JULY/AUGUST 2015 PESTPredators in the Landscape | PlantPRO Magnesium Deficiency Zoysiagrass For From University of Florida Entomology to Landscape and Pest Managers Florida Lawns

Ready or Not, Fleas are Back

July/August 2015 | PestPro 1 2 PestPro | July/August 2015 VOL. 11, NO. 4 July–August 2015 PESTPRO CONTENTS magazine is a publication of FEATURES Pest Management Education, Inc. 5814 Nob Hill Blvd. Fleas are Back ... Port Orange, FL 32127 8 Are You Ready? A nonprofit corporation working to help UF Urban Entomology. Technical information provided by the University of Florida. Zoysiagrass For Florida Lawns Board of Directors 12 Lisa Ashley, Fusion Communications Tim Brock, Brock Lawn & Pest Control Student Profile: John Cooksey, McCall Service 16 Casey Parker Dr. Phil Koehler, University of Florida Marie Knox, Control Solutions, Inc. Predators in the Landscape: Jane Medley, University of Florida John Paige III, Bayer 18 Meet the Beetles — and More Dr. Roberto Pereira, University of Florida Dr. Clay Scherer, Syngenta Exciting Changes To 23 The FDACS Website Managing Director Philip Koehler (352) 392-2484 Magnesium Deficiency [email protected] 25 In Turf and Ornamentals Managing Editor Roberto Pereira (352) 392-2485 Florida’s Got a Brand New Bug: [email protected] 29 Pale-Bordered Field Cockroach Production Editor Jane Medley (352) 871-1809 [email protected] DEPARTMENTS Advertising Manager 6 Founders List Lisa Ashley (850) 832-2101 [email protected] 7 Editorial: PestPro is Your Proud Partner In Advancing the Pest Control Industry PESTPRO (ISSN 1553-4693) is published Jan.–Feb., March–April, May–June, July–Aug., Sept.–Oct., and 15 Pest Detective: Thorn Bug Nov.–Dec. by: Pest Managment Education, Inc. 5814 Nob Hill Blvd. 20 Test Your Pest Control Identification IQ Port Orange, Florida 32127 Phone (352) 392-2326 22 Executive Suite: Looking Back, Moving Foward Copyright © 2015 by the University of Florida and Pest Management Education, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pest Management Education, Inc. ON THE COVER 5814 Nob Hill Blvd. More than ever, cats and dogs are part of Port Orange, FL 32127 the family — but topical flea treatments FOR ADVERTISING information contact our advertising manager, Lisa Ashley, at (850) 832-2101, are failing. Successfully fight the fleas, and or by email at [email protected]. you can win your customers’ hearts.

Scanning electron micrograph of a flea by Nancy Hinkle

July/August 2015 | PestPro 3 4 PestPro | July/August 2015 July/August 2015 | PestPro 5 PestPro Proudly Recognizes Our Founding Partners BASF 5 Allergy Technologies 27 Bayer 27 AMVAC 26 Brandenburg UK, Ltd. 4 Central Life Sciences 14 Ensystex 11 Control Solutions, Inc. 2 Environmental Oldham 31 Delivery Systems, Inc. 24 Syngenta 32 Forshaw 19 All Florida Bee Removal 28 Thank you for your Residex 6 generous support of PestPro. Univar 24

6 PestPro | July/August 2015 PestPro Magazine Your Partner in Moving the Industry Forward

ESTS HAVE REALLY specialization spreading to started to pop up all other segments of the industry. Pover the place now that Wildlife removal services are summer has arrived. This is often provided by specialty the time of year when pest companies now. Bee and wasp control businesses thrive. People removal is being provided by are calling about all kinds of specialists. Mosquito control pests. Formosan termites are will move from government to swarming. Fleas are jumping. pest control companies in the Weeds are growing. Ants are same way. crawling. Mosquitoes are biting. Remember when doctors Wasps are stinging. What a were general practitioners? It great time to be in the pest didn’t matter what ailed you, control business. If you take a the doctor treated it. Now if vacation now, you will miss all you have a sore throat you the fun and profit. go to an ear, nose and throat Hopefully your company doctor. If you have a skin rash, is ready for all the business. you go to a dermatologist. The Do you realize that Florida’s industry will need to specialize population is now almost 20 for the pest problem. The million residents? Between general pest practitioner will 2010 and 2014 there was refer or subcontract a specialty a 5.8% growth in Florida’s company to provide the population. If your business is needed service. not growing at the same rate Along with specialization as your customer base, perhaps in the industry, there will be it is time to think about new a need for more specialized approaches to your business. technical information for After all, you are in pest control the industry. The number paradise. The pests are thriving, of sources for technical and the number of potential information is dwindling, customers is growing. Your UF/IFAS Catalano, Alex and this is no different than company is not keeping pace if Roberto Pereira, left, and Phil Koehler encounter the two ant statues what has happened to the its accounts and revenue have installed at the Florida Museum of Natural History in early July. The news media. As information not grown at least 6% since giant bronze ants, known as “X” and “O,” weigh 1,100 pounds each. has moved to the Internet, 2010. With the median family The ants are a temporary installation by artist Susan P. Cochran. printed information sources income at almost $50,000, have evaporated into history. people have money and can PestPro is a major conduit afford your service. by providing the industry the information of information from researchers to the pest Pest control should be done by pest needed to move from a “spray service” to an control industry. management companies. The problem is that integrated pest management service. Part PestPro is also available through a web almost 50 percent of the population does not of that movement is emphasizing customer site: PestProMagazine.com. Visit our website, use a professional for pest control. For small communication. Your customers don’t want where there is an archive of past issues. You problems, 74 percent of our residents use more pesticide applied, they want solutions can look at the PestPro issues, print off some over-the-counter pesticides. When they have a to their pest problems. Some may not even of the articles as training for your employees, large problem, or don’t want to take care of it want much pesticide around them, so you and explore features we will be adding themselves, 54 percent will use a pest control may want to offer special services to different soon. While there, you may want to send service. The industry has the knowledge segments of the consumer population. us suggestions, criticisms, or just drop us a and skill to provide good pest control. Your The industry is evolving to be more line to say hello. In the next few weeks and job is more than spraying. It is selling your specialized in providing service. We first saw months, we hope to expand PestPro services knowledge and experience. that specialization with the fumigation part to the industry with the support from our PestPro magazine and the University of of the industry. Companies in South Florida founding partners and advertisers. PP Florida Urban Entomology Laboratory are started subcontracting work to fumigation — Dr. Philip Koehler, dedicated to moving the industry forward specialty companies. Now you can see that Managing Director

July/August 2015 | PestPro 7 Fleas Are Back ...

8 PestPro | July/August 2015 Flea control is a great way to get to the hearts of your customers. Your service not only protects them from fleas, but it also protects their beloved pets and family members. Are You Ready? Philip G. Koehler and Roberto M. Pereira

ATS AND DOGS have become fleas attacking them inside. Because fleas a part of your customer’s family, cannot successfully live on people, they Cand the biggest problem pets have bite, but they use all their energy jumping on a consistent basis is cat fleas. Cat fleas and moving rather than producing attack both cats and dogs, and have been eggs. The solution to this situation is to found on more than 50 species of animals. recommend wild animal removal. If your That doesn’t mean that they can suck company does not usually do animal the blood and successfully reproduce on removal, you may want to subcontract these animals. It just means that they can that service to a specialist. Animal removal jump onto them and hitch a ride from a is better left to companies that have the neighbor’s yard to your customer’s yard. equipment, personnel and experience to For instance, a squirrel may be jumping deal with the multiple aspects of this task. around a neighbor’s yard, and a flea will Flea control is mainly based on hop onto the squirrel, which then carries understanding the life cycle of fleas. The it into your customer’s yard, where it flea life cycle starts with the egg stage. can later infest their dog and start a huge Fleas lay their eggs on the host cat or dog. infestation. Because flea eggs are not “glued” to the These days, people not only love their animal as lice eggs are, they readily fall pets, they love the wild animals around off when the animal grooms or scratches. their houses. There has been an explosion Animals that are bitten by fleas scratch in the populations of raccoons and because flea saliva is highly irritating. possums, which are also satisfactory hosts In fact, it is considered one of the most for cat fleas. That is why there are lots of irritating compounds known to man. flea complaints from people who have no When the pet scratches due to the pets. They have these wild animals living irritation of the flea bite, it causes the eggs outside their house or office, and fleas and adult flea feces to fall off the animal jump onto them when they walk from at the same place. Eggs and flea feces their car to the building. Then they have accumulate mostly in places where the pet

