2007. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 1 16(l):42-49

A SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY IN INDIANA DURING 2005

Timothy J. Gibb 1 and Christopher M.F. Pierce: Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 USA

Robert D. Waltz: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, 402 West Washington Street, Room W290, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2739 USA

ABSTRACT. Most agricultural insect populations remained unchanged during 2005 when compared to previous years. The first generation European corn borer population was negligible, but numbers of the second generation were higher than expected. Populations of western corn rootworm variants declined when compared to the previous year. Soybean aphid feeding exceeded damage thresholds throughout many parts of the state during 2005. Springtime honey production was high considering the varroa mite infestations of the winter months. Summer heat following the August honey harvest stressed the survival of many hives into the fall and winter. Indiana experienced a number of exotic invasive of regulatory concern in 2005. Granulate ambrosia and common pine shoot beetles expanded their ranges in Indiana during 2005. Emerald ash borers were found for the first time in LaGrange, Steuben, Adams, and Randolph counties. Overall, the insect damage to fruits and vegetables was normal or slightly below normal throughout most of the state. The number of complaints resulting from carpenter bee activity around homes was higher, but the number of swarming termite complaints was lower than in most years. Numbers of mosquito and tick reports were low. Scale insects in ornamental plantings were generally more common during 2005, as were the common web-making caterpillars (fall webworm, eastern tent caterpillar, and mimosa webworm).

Inquiries concerning wood-boring beetles rose again during 2005, but it was difficult to determine whether this was due to increased activity or due to recent media campaigns regarding the emerald ash borer. Scavenger and moisture-related insects in stored grain were common during 2005. For the second year in a row, reports of damage due to turfgrass insect pests were uncommonly few.

Keywords: Granulate ambrosia beetle, common pine shoot beetle, emerald ash borer, insect activity, ornamental pests

A summary of activity in Indiana and other urban structural and landscape ar- during 2005 was compiled based on informal thropods. surveys and anecdotal reports by professional General weather overview.—In 2005, for entomologists representing several areas of the second year in a row, Indiana experienced expertise throughout the state. This synopsis a comparatively mild winter, posting a stretch has a history of publication in the Proceedings of unusually warm temperatures during late of the Indiana Academy of Sciences as early winter in most locations. Across the state, 2-8 as the 1970s (Meyer 1984) and provides a times the average amount of wintertime pre- valuable source for determining the fluctua- cipitation was received. A cold snap returned tions of insect populations. General descrip- in March; but even so, accumulated growing tions of insect activity are compared and con- degree-days by springtime were higher than trasted with previous years to document insect normal (National Agricultural Statistics Ser- population trends within the year as well as vice 2005). Spring suddenly appeared in early over multiple years and to determine weather/ April with rapidly warming air and soil tem- insect relationship (Gibb & Bledsoe 1990; peratures resulting in significant agricultural Gibb 1992). In this study, we report on activ- activity (planting crops), particularly in north- ity of exotic pest invasions, agriculturally eco- ern counties. The spring-like conditions were nomic pests, nuisance and health-related pests replaced by cold and damp weather during the last two weeks of the month and into the first few days of May. Scattered snow showers To whom all correspondence should be addressed. were common across northern Indiana on 2

