news March 2018 Volume 8, Number 3

In This Issue PMU Focus: Mole Crickets—A Classical • PMU Focus Exotic Pest • Upcoming Training By: Adam Dale Opportunities The arrival of late winter and early spring means • Learn More From IFAS adults are out and about again. I think most people would agree that mole crickets are one of the strangest, most disgusting, or most amazing commonly found throughout the Contact Us southeastern U.S. Some argue that mole crickets are the most Faith Oi well-adapted insects in the region – they tunnel underground, jump, long distances, eat plants and insects, and can swim [email protected] quite well. These features are what make mole crickets so great Nancy Sanders to study, but also so damaging and difficult to control. [email protected]

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Online Training Available https://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/ Fig 1. Top view of a mole cricket. Notice wings that allow flight.

Additional Resources University of Florida Extension Publications http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

Pest Management in and Around Structures Fig 2. Front view of a mole cricket. Notice digging (fossorial) legs that aid tunneling in soil. http://www.eXtension.org/ The background. There are four species of mole crickets in Florida, three of which are more widely distributed throughout the southeast and gulf states. Interestingly, three of the four species are exotic, invasive pests native to South America. And, as you may expect, the exotic species are damaging pests while the native one rarely causes problems. The two most damaging and economically important species are the southern (Neoscapteriscus borellii) and tawny (Neoscapteriscus vicinus) mole crickets. Each of these species were introduced into southeastern North America around the year 1900 and have since spread throughout much of the southeastern and southern U.S. Our native mole cricket species, the northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is widespread throughout the eastern U.S. and is a much less serious pest. The problem. Exotic mole crickets can be a problem because they are often seriously damaging pests of several important crops and industries. Sod farms, golf courses, residential landscapes, forage crops, and the cattle industry are all directly affected by mole cricket tunneling and feeding damage. Mole crickets tunnel through the soil (Fig. 3), uprooting plants and feeding on plant roots and other insects below ground. The behavior results in thin or dead stands of grasses, and on low- cut putting greens, a mound that does not typically help the ball find the cup. If the lawn or pasture is spared direct damage from mole cricket infestations, then birds or armadillos will make sure they tear up the soil in search for a juicy snack. Because of this severe damage and plant death that results from mole crickets, there have been a multitude of efforts to figure out how to control them.

Fig. 3. Tunneling in turf due to mole crickets. Classical biological control. In nature, plant feeding insects are typically kept below damaging levels through biological control from predatory and parasitic organisms that attack them. In integrated pest management programs, there are three forms of biological control that we often utilize to control damaging pests: augmentative, conservation, and classical. The former two are what we use most often in landscape systems and include things like planting plants that attract beneficial insects or purchasing insects and releasing them. Classical is a little more complex and includes finding exotic predators or parasites that will control an exotic pest and introducing them so that they become established. For the past several decades, an in-depth classical biological control program has been underway throughout Florida to control exotic mole crickets. Scientists at the University of Florida IFAS conducted a multitude of studies to identify predators and parasitic organisms that attacked the southern and tawny mole cricket. These organisms included a parasitic , wasp, and fly. Researchers brought these parasites into Florida and introduced them into established mole cricket populations. The parasitic wasp, , has since spread throughout the southeastern U.S. as far north as North Carolina. The parasitic fly, depleta, is suspected to have established throughout much of central and south Florida. The parasitic nematode, scapterisci, has also established and spread throughout Florida, into Georgia, and potentially beyond. Establishment certainly does not always mean successful biological control and a reduction in the target pest. However, since the introduction of these three natural enemies, exotic mole cricket populations have significantly declined throughout Florida. In fact, a recent economic analysis attributed this classical biological control program with saving the Florida cattle industry over $13 million annually in losses and pest control efforts. Management strategies. Despite the apparent success from the introduced wasp, fly, and nematode, southern and tawny mole crickets still frequently cause damage and require active control efforts. As with all other plant pests, proper cultural practices are valuable in preventing problems or reducing damage. In particular, soil moisture affects the activity and damage caused by mole crickets. Mole crickets prefer moist soils and will therefore infest an area with consistently wetter soils and be less prevalent in drier landscapes. Mole crickets are also very attracted to lights at night, so turning off any unnecessary light sources at night will also reduce the number of individuals that fly in. Chemical tools are also effective and critical in many situations. However, the key to effective chemical control is proper timing and soil moisture. The most susceptible individuals to insecticides are the recently born nymphs. The only way to know that newly born nymphs are active is by monitoring for them using soapy water flushes. Typically, nymphs are hatching from eggs and actively feeding beginning from late April to early June. Timing monitoring efforts for this time period will help you identify a vulnerable population. Once you begin to find nymphs that are approximately ½ inch long, most of the population has emerged but not grown too large for effective control. As soon as these individuals are found, control measures can be applied. As I mentioned, mole crickets tunnel deeper into the soil profile when the soil dries out. Therefore, irrigating the days before making an insecticide application or waiting until after a period of rainy days will increase exposure to the mole crickets because they will be physically closer to the application site. Insecticides with extended residual activity like fipronil or imidacloprid tend to be the most effective at reducing mole cricket populations. When heavy infestations are active in high-risk areas like golf course greens, combining a long-residual product with a rapid contact-toxic product like a pyrethroid can provide rapid control and extended protection. What’s new? My lab has recently been investigating the current status of mole crickets in Florida and their introduced natural enemies. So far, we have found promising results. Exotic mole cricket populations in areas where were never applied are infected with nematodes across relatively long distances. We are continuing to investigate these interactions and determine the current status of mole crickets in Florida and beyond. Upcoming Training Opportunities:

