Developing Integrated Pest Management (Ipm) Techniques for Managing Key Insect Pests of Blueberries in the Southeastern United States

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Developing Integrated Pest Management (Ipm) Techniques for Managing Key Insect Pests of Blueberries in the Southeastern United States DEVELOPING INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING KEY INSECT PESTS OF BLUEBERRIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES By ERIN FINN A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2003 Copyright 2003 by Erin Finn Dedicated to my fiancé Michael Sarzynski. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank Jessica Kostarides, Rhiannon O’Brien, and Caitlin Clements (Michigan State University) for their help collecting field data in Michigan. I am grateful to Gisette Seferina, Scott Weihman, Jon Hamill, Carolyn Mullin, Rajya Pandey, Ashley Johnson, Daniel Frank, and Jeff White (University of Florida) for their help in collecting field data and making insecticide applications in Florida. I am especially grateful to Dr. Kenna MacKenzie (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) for her help and guidance over the past 2 years. I thank Dan Evarts (USDA) for making insecticide applications and collecting bud samples in Georgia. I am indebted to Ken Lyles, Alto Straughn, Donna Miller, Jerry Mixon, and Ches Bennett for allowing us to conduct my experiments in their plantings. I thank Dr. Kenneth Portier (University of Florida) for his assistance in developing a subsampling protocol for counting thrips. I thank Dr. Raymond Gagné (USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD) and Dr. Blair Sampson (USDA-ARS, Poplarville, MS) for their assistance in identifying Cecidomyiid specimens. I thank Dr. Heather McAuslane and Dr. Paul Lyrene for critical review of the thesis. Above all, I thank my advisor Dr. Oscar Liburd for his guidance and support throughout the project. The Michigan Blueberry Growers Association, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, and a USDA Pest Management Alternatives (P-MAP) #03774 grant supported this study. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................1 Blueberry Production in Florida ...................................................................................1 Literature Review .........................................................................................................3 Cranberry Fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley ...................................................3 Blueberry Gall Midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) ....................................6 Flower Thrips, Frankliniella spp...........................................................................8 2 IMPROVING MONITORING TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING CRANBERRY FRUITWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) IN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES....................................................................................13 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................16 Trap Height..........................................................................................................16 Trap Geographical Location................................................................................17 Effects of Tebufenozide on A. vaccinii Infestation .............................................19 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................20 Results.........................................................................................................................21 Trap Height..........................................................................................................21 Trap Geographical Location................................................................................22 Effects of Tebufenozide on A. vaccinii Infestation .............................................24 Discussion...................................................................................................................24 3 TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING BLUEBERRY GALL MIDGE (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) IN RABBITEYE AND SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES....................................................................................35 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................37 Unbaited Colored Traps ......................................................................................38 Monitoring Techniques .......................................................................................39 v Bud Type Comparison.........................................................................................41 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................41 Results.........................................................................................................................41 Unbaited Colored Traps ......................................................................................41 Monitoring Techniques .......................................................................................42 Bud Type Comparison.........................................................................................44 Discussion...................................................................................................................45 4 EVALUATION OF MONITORING TECHNIQUES FOR FLOWER THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) IN SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH AND RABBITEYE BLUEBERRIES..................................................................................55 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................57 Unbaited Colored Traps ......................................................................................59 Sampling Techniques ..........................................................................................60 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................62 Results.........................................................................................................................62 Unbaited Colored