42 GIBB ET AL.—INDIANA INSECTS 43

May. May warmed slowly and agricultural fields probably did not reach economic injury crops struggled to emerge. Corn replanting levels. was common in northern counties. The re- A statewide soybean survey (Pest & Crop mainder of the growing season tended to be Newsletter 2005) conducted during mid-sum- dry and warm with the temperature exceeding mer indicated that second generation bean leaf 32 °C on many days. Precipitation was scat- beetle (Certoma trifurcata (Forster)) contin- tered, and some areas received sufficient rain ued its trend of generally low incidence. High- while other areas were exceptionally dry. est populations were detected in west central Above-normal temperatures extended into the and northwest counties. However, these pop- fall of 2005, breaking several records in Sep- ulations were only a small fraction of the size tember, October and November. The first light of those observed during 1999 in northeast frosts occurred statewide during the last few and east central counties. days of October and the first days of Novem- Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica New- ber. Fall vegetation was killed as the first hard man) populations in field crops continued a freeze of the season occurred on 16-17 No- downward trend in 2005, representing roughly vember. Bitter cold and snow in northern one-quarter of the numbers observed in the counties came early and suddenly in Decem- west central and southeastern counties during ber and persisted until the last week of the 2000 (Pest & Crop Newsletter 2005). Greatest month. 2005 populations were found in central and east central counties. AGRICULTURAL INSECTS Honey bees.—Varroa mite (Varroa de- structor Anderson & Trueman) was found to Field crop insects.—First stage western be widespread across the state, resulting in the corn rootworm larvae were initially detected loss of an estimated 50% of honey bee hives in Tippecanoe County in corn roots on 31 during the winter of 2004/05. This was fol- May 2005. It is probable that egg hatch began lowed by an unexpectedly large honey yield 2—3 days earlier in central Indiana and a week in the late spring of 2005 in many areas, and earlier in southern counties. Corn rootworm many Indiana beekeepers reported record hon- adults were first detected in emergence traps ey harvests. The biggest problem for most In- in northwest Indiana between 17-24 June. An diana beekeepers was a lack of rain in the late annual statewide survey conducted in late July summer, leading to the need to artificially feed and early August indicated that numbers of the bees syrup to avoid starvation. Some bee- the adult variant western corn rootworm bee- keepers harvested the honey at the beginning tle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) of August, just before weather conditions be- had generally declined from populations seen came most severe. This resulted in a lack of in 2004 (Pest & Crop Newsletter 2005). food reserves in the hive during a time \\ hen Low incidence of first generation European nectar sources were also in limited supph due corn borer {Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner) infes- to the weather. The resulting bee malnutrition tations followed a pattern that has persisted increased susceptibility to mite infestations for the past years (Pierce et al. few 2005). throughout the state. However, second generation larvae were more abundant, and damage was slightly more EXOTIC INVASIVE INSECTS widespread than has been noted in recent Old world bollworm.—Old world boll- years. The cyclic nature of the soybean aphid worm (Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)) sur- (Aphis glycines Matsumura) populations (Pest veys were initiated in 2005 under the Indiana & Crop Newsletter 2005) was once again ap- Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) parent. Economic damage thresholds by soy- program (Old World Bollworm Survey 2005). bean aphids were exceeded in 2005 after very This bollworm is a highly polyphagous pest minimal damage in 2004 (Pierce et al. 2005). of many economically significant crops in Af-

As a result, 70% of soybeans in northeast In- rica. Asia. Australia, and Europe. It feeds on diana received at least one insecticide treat- over 180 cultivated and wild species, includ- ment, compared to 10% the year previous ing several important Indiana crops, such as year. Although as much as 50% of the soy- corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and tomatoes. About beans in northwest Indiana was treated, many 5,900,000 acres (2.387.697 ha) of corn. 1