Taking the state exam with PMU? To qualify, you must:

• Take the Foundations and Masters courses for GHP, WDO, or L&O

o Fill out an application package for the certified operator exam online at least one week before the exam

Please refer to the FDACS website for reference study materials. Materials produced by UF/IFAS can be found at the IFAS Bookstore website.

For 2018 spring courses: http://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/courses

MARCH COURSES Master of Termite Management with State Exam Option (5 seats remaining, next offering: Oct 17-19) Date: March 7-9, 2018; Wed-Fri Time: 8 AM-5 PM (W, TH); 8 AM-12 PM (F) Place: UF/IFAS Apopka MREC, 2725 S. Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Registration fee: $385

Must have completed Foundations in order to advance.

• Review termite identification, biology and control and learn about wood-destroying beetles and wood-decaying fungi. • Learn how: 1. To do a proper borate application 2. Baits work 3. To use foam and application techniques to optimize the distribution of liquid termiticides in soil with the Bayer University toys • Learn about the duties of a certified operator, contract requirements, surviving an FDACS inspection • Do an inspection for WDOs at PMU’s house designed to challenge even experienced inspectors.

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Master of Lawn and Ornamental Pest Management (2 seats remaining, next offering Oct 31-Nov 2) Date: March 21-23, 2018; Wed-Fri Time: 8 AM-5 PM (W, TH); 8 AM-12 PM (F) Place: UF/IFAS Apopka MREC, 2725 S. Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Registration fee: $385 • Advanced training in diagnosing complex problems in lawns and landscapes, including nutritional deficiencies and the importance of pH in developing integrated pest management (IPM) treatment plans • More in-depth information on the biology and life cycle of diseases, insects, and weeds, how to manage resistant populations, chemical modes of action and the importance of chemical rotation • Learn about practices that can impact plant health and water quality

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Foundations of General Pest Management 101 (March 21- 23 FULL; WAIT LIST ONLY; May 2-4 open) Date: May 2-4, 2018 Time: 8 AM-5 PM (W, TH); 8 AM-12 PM (F) Place: UF/IFAS Apopka MREC, 2725 S. Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Registration fee: $385

Pest control matters. Cockroach allergen mitigation can be achieved with IPM. • Study domestic and peridomestic cockroach species and how to control them as well as rodent, small fly, filth fly, mosquitoes, occasional invaders, fire ant, and nuisance ant management. • Review the labels of commonly used GHP products, practice pest inspections at PMU’s house and develop treatment strategies focused on IPM. • Do a vehicle inspection and spill drill with Paul Mitola from FDACS.

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APRIL COURSES Foundations of Termite Management 101 Date: APRIL 4-6, 2018 (Next offering Sept 5-7) Place: UF/IFAS Apopka MREC Time: 8 AM-5 PM (W, TH); 8 AM-12 PM (F) Registration fee: $385

Learn how termites exploit over 50 building construction elements and how to treat them in a hands-on environment in 2-days instead of 2 years.

• Practice doing a DACS vehicle inspection and spill drill with Paul Mitola from DACS before a crisis occurs. • Hear about the top 5 reasons technicians get in trouble and how to avoid them. • Get more in-depth information on termite biology and behavior as well as product label navigation.

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Master of General Household Pest Management (3 seats remaining, next offering Oct 10-12, 2018) Date: April 18-20, 2018; Wed-Fri Time: 8 AM-5 PM (W, TH); 8 AM-12 PM (F) Place: UF/IFAS Apopka MREC, 2725 S. Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Registration fee: $385

Must have completed Foundations in order to advance.

• Learn about bed bugs and other biting and stinging , stored product pests, and fabric/museum pests • Learn about the importance of disease transmission for selected pests • Play with the tools of the trade, vacuums, steamers, foamers and practice spray patterns. • Learn about the importance of formulations and product rotation

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Learn more from IFAS

• UF/IFAS has Extension Offices in each of Florida’s sixty-seven counties. We also have twelve Research and Education Centers (RECs) and Research and Demonstration Sites (RDSs).

• To find an office near you please visit: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/

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