Traps ......................................................................................62 Sampling Techniques ..........................................................................................64 Discussion...................................................................................................................65 5 EVALUATION OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES FOR MANAGING BLUEBERRY GALL MIDGE (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) AND FLOWER THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) IN SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH AND RABBITEYE BLUEBERRIES...................................................75 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................77 Blueberry Gall Midge..........................................................................................77 Flower Thrips ......................................................................................................79 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................81 Results.........................................................................................................................82 Blueberry Gall Midge..........................................................................................82 Flower Thrips ......................................................................................................83 Discussion...................................................................................................................84 LIST OF REFERENCES...................................................................................................93 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH .............................................................................................99 vi LIST OF TABLES Table page 2-1. Captures of male A. vaccinii moths in pheromone-baited traps placed at different heights with respect to blueberry bush canopy..........................................29 2-2. Captures of male A. vaccinii moths in pheromone-baited traps placed at different locations within blueberry plantings with respect to adjacent woodlands.................................................................................................................30 2-3. Percentage of blueberry clusters infested by A. vaccinii at different geographic locations within an organic planting in Holland, MI. ..............................................31 2-4. Percentage of blueberry clusters infested by A. vaccinii after a single application of tebufenozide within an abandoned planting in Holland, MI.............32 3-1. Comparison of techniques for monitoring D. oxycoccana in rabbiteye blueberries in Windsor, FL (2002)...........................................................................49 3-2. Comparison of techniques for monitoring D. oxycoccana in southern highbush blueberries in Windsor, FL (2002)...........................................................................50 3-3. Comparison of techniques for
Recommended publications
  • Methods and Work Profile
    REVIEW OF THE KNOWN AND POTENTIAL BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS OF PHYTOPHTHORA AND THE LIKELY IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES JANUARY 2011 Simon Conyers Kate Somerwill Carmel Ramwell John Hughes Ruth Laybourn Naomi Jones Food and Environment Research Agency Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ 2 CONTENTS Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 8 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 13 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................ 13 1.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 15 2. Review of the potential impacts on species of higher trophic groups .................... 16 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 16 2.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................. 16 2.3 Results ............................................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Discussion .......................................................................................................................... 44 3. Review of the potential impacts on ecosystem services .......................................
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Species Mating Disruption in Cranberries (Ericales: Ericaceae): Early Evidence Using a Flowable Emulsion
    Journal of Insect Science (2017) 17(2): 54; 1–6 doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iex025 Research article Multi-Species Mating Disruption in Cranberries (Ericales: Ericaceae): Early Evidence Using a Flowable Emulsion Shawn A. Steffan,1,2,3 Elissa M. Chasen,1,2 Annie E. Deutsch,2,4 and Agenor Mafra-Neto5 1USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706 ([email protected]; elissa.chasen@ ars.usda.gov), 2Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706 (steffan@entomology. wisc.edu; [email protected]; [email protected]), 3Corresponding author, e-mail: ([email protected]), 4Door County University of Wisconsin-Extension, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 ([email protected]), and 5ISCA Technologies, Incorporated, 1230 W. Spring St., Riverside, CA 92507 ([email protected]) Subject Editor: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona Received 11 October 2016; Editorial decision 11 March 2017 Abstract Pheromone-based mating disruption has proven to be a powerful pest management tactic in many cropping systems. However, in the cranberry system, a viable mating disruption program does not yet exist. There are commercially available pheromones for several of the major pests of cranberries, including the cranberry fruit- worm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hu¨ bner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Previous studies have shown that mating disruption represents a promising approach for R. naevana management although carrier and delivery technologies have remained unresolved. The present study examined the suitability of Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology (SPLAT; ISCA Technologies, Inc., Riverside, CA), a proprietary wax and oil blend, to serve as a pheromone carrier in the cranberry system.