44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

5,800,000 million acres (2,347,227 ha) of soy- discovery, the DNR quarantined Root and beans, 62,000 acres (25,091 ha) of alfalfa, and Washington townships. The Decatur city for- 7000 acres (2832 ha) of tomatoes are grown ester reported finding larvae and an adult on in Indiana each season (National Agricultural an ash tree. Identifications were confirmed by Statistics Service 2005). Furthermore, approx- the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The De- imately 49% of the continental U.S. provides catur site is approximately 14.5 km west of suitable habitat for this pest (Old World Boll- the Ohio border and 32 km south of Fort worm Survey 2005). No specimens were col- Wayne. At the Decatur site, DNR personnel lected during the survey in 2005, but surveys conducted a delimiting survey around the new will continue during 2006. find. To date, live larvae have been removed Emerald ash borer.—In 2005, trap trees from 19 of the 77 trees involved in the delim- were placed on a 3.25 km grid in 15 counties iting survey. in northern Indiana to detect populations of Randolph County: The emerald ash borer emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (Fair- was confirmed at a location in Randolph maire). Counties surveyed included Lake, County on 1 1 November 2005 resulting in the Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, La- quarantine of White River Township. The Grange, Nobel, Whitley, Steuben, DeKalb, U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed Allen, Randolph, northern Starke, northern that larvae have been discovered in about sev- Marshall, and northern Kosciusko. There were en trees that follow a small drainage ditch 1300 trap trees designated in April and set about one kilometer from a site where Mich- during May through mid-June. Inspection of igan nursery stock was introduced several the trap trees began the third week in Septem- years ago, although another source in the area ber and ended on 31 October 2005. Of the is possible. The site includes the town of Win- 1300 proposed trap trees, 1056 trees were set chester. Indiana DNR personnel and others and examined. The first adult emerald ash bor- conducted a delimiting survey of the area er of the season was found emerging from a around the new find. To date, of the 40 trap log in Shipshewana (LaGrange County) on 1 trees in Randolph County, larvae have been May 2005. This emergence came about a found in 10 trees. week and a half earlier than in 2004 (Pierce Gypsy moth.—The 2005 Cooperative et al. 2005). A visual survey for emerald ash Gypsy Moth Survey completed its 18 th year of borer, including 860 campgrounds, 386 nurs- statewide surveys for the European gypsy eries (grower), 807 nurseries (retailers), 186 moth, Lymantria dispar Linnaeus. These sur- saw mills, and 119 organic dumps was con- veys are part of the Slow-The-Spread (STS) ducted in 2005. Program and incorporate the STS protocol for LaGrange County: An emerald ash borer- their design and operations. Under this pro- positive site was reported in Clay Township tocol, Indiana is divided into three zones: the in LaGrange County, approximately 2 km STS Evaluation Zone, the STS Action Zone, north of the Clearspring Township line. A new and the State Area. The survey design uses positive site was discovered 1.5 km north of fixed 3 km, fixed 2 km, and rotating 3 km the town of Scott, north of the Pigeon River. grids, respectively, for the three zones (Slow- The positive trap tree was heavily infested. The-Spread of the Gypsy Moth Project 2005). There are also standing dead ash trees in the Across all zones, the survey set 13,231 detec- area. This site is in Van Buren Township, ap- tion and 3127 intensive traps, all referenced proximately 6.5 km from the Shipshewana by GPS. The survey detected 18,222 moths regulatory cuts last year, placing it solidly from 44 counties, ranging from 1-4323 moths within the Pigeon River riparian corridor. per county. This is a 2X increase from the Steuben County: Emerald ash borer was de- 2004 total moth catch of 9034 and falls be- tected in a trap tree in Steuben County, near tween the catch totals for 2002 and 2003 the southeast corner of Lake George in Steu- (15,569 & 23,090, respectively) (European ben County, 0.4 km south of the Michigan Gypsy Moth in Indiana 2005). state line. The results of the 2005 survey found that Adams County: Emerald ash borer was con- the majority of the moth catch came in the firmed at a location in Adams County on 12 Action Zone. The Evaluation Zone, which in- October 2005. As a result of the confirmed cludes the quarantined counties of Steuben, GIBB ET AL.—INDIANA INSECTS 45