Girl and dog photograph by Nata Snow, iStock Photo iStock Snow, Nata by and dog photograph Girl Philip Koehler is Endowed Professor and Roberto Pereira is Associate Scientist at UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. July/August 2015 | PestPro 9 molt to the 3–5 mm blowing onto the cocoons. The vibration long third stage. of the air, the warm breath, and carbon Over the years, dioxide was all it took to get thousands there has been a of fleas to emerge simultaneously. This lot of argument same stimulation occurs when you walk about what the flea into a room with flea pupae. The adults larvae eat. They will emerge and jump onto a host almost usually feed on adult immediately. flea feces, which When people move their pet to a new is basically dried residence, or if the pet dies, the flea larvae blood. The adult flea left behind will develop into pre-emerged feces are dark red adults and wait for a host. These pre- or brown and are emerged adults are inside the cocoon and &$7)/($OLIHF\FOH often deposited as protected from any treatments that might coils, or spherules. be put out by a technician. No matter The adults produce what is done, these fleas will continue to lots of feces, which jump onto new residents for up to four spends most of its time. For instance, a is probably a form of parental care. It months until the supply of pre-emerged cat sleeps 80 percent of the time, and eggs is not formally considered proctodeal adults is exhausted. These pre-emerged and feces accumulate where the animal trophallaxis — feeding on feces from the adults, and the protective walls of the spends most of its time sleeping. We found adult — but in reality that is probably cocoon, are a major cause of failure for flea that when the cat jumped down from its what is happening. The eggs and feces are treatments. resting place, there was an area of about deposited at the same place, and the larvae 2 square feet where the flea eggs fell and consume the feces as their main source )OHDV%UHHG&RPSOLFDWLRQV started development. That location is of nutrition. Larvae can also feed on skin The adult cat flea spends its entire life on the most important place to target when pieces and spilled dog or cat food. So it the host. Rodent fleas leave the host and controlling fleas. Technicians need to ask has been reported that they feed generally hide in the rodent burrow. But cat fleas the homeowner to direct them to the on organic debris, though most of that have evolved to stay with their host, which place where the animal rests and deposits organic debris is mostly flea feces. in the wild is a free-ranging animal that flea eggs so they can target those areas for Understanding flea larval food is critical is not tied to a burrow. Adult male fleas treatment. to understanding where and when fleas are about 2–3 mm long, and females are are prevalent. Flea feces are water soluble. about 4 mm long. Adult fleas are flattened $3UROLÀF3HVW When you wash an infested animal with laterally, so they can move adeptly through Fleas lay about 25 to 40 eggs a day. They a thick fur coat, the abundance of flea the fur and evade grooming by the animal. also take about 20 blood meals a day, so we feces in the fur will turn the wash water However, some pets are better groomers assume that they are pooping that many red. Feces dissolved in water are no longer than others. Cats, for instance, have special times. Back a few years ago when we still available for larvae to eat. Florida’s heaviest hairs on their tongues to lick off fleas. had a flea colony in the laboratory, we had outdoor populations of fleas are usually They can ingest these fleas. If the fleas have one cat from which we got about 10,000 seen during our driest months —February tapeworm stages inside them, the cat or eggs in one day. That means that there was through May. That is because during the dog will get a tapeworm infestation from probably an infestation of about 250 to dry months, rain does not dissolve the flea the fleas. 400 female fleas on the cat. feces, and the larvae have a great source of When fleas bite the host, they have One infested animal can produce a nutrition. short mouthparts and inject very irritating major infestation in a short period of time. Mature flea larvae pupate before turning saliva. The proteins in the saliva can cause Those eggs will hatch in about two to five into the adult stage. The larvae migrate an allergic reaction in the pet. That allergic days, depending on the conditions. We to a dry location for pupation and spin a reaction is called flea allergy dermatitis, or found that the eggs will survive and hatch silken cocoon. The cocoon is covered with FAD. FAD can cause animals much more year-round outdoors in Florida, even in the debris from their surroundings. It is really irritation than the flea bite that caused the winter months. Florida is flea egg heaven. difficult to find the cocoons because they disorder. Bacterial infections of the skin Flea larvae develop inside the deposited are so well camouflaged. It takes about can then occur. In severe cases of FAD, egg. They rotate around the inside of the one to two weeks for the adult to develop the animal can shed most of its fur and egg and use an egg burster spine on their inside the cocoon. These pre-emerged the pet will have bald spots. Most topical heads to slice open the egg and emerge. adults can wait inside the cocoon for flea treatments are designed to kill fleas The larvae are 1-2 millimeters long as first- months until they are stimulated to leave quickly, but a single flea bite can cause a stage larvae. They molt to second stage the cocoon and jump onto a host. In the cascade of immunological responses that larvae that are 2–3 mm long, and then lab, we used to stimulate fleas to emerge by end up with FAD.

10 PestPro | July/August 2015 +RZWR&RQWURO)OHDV adults — which cause great discomfort to For instance, permethrin (Dragnet) There are several important techniques pets and humans and can even transmit has rather liberal label language for controlling fleas that can be used by some diseases. Pyriproxyfen is photostable allowing broadcast application to pest control companies. Your customer and can be applied both indoors and areas such as rugs, carpets, pet beds, needs to know that you will not apply outdoors. Pyriproxyfen is very stable in pet resting surfaces, and crawl spaces. topical treatments to pets. That is a job the environment. Years ago, we were able Label directions include treatment of for veterinarians or the pet owner. Do to prove that it will kill fleas up to seven upholstered furniture by applying the not apply any of your insecticides to the months after application, even when product between and under cushions. pet. First, you do not want to harm the exposed to sunlight and rain. Of course, these treatments should pet with your treatments. Second, insect be particularly made to areas most growth regulators like methoprene and INALLY, a residual spray can be frequented by pets. Additionally, borate pyriproxyfen can be applied to the entire applied to kill fleas that are currently dusts can be applied to pet bedding and pet living area. These growth regulators Fin the house or yard. Permethrin pet resting places so the flea larval food are available in trade names like Precor, or esfenvalerate are products registered is contaminated. Borate products, like Ultracide, Nygard, and Archer. for carpet/floor treatments. However, flea Borid, are labeled for application to Methoprene is a great product for flea resistance to these pyrethroid insecticides is carpets and pet bedding. control indoors. It is not photostable, so prevalent. Often, pyrethroid resistance can The flea control business is back. it breaks down in sunlight. Therefore, be overcome by tank mixing a synergist Are you ready? The topical treatments outdoor applications can be problematic. (piperonyl butoxide, PBO) into the made to the pets are starting to fail. Your However, methoprene can be applied to sprayer. Synergists like Zenprox, Kicker customers love their pets and want to do flea breeding areas to prevent the larval or Exponent are good additions to the anything to protect them. Be ready to fleas from turning into adults. Killing residual products normally applied to provide a service that will protect your the larval fleas is important not because infested indoor and outdoor areas. customers, their children, and their pet they cause problems, which they do not, Read the label carefully for the locations family from flea attack. This is a great but because they will eventually turn into that may be treated for flea control. way to grow your business. PP

July/August 2015 | PestPro 11 Zoysiagrass For Florida Lawns J. Bryan Unruh, Laurie Trenholm and John Cisar

Floridians finally have several good types of zoysia from which to choose. Like any grass we grow in Florida, each variety has its own challenges such as weeds, insects and diseases.

OYSIAGRASSSESS (ZZoysiiaa spp.) werre SPECIES intrintroducedoduced int o thhe UnU ited SStatetatess Zoysiai japonica ffroom Asia and providde attractive This species was intrt oduced into thhe United turf throughout much of the Unnited States. SStates in 1895 and is commonly caalled Japanese In recent years, drammatic improveements orr Koreean lawn grasss. CuC ltivars fromm this species in zoysiagrass have been made by turfggrass are geneerally coarse-texxtured grrass wiith hairy, breeders. These improvemeents includde insect light green leaves. Of alll the zoyysiagraasses, this resistance, accelerated establisshment, and species haas a faster growwth rate and exhibi its overall performance. Zoysiagraassese are adapted excellent coold tolerancee. Zoysia japonicaa is the to a variety of soil types and have ggood only zoysiaggrar ss for which seed is commerrcially ttolerance to shade, salt and traffic. ThThey providde available. Hoowever, the seeded varieetit es geenerally aan extremely dense sod that resists weeed do not produuce as high-quality turf aas do the invav sion, but certain pests can be problematic. vegetatively prropap gated (soddded or plluggedd) Zoysiagrg asss mam intenance is different fromm thaat varieties. They cana be used for lawns or general of other Floorir da lawn grasses. When imprp oopere turf areas wheree conveniencee of estabblishmennt by maaiintenance practices are followed, undesiirable seed is more imppoortant than qquality. resuults are likely to occur. Zoysia matrella SPECIEES and CULTIVARS Several species and varieties of zoysiagrass aree Also called Manilaagrg ass, this sppecies was used for residential and commercial landscapese , introduced into thhe United Staates in 1912 frf om athletic fields, and golf course tees, fairways, Manila. It produucces a finer andd denser turf and roughs. They vary widely in leaf color, than Zoysia japonniica, but is less winter hardyy texture and establishment rate. and slower growinng. Manilagrass resembles Proper lawn maintenance practices arre bermudagrass in tetexture, color and quality the best means for avoiding pest problemms and is recommeendn ed for a hiigh-quality, and maintaining a healthy lawn. Zoysiaaggraass high-maintenannce turf where a slow rate of requires inputs of fertilizer to mainttain ggood establishment is not a disadvaantage. cover and healthy growth characteriisstics. During certain times of thhe year, it may require Zoysia tenuifolia supplemental irrigation, especcialllly during Also called MMasscarenegrasss or Korean velvet grg ass, periods of extended d droought, to rremain green. this speciies is tthe finest-texxturu ed and densest Pesticides may be needed periodically, but their zoysiagrass available. It has good wear tolerance use cac n be minimized if otther cultural practices but poor cold tolerance annd is only adapted too such as mowing, irrigation and fertilization are thhe central and southernn areas of the state. It ala sso done correctly. prodo uces an excessive thhatch, giving it a puffyy