    [Show full text]
  • Highbush Blueberry: Cultivation, Protection, Breeding and Biotechnology
    The European Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology ©2007 Global Science Books Highbush Blueberry: Cultivation, Protection, Breeding and Biotechnology Daniele Prodorutti1* • Ilaria Pertot2 • Lara Giongo3 • Cesare Gessler2 1 Plant Protection Department, IASMA Research Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige (TN), Italy 2 Safecrop Centre, IASMA Research Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige (TN), Italy 3 Agrifood Quality Department, IASMA Research Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige (TN), Italy Corresponding author : * [email protected] ABSTRACT Highbush blueberry is one of the most commercially significant berry crops. It is mainly cultivated in the United States and Canada, but also in Europe, Australia, Chile and New Zealand. Production of this crop is likely to increase in response to increased consumer demand for healthy foods, including the antioxidant-rich blueberry. This review describes several issues and developments in sustainable blueberry farming, including agronomical and cultural techniques (mulching, irrigation, the beneficial effects of mycorrhizae and fertilization), disease management (biology and control of common and emerging diseases), pest management, pollinators (effects on fruit set and production), conventional breeding and molecular techniques for examining and engineering blueberry germplasm. This paper describes past problems and current challenges associated with the commercial production of highbush blueberry, as well as new approaches and techniques for
    [Show full text]
  • Dasineura Oleae Angelini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae): an Emerging Pest on Olive Trees in the Palestinian Territories
    Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection (2019) 126:55–66 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-018-0196-y (0123456789().,-volV)(0123456789().,-volV) ORIGINAL ARTICLE New findings on infestation and phenology of Dasineura oleae Angelini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae): an emerging pest on olive trees in the Palestinian Territories Yacoub A. Batta1 Received: 12 September 2018 / Accepted: 22 October 2018 / Published online: 27 October 2018 Ó Deutsche Phytomedizinische Gesellschaft 2018 Abstract Dasineura oleae is a gall midge on leaves and branches of olive trees. Due to the scarcity of information regarding to the infestation and phenology of D. oleae on olive trees, the objectives of this research were: (1) to study the pest status of D. oleae and its damage on olive trees, (2) to describe the life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult, (3) to determine the life cycle duration and number of generations per year and (4) to describe the egg laying, larval development, pupation and adult emergence. Results indicated that there was an outbreak of D. oleae in the Palestinian Territories where the average rate of infestation on olive trees was 51.46% and the damage caused by the insect on leaves, branches and inflorescence of infested trees reached at an average infestation rate of 35.88, 22.70 and 26.54%, respectively. Eggs of D. oleae were laid on the lower leaf surface, and the hatched larvae penetrated the tissues underneath and induced galls in which they live and develop until the emergence of adults. D. oleae developed one generation per year in the hilly regions of Palestinian Territories and two generations in the coastal regions of these territories.
    [Show full text]
  • ARTHROPODA Subphylum Hexapoda Protura, Springtails, Diplura, and Insects
    NINE Phylum ARTHROPODA SUBPHYLUM HEXAPODA Protura, springtails, Diplura, and insects ROD P. MACFARLANE, PETER A. MADDISON, IAN G. ANDREW, JOCELYN A. BERRY, PETER M. JOHNS, ROBERT J. B. HOARE, MARIE-CLAUDE LARIVIÈRE, PENELOPE GREENSLADE, ROSA C. HENDERSON, COURTenaY N. SMITHERS, RicarDO L. PALMA, JOHN B. WARD, ROBERT L. C. PILGRIM, DaVID R. TOWNS, IAN McLELLAN, DAVID A. J. TEULON, TERRY R. HITCHINGS, VICTOR F. EASTOP, NICHOLAS A. MARTIN, MURRAY J. FLETCHER, MARLON A. W. STUFKENS, PAMELA J. DALE, Daniel BURCKHARDT, THOMAS R. BUCKLEY, STEVEN A. TREWICK defining feature of the Hexapoda, as the name suggests, is six legs. Also, the body comprises a head, thorax, and