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.
Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (the cotton seed bug), a new Continental USA record, was found for the first time in bolls of cotton plants at a residence on Stock Island, near Key West. The cotton seed bug is a serious cotton pest, originally from Africa, but it is established in Asia and more recently in the Caribbean, including Cuba. The bug has been intercepted many times by USDA port inspectors. A thorough survey of known hosts in the Florida Keys yielded no additional finds, and the known infested plants were destroyed. Future surveys will determine whether the cotton seed bug is established in Florida. Please see DPI Pest Alert for more information. (Monroe County; E2010-1498; William A. Thiel, USDA; 23 March 2010.) (Dr. Susan E. Halbert.)
Sobarocephala dreisbachi (a clusiid fly), a new State record, was found on Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) at a residence in Miami. This species is not a plant pest. It is known previously from the eastern Canada and from MI, NC, TN, and TX in the USA. (Miami-Dade County; E-2010-1137; Sergio Delgado; 2 March 2010.) (Dr. Gary Steck.)
Hylocurus binodatus (a scolytid beetle), a new State record, was found on purple sticky board trap in Suwannee River State Park. The trap targets the emerald ash borer. This is a native United States species not previously recorded from Florida. It is not a pest. (Hamilton County; E-2010-1873; Leroy A. Whilby, DPI/CAPS; 25 November 2009.) (Dr. Thomas H. Atkinson, Pest Management Research.)
Hylocurus rudis (a scolytid beetle), a new State record, was found on purple sticky board trap in Suwannee River State Park. This is a native United States species not previously recorded from Florida. It is not a pest. (Hamilton County; E-2010-1874; Leroy A. Whilby, DPI/CAPS; 25 November 2009.) (Dr. Thomas H. Atkinson, Pest Management Research.)
Cryptolestes cornutus (a laemophloeid beetle), a new County record, was found in a Lindgren funnel trap in Fernandina Beach, at the Port of Jacksonville. (Nassau County; E-2010-1189; Lara Milton, DHS; 30 December 2009.) (Dr. Michael Thomas.)
Curtara insularis (ringspot leafhopper), a new County record, was found on Citrus aurantium (sour orange) along the roadside in Umatilla. (Lake County; E-2010-1213; Kevin S. Loadholtz; 9 February 2010.) (Dr. Susan E. Halbert.)
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
