INDUSTRY RESEARCH

Red-headed Biology and Management Red-headed fea beetle adult. Photo by Dr. Matt Bertone, NC State Entomology Extension Associate

ed-headed fea beetle (RHFB), frontalis, Herbaceous plant favorites include: By Danny Lauderdale is a native that is an increasing problem „„ aster (Aster spp.) for nursery growers. RHFB adults chew holes in R „„ chrysanthemum (Dendranthema spp.) tender leaves or feed through the upper or lower leaf surface on plants with thick leaves. Its native range „„ tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) runs from Maine to Florida to Texas and Montana. „„ goldenrod (Solidago spp.) Nurseries along the Atlantic Coast, from Connecticut „„ Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium spp., formerly Eupatorium to Michigan, and throughout the south have reported spp.) injury. „„ salvia (Salvia spp.) RHFB feeds on many woody plants in North Carolina „„ sedum (Sedum spp.) nurseries, including: „„ veronica (Veronica spp.) „„ Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) „„ zinnia (Zinnia spp.) „„ forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) RHFB also feeds on many weeds including: „„ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) „„ Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) „„ anise-tree (Illiucium spp.) „„ clover (Trifolium spp.) „„ azalea, (Rhododendron spp.) „„ common burdock (Arctium minus) „„ crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) Danny Lauderdale is the „„ jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Area Specialized Agent – „„ dogwoods, (Cornus spp.) „„ lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) Nursery and Greenhouse, „„ Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) Eastern Region for the NC „„ pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) „„ weigela (Weigela forida) Cooperative Extension „„ smartweed (Polygonum spp.) „„ loropetalum (Loropetalum sinense) „„ fragrant (Osmanthus fragrans) Biology „„ rose (Rosa sp.) viburnum (Viburnum spp.) Adults are shiny black with a red head and are 1/10 to 1/4 of an inch long. The insect overwinters as eggs. First „„ wax myrtle (Morelia cerifera, formerly Myrica generation larvae hatch and feed on roots of container cerifera).

Since 1979, the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association has provided over $1 million in funding to research, endowment and program activities at NC State University. This industry research, in part supported by NCNLA’s member dues premiums (silver, gold and platinum) and successful fundraising events throughout the year, demonstrates the efectiveness that private-sector collaboration with a world class public institution can provide. This is just one example of how NCNLA has partnered with NC State to provide solutions for green industry businesses here in North Carolina.

WINTER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 33 Plants in bloom in Delaware and Maryland during larval activity are black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus). Plants on the eastern shore of Virginia observed during larval activity include azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), wild cherry (Prunus serotina), and Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica). Larvae do not signifcantly injure roots but controlling larvae will reduce adult foliar feeding. Larvae are creamy-white in color with some red streaking and are 2/10 to 4/10 of an inch in length. They look similar to small roots and move quickly inside the root ball when exposed to light. Larvae have a brown head capsule and six legs near the head. The feature that distinguishes RHFB larvae is a small feshy projec- tion on top of the last section of the abdomen. Between the larval and adult stage is the pupal stage.

First generation adults emerge from 517 to 1028 GDD50, when southern magnolia (Magnolia grandifora) and Red-headed fea beetle with winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are in bloom in Delaware grown plants from 250 to 480 GDD50 (Growing Degree foliar damage. Photo by Day with a base temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit). and Maryland. Second generation larvae are active Danny Lauderdale from 1,570 to 1860 GDD50. Second generation adults Growing Degree Days are calculated for North Carolina emerge from 1,878 to 2,318 GDD50. By mid-summer you starting on January 1 and use the daily average of the will fnd all three stages in containers as generations maximum and minimum temperature, then subtract overlap. Brian Kunkel, Entomologist at the University of the base temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Delaware, determined that up to three generations are For each degree above 50, a growing degree-day is occurring along the Atlantic Coast in container grown accumulated. Growing degree-days take into account ornamentals. weather variables that cause earlier or later activity.

C

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34 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | WINTER 2017 Clockwise from above: Red-headed fea beetle larvae look similar to plant roots. Red-headed fea beetle pupae are usually only found by destructively sampling roots. Red-headed fea beetle larvae are creamy-white, with red streaks, and a feshy projection on the last section of the abdomen. Photos by Dr. Matt Bertone, NC State Entomology Extension Associate

actively feeding from 517 to 1028 GDD and from 1,878 Grower concerns 50 By mid-summer you GDD through the fall until eggs are laid. Scouting for Nursery growers indicate concern about movement 50 will find all three of this insect from wooded or crop production areas larvae in purchased liners is also recommended. stages in containers as into nurseries. Literature includes references as far back Research by Brian Kunkel has shown that inoculating generations overlap as 1917, when it was frst referred to as the cranberry containers when larvae are active with the entomo- fea beetle. It has been reported as an occasional pest pathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, has on beans, beets, blueberries, cabbage, corn, clover, signifcantly reduced larval and adult populations. grapes, pears, potatoes, soybeans and sweet potatoes. Also, entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and An article in the Journal of Entomology from 1969 Metarhizium anisophliae show promise for controlling indicated it was not thought to be an abundant pest in larvae as does azadiractin (from neem seed), and the these crops. insecticides acephate (Orthene), dinotefuran (Safari), My conversations with corn, soybean, and blueberry bifenthrin (Talstar), cyantraniliprole (Mainspring), imida- specialists indicate a similar lack of concern or knowl- cloprid (Merit), chlorpyrifos (Dursban) and cyfuthrin + edge about this insect. Literature does indicate that imidacloprid (Discus). these crops are able to withstand a signifcant amount Products that have shown promise on adult RHFB of defoliation without reducing yield (ex. Soybean in Kunkel’s research, grower observations, and IR-4 threshold is 15-30% defoliation depending on growth research by Kristine Braman (Univeristy of Georgia) stage). and Steve Frank (NC State University) include bifen- The yield of ornamental crops sold in retail is defned by thrin (Talstar), carbaryl (Sevin), cyfuthrin + imidiclo- appearance and need for foliage free of holes, so there prid (Discus), cyantraniliprole (Mainspring), diazinon is little to no threshold for damage in many markets. (Diazinon), dinotefuran (Safari), imidacloprid (Merit), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar), spinosad (Conserve), Management spinetoram + sulfoxafor (Xxpire), tau-fuvalinate Early larval scouting is important to prevent foliar (Mavrik), and thiamethoxam (Flagship). Rotating active damage. Larvae can be found on the edge of plant ingredients is important to prevent resistance and limit root balls with and without previous year leaf damage outbreaks of others pests like spider mites. during the 250 -480 GDD range. Scouting should be 50 Other management options might include control of done when substrate is moist since larvae move inside host weeds, avoidance by not growing favored plants, the root ball when drying occurs. exclusion, feeding confusion, or feeding deterrents. Documenting larval populations can determine need Trap crops seem unlikely to work due to the diversity of for larval treatments (drenches) or early adult applica- plants damaged. If you have ideas, interest in research, tions just prior to emergence. A second larval scouting or need help managing this insect contact me at [email protected]. can be done from 1,570 to 1860 GDD50 to help deter- mine need for later season management. Adults will be

WINTER 2017 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 35