Milkweed Bugs

1 Table of Contents: To go directly to a page, scroll over subject line, hold down the Ctrl key and click the mouse or press “Enter.” To return to the Table of Contents: scroll over Return to “Table of Contents” and click the mouse or press “Enter.” If a link will not work for you, copy and paste it into your browser. SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR LIFE .................................... 11 Table of Contents WHAT TO PLANT ................................................. 11 PEST ALERT ............................................................. 2 July .......................................................................... 11 Redbay Ambrosia Beetle ........................................ 2 August ..................................................................... 12 A Major Problem for Florida Avocados ..................... 2 September ............................................................... 12 MILKWEED BUGS ..................................................... 3 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ........................................... 13 Florida Milkweed Plant ........................................... 3 Community Classes .............................................. 13 Monarch Butterfly and Caterpillar ............................ 3 Community Events ............................................... 13 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS .................................... 4 Commercial Resources and Certifications ................ 13 Trees .................................................................... 4 Around the Garden ................................................. 4 BENEFICIAL BUGS .................................................... 5 Air Potato Leaf Beetle ............................................ 5 SNAKES .................................................................... 6 Non-Venomous Snakes .......................................... 6 FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM ...... 7 Cogongrass ........................................................... 7 MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM ................................ 8 Would YOU be interested in becoming a Master Gardener? ............................................................. 8 HORTICULTURAL SERVICES ...................................... 9 Watering Tip - DRIP IRRIGATION ........................... 10 GREENTHUMB QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FALL 2015 PAGE | 2 PEST ALERT The beetle transmits the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease Redbay Ambrosia Beetle among plants in the Laurel family caused by a particularly Xyleborus glabratus nasty fungal symbionts. This fungus is a "very high risk" invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. A Major Problem for Florida Avocados Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease and much is still http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/foresthealth/insects/a unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. mbrbeet.html The Laurel Wilt Disease primarily affects redbay (Persea http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886 borbonia) but it will also damage or kill other members of the laurel family, including the Avocado tree. The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is not directly responsible for the widespread death of redbay trees but by transporting the fungus from tree to tree, it is the vector [path] that allows the disease to spread. Identifying the injury: An Ambrosia Beetle attack is recognized by piles of fine, whitish dust found around the "Ambrosia beetles" is the common name used collectively for 1/16" entrance holes or at the a group of wood-boring insects in a number of related genera. base of the tree. In lumber, the These insects are found throughout the southern United fungus darkly stains the States and share a common habit of tunneling through the galleries and the bark. bark into the wood of trees. As the adult beetle chews Identifying the insect: through the bark and into the Adult beetles are long and thin, wood, it creates a series of usually about 1/4" long. They are winding tunnels called reddish brown in color with "galleries." The wood debris sharp spines at the back end of from the galleries can appear their bodies. Fully-grown larvae as either a series of thin, white and pupae are the same size as tubes pushed out of the bark the adult beetles but are or as fine sawdust piling up at the base of the tree. The insect yellowish white in color. does not use the tree xylem [woody part of a tree] as food, but uses the galleries created as a place for a fungus to grow. The Susceptible trees: fungus becomes the source of food for the beetles. • Avocado Interestingly, because of this dependence on the fungus, the •California bay laurel beetle carries spores of the fungus with it as it moves from one •Northern Spicebush tree to another. This transportation of spores guarantees that •Redbay, Persea borbonia no matter where the ambrosia beetle may go, it will always be •Sassafras able to produce a steady food supply. •Swampbay The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) is a species of special concern because it transmits the particular fungus that causes Laurel Wilt Disease. Return to Table of Contents http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs379 GREENTHUMB QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FALL 2015 PAGE | 3 When the seedpods ripen, they release the seeds that MILKWEED BUGS float on fluffy white parasols. Milkweed bugs gather on seedpods, piercing the wall to feed on seeds. Milkweed Types of Milkweed bugs bugs are one of a small group of insects that have the ability Small Milkweed Bug to tolerate the toxic Lygaeus kalmii (poisonous) compounds in the milkweed plant. They are therefore important in regulating populations of this plant. Milkweed bugs have few predators because they Milkweed Bug lookalikes: concentrate in their body’s bad tasting compounds found Large Milkweed Bug in the sap of milkweed plants. The bugs use their bright Oncopeltus fasciatus colors to advertise their bad taste. Milkweed Assassin Bug Inexperienced birds that taste their first milkweed bug are Zelus longipes unlikely to try to eat another orange and black insect, (Eats caterpillars!) such as a Monarch or Viceroy butterfly. The Milkweed Bug doesn’t seem to harm the plant or It is the Small Milkweed Bug that is most common In interfere with the caterpillars Central Florida. These bugs are often found in groups of hundreds on milkweed plants often on the underside of the leaves. Florida Milkweed Plant Monarch Butterfly and Caterpillar Butterfly Weed; Orange Milkweed Asclepias tuberrosa https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp049 Ecology Larval host to: Butterfly weed is a member of the Monarch butterfly (Danaus milkweed family and the primary plexippus) food for the Monarch caterpillar. Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) The plants grow to two feet tall Soldier butterfly, (Danaus and flowers from July to September. The flower colors are eresimus). orange, red, and yellow. Other varieties are all yellow. The plant will not flower freely until well established. The best sites have exposure to sun or partial shade and almost any soil. The monarch is an endangered species. Urban sprawl and aggressive farming have destroyed wild The plant tolerates dry soil but not heavy soil. Butterfly weed habitats where milkweed mostly grows. Sadly, the is slow to start growth in the spring. Mark its location to latest surveys show that the monarch butterfly prevent damage to dormant crowns. A taproot makes population has declined by 90 percent. transplanting difficult. Once established do not disturb butterfly weed unnecessarily. Butterfly Gardening class: click to go to page Return to Table of Contents GREENTHUMB QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FALL 2015 PAGE | 4 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care when it comes to preparing for hurricanes. Compared to many areas of the United States, we live in a fairly high-risk area for storm damage and as a result should be prepared. Trees Topping a tree creates a dangerous tree and is illegal. Topping (“hatracking”) is the term used to describe over-pruning a tree by cutting it so badly leaving it with few or no leaves on the branches. Trees should never be topped. Thin Trees with a thick canopy. Remove some interior branches to allow wind to go through the canopy. http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/agriculture/PruningforHurricanes_hottopic.shtml Palms do not need hurricane pruning. Palms are adapted to wind storms. Removing fronds is of no benefit and is detrimental to the palm. Even dying leaves benefit the health of the palm. Do not remove leaves until they are completely brown. This should be a general rule for palm maintenance: Trim only fonds that are completely brown and remove the flower/fruiting to avoid the mess it creates. Around the Garden Trim and cut back bushy plants and vines. Secure and Brace windows and doors, particularly screen doors on decks and porches. Spindly evergreens are especially likely to fall in the event of a hurricane. Stake and securely support newly planted trees. Cut away any tree branches that hang over the roof: the Disconnect, roll up and store hoses, electric cords, winds will whip those branches around against your roof clotheslines, and ropes. and will cause major damage. Remove and store pet houses and lead lines. Prune Trees that are one sided or leaning, to balance out Block possible entrances for wildlife – they will be looking their weight. Soft ground after a hurricane won’t be able for safety, too. to hold an unbalanced tree. Unblock rain gutters and downspouts. Lay things down: potted plants; trellises (if possible); bird baths; fountains;

Load more