1212 PestPestProPro || July/AugustJuly/August 20152015 appearance. This sppece iees is oftten used for low- EEmpire Inspiration Home in Vestavvia Hills, Alabama, and growing, ornamenntal sppecimi enn plants,s especially Empire is a cultivvar that is gaining popularity at the 2006 NNew Southern Homme in St. Cloudd, in Asian-themed gardens. in Flloridda. It is similar in teexture to ‘‘El Toroo’ Florida. and has a verry dense growth habiit. It mainttains CULTIVARS a nice grer en color and, commpaared to otheer new Zeon Although information is avvailablb e on theh Internet zzoysiagrrass cultivars, it has a mmoderate raate of Zeon is a fine-textured ZZoysy ia matrella that has about a number of zoysiagraass varietties, only establishment. ‘Empire’ haas performeed well in performed well in Floridda, though its avaia lability a few are commercially availlablee in FFloriida. sanddy and clay soil typees wwith aggresssive growth is limited in the state. BBased on research information and aaneccdottal fromm itst stolons and rhizommes, but it caan beb oobservations, the following is a suummary of what mowew d with a standdard rotary moowere due to Zenith its brb oader lel aff and opeen growth habit. It does toto expect. Zenith zoysiaggrasss is one of the few commercially not do as well in shhadde as other zooysiiagrass available seeded varieties. Generally, the seedeed cultivars. ‘Empire’ is beingn plantedd in numerous cultivars doo not perform as well as the veegeg tative De Anza communities in Florida and seeemsm to do well in cultivars. ‘ZZenith’ zoysiagrass is dark green and DDe Anza is a medium- to smalll-leaf zoysiaggrass many areas throughouo t the staate. However, it is mediumm textured. pateentedd by the University of California in suscceptible to large (brb own)n patch disease. 19955. Itt haas good shade and drought propeertiess annd retaainns color longer than moost zoyysiagagrrassses Zorro during thehe fall.l ‘DeD Anza’ ranked favoraably inn the JaMur Zoorro is a fine-textured Zoyssia matreella releeasedd JaMur is a medium coarrse-textured cultivar National Turu fgfgrasss Evaluation Prograam (NNTEP). byy Texas A&M Universsiti y. ‘ZoZ rro’ esttablishess that has performed well in many areas and is wwelll, has good shade tolere ancee, annd iss eassier to nnow produced in limmited quantities in Florida. mom w than somme fine-textuured culltit vars. ThiTh s DDiamond IIt has a very attraactivev color and does well in tut rf performed moderately well in Fllorridda iin the Diamond is an improvo ed ZZoyssia matrella that mooderate shade. ‘JaMMur’ has an excellent rate of 1997–2000 NTEPP trrial. is vegetatively prp opaggated. It was releases d fromm establishmentt, performs well at normal homme TeT xas A&M Universis ty in 1996. ‘DDiamond’ is lawn mowwing heights, and can easily be moown did sts inguished fromm other zoysiagraassses by its fine with a rotaary mower. It is susceptible to large MAINTENANCE of ZOOYSIAGRASS tetexture and excellent salt and shade toleranncec . It (broownn) pap tch disease. Nutrient Management pperforms best whhen mowo ed at a height of ½ inch Proper fertilizaation is verry impportant for or less. In fact, ‘Diamonnd’ has been plantedd on sustaining a healthy lawwn. Fertit lization and othher seeveerar l experimental golf greens mowed at ¼ inch Meyer MMeeyey r (Z-52, Amazoy®) has been in use since cultural practices influencn e the overall health and orr lowwere . LiL ke other zoysiaggrasses, it has poor coold quality of the lawn and reduce its vulnerabilityy to toleeraance,, which mayy limitt its use in northeern the 1950s and is often seen in ads as the “miracle grass.” It is very slowo to establish, and numerous stresses, including weeds, insects, and parts off the state, and it is hhighlyy suscepttible to disease. A soil test should be done to determine tropical soodd webworms. hunnting billbugs and nemaatodes pose serious prp obleems with ‘Meyer’,, limiting its use in soil pH and what nutrients are available to FFlorida. ‘Meyer’ zoyssiagrass performed very thhe llawn. Since many Florida soils are high in El Toro pooro ly at the Florida locations of thee NTEP phosphorus, it is often not necessary to addd ElE Toro is an improved ZoZ ysia japponica released trial coonducted from 1997–2000, annd its use in phosphorus to a lawn once it is established. ini 1986 fromm California. It has a faster Florridda is disccouraged. As a general rule, the first fertilizer appp lication estaablb ishment rate, improvede cool-l season color, of the year should be earlly Apriil in Cenntral bbetter cold tolel raance, and less thattch buildup Florida and mid-April inn North Flol riida. In South thann ‘MeM yeer’ zoysis agrass. ‘El Toro’ is also reportedd PristineFlora™ Floridda, fertilizer applicatiionss mayy be madde to have early spriing green-up, morre shaade PristtineFlora™™ is a Zoysia mattrer lla cuulltivar throoughoh ut the year sis nce grg owth is year-round. toleerance,e and improved resistance to rust disease. rreleased by thhe University of FlF ororiida. It is UFU /IFAS guidelines for lawwn grass fertilization ‘El Tooro’ peerformed well in the NTEP trialls recommended for use in high-maintenance offerr a rangge of feerrtilizer rates over which a conduccted in Gainesvvillle, Flloridaa, and the greaater situations, including higgh-end homo e lawns. particular species may be succese sfully maintained Pensacola, Florida, arrea from 11997–2000. This variety is fine teextured, extremely dense, inn theh various regions of the state. These ranges and has a dark green color. ‘PristineFlora™’ account for indid vidual homeowner preferences for does not producee seed heads as prolifically as low-, medium-, or higher-input grasss . Emerald oto heh r fine-textured cultivars, such as ‘Emerald’ EEmeralld zoysiagrass is a selece teed hyh brid between Localized microclimatic effects cann havve a oor ‘DDiammoond’. ‘PristineFlora™’ is similar in tremendous impact on turfgrasss growthh. A range Zoysia japoonica andd Zoysia ttenuuifolia deveeloped aappearrancec and maintenance to ‘Diamond’. in Tifton, Georgia, and releasede in 1955. This of rates allows for these enviiroonmental variaations. HHowever, it has a mum ch faster rate of growwtht An example of this would be a typical homee lawn hyybrid commbiines the wintter hardineess, color, and recovers more quici kly from scac lpp damagee. ana d faster groowwth rate of onne pap reent witth thhe thatt is parttially shadeed and partially sunny. ThThe fine texture annd ded nsity of thehe othher parent. grass grg owiing in the shade needs less fef rttilizer ‘Emerald’ reseembmblles Manilagrrass inn color, texture, UltimateFlora™ than that growing in full sun. Ferttilizaatioon is also and density, but is faster spreadiingg and has a UltimateFllora™ is a Zoyysia japponica deeveloped affectedby soil type, organic maatter in soils, and wider adaptation. ‘EEmerald’ zoysiaagrass is higghlh y by the University of Floorida. It has a similar leaf practices such as clippingg mannagement. Recycled rer commended for top-quality lawns where timem teexture and uprigghht growth habit to ‘Meyer’, clippings provide some nutrients back to the anand money allow for adequate mainttenance. bub t it has a faster rate of spread and better turfgrass and may redduce thhe need for fertilizer ‘EEmmerald’ produces an excessive thatch layeer aadapptabbility for use in Florida. This cultivar is inputs. annd is susceptible to dod llar and leaf spott. LLargge usu ed for home lawns and was selected for the A newly sodded lawwn on a sand soil with (b( roown) patch diseasse also can occurr. llawn at the Birmingham Home & Garden no organic matter reqquires more fertilizzere thaan