LaGrange, Elkhart, Noble, Allen, and DeKalb, in 90 of Indiana's 92 counties. No new county detected 32.8% of the moths (5980 of 18,222). records were established in 2005. The northern third of the state falls in the Ac- In 2005, USDA APHIS PPQ officers con- tion Zone, which is below the Evaluation tinued the Indiana Asian Gypsy Moth survey Zone under STS protocol. The Action Zone program. The survey provides early detection detected 51.0% of the moth catch (9290 of of Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dis- 18,222). The majority of the moth catch in par (Linnaeus)) introductions resulting from this zone was located in the eastern part of the the international movement of ships and car- state adjacent to the Evaluation Zone. The go. Ten milk carton traps were placed in Por- state survey detected 16.2% of the moths ter County at the Port of Indiana (Burns Har- (2953 of 18,222). The Scott County survey bor) on 30 June 2005 and checked on a included an intensive delimit around a known bi-weekly basis. Traps were removed on 9 population which inflated the overall state- September 2005. No specimens were detected the this survey. wide moth capture totals. All positive traps in during course of the state zone are delimited the following year. The Asian gypsy moth has more than 250 host plants but prefers oak. hosts Treatments to eradicate and to Slow-The- known Other Spread of gypsy moth were conducted on 33 include larch, poplar, alder, willow, and some evergreens. The Asian gypsy moth is of great sites in 11 counties during 2005. Fifteen sites, concern due to its potential for rapid establish- totaling 3292 ha were treated with Btk {Ba- ment and spread. The pest can cause severe cillus thuringiensis kurstaki) at 12 BlU/ha/ap- damage to trees over a large area; heavy infes- plication. Eleven sites were treated with two tations may result in repeated and complete de- applications of Btk (2566 ha). Four sites treat- foliation of trees. Defoliation can kill trees di- ed with one Btk application (726 ha). Nine rectly or reduce vigor, leading to secondary sites were ground treated with one application pest outbreaks, also resulting in tree death. The of Btk at 30 BIUs. Five sites totaling 1762 ha ability of Asian gypsy moth females to fly long and four sites totaling 4206 ha received one distances (up to 40 km) makes it probable that application of pheromone flakes for mating the Asian gypsy moth could quickly infest and disruption at 6 and 15 gm, respectively, in spread throughout the United States. As well June. Delimit surveys to monitor treatment as having direct economic effects on commer- success found that one Btk site failed (Areola) cial forestry and horticulture. Asian gypsy and three had only partial success (Bremen moth has the potential to reduce the aesthetic. South, Cobb's Corner and Leesburg). This recreational, and biodiversity values of park was most likely due to small block sizes and rangelands and wilderness areas. timing of treatments (ground treatments were Granulate ambrosia beetle. — In 2005. performed later in the season). These sites granulate ambrosia beetles (a.k.a. Asian am- have been reevaluated and were treated in brosia beetle) (Xylosandrus crassiusculus 2006. (Motschulsky)). were collected in 25 addition- The aerial survey of the five northeastern al counties during Indiana Department of Nat- counties in the Evaluation Zone and the other ural Resources (IDNR) nursery inspections counties with treatment sites in the Action and in Hot Zone survey traps in Indiana. Zone did not detect defoliation. defoli- Some Those counties are: Brown. Clark. Clay, Du- ation was observed from the ground in Scott bois, Fountain. Henry. Jennings. Lawrence. County, where a sizable population of moths Marion, Montgomery, Parke. Perry, Porter. was found. This site had an eradication treat- Posey, Putnam. Randolph. Spencer. Sullivan, ment in 2006. Tippecanoe. Vanderburgh. Vigo. Wabash. The moth lines projected for 2005 have re- Warren. Wayne, and White. In 2004. Asian mained fairly static across the state with no ambrosia beetles occurred in six counties in significant change from the moth lines of 2003 Indiana: Bartholomew. Boone. Hendricks. and 2004. The survey and program to manage Jackson. Johnson, and Monroe.

