealybugs. The disease Sweet Or- 0 17 detracts from the aesthetic beauty of the host plant, but it is not lethal, at least ange not by itself. This host plant enters the United States from Asia in enormous Scab-like quantities. An odd property of the Dracaena mottle badnavirus is its ability Disease to integrate its genome into that of its host, sometimes partially, sometimes Water 19 44 completely. Sequencing the host genome offers evidence that the viral pathogen sequence has been integrated wholly or in part more than once. The Miscellaneous 7 43 pathogen seems to cause symptoms only when intact and loose in the host Total Samples 1,579 9,936 cytoplasm. It is silenced, and the host is asymptomatic when integrated into the Submitted host genome. Curiously, the multiple partial and wholly integrated sequences appear to convey some host disease resistance against other viral pathogens. When the plant undergoes stress, the integrated sequence can cleave out of the host genome to cause disease. Alternatively, active disease might commence because of mealybug transmission. Some questions arise: • How can a diagnostic test based on the viral nucleic acid sequence discern whether the virus is integrated and silenced or free and pathogenic, or even perhaps a combination of the two? • Is this distinction important? Presumably, symptoms would prompt submission to the clinic, but what if a symptomless plant were part of an indexing program to supply clean propagative material? How should an effort to clean up the propagative material for lucky bamboo proceed? Should the propagative material be cleansed of all traces of the integrated Dracaena mottle badnavirus, or just the intact sequences, whether integrated or not? Probably all Dracaena sanderiana plants contain some amount of this viral nucleic acid. Complete cleansing may not be possible or advisable. • Should plant health regulations target only symptomatic plants, or all plants that test positive whether symptomatic or not?

The preceding story is one of a couple of regulatory puzzles to arise in Florida because of recent sample submissions by DPI plant inspectors. Another similar situation involving a novel bacterial pathogen will be discussed in a future issue of Tri-ology. Clearly, our newer molecular diagnostic methods sometimes spawn tough questions with no simple answers.

References Su, L., S. Gao, Y. Huang, C. Ji, D. Wang, Y. Ma, R. Fang and X. Chen. 2007. Complete genomic sequence of Dracaena mottle virus, a distinct badnavirus. Virus Genes 35: 423-429.

Plant Pathology Sample Report Following is a table with entries for records of new hosts or new geographical areas for samples identified in the current volume’s time period as well as samples of special interest. The table is organized alphabetically by plant host. 10 New Records Host Country Host Host Host Host County Host County Date 1/2/2013 12/13/2012 11/13/2012 11/14/2012 11/13/2012 1/7/2013 12/21/2012 9/11/2012 12/28/2012 12/21/2012 11/19/2012 1/9/2013 11/9/2012 ------Collector Leslie J. Wil ber Cheryl A. Jones, Mi chael L. Dorn berg S. Timothy Schubert Robert M. Johan Leahy, na K. Welch, Bradley A. CAPS Danner, Robert M. Brad Leahy, ley A. Danner Ping Qiao Maninderpal Singh, Univer sity of Florida nursery em ployee Richard T. Bloom Susan E. Halbert, Jodi L. Hansen, S. Timothy Schubert, Regina D. Cahoe, David A. Davison Scott D. Krueger Hilda D. Go mez, USDA Robert Bei Univer riger, sity of Florida Sample Number 68421 68621 67608 67378 67645 68775 68746 68844 68895 68779 67652 68905 67584 County Orange Alachua Alachua Jackson Alachua Osceola Marion Alachua Alachua Alachua Collier Broward Palm Beach - Location Type nursery nursery residence side of road residence nursery Plant Sci UF, ence REC nursery nursery residence landscaper nursery residence - Disease Name leaf spot Dracaena mottle powdery mil dew n/a boll decline watery soft rot leaf spot downy mildew downy mildew Phoenix Texas palm decline rust Asiatic citrus canker Maize stripe virus -

-

- sp.

Causal Agent Pseudocerco- spora Dracaena mottle badna virus Leveillula taurica Corynespora cassiicola Stilbella fim etaria Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Bipolaris ste nospila Peronospora belbahrii Peronospora belbahrii Candidatus Phytoplasma sp. RFLP Group D R16s IV Ravenelia cassiaecola Xanthomonas axonopodis citri pv. Tenuivirus Maize stripe virus - - Plant Com mon Name aloe Belgian ever green; lucky bamboo bell and wax peppers Marie Galante cotton, wild cotton Marie Galante cotton, wild cotton iris miscanthus sweet basil sweet basil Canary island date palm, pineapple palm Christmas senna tabog sweet corn - - - -

- - sp.

sp. Plant Species Aloe Dracaena sanderiana Capsicum an nuum Gossypium hirsutum Gossypium hirsutum Iris Miscanthus sp. Onimum basi licum Onimum basi licum Phoenix ca nariensis Senna pen dula Swinglea gluti nosa Zea mays

11 Our Mission... getting it done

The mission of the Division of Plant Industry is to protect Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and the State’s apiary industry from harmful pests and diseases. The Division employs a team of scientists to help carry out this mission by identifying insects, mites and that appear on Florida’s plants and noxious weeds that are new to the state. These scientists prepare alerts with descriptive information as soon as possible after new pests are identified in the state.You might be interested in new DPI Pest Alerts issued this year, including alerts for a leafminer that could infest over 60,000 registered varieties of daylily, a moth pest of grass crops and a noxious weed new to Florida. For more information about these and other pests, see http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Plant-Industry-Publications/Pest-Alerts

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