July/AugustJuly/Auuguust 20152015 | PestPestProPro 1313 a lawn that has been fertilized for years. In recommendations state that zoysiagrass should Florida, new homes and new developments may receive three applications a year in North be next to much older developed landscapes, Florida and six a year in South Florida, in most and a one-size-fits-all approach to fertilization situations. Research suggests that new cultivars of is not reasonable. Thus, the guidelines provide zoysiagrass can persist on less nitrogen, and the a base range from which the end user can begin UF/IFAS recommendations for zoysiagrass are a fertilization program. The homeowner is under review. Avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer encouraged to initiate a program based on these simply to promote green color. Instead, monitor guidelines and to adjust it over time based on growth and apply only when the growth rate how the turfgrass responds. has dramatically declined. Potassium nutrition Zoysiagrass responds better to a “spoon- also is important and should be applied at rates feeding” fertilizer regimen of smaller quantities equal to nitrogen. During excessively rainy Sutichak, iStock Photo iStock Sutichak, applied more frequently rather than supplying periods, potassium may need to be applied more Laying sod produces an instant lawn. larger quantities infrequently. UF/IFAS frequently due to its leaching ability. Since zoysiagrass is very slow to green up in the spring, avoid applying fertilizer until after the turf has become fully green to avoid premature green-up, which is prone to frost injury. This is especially important in North Florida, where late spring frosts may damage the grass. Delaying spring fertilization until the turf is actively growing and can use the fertilizer also reduces the potential for nitrogen leaching from fertilizer. Likewise, don’t fertilize too late in the year, as this can slow regrowth the following spring. An application of iron can enhance spring green-up. Applying nitrogen on zoysiagrass in early spring and late fall significantly increases the risk of large (brown) patch disease. On high-pH (> 7.0) soils or where high- pH water is applied, yellow leaf blades may be an indication of iron or manganese deficiency. Application of soluble or chelated sources of these micronutrients can provide a green-up due to elevated pH. For iron deficiency, spray ferrous sulfate at a rate of 2 ounces in 3–5 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet, or a chelated iron source — referring to the label for rates — to temporarily enhance color. Iron applications every six weeks help maintain green color and, unlike nitrogen, do not promote excessive top growth. Note that iron is not a substitute for nitrogen, which provides the building blocks for turfgrass growth and is required for turf health. While both iron and nitrogen deficiencies result in yellowing of turfgrass, they are distinctly different deficiencies in plants. Applying iron does not cure yellowing due to nitrogen deficiency, and iron fertilizer is not a substitute for nitrogen fertilizer. Foliar iron fertilizers, such as iron sulfate or chelated iron solutions, help cure iron deficiencies, and nitrogen fertilizers applied according to BMPs cure nitrogen deficiencies.

Mowing If fertilized as recommended, zoysiagrasses require frequent mowing during the summer to look their best. Medium- to coarse-textured zoysiagrasses should be mowed weekly, or when they reach a height of 3–4 inches. They should be mowed at a height of 2–2.5 inches with a rotary mower. Fine-textured zoysiagrasses maintained at heights below 1 inch require more

14 PestPro | July/August 2015 pest detective frequent mowing. Because zoysiagrass leaves are very coarse, they can be quite difficult to mow. Clippings should be left on the ground after mowing. They do not contribute to thatch buildup, as is often assumed, but are actually readily degraded by microorganisms. A sharp, well-adjusted rotary or reel mower should be used.

Watering Zoysiagrass responds to drought by turning brown and going dormant in a short period of time (within a week under typical drought conditions). In the absence of rain or irrigation, zoysiagrass stays dormant for extended periods of time. Once irrigation or rainfall resumes, zoysiagrass will regain its green color. Irrigating on an “as-needed” basis is the best way to water any established, mature grass as long as the proper amount of water is applied when needed. Irrigation is needed when leaf blades begin to fold up, wilt, or turn a blue-gray color, or when footprints remain visible after walking on the grass. Apply ½–¾ inch of water per application. This applies water to roughly the top 8 inches of soil, where the majority of the roots are. Be sure to follow any local watering restrictions. To determine application rates of a sprinkler system, place several straight-sided cans throughout each irrigation zone. Run each zone to determine how long it takes to fill the cans to 7+251%8* the ¾- or 1-inch level, then record the time. Each zone will likely take different amounts of time to give the same quantity of water. The recorded run Photo by Marshall Heden times for each zone should then be programmed into the irrigation clock for automated systems. If the variation in the catch cans is great, a more Thorn Bug thorough audit of the irrigation system is needed. Irrigation frequency should change seasonally, Lynn Griffith with less water needed in the fall and winter. Do HE INSECT WORLD is full of examples of deceit and deception. A not adjust the amount applied, just the frequency. prime example of this is the thorn bug, Umbonia crassicornis. This insect has evolved to look very much like the thorns on a rose bush. This Thatch Management T appearance enables it to both hide from predators and make it less attractive. Zoysiagrasses typically develop a thick thatch layer in the years after establishment—especially The thorn bug is known in Florida since 1843. Hosts of the thorn bug include when overfertilized with nitrogen. This thatch Hibiscus, shaving brush trees, acacia, jacaranda, royal poinciana, holly, tamarind, must be controlled or removed mechanically Australian pine, pigmy date palms, citrus and avocados. Thorn bugs inhabit all of to maintain a uniform grass appearance. This is Central and South America, as well as southern Texas. Their Florida range extends most often done using a vertical mower or core from extreme southern Dade County up to the Tampa area and to Winter Haven aerator every year or two. Some have noted that and beyond. scalping, during or shortly after spring green-up, Thorn bugs can damage trees and shrubs by sucking sap from twigs. The insects helps reduce thatch buildup. One of the most also cut twigs in order to lay their eggs, which hatch in about 20 days. It is not important methods of reducing thatch buildup unusual to see 15 to 50 young thorn bugs being tended by adults. Feeding can is to keep nitrogen fertility at the recommended levels. Proper mowing heights also help prevent cause honeydew and sooty mold in some situations. Adults can be found any time thatch buildup. of year in Florida. Adult thorn bugs are about half an inch long and somewhat variable in color, Pest Management from yellow to green. The females form a sharper thorn on their backs, while the Like other lawn grasses grown in Florida, males have more of a curved thorn. Damage from these insects is usually relatively zoysiagrass lawns encounter pest problems. minor, though in some cases young trees can be virtually defoliated. While Periodic control of one or more of these problems generally not necessary, chemical controls would be similar to those of other is necessary to grow a healthy turf. sucking insects. PP Continued on page 26 Lynn Griffith is a tropical plant and soil expert, A&L Southern Agricultural Lab PestPro July/AugustMay/June 2015 | PestPro 15 Around Casey Parker, Mosquitoes This is a young Gator with a mission: Don’t Stand To help stamp out mosquito-borne diseases worldwide A Chance

ASEY PARKER arrived at the University of Florida in 2010 hoping to become a Cpharmacist. She had no idea what that entailed, what courses she needed to take, or what she needed to do to get ahead. “After taking one semester of chemistry courses, I realized that pharmacy school was not what I truly wanted to do,” Casey says. “That semester I was also taking the course Bugs and People, and this is what sparked my interest in entomology.” Casey was really interested in insects and their impact on our world. She grew up on a horse farm in Ocala, Florida, so a major in biological science made a lot more sense to her than a major in chemistry. Casey is entering the second year of her polymer allows the pesticide to be released After Casey realized she was into bugs, she master’s degree and is working on a novel lethal slowly over time. This makes the trap long changed her major. “I started taking entomology ovitrap for control of disease-transmitting lasting and cost effective. I am testing the classes and ended up working in the Urban mosquitoes like the yellow fever mosquito, efficacy of this trap and my hope is that we will Entomology Lab with Dr. Koehler and Dr. Aedes aegypti, and the Asian tiger mosquito, achieve EPA registration and the trap will be Pereira,” Casey says. “They taught me what Aedes albopictus. She hopes to finish her master’s available to consumers. science really was and how to do meaningful degree in the summer of 2016 and continue research.” on to a PhD, also in medical and veterinary What is the greatest piece of advice you ever Casey enjoyed numerous opportunities to entomology. received from Dr. Koehler? advance her academic career while working I think the most valuable thing that I have in the Urban Lab as an undergraduate. “I 4 $:,7+&$6(< learned from Dr. Koehler is the importance conducted research, attended conferences, What does your research focus on? of being well rounded. I love public speaking networked with industry professionals, gave a My master’s project focuses on the use of a and interacting with industry members, but TON of presentations, and even got to study novel dual-action lethal ovitrap for control Dr. Koehler has showed me how to improve abroad in Greece,” she says. Her undergraduate of the container breeding mosquito species my writing and research skills, which were experience in the Urban Lab convinced her Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The trap quite underdeveloped when I entered his that she needed to continue her education after was created here in the urban entomology lab. Oftentimes, people choose to focus and completing her bachelor’s and pursue a master’s lab with other collaborators. It incorporates work very hard on the things they are good at degree in medical and veterinary entomology. an adulticide, a larvicide, and a polymer. The and neglect things that need more attention.