abdomen. The number A of abdominal segments varies, however; there are only six in the Collembola (springtails), 9–12 in the Protura, and 10 in the Diplura, whereas in all other hexapods there are strictly 11. Insects are now regarded as comprising only those hexapods with 11 abdominal segments. Whereas crustaceans are the dominant group of arthropods in the sea, hexapods prevail on land, in numbers and biomass. Altogether, the Hexapoda constitutes the most diverse group of animals – the estimated number of described species worldwide is just over 900,000, with the beetles (order Coleoptera) comprising more than a third of these. Today, the Hexapoda is considered to contain four classes – the Insecta, and the Protura, Collembola, and Diplura. The latter three classes were formerly allied with the insect orders Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) and Thysanura (silverfish) as the insect subclass Apterygota (‘wingless’). The Apterygota is now regarded as an artificial assemblage (Bitsch & Bitsch 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Series I. Correspondence, 1871-1894 Box 1 Folder 1 Darwin to Riley
    Special Collections at the National Agricultural Library: Charles Valentine Riley Collection Series I. Correspondence, 1871-1894 Box 1 Folder 1 Darwin to Riley. June 1, 1871. Letter from Charles Darwin to Riley thanking him for report and instructions on noxious insects. Downs, Beckerham, Kent (England). (handwritten copy of original). Box 1 Folder 2 Koble to Riley. June 30, 1874. Letter from John C. Koble giving physical description of chinch bugs and explaining how the bugs are destroying corn crops in western Kentucky. John C. Koble of L. S. Trimble and Co., Bankers. Box 1 Folder 3 Saunders to Riley. Nov. 12, 1874. William Saunders receipt to C. V. Riley for a copy of descriptions of two insects that baffle the vegetable carnivora. William Saunders, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Box 1 Folder 4 Young to Riley. Dec. 13, 1874. William Young describes the flat-headed borer and its effects on orchards during summer and winter seasons. From Palmyra Gate Co., Nebraska. Box 1 Folder 5 Saunders to Riley. Dec. 22, 1874. William Saunders receipt of notes of investigation on the insects associated with Sarracenia. William Saunders, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Box 1 Folder 6 Bonhaw to Riley. Jan. 19, 1875. L. N. Bonhaw requesting a copy of his Missouri report, for him to establish a manual or handbook on entomology, and to find out about an insect that deposits eggs. Subject: tomato worm, hawk moth. 1 http://www.nal.usda.gov/speccoll/ Special Collections at the National Agricultural Library: Charles Valentine Riley Collection Box 1 Folder 7 Holliday to Riley.
    [Show full text]
  • Gall Midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) New to the Danish Fauna
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309155026 Gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) new to the Danish fauna Article · October 2016 CITATIONS READS 0 779 4 authors: Simon Haarder Hans Henrik Bruun University of Copenhagen University of Copenhagen 31 PUBLICATIONS 74 CITATIONS 120 PUBLICATIONS 2,624 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Keith Harris Marcela Skuhravá 32 PUBLICATIONS 274 CITATIONS 88 PUBLICATIONS 559 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Historical Danish plant biodiversity View project Deep history or current environment? Determinants of landscape-level grassland plant diversity. View project All content following this page was uploaded by Hans Henrik Bruun on 14 October 2016. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Ent. Tidskr. 137 (2016) New gall midges from Denmark Gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) new to the Danish fauna SIMON HAARDER, HANS HENRIK BRUUN, KEITH M. HARRIS & MARCELA SKUHRAVÁ Haarder, S., Bruun, H.H., Harris, K.M. & Skuhravá, M.: Gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomy- iidae) new to the Danish fauna. [Nya gallmyggor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) för den danska faunan.] – Entomologisk Tidskrift 137(3): 79-98. Uppsala, Sweden 2016. ISSN 0013-886x. First records of twenty-three gall midge species in Denmark are reported: Asphondylia ervi Rübsaamen, Contarinia acetosellae Rübsaamen, C. viburnorum Kieffer, Dasineura astragalorum (Kieffer), D. fructum (Rübsaamen), D. harrisoni (Bagnall), D. lotharingi- ae (Kieffer), D. papaveris (Winnertz), D. saxifragae (Kieffer), D. traili (Kieffer), Her- bomyia robusta Möhn, Jaapiella chelidonii Fedotova, Lasioptera arundinis Schiner, L. calamagrostidis Rübsaamen, Mayetiola festucae Ertel, M.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated Checklist of the Gall Midges from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Hans Roskam & Sébastien Carbonnelle