gypsy moth in Indiana continues to compress The granulate ambrosia beetle is capable of the distance between moth lines, thus slowing breeding in a wide variety of hosts. Known the spread of gypsy moth in Indiana. Since the hosts in the U.S. include a/alea. Bradford 1972 survey, 268,994 moths have been caught pear. Chinese elm. dogwood, rig. golden rain 46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

tree, magnolia, ornamental cherry, peach, pe- Table 1. —List of target bark, jewel, and wood- can, persimmon, plum, redbud, red maple, boring beetles surveyed for in the "Hot Zone" sur- Shumard oak, stryax, sweetgum, and sweet vey in 2005. potato. This beetle, a pest of woody ornamen- Scientific Name: Common Name: tal, fruit, and nut trees throughout Indiana, can cause significant damage in nursery and or- Agrilus planipennis Fair- Emerald ash borer chard settings. It spreads by natural distribu- maire tion and shipment of contaminated plant ma- Anoplophora chinensis Citrus longhorned (Forster) beetle terial. No regulatory action has been taken for Anolplophora glabripen- Asian longhorned this pest. Females bore into plant trunks and nis (Motschulsky) beetle inoculate the tunnel with fungal spores. The CallidieUum rufipenne Small Japanese cedar females then produce a brood. The larvae and (Motschulsky) longhorned beetle the females feed on the fungus, not the host. Chlorophorus annularis Bamboo/Tiger bam- Heavily-infested plants usually die from the Fabricius boo longhorned inoculated fungus or a secondary disease. beetle Common pine shoot beetle.—Common Hesperophanes (Tricho- Chinese longhorned pine shoot beetle {Tomicus piniperda (Linnae- ferus) campesths beetle us)) was first reported in the U.S. in 1992. (Faldermann) (Hylurgus) Exotic These beetles require live or very recently Hylurgops bark beetle palliatus Gyllenhal killed pine trees in order to feed and repro- Hylurgus ligniperda (Fa- Golden-haired bark duce. They do not harm sawed timber. The bricius) beetle beetles can kill already stressed trees and may Ips sexdentatus (Boerner) Six-spined engraver kill trees weaken and healthy when popula- beetle tions get very high. On 14 January 2005, Ips typographus (Lin- European spruce bark USDA APHIS PPQ officers set 80 delimiting neaus) beetle traps for common pine shoot beetle in 10 Monochamus alternatus Japanese pine sawyer southern counties in Indiana (eight traps per Hope beetle county). Lindgren funnel traps, baited with al- Orthotomicus erosus Mediterranean pine (Wollaston) engraver pha-pinene were used. Surveyed counties in- beetle Pityogenes chalcogra- Six-toothed spruce cluded: Clay, Dearborn, Greene, Jackson, Jef- phus (Linnaeus) engraver ferson, Lawrence, Ohio, Scott, Sullivan, and Tetropium castaneum Black spruce beetle Switzerland. The traps were placed in loca- Linnaeus tions with high concentrations of potential Tetropium fuscum (Fa- Brown spruce long- host plants and checked on a bi-weekly basis. bricius) horned beetle Dearborn County was regulated for common Tomicus minor (Hartig) Lesser pine shoot pine shoot beetle due to the confirmed find, beetle on 20 May, of a single common pine shoot Tomicus piniperda (Lin- Common pine shoot beetle. naeus) beetle domesti- hardwood Bark and wood-boring beetles.—A "Hot Trypodendron European cum (Linnaeus) ambrosia beetle Zone" survey between the USDA APHIS Xyleborus spp. Exotic bark beetles PPQ and the Indiana CAPS program targeted Xylotrechus spp. Exotic longhorned invasive Solid Wood Packing Material beetles (SVVPM) pests at 51 sites continued in Indiana in 2005 (Solid Wood Packing Material Survey 2005). No pests targeted in the SWPM survey were collected even though traps were set at that receive solid wood packing material, is to sites with high risk for the introduction of ex- document pest movement of invasive bark and otic invasive bark, jewel, and wood-boring wood-boring beetles into Indiana. This activ-