16 PestPro | July/August 2015 Far left: Casey’s dynamic presentation earned her the grand prize in the OneWorld event sponsored by Syngenta and the Challenge 2050 Project.

Immediate left: Casey makes life miserable for a few mosquitoes soon to be caught in the ovitrap device she helped develop at the UF Urban Entomology Lab.

made me the person I am and have never failed to be by my side.

How do you expect your research to impact the pest control industry? After the trap has been successfully registered with the EPA, my hope is that the implementation of the novel dual-action lethal ovitrap will reduce the population of disease- transmitting mosquitoes like the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. This decrease in the mosquito population will likely reduce the incidence of the diseases they transmit, like dengue and chikungunya. These diseases are prominent in different parts of the globe like South America and are now present in the United States, so I think it is important to get these diseases under control.

Most people want mosquitoes eradicated. What do you think would happen if the species you study were eradicated from the United States? Mosquitoes are ecologically tied to different animals and organisms in an infinite number of ways. There is no way to definitively say how the extinction of mosquitoes might ecologically affect our world, but from a medical standpoint, it definitely seems beneficial. Mosquitoes infect hundreds of millions of people a year with a variety of diseases and afflictions. At least a million of those infections result in death. Ridding ourselves of the dangerous mosquito is a tempting thought, but mosquitoes elicit

Photos by UF/IFAS by Photos behavioral changes in many different animal species. How will the behavior of these animals I believe being well rounded is one of the The knowledge we gain from our challenges or change when the mosquito disappears? The most important attributes of a scientist, and failures is just as valuable as the knowledge we annihilation of mosquitoes would result in an I am thankful Dr. Koehler showed me that gain from our successes. empty niche. The real question is, what would importance. fill this niche? And will it be worse than the Outside of your mosquito research, what else mosquito? What has been the most challenging part of are you passionate about? completing your Master’s in the UF Urban Lab? My family. They are the most supportive and What is it like to work in the urban Pursuing and earning a graduate degree is loving people I could ever hope to have in my entomology lab on a day-to-day basis? truly a rollercoaster ride. You have no idea life. I grew up on a horse farm in Ocala and Absolute craziness! It is a very fast-paced what to expect from the time you begin to the spent a lot of time adventuring and exploring environment and every day is go-go-go, but the moment you graduate. Colonies could become with my dad. I think this is where my interest in atmosphere is one of a kind. I am good friends contaminated. Traps can break. Accidents can biology first began, so really, without my family, with many of the graduate students in our lead to an entire experiment going to waste. I might never have become an entomologist. My lab, and working alongside close friends is just This is the challenging part: understanding that mom is the principal of an elementary school another form of support. Help is always around there are going to be unexpected obstacles and and has always showed me the highest degree of when you need it, and we are all constantly the only thing you can do is fix it and move patience (which she needs a lot of for me) and learning from one another. I am extremely on. It is frustrating when you hit roadblocks in understanding. And my brothers have been my comfortable in this lab and that comfort aids in your research, but learning how to overcome best friends since the day they were born. I’m my productivity. the obstacles is half of the research battle. passionate about my family because they have Continued on page 28

July/AugustJuly/August 2015 2015 || PestPestProPro 17 17 Predators In the Landscape

Catharine Mannion

Associate Professor of Ornamental Plant Entomology at &+,1(6(0$17,6 University of Florida/IFAS DQLQWURGXFHGSUHGDWRU Tropical Research and Education Center IHHGLQJRQDFULFNHW

Often, it seems F THE MANY insects and mites the pest population is high. In South Florida, we have many pest that are not pests, there is a subset you can just about guarantee the presence of a Oconsidered beneficial species because predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae, showing insects and mites they can affect pest populations. Called natural up when populations of croton scale get bad. A enemies, they can prevent, reduce or restrict the typical pattern is that there is a pest infestation. in the landscape presence of pests. These natural enemies can be As the pest population increases, predators move loosely categorized as predators or parasites. In in and bring the population down, which is then causing damage to this article we are discussing predators in the followed by a reduction in the predators unless landscape. the predators have alternate food sources. our beautiful plants. These predators are often capable of keeping 81'(567$1',1*35('$7256 pest populations at a relatively low level so that The truth of the Predatory insects and mites, as adults and/or damage is at a minimum. Their impact often goes at immature stages, actively search out and eat unnoticed until something disrupts them, they are matter is that most prey insects. There are numerous predators in no longer there, and the pest populations increase. the landscape that go unnoticed. In addition to There are also situations in which pest insects and other existing natural enemies, there are often efforts populations or the damage they cause become to move or introduce new natural enemies into problematic even when there are predators feeding arthropods in the an environment. on them. For example, during In the landscape, the time period in which a pest yard and garden do successful introduction population is building but before of a natural enemy can there is sufficient predator activity, not harm plants. be very difficult. A lot of there may be a need to apply homework must be done other control strategies in order before introducing a natural to minimize the pest presence or enemy and expecting damage. success. However, protecting This is highly dependent on the natural enemies we E. FORMOSA the pest and its impact as well as already have can be done the environment. For instance, by everyone. This effort, in a high-traffic area there may called conservation, can be done by not using be little or no tolerance of any pest problem. pesticides or only using select pesticides for Rugose spiraling whitefly became a significant pest management, and/or by modifying the pest in the landscape in recent years primarily environment to favor the presence of natural due to the enormous mess it makes with its waxy T. MONTEZUMAE enemies. Conservation may involve increasing secretions, honeydew and subsequent sooty the diversity of plants as well as establishing mold growth in the vicinity of an infestation. sources of nectar and pollen for those natural It is now under excellent biological control by SEARCH ONLINE to find lists enemies that need it. For example, syrphid fly Encarsia formosa, a tiny, parasitic wasp. But there of plants used for the purpose of larvae are great predators, but the adult flies are still occasions in which other pest control increasing the activity of natural need pollen or nectar on which to feed. methods are used due to the shifts in both the enemies. Generally speaking, predators find their prey pest and parasite populations and the level of by searching, so they are most effective when tolerance for the mess that the whitefly makes.

