Entomology Section
Compiled by Susan E. Halbert, Ph.D.
This section provides the division's plant protection specialists and other customers with accurate identifications of arthropods. The entomology section also builds and maintains the arthropod reference and research collection (the Florida State Collection of Arthropods - with over 9 million specimens), and investigates the biology, biological control and taxonomy of arthropods.
Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Caribbean fruit fly)
was found at a residence in Cape Coral on Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry). This fly has a very bizarre developmental abnormality. The left wing appears to be duplicated when only one wing should be present. The single right wing is normal. (Lee County; E2009-2804; Jim L. Jacobson, USDA; 23 April 2009.) (Dr. David E. Dean.)
Curtara insularis (Caldwell) (a ringspot leafhopper), a new Florida county record, was found at a residence in Deltona on grapefruit, Citrus x paradisi. This leafhopper is a Caribbean species that is becoming more common in Florida. (Volusia County; E2009-3152; Luis O. Torres, USDA; 7 May 2009.) (Dr. Susan E. Halbert.)
Episimus n. sp. (a tortricid moth), a new Western Hemisphere record, was found on Calophyllum sp. (beautyleaf) at a residence in Miami. This is an undescribed species, probably of no economic importance and might be native to Florida. This moth does some leaf damage to Calohpyllum antillanum, one of several species called beautyleaf, which has been listed as an invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Episimus unguiculus Clarke, another of the 65 species in this new world genus, has been studied as a potential biological control agent for use against the invasive Brazilian pepper, Schinus terebinthifolius. (Miami-Dade County; E2009-3728; Olga Garcia; 11 May 2009.) (Dr. John B. Heppner.)
Geckobia hemidactyli Lawrence 1936 (gecko mite), a new Florida state record, was found at a residence in Ft. Pierce. This is an exotic mite found on the exotic gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia. Geckobia is a genus of ectoparasites found on reptiles mostly in the Old World. Geckobia hemidactyli has been reported from Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, Brazil, Colombia and the Caribbean Region (Antigua, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Eustatius, St. Lucia and the U.S. Virgin Islands). (St. Lucie County; E2009-3370; Kenneth L. Hibbard; 11 May 2009.) (Dr. W.C. 'Cal' Welbourn.)
Castianeira crucigera (Hentz) (a spider), a new Florida state record, was found during a wheat farm survey in Lake City. A male specimen was collected. This species was previously known from Arkansas, North Carolina and Virginia. It is not a plant pest (Columbia County; E2009-4489; Julieta Brambila, Leroy A. Whilby, Adam J. Silagyi, USDA/CAPS; 28 May 2009.) (Dr. G. B. Edwards.)
Frankliniella salviae Moulton (a thrips), a new Florida state record, previously reported in the United States only from Brownsville, Texas, was collected in Miami Springs. In Texas, it is known on Lantana sp., Verbena sp., Malva silvestris, Malvaviscus drummondi and Salvia sp.; and from Mexico on Parthenium sp. (Texas information provided by Sueo Nakahara, USDA/SEL.) Three adult specimens were found on Odontonema callistachyum (purple firespike) at a residence. (Miami-Dade County; E2009-3107; Thomas L. Skarlinsky, USDA; 4 April 2009.) (Dr. G. B. Edwards.)
Entomology Specimen Report
Following are tables with entries for records of new hosts or new geographical areas for samples identified in the current volume's time period as well as samples of special interest. An abbreviated table, with all the new records, but less detail about them, is presented in the body of this web page and another version with more complete data is downloadable as a PDF or an Excel spreadsheet.
The tables are organized alphabetically by plant host, if the specimen has a plant host. Some arthropod specimens are not collected on plants and are not necessarily plant pests. In the table below, those entries have no plant information included and are organized by arthropod name.
Download full spreadsheet in PDF format
Download full spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel format