beetles. Twenty exotic invasive bark, jewel, ity is implemented in warehouses in conjunc- and wood-boring beetles that threaten Indiana tion with USDA APHIS PPQ officers. In In- natural resources were targeted in this survey diana, over 4.3 million acres (1.7 million ha)

which will continue in 2006 (Table 1). of high-quality hardwood forests support an The purpose of this survey, conducted at industry which employs 47,000 Hoosiers. selected businesses and warehouses in Indiana These forests are at risk of attack by exotic GIBB ET AL.—INDIANA INSECTS 4^

invasive bark and wood-boring beetles (Solid z.ea (Boddie)). This pest occurred in high Wood Packing Material Survey 2005). The In- numbers on late sweet corn and tomatoes (to- diana CAPS program in conjunction with mato fruitworm) possibly as a result of a USDA APHIS PPQ seeks to conduct a co- storm condition that stalled over the state dur- operative agricultural pest survey program ing the dispersal period of the pest. The de-

that is expected to result in the detection or velopment of insecticidal resistance also may absence of exotic invasive bark and wood- be contributing to the build-up of this pest. boring beetles in Indiana via solid wood pack- Household insects.— Major changes in ing material. Early detection and outreach ed- control techniques and the availability of new ucation are the goals of this survey (Solid control options, primarily termite baiting sys- Wood Packing Material Survey 2005). tems, have resulted in many general termite In conjunction with Indiana USDA APHIS calls to the department in recent years. In the PPQ Officers and the Indiana CAPS program, year 2005, numbers of questions regarding 50 sites were selected for survey following termite control remained consistent with the guidelines from the Exotic Wood Borer Bark past few years even though many professional Beetle Field manual 2004 (Exotic Wood Borer pest managers reported that their termite con- Bark Beetle National Survey Field Manual trol business was down this year. Eastern sub- 2004). The Indiana CAPS program was re- terranean termite {Reticulitermes flavipes sponsible for conducting survey at seven sites (Kollar)) swarming behavior observed by in central Indiana. Three Lindgren funnel homeowners is the most common trigger for traps were placed and serviced in each of the a call to professional pest control. Unseason- seven selected sites. Traps contained one of ably warm temperatures at the end of winter the following lures: UHR ethanol, UHR eth- in 2005 and into the early spring may have anol/alpha-pinene, and Ips lure. Traps were initiated an early swarming behavior that was placed in mid-March and serviced bi-weekly quickly interrupted by the onset of very cool until mid-October (approximately 30 sam- temperatures again. Termite experts at Purdue pling dates). Visual surveys for invasive University have noted that the termite-swarm- wood-boring beetles and metallic wood-bor- ing season tends to be more persistent (pro- ing beetles occurred bi-weekly. longed) when consistently warm temperatures follow cold temperatures during February and HOME, YARD, AND GARDEN INSECTS March. Fruit and vegetable insects.—Overall, in- Typically, powder-post bostrichid beetles sect and mite activity in fruits and vegetables (Bostrichidae) tend to be an under-reported was normal or slightly below normal through- pest group. Most Plant & Pest Diagnostic out most of the state during 2005 (Vegetable Laboratory (P&PDL) inquiries about bostri- Crops Hotline 2005). No notable outbreaks chids come from log home owners or people were reported. Even though the springtime using barn siding in homes. These beetles and temperatures were higher than normal and the their damage often go undetected for long pe- development of insects and plants was accel- riods of time in crawl spaces, basements, or