18 PestPro | July/August 2015 5(&2*1,=,1*35('$7256 and feed on their prey. Unlike the ladybeetles, Many mites are serious pests. But the The most common predators in the landscape most of the impact is from the larvae feeding phytoseiid mites are important because they include lady beetles, lacewings, predatory bugs, on prey. The adults primarily feed on nectar are predators of plant-feeding mites and other ants, and predatory mites. Lady beetles are although they may consume a few insects. small organisms. Many feed on the eggs and probably the most recognizable insect predator. Somewhat related to the lacewings but very immature stages of thrips, whiteflies, and scale However, there are several lady beetle species that different are the mantids — i.e. praying insects. Adults of some species feed on pollen, you may not recognize as lady beetles due to their mantis — much larger and obvious predators honeydew, fungi, and leaf sap. Adults typically color and size. but not as commonly seen in the landscape. have a translucent teardrop shape with long Most adult lady beetles Mantids are generalist predators front legs. Several species of predatory mites are are oval to round, brightly that will feed on most anything of sold commercially and are probably one of the colored, and often have spots. the right size. most commonly used natural enemies. Food Some well known species, Some of the true bugs and environmental requirements differ with such as the Asian lady beetle (Hemiptera) are predators of different species of predatory mites. For example, or convergent lady beetle insects and mites. These insects Amblyseius swirskii is adapted to warmer and are red or orange with many feed on their prey differently than humid sub-tropical climates and can survive and spots. However, some lady the beetles. The beetles feed with reproduce on various pollens and plant nectars beetles can be very small toothlike feeding structures, and which may allow them to persist during periods and dark with no spots. For $6,$1/$'<%((7/( the bugs feed with a piercing- of low pest density. Other mite species decline as example, the whitefly predator sucking mouthpart in which their prey population declines. Delphastus pusillus, is a they pierce the prey and suck shiny black beetle just 1/16 inch out the body fluids. Not all bugs are 5(/($6,1*35('$7256 long. You might see these or similar predatory. In fact, many of them are Purchasing natural enemies for release can be a beetles feeding on whitefly-infested serious plant pests. For example, many viable and successful option of pest management plants. The immature stages of lady of the stink bugs are important plant and has most often been used in greenhouse beetles can also be overlooked or pests — green stink bug, brown stink production systems and probably to a lesser misidentified.Lady beetle larvae bug, brown marmorated stink bug. extent field production. In the landscape, there are elongated and often dark with D. PUSILLUS The most common predatory bugs are are few examples of successfully releasing natural some color. In several species, such probably the minute pirate bugs. These enemies for pest control but to a lesser extent as Thalassa montezumae, the larvae predators are often seen in flowers, compared to plant production systems. Usually, can more resemble a mealybug than a beetle larva where they feed on thrips, an individual will not be able due to the white, waxy spider mites and insect eggs. to buy and release a sufficient coating. Another common predatory number of natural enemies Both the larvae bug is the bigeyed bug, into a landscape to have any and adult beetles can which is named so because of real impact. However, there are be quite voracious in its relatively oversized eyes. situations in which mass releases the number of prey These predators are often of natural enemies have occurred /$'<%((7/( they will eat. There are found feeding on moth eggs, through the efforts of universities /$59$ several other groups caterpillars, thrips, and mites. 35('$725<%8* or governmental institutions. of beetles that are Flies are generally not )((',1*21$ Prior to any release, big or predatory — ground wanted — they are pests :((9,/ small, it is absolutely critical beetles, rove beetles, and/or nuisances. However, to know the pest species and and tiger beetles — the syrphid flies, which are the environmental conditions of which most are also sometimes called flower flies or hover necessary for successful establishment of the /$'<%((7/( not typically used in flies, are a valuable natural enemy because the natural enemy. Although many of the predators /$59$( biological control. larval stage preys on insects. The adult flies are are classified as generalists (i.e. they eat many However, most of these harmless and often found feeding on flowers. different types of prey), they may not all work beetles are generalist The larvae can vary in color but resemble well in all situations with all pests. For example, feeders, and their impact in the environment can a small slug. These larvae will crawl over Delphastus sp. is a predatory beetle that is sold be very important. Efforts to conserve them are foliage and are quite voracious on small, soft- commercially as a “whitefly specialist.” It is an just as important as protecting many of the more bodied insects. excellent predator of many different whiteflies. commonly known predators. Most of us do not think about the benefits However, it does not do very well with the rugose Lacewings are another common predator in of ants because they can bite or sting and can spiraling whitefly, which produces excessive waxy the landscape. Green lacewings are pale green cause damage or be a nuisance. Some species flocculent. So in this case, this excellent whitefly with large, “lacy” wings but it is the larvae and also protect honeydew-producing insects such predator may not be suitable for this particular eggs that are probably the most encountered as aphids. But ants are important predators. whitefly.P P stages on infested plants. Ants have been shown to feed on The eggs are distinct because many soft-bodies insects and have 3KRWROLVWZLWKFUHGLWV they are laid individually on been credited for controlling pests 1. Chinese mantis, Luc Viatour a hairlike stalk often on the in agricultural fields. Whether 2. T. montezumae, Graham Montgomery, Bugguide margins of leaves. You will ants are a pest or a beneficial 3. Encarsia formosa, David Cappaert, Bugwood 4. Asian multicolored lady beetle, Paul Choate often see a cluster of these insect is highly dependent on 5. Delphastus pusillus, Tom Murray, Bugguide eggs. Thelarvae look a little where they are and what they are 6. Lady beetle larva, James Castner like small alligators with large, doing. With some exceptions, 7. T. montezumae larvae, UF/IFAS hooked mandibles — toothlike their presence in a landscape is a 8. A predatory bug feeding on a weevil, UF/IFAS jaws that are used to catch /$&(:,1*/$59$ good thing. 9. Lacewing larva feeding on beetle larvae, UF/IFAS

July/August 2015 | PestPro 19 Test Your Pest Control IDENTIFICATION IQ

HE PICTURED PESTS were Tsubmitted by PestPro readers. Can you correctly match all three pests by looking at the pictures and clues below, for a perfect Identification IQ? Send in your pest photo and it might appear in a future issue. Flesh Fly and Secondary Screwworm Fly These flies were found by the thousands in a house on the southwest coast of Florida. They are flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and secondary screwworm flies (Calliphoridae) that were coming from a dead animal body. This type of infestation lasts for several weeks at the same time every year. Perhaps it is due to squirrels dying from squirrel bots or rodents dying from anticoagulants. Sand Wasp Campsomeris spp. This wasp is seen in the early summer digging holes in the ground. It is in the same family as the cicada killer wasp. This wasp is probably a parasite of white grubs in the lawn. They provision their burrow with insects that have 1. ______2. ______been stung and paralyzed. They lay an egg on the insect host, and the larva that emerges feeds on the immobile, buried host. Desjardin flat bark beetle Cryptamorpha desjardinsii It is a small, flat beetle in the family Silvanidae that has been accidentally introduced into the United States and Florida from tropical Asia. It feeds on surface molds and mildews on a wide variety of plants, especially palms. These beetles are attracted to lights on houses and commercial buildings at night. Because of their small, flat shape, they are able to enter through small cracks and crevices around windows and doors. They are not considered damaging, but are a nuisance. They also might be confused with the sawtoothed grain beetle or flat grain beetle. This flat bark beetle is a home invader, but pest controllers spend a lot of time looking for infested cereal or dog food. The best controls are reducing outdoor lighting and sealing cracks where these beetles enter. Residual sprays applied to places where they enter also help.

20 PestPro | July/August 2015

3. ______

3.Flesh fly and secondary screwworm fly screwworm secondary and fly 3.Flesh

1. Sand wasp, 2. Desjardin flat bark beetle, beetle, bark flat Desjardin 2. wasp, Sand 1. ANSWERS

July/August 2015 | PestPro 21 EXECEXECUTITIVE SUITEITE Looking Back And Moving Forward HARVEY F. GOLDGLANTZ

ONSULTANTS are retained for three 7UDLQLQJ 6WUDWHJLF3ODQQLQJ reasons: 1) The company is moving Do you have regularly scheduled training Do you project revenue and expenses in advance? Cbackward, 2) The company has hit programs for technicians, sales personnel, Do you consider staffing needs before the a growth wall, or 3) The company desires managers and office staff? Does this training beginning of the year? Do you bring managers to move forward at an accelerated pace. All include how to solicit referrals and sell add- together annually to do a SWOT analysis three situations require looking backward, on services? (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats)? to gain historical perspective, before making recommendations about how to proceed. $GYHUWLVLQJ ,QGXVWU\%DURPHWHUV Below you will find a sampling of the What percentage of revenue do you spend Keeping a finger on the pulse of your business is questions that I ask clients when I am called in on marketing/advertising? How much do key to growth and profitability. as a consultant. The depth of their response is you commit to: 1) SEO (Search Engine a pretty good indicator of whether or not they Optimization)? 2) PPC (Pay-Per-Click/AD 7DNLQJ

7HFKQLFLDQV What is your production quota? Are your technicians good communicators? Do they sell? Do you set sales quotas for technicians? Do you have a comprehensive reward program in place? What is your turnover rate? Do you have a plan for recruiting technicians? Do you screen before hiring?

6DOHV What do you project new sales to be for the year? Do you set quotas for each salesperson? What is your turnover rate? Do you have a comprehensive incentive program in place? Do you have a plan for recruiting sales people? Are your salespeople required to cold call? What is their lead-to-close ratio?

22 PestPro | July/August 2015 FDACS Website Changes Expected to Benefit PCOs

GAINESVILLE — Look soon for changes to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Search online for ‘FDACS certification’ Consumer Services (FDACS) website. You will find new ways to submit applications for exams, certificates, licenses and associated renewal documents. We expect the new online features to better serve the industry, with more convenience and less time needed to issue certifications and licenses. Look for these changes to roll out in 2015.

(;$0$33/,&$7,216 Limited Commercial Landscape (LC/LCLM) — exam application, allowing upload of training certificate and subsequent insurance in order to issue credential. Limited Government Private — Structural (LS) — exam application and credential issuance upon passing. Limited Government Private — Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) — exam application and credential issuance upon passing. Limited Wildlife (LW) — exam application, certificate and subsequent insurance in order to issue credential Certified Operator (CPO) exams for qualified applicants — all categories — allowing upload of experience and job forms. Upon 1(:/,&(16($33/,&$7,216 approval, person receives a voucher number Pest Control Business License (JB) — will that allows them to schedule their exam with allow for online application for pest control UF/IFAS Extension to take computerized business license. Will also provide for exam. It is graded immediately upon Change of Ownership; Change of Address; submission, and exam information is passed and Change of Registered Business Name. back into the FDACS licensing system. Upon Will also allow for licensees to terminate passing, also allows for applicant to apply for employee ID cards online, and it will allow issuance. licensees to apply online for NEW employee Special ID Cardholder (SPID) exams for ID cards during their license year for any qualified applications, allowing upload of new hires. The new employee process will experience and job forms. Upon approval, allow for an upload of the WDO affidavit person receives a voucher number that allows to obtain the WDO endorsement on the them to schedule their exam with UF/IFAS employee ID card. Extension to take computerized exam. It is graded immediately upon submission, and We encourage industry to utilize these exam information is passed back into the online processes as the department continues to FDACS licensing system. Upon passing, also roll them out. Processing times will be greatly allows for applicant to apply for issuance. improved using the electronic system because it eliminates routing the application through the &5('(17,$/$33/,&$7,216 department’s finance and accounting office in Limited Fertilizer (LF) — system verifies order for them to process the payment. GIBMP training within UF/IFAS system and The examination systems will allow you to issues credentials. apply for the exam and for the department to approve the application and return a voucher &5('(17,$/5(1(:$/$33/,&$7,216 number to you. The voucher will be used in the  UF/IFAS Extension online system to schedule Certified Operator (CPCO) certificate PP renewal — allows for upload of attendance and take your exam at a location near you. verification forms. Special ID Cardholder (SPID) certificate Report by Paul Mitola and Joseph Parker, FDACS renewal — allows for upload of attendance personnel and environmental consultants verification forms. Oxford, iStock Photo iStock Oxford,