    annotated checklist of the gall midges from the netherlands, belgium and luxembourg (diptera: cecidomyiidae) Hans Roskam & Sébastien Carbonnelle The gall midges are one of the most important groups of gall makers. Emerging larvae produce stimuli and the host plant responds by producing galls, fascinating structures which provide food and shelter for the developing larvae. Most gall inducing midges are host specific: they are only able to induce galls in a few, often related, plant species. A few species have different feeding modes: among them are saprophagous, fungivorous and predaceous species and some are used in biocontrol. We recorded 416 species in the whole area; 366 species are recorded from the Netherlands, 270 species from Belgium and 96 species from Luxembourg. importance, in the 8th volume in the series by introduction Barnes (1946-1969) and published eleven papers Over more than a century M.W. Beijerinck (1851- (1957-1999) on gall midges new for the Dutch 1931), J.C.H. de Meijere (1866-1947) and W.M. fauna, and, last but not least, was responsible for Docters van Leeuwen (1880-1960) wrote impor- the cecidomyiids in the Checklist of the Diptera tant papers about plant galls in the Netherlands. of the Netherlands by Beuk (2002). Nijveldt’s Dutch checklists of Diptera started with Bennet collection of microscope slides, more than 5,600 & van Olivier (1825, with all species placed in specimens, 4,300 of Dutch origin, mainly collected Tipula). Checklists of cecidomyiids were started by, by himself, but also by De Meijere and Van der e.g., Van der Wulp (1859, 18 spp.), Van der Wulp Wulp during the second half of the 19th, and first & De Meijere (1898, 63 spp.) and De Meijere half of the 20th century, and also included in the (1939), with many supplements (e.g., De Meijere Naturalis collection, is a second main reference 1946).
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
    DAVID MARCHAND STRATÉGIES DE PONTE ET D’ALIMENTATION LARVAIRE CHEZ LA PYRALE DE LA CANNEBERGE, ACROBASIS VACCINII (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) Thèse présentée à la Faculté des études supérieures de l'Université Laval pour l’obtention du grade de Philosophiae Doctor (Ph. D.) Département de biologie FACULTÉ DES SCIENCES ET GÉNIE UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL QUÉBEC MAI 2003 © David Marchand, 2003 ii Résumé Chez les espèces d’insectes dont le développement larvaire nécessite plusieurs hôtes, la survie larvaire peut être dépendante à la fois du comportement d’oviposition des femelles et du comportement de recherche des larves. La présente thèse porte sur l'étude de ces deux comportements et leurs possibles impacts sur la performance larvaire de la pyrale de la canneberge, Acrobasis vaccinii (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), une espèce dont chaque larve a besoin de plusieurs fruits de canneberge, Vaccinium oxycoccos (Ericacae), pour compléter son développement. Dans un premier temps, j’ai démontré que les femelles en laboratoire pondent significativement plus souvent sur les plus gros fruits disponibles; la taille des larves sortant du premier fruit choisi par la femelle étant proportionnelle à la taille de ce fruit. Cependant, sur le terrain, cette préférence n’a pas été observée et mon étude met en évidence que la période d’oviposition survient tôt dans la saison, dès l’apparition des premiers fruits; ceci impliquant une faible variabilité dans la taille des sites de ponte disponibles. Cette étude démontre également une distribution hétérogène des fruits de canneberge en nature et une variabilité importante dans la production annuelle de fruits entre mes deux années d’étude. Le fait que les fruits puissent être rares certaines années serait une raison conduisant les femelles à accepter les fruits de plus faible qualité (fruits de petite taille).