erated, no significant mite outbreaks occurred. attics, but are readily seen by log home o\\ ti- Codling moth (Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus)) ers and people using old wood or ornamental numbers were lower than normal. The number "pieces" in their homes. Weather tends to

of Japanese beetles in fruits varied with geo- have less of an effect on these insects than it graphical location. Asian lady beetles (Har- does on swarming or social insects. The num- monia axyhdis (Pallas)) in grapes and apples ber of complaints about powder-post beetles were higher compared to 2004 (Pierce et al. in newly constructed homes increased in

2005) but not as high as they were during 2005. It appears that the hardwood trim, base- 2003. boards, and cabinetry have been infested prior First generation corn borer (Ostrinia nubi- to installation. lalis Hubner) populations were an insignifi- Carpenter ants (especially Campanotus cant threat to vegetables as well as row crops. pennsylvanicus (De Geer)) and carpenter bees Bt corn may be the cause of this decline. The (Xylocopa virginica (Linnaeus)) have been re- only vegetable pest that caused real concern ported more frequently because more and during 2005 was the corn earworm (Heliothis more neighborhoods have maturing trees and 48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

structural timbers that attract these insects and sance mosquitoes and vector mosquitoes. In- serve as nesting habitats for them. Calls re- diana specialists reported fewer habitats that garding these pests increased again in 2005 supported development of larvae of floodwa- following a trend of slightly increasing com- ter mosquitoes during 2005 when compared plaints over the last few years. to previous years. In most cases, streams did Landscape and ornamental insects.—Re- not overflow and rain water that collected in ports from the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab- soil depressions dried up before eggs of Aedes oratory (P&PDL) concerning ornamental and and Psorophora mosquitoes hatched. Survey public health-related pest submissions indicat- of habitats that supported the development of ed that overall pest activity was average with Culex mosquito larvae in recent years either a few exceptions (P&PDL newsletter 2005). were dry or didn't have larvae throughout The numbers of armored and soft scales, in- most of the summer. The number of West Nile cluding the euonymous scale, (Unaspis eu- virus incidences likewise decreased again in onymi (Comstock)), were generally elevated Indiana during 2005. Collections of both adult during 2005. Japanese beetle emerged during nuisance and vector mosquitoes were relative- the second week of June in central Indiana, ly very low throughout the summer. The num- approximately one week earlier than usual. ber of nuisance mosquito complaints to the Adult feeding damage seemed to be higher Department was down this year, which vali- when compared to the previous year. dated this finding. The numbers of tick-related Elm flea weevils (Orchestes alni (Linnae- complaints were also comparatively low dur- us)) were first detected in the U.S. during ing 2005. 2000 and first found in Indiana during 2003. Stored food and grain insects.—An in- These insects mine the leaves of elm trees and crease in the number of complaints involving seem to be occupying the niche of the elm leaf scavenger insects such as larder beetles, (Der- beetles that were a serious problem a few mestes lardarius Linnaeus), and other carpet years ago but that have nearly disappeared in beetles {Dermestes sp.) was noted in 2005. recent years. Some infestations may relate to unsanitary Reports of mimosa webworm {Homadaula conditions, but others seem to stem from an increase of containing infested anisocentra Meyrick) fall webworm, (Hy- shipments ma- terials. insects phantria cunea (Drury) and eastern tent cat- Moisture-related such as pso- erpillar {Malacosoma americanum Fabricius) cids (Psocidae), springtails {Orchesella sp.), were more frequent during 2005. Evergreen foreign grain beetles (Ahasverus advena bag worms {Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Waltl)), and flat grain beetles (Chryptolestes pusillus (Schonherr)) were in (Haworth) continued to be quite prevalent more common 2005. around the state during 2005, as they have Turfgrass insects. Turfgrass insects were been during the last 2-3 years. — infrequently reported as pests during 2005 Spider mite (Tetranychidae) infestations on (Turf Tips 2005). Japanese beetle populations ornamental plants remained higher than most were spotty in urban areas. Some areas re- years but not as high as in 2004 (Pierce et al. ported locally heavy populations and damage 2005). to ornamental plants due to the adult beetle Numbers of bark beetles and wood-borers feeding, while others reported a conspicuous generally increased during 2005 over last year. lack of Japanese beetles in 2005. Grub pop- Dead or stressed trees from the prior year's ulations generally followed this spotty distri- drought may be providing unlimited food and bution as well. Some turfgrass areas in the habitat resources to these insects. The news state were damaged by grubs. Many were media blitz regarding exotic wood borers and treated preventively. their potential damage has also undoubtedly Billbugs (Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllen- caused an increase in the number of bark bee- hal) continued to be common during survey tles and wood borer samples submitted to the work in turfgrass, but were under-reported as P&PDL, as well as an increase in questions to a turfgrass pest. the department of entomology. Public health pests.—The rainfall pattern ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and limited amount of rain during summer of We thank the following for their help and 2005 in Indiana resulted in relatively few nui- effort in producing this report: Indiana De- GIBB ET AL.—INDIANA INSECTS 49 partment of Natural Resources (IDNR) Divi- National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2005. In- sion of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Di- diana Agricultural Statistics: Indiana Publica- vision of Forestry, and Division of Nature tions. http://www.nass.usda.gov/in/ Old World Bollworm Survey. 2005. Indiana Preserves, Purdue University Extension Spe- Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) cialists and Educators, Purdue University Ex- Program: 2005 Surveys and Reports, hup:// tension Entomology, Purdue University Plant www.entm.purdue.edu/CAPS/ Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, and the United & Pest & Crop Newsletter. 2005. A newsletter for ag- States Department of Agriculture (USDA) riculture producers. Purdue University Coopera- and Plant Health Inspection Service tive Extension Service, http://www.entm. purdue. (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine edu/Entomology/ext/targets/p&c/index2006.htm (PPQ). Pierce, C.M.F, T.J. Gibb & R.D. Waltz. 2005. In- sects and other of economic impor- LITERATURE CITED tance in Indiana in 2004. Proceedings of the In-

diana Academy of Science 1 14:105-1 10. European gypsy moth in Indiana. 2005. Indiana Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory. 2005. Department of Natural Resources Division of Electronic newsletters. 2005 http://wwu.ppdl. Entomology and Plant Pathology: Invasive Spe- purdue.edu/PPDL/weeklypics/8-2 1 -06.html hup:// cies (Gypsy Moth), http://www.in.gov/dnr/ www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/hot06/8- 1 6.html entomolo/gypsymoth/index, htm Slow-The-Spread of the Gypsy Moth Project. 2005. Exotic Wood Borer Bark Beetle National Survey STS Operations Portal. http://www. gmsts.org/ Field Manual. 2004. United States Department operations/ of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Solid Wood Packing Material Survey. 2005. Indi- Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and ana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Quarantine. 113 pp. (CAPS) Program: 2005 Surveys and Reports. Gibb, T.J. & L.W. Bledsoe. 1990. Population and http://www.entm.purdue.edu/CAPS/ behavior modifications of selected arthropod Turf Tips. 2005. An electronic newsletter to turf- pests in Indiana during the 1988 drought. Pro- grass producers, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ ceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 98: turf/tips/index. html 201-206. Vegetable Crops Hotline. 2005. A newsletter for Gibb, T.J. 1992. Arthropod activity during the commercial vegetable growers. Purdue Univer- drought of 1991 in Indiana. Proceedings of the sity Cooperative Extension Service. http://www. Indiana Academy of Science 101:56-62. entm.purdue.edu/Entomology/Vegisite/eommeivial Meyer, R.A. 1984. Insects and other arthropods of hotline2006.html economic importance in Indiana in 1983. Pro- ceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 92: Manuscript received 6 September 2006. revised 75 225-229. February 2007.