July/August 2015 | PestPro 23 24 PestPro | July/August 2015 Magnesium Deficiency in Turf and Ornamentals

We were all taught at one 0$*1(6,801(('6 0$<9$5< time that iron is in the Some plants have quite high magnesium requirements, middle of the hemoglobin while others have very low requirements. A lot of this in our blood. In a similar has to do with the types of soils to which plants were way, magnesium is found adapted in their native at the center of the environments. For example, I don’t know that I have ever chlorophyll molecule. seen magnesium deficiency in an oak tree or a pine AGNESIUM has been known to be tree. It just doesn’t seem to

Messential to plants since 1860. In addition happen. Deficiency is fairly UF/IFAS to being part of chlorophyll, magnesium helps in common in some other tree Magnesium deficiency on ti plant. many other areas of a plant’s metabolism. species, such as camphor, crepe myrtle, magnolia and 0$*1(6,80%$6,&6 Hong Kong orchid. glucoheptonates, which are relatively inexpensive, Magnesium sounds like it is a micronutrient, In shrubs, varieties with low magnesium effective, and safe to use. A third excellent but it really isn’t. Plants need about as much requirements include ligustrum, cocoplum, source of foliar magnesium is magnesium magnesium as they do phosphorus, and we call azalea, hibiscus, podocarpus and juniper. nitrate. This usually comes as a liquid 7-0-0 phosphorus a major nutrient. The average plant Conifers in general seem to have low magnesium with 6% magnesium. It is a direct precursor of in Florida has about 0.3 to 0.4% magnesium in requirements. Shrub varieties with high chlorophyll, and is easily absorbed by the plant. the dry weight of the tissue. This is equivalent magnesium requirements include pittosporum, Realize that correcting magnesium deficiency to 3000 to 4000 ppm. Compare this to typical some hollies, viburnum, jasmine, and Indian in ornamental plants can take a little time. leaf content of 100 ppm for iron and manganese, hawthorne. Among groundcovers, plants Several successive treatments are often needed. and you can see that plants need a lot more such as confederate jasmine and ivy have low It can take anywhere from about three to nine magnesium than they do micronutrients. requirements, while liriope, mondo grass, pothos months to correct the deficiency, depending Magnesium is not actively absorbed by plants. and aspidistra have high requirements. on the size of the plant and the severity of the It enters into the root via mass flow. Because of In the world of palms, it is also a mixed deficiency symptoms. The plant will likely not this, many soil scientists believe that significant bag in terms of susceptibility to magnesium put the magnesium you apply into the deficient quantities of other similar elements, including deficiency. Palms with relatively low magnesium older leaves. It will often be transported into the potassium, calcium, sodium and, to a lesser requirements include Washingtonia species, newer foliage. The older deficient leaves will likely extent, ammonium can reduce magnesium European fan palms, windmill palms, medjool not green up significantly, though sometimes absorption. We see a lot of magnesium deficiency dates, and bamboo palms. Species with higher they do. symptoms in South Florida in high-calcium soils. requirements include queen palms, canary dates, While it is possible to burn plants with In central and north Florida, the acidic sandy foxtails, arecas and pindo palms. Native species magnesium, magnesium sources are generally soils are often intrinsically low in calcium and such as sabal palms, royals and saw palmetto very safe to use. You are better off with several magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is one of are relatively resistant to magnesium deficiency, split applications, generally monthly depending the most common deficiencies encountered in though I have seen it in all three of these species on the situation. Clients should be informed that Florida landscapes. on occasion. while magnesium deficiencies can be corrected, When a plant runs low in magnesium, it it takes a little time. There is no quick fix. I have steals magnesium from its older leaves and moves +2:WR75($70$*1(6,80'(),&,(1&< never observed magnesium toxicity on any plant it into its newer leaves. It can do this because So, if you encounter ornamental plants in anywhere in the world. magnesium is very mobile in plant tissue, and landscapes with marginal yellowing in the older Regarding turf grasses, the situation is a little can be transported in the phloem from older leaves, what are your treatment options? When different. Turf grasses contain chlorophyll, so of leaves to younger leaves. As the deficient plant soil pH is low, dolomite is a safe and inexpensive course they have a need for magnesium. However, transfers magnesium from older leaves to newer magnesium source, generally running at least in my experience, turfgrasses normally don’t leaves so it can keep growing, we begin to observe 12% magnesium. However, roughly from respond much to magnesium applications. Color a lack of magnesium and, therefore, a lack of Interstate 4 south, the soils tend to be more problems in turf are more likely due to deficiency chlorophyll in the older foliage. alkaline, and dolomite is not a good treatment of nitrogen, potassium, iron or manganese. As a result, magnesium deficiency is almost option. You can top dress with Epsom salts It doesn’t hurt to add some magnesium to always observed in the older leaves. You often see (magnesium sulfate), which is safe and cheap, but applications of these other nutrients so that the a Christmas tree effect, where the edge of the leaf relatively short lived in the soil. Longer-term soil turf can make chlorophyll, but magnesium by is yellow but the interior portion is still green. treatment options include K-mag (0-0-22 with itself will only rarely improve turf. PP Magnesium deficiency can be worsened when 11% magnesium) or kieserite. plants are frequently pruned, such as in a hedge. There are also sprayable forms of magnesium. The newer foliage that is trimmed has a lot of Epsom salts is very soluble, and can be sprayed Report by Lynn Griffith, tropical plant and soil magnesium in it, and the newly trimmed hedge can at 2 or 3 pounds per hundred gallons. There expert, A&L Southern Agricultural Lab have difficulty replacing the magnesium it has lost. are also liquid magnesium chelates, often