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Cultivated Blueberries
    ARTHROPOD BIOLOGY Biology of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) Attacking Dasineura oxycoccana and Prodiplosis vaccinii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Cultivated Blueberries BLAIR J. SAMPSON,1 TIMOTHY A. RINEHART,1 OSCAR E. LIBURD,2 STEPHEN J. STRINGER,1 1 AND JAMES M. SPIERS Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 99(1): 113Ð120 (2006) ABSTRACT The blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson), and blueberry tip midge, Prodiplosis vaccinii (Felt) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), are recurring cecidomyiid pests of cultivated blueberries in the southern United States and Mediterranean Europe. Insecticides can give short-term control, but overlap in parasitoid phenologies indicates the potential for natural control of midge populations. Using a combination of laboratory rearing and mitochondrial DNA analysis of Þeld samples, we identiÞed Þve species of solitary endoparasitoids that killed 30Ð40% of midges. These species include at least three undescribed platygastrids in the genera Synopeas, Platygaster, and Inostemma. An undescribed prepupal idiobiont, Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) was the only midge parasitoid that was consistently active when rabbiteye blueberries, Vaccinium ashei Reade, were in ßower. Six percent of midge prepupae, half of which already contained platygastrid larvae, were parasitized by Aprostocetus. KEY WORDS biological control, Platygastridae, Eulophidae, high-Þdelity polymerase chain reac- tion, parasitism BLUEBERRY GALL MIDGE, Dasineura oxycoccana (John- However, injury to blueberry leaf buds and meristems son), and blueberry tip midge, Prodiplosis vaccinii by P. vaccinii often induces excessive suckering, leaf (Felt), are two species of univoltine gall midges distortions, and leaf drop, which could result in lighter (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that feed exclusively on bud sets (Gagne´ 1986, Williamson and Miller 2000). Vaccinium buds. Midges are not easily detected be- Little is known about the interactions between cause their feeding damage only becomes visible 7Ð midges and their parasitoids on fruit crops.
    [Show full text]
  • April 2017 Monthly Report
    April 2017 Monthly Report April brought about a distinct change of season, with the weather starting to produce colder days and the Aloes revealing their red bloom en mass. This month’s report shares the increase in number of fisherman to the area in the usual compliance management section, an article on biological control that may have led to human health issues in our area, environmental education activities in the form of radio talk shows and posters centred around plant appreciation day, and a short video that highlights some of the activities we get involved in. The Conservancy also saw some turtle and bird rescues which we report on, after which we then round off with our featured monthly species profile. A drone image captured the ocean, land and sky coming together on Fransmanshoek Peninsula Aloes are blooming! In April the Bitter Aloe, Aloe ferox, has adorned the Fransmanshoek Conservancy with its fine, fiery bloom. The Rangers spotted the first flowering Aloe at Springerbaai and soon the rest followed in a westward blooming sequence. The flowers came at a time when little else was flowering, gracing us with a satisfactory display of nectar drinking birds. Its flowers also attract various insects, which in turn attract a larger variety of birds. 2 April 2017 Aloe ferox usually only starts blooming from May to August and in colder areas it may even be delayed until September, so keep a look out for the late bloomers. Aloe is derived from the Latin languages and refers to the dried juice of the leaves. Ferox refers to spiny appearance on the leaves and means ‘fierce’ or ‘war-like’.
    [Show full text]
  • Gall Midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) of Cádiz Province (South-Western Spain)
    Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (S.E.A.), nº 51 (31/12/2012): 221‒236. GALL MIDGES (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) OF CÁDIZ PROVINCE (SOUTH-WESTERN SPAIN) Iñigo Sánchez1, Marcela Skuhravá2 & Václav Skuhravý2 1 Zoobotánico de Jerez, c/ Taxdirt s/n. 11404 Jerez, (Cádiz, Spain). 2 Bitovska 1227, CZ-140 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic. Abstract: In the period 2004-2011 103 gall midge species of 37 genera were found at 63 localities in Cádiz province, south- western Spain, all of them belonging to the subfamily Cecidomyiinae. Together with 14 species found by earlier authors, the present gall midge fauna of Cádiz province includes 117 species, representing about 40% of the Iberian fauna of this group. 21 species are new to the Iberian Peninsula, whose known gall midge fauna thus includes 282 species. 11 species pre- viously known only from Portugal are here recorded from Spain for the first time. The known Spanish fauna now includes 261 gall midge species. We also found nine undescribed species that we identified only to genus level and will be described in the future. An analysis is made of the species’ frequency: Phyllodiplosis cocciferae comes out as the most frequent species in Cádiz province. The distribution types of the species are also analysed; in this connection two species stand out: Asphondylia salso- lae, a Euro-African species and the newest addition to the known gall midge fauna of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Europe, and Dasineura gleditchiae, the only alien species, of a Nearctic origin. Gall midge gallswere found on 27 new host plant species, some of them endemic to Spain.
    [Show full text]