July/August 2015 | PestPro 25 sion Service ten t x Ex f ife ril r g Ag as A&M TeT x S k, ide id IFA w Z UF/ U he HuH nting billbug, a serious pest of zoyysiaa. the Mat Large (brown) patch diseasse, the most troubling disease of zoyysiagrass. ZoZ ysiagrass, continued froom page 15 Weeeddss. One of the best attributes of zzoysy iagrrasa s is its ability to resists weed invvasion A comparison of common lawn grasses grown in Florida due to its thick, dense growth habit. Inses ct and diseease problems can damage zoyssiagraass, &HQWLSHGHJUDVV 6W$XJXVWLQHJUDVV =R\VLDJUDVV creatingg vooids in tht iss dense mat whhere weeds cana Mowing Height 1.5"– 2.5" Cultivar dependent Cultivar dependent invade. FFortunately, unllike St. Auugustinegrasss and centipedegrasss, zoyssiagrass is very tolerar nt (2"– 4") (0.25"– 2.5") to many effffective pre- and ppostemergeg nce Mower Type Rotary Rotary Reel-type or rotary herbiciddes, giving a wide range off options to the turf managger. Insects Spittlebugs Chinch bugs Hunting billbugs Insects.. The mmost serious insecct on zoyysiagrasss Ground pearls Sod webworm Mole crickets is the hunting billlbug. Billbugs feed on roots, White grubs White grubs ccausing the turf to did e in irregularly shapep d pap tches. The dammage most often occurs in the Diseases Centipedegrass Take-all root rot Large patch fall and spring, whhen populations are high and decline Large patch Dollar spot daamam ge may be misdiagnosed as dormancyc . Sttems Gray leaf spot Rust annd rhizommese break easili y, have irregular feedining markr s, andd theh turf willl nott hold toogether if cut. Comparative Persists on less Moderate – wilts, Moderate, but can wilt Most damaage occurs on iinffertiile or dry soil. If 10 Water Use water, but can but some leaves quickly in the absence to 12 bib llbugs aree seeen pper square foot, control wilt quickly in the remain green longer. of water. Within 1–2 may bee necessaryy. absence of water. weeks, the leaves brown Moolle crickets and whhiite grubs also can harm and the turf is dormant. zoysiagraass. Mole cricketst feed on grass roots and leaf bladdes, and their tunnelingg activity dislodges plp ants froom the soil, causing thhem to dry out. waatering, annd ennsuring adeqquate soil pootasssiium can easily be corrected wiw th a ligi hht applicatioon White grubs,s like billbugs, feedd on roots, causiing and phosphorus. of nitrogen. Rusts occur duurini g mild, hhumid tht e turfr to turnr yele low, wilt, and evvenntuau lly die. Diseasess. Without a doubtb , the most weather and appeearr as smmalll yelllow to orange to Both of these insect pests often attract raccoons,, troubling disease for zooysy iaagrass is large (browwn)) reeddishh--brown pusstules on the leaves. Fungicides skunks, armadilloso , and birdr s, whiichh may actuaally patch. This iseased beccomes active when soil are eeffffectivee, but mmost oftf en, frequent mowing cause more dammagge than the insecct itsselff. temperatures at a 4--incch depthh are between 65°5 F with clipping removal will keep this under Sod webworms can cause periodic cosmeticc and 75°F each faall and can be a problem through conttroll. injuury but are not believed to severely daamage the the following sppring. Although zoysiagrass is turff. ThThese insectss mine the green tissue from the prp obably nott more susceptible to this disease thann Other Problems leaff tips, but they do noot “notch” the leaf bladees. St. Augustinegrass, recovery can be slow due to Other factors also can decrease the quq ality of a Nemmatodes. Many turu f managers state that zoyysiaagraass’s prolonged dormant to semidormaant lawn. Excessive shade, compap ccted soils, oover- or nemam tooded s are seriouus ppests on zoysiagrasses; condition. Zoysiagrass is the first turf species tot underwatering, impropeer mmowiw ng, traffiffic, andd hoh weveer, this is not well dod cumented in scieenntiifific go off-color in the fall and the laast to green uup high or low pH caan all causee a lawn to perfform literaature. UUF/IFAS researa chers and tut rffgraass in thee springg. Therefore, if a lal rgge (b(brown) pap tch poorly. It is iimpoorrtant to recoggnin ze the source of breeders aree aggg ressively wworking to ided ntify diseasse outbreakk occurs, dammage wiill be visible the problem and corrr ect it if possiblee. PP the extentt of zoysiagrass suuscepptiibib lity, and well into the nexxt summmem r.r With thhis in mim nd, they are ideentifying superrior cultiivarrs that can it is impoortant to treeatt preevenntively to ward ooff wiw thstand nematodes. The UFF/IFAS Extension any likelihood of thiss disease. Additionally, avoid SeS rvice Florida NNematode Assay Labboratory1 in excessive applicaations of soluble nitroggen, keep J. Bryan Unruh is Asssociiate Center Director and Gainesville can diagnose whethherr nematodess are thatch levels to a minimum, and avoid irrigating Professor at West FFloriida Research and Education a problem by looking at a soil sample taken from at a time that will not allow the turf to dry prior Center; Lauriee Trenhholm is Professor and Turfgrass tht e margin of tht e affected areaa. Proppere culu turaal to nightfall. Specialist at Departmment of Environmental ffactors to encouraage zoysiagrass root grg owthth Other diseases that impact zoysiagrass include Horticulture; Johnn Cisar is Professoor annd Turfgrasa s leesseen nemmatodde stress. ThThese include applyini g dollar spot and rust. Dollar spot typically occurs Specialisst at Ft. Lauderdale Researcch and lless nitroogen, providiing less ffreqquent buut deep when nitrogen is below optimal levels. This Education Cennter; all UF/IFAS.

1 http://nematology.ifas.ufl.edu/assaylab/ 26 PestPro | July/August 2015 July/August 2015 | PestPro 27 Casey Parker, continued from page 17 What has been the greatest challenge thus me make it. It was an honor to represent my Tell us a funny bug story. far in your pursuits within the field of urban college and show my gator pride. I did mention that many of the other entomology and how do you overcome it? graduate students in the lab are my friends Shockingly enough, public speaking was very Once you graduate with your Master’s, you — but they can also be evil at times. One hard to get used to. Dr. Koehler LOVES to will have been a Gator for over six years. day, I came to my desk to check emails and take new students to different conferences and What is your favorite part of being a Gator? work on my computer. As I begin to type, talks and put them at the podium. Giving my I think it is awesome that I am a part of one of my lab mates (I will not name her) first talk with Dr. Koehler was one of the most the global community known as the Gator started talking to me about nonsense. The terrifying things I have ever experienced. He Nation. It seems that no matter where you next thing I knew, there was a real cockroach speaks to groups with knowledge, ease and go, you always meet a Gator. On top of that, on my shoulder. It had been lowered onto lightheartedness. How was I supposed to follow I am a second-generation Gator. My dad my shoulder by another lab mate while that up? Eventually, I realized that his presence graduated from UF in and couldn’t have been the other distracted me. As you may have came from a lifetime of experience and practice. prouder when I received my acceptance letter. guessed, pranks are not a foreign idea in our This is exactly what Dr. Koehler tries to give his No matter what comes after UF, I will always lab, but it keeps life fun. PP students. He gives us the knowledge through our bleed orange and blue! research in the lab and gives us the practice and experience by throwing us into talk after talk.

You’ve had the benefit of having many great mentors in the field. Do you see yourself being a mentor like that to others? And in what way? It would be great to have the chance to mentor others one day. I have been mentored by many of urban lab graduates and they have helped me develop into the student/ researcher that I am now. Maybe I will do research that inspires the next generation of scientists to come to me and ask questions about how to achieve their goals.

After spending a summer in Greece, what was the biggest impact that experience had on you? I will never be able to forget the incredible food I enjoyed, but I learned a lot more than just how to eat good food. Living in Greece for a summer increased my cultural respect and forced me to look beyond the bubble of the United States. I love to travel, but this was the first opportunity I have ever had to look deeper into a culture other than my own and see the struggles that other parts of the world face. The financial, political and even personal atmosphere were completely different than what we experience in the United States. It was a great chance to increase my cultural appreciation.

To which people in your life would you accredit your scholastic, academic, and research success? That list is a very long one! Just to name a few, my mom and dad have always pushed me academically and encouraged me to seize every opportunity. Dr. Koehler and Dr. Pereira have showed me what a joy and pain research can be at the same time. My friends were always the ones there with coffee when we had to pull an all-nighter studying for an exam. So when you ask who I accredit all the success to, it’s a variety of different people who helped me be successful in different ways.

What is your favorite memory as a Gator so far? My favorite experience so far was giving the commencement speech at my graduation. I spoke to over 5,000 people and got to talk about entomology and thank the people that helped

28 PestPro | July/August 2015 A New Cockroach Finds Its Way To Florida Marc Minno, Butterfly Expert and Conservationist

WORK for the Suwannee River Water Florida, and his students. However, none of the Management District in Live Oak, Florida. species in this publication matched the specimen IIn June 2015, I started organizing paperwork from my office. With further investigation online, associated with our water quality I discovered photos of the pale- Map of states where specimens of the pale-bordered monitoring. The floor of my office bordered field cockroach, Pseudomops field cockroach have been collected. is temporarily piled with stacks of septentrionalis, which did match the papers. On Monday June 15, 2015, roach from my office. This tropical I picked up one of the stacks from species is apparently native from Riffle posted a photo of a female with an egg case the floor, and out fell a small bug. I Central America to Texas and has been taken in Tallahassee on July 31, 2013, and Fran was not too surprised because beetles, spreading throughout the southeastern Rutkovsky posted a photo of another specimen from millipedes and other invertebrates United States in recent years. Tallahassee taken on June 2, 2015. I donated the sometimes find their way into the Dr. Paul Skelley, with the Florida specimen from my office to the FSCA to document building from outside. State Collection of Arthropods its occurrence, and Kyle Schnepp kindly confirmed I looked at the bug closely. What (FSCA) in Gainesville, was not the identification. was this? The bug was dead, but still aware of any specimens of the So doesn’t Florida have enough cockroaches? soft. It was black with an orange- pale-bordered field cockroach from Apparently not! Huge changes are occurring in red pronotum and yellow along the Florida. The folks at the UF Urban insect populations, most likely in response to global margins of the wings. At first glance, Entomology Lab did not know about warming. Luckily, the pale-bordered field cockroach is I thought it was a firefly, but no. This any infestations in Florida either. not an insect that frequents houses. It prefers outdoor, was a cockroach — a pretty little However, Bugguide.net2 does list wooded habitats. How this new insect will affect cockroach of a species that I had never seen before! two previous reports, so my specimen is not the Florida’s ecology remains to be seen. Will it ever be a With a little searching online, I was able to find a first sighting of this species in Florida. Michael pest of concern within structures? We shall see! PP key to the cockroaches of Florida1 developed by Dr. Skip Choate, who was a professor at the Entomology 1 http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/choate/blattaria_new1.pdf and Nematology Department at the University of 2 http://bugguide.net/node/view/7856/data

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