TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 39, No. 1
Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Managing Editor
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2000
Wayne N. Dixon, Ph. D., Editor
| Botany Section | Entomology Section | Nematology Section | Plant Pathology Section |
BOTANY SECTION
Compiled by Carlos R. Artaud
Added to the herbarium collection during this period were 59 mounted specimens (total of 7,750). For this period, 73 specimens were submitted to Botany for identification, and 428 were received from other Sections for identification and/or name verification (for a total of 501). Some of the samples are described below:
Acalypha wilkesiana Muell. Arg., (ca. 430 species, tropical and warm climates), Euphorbiaceae, copperleaf, Jacob's coat, beefsteak plant: Unisexual shrub to 4.5 m tall. Leaves 12.5-20 cm broad, elliptic to ovate-acuminate, margins serrate, copper-green, blotched with red and crimson. Spikes to 20 cm long, slender; flowers red. There are many cultivars in the trade with leaves variously colored. 'Godsefianna' has leaves green with creamy-white margins; 'Hoffmanna' has leaves twisted, narrow, fringed with ivory lobes; 'Macaffeana' has leaves red. marked crimson and bronze; 'Macrophylla' has leaves russet-brown; 'Miltoniana' has leaves oblong, more or less drooping, with white, irregularly cut margins; and many more. The many color strains result in much planting in south Florida and the American tropics, less so in southern California. The species is native to the Pacific Islands. (Lee County; B2000-056; Sheila J. Foe; 9 February 2000). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret, (=Feijoa sellowiana O. Berg), (6 species, South America), Myrtaceae, pineapple guava: Shrub to 6 m tall. Leaves opposite, to 7.5 cm long, elliptic-oblong, green above, white-woolly beneath. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, to 4 cm across; petals fleshy, white-tomentose outside, fused purple within; stamens many, in several series, long-exerted, dark red. Fruit green tinged with red, oblong, 5-7.5 cm long, crowned by the persistent calyx lobes. Planted in warm countries as an ornamental and for its edible fruit. The flowers are also edible and make a delightful addition to salads. Native from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. (Hillsborough County; B2000-072; James R. Martin; 28 January 2000). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
Breynia nivosa (W.G. Sm.) Small, (ca. 25 species from China to New Caledonia, and Australia), Euphorbiaceae, snowbush: Slender shrub to 1.2 m tall. Stem round; branches pendent, flexuous, coral pink to blood red. Leaves 1.5-2.5 cm long, ovate, alternate, somewhat distichous, margins entire, fern-like, in a 2-ranked disposition, richly mottled and variegated white, occasionally with partly green veins; petioles short. Flowers small, tinged green, axillary, on long pedicels; female flowers solitary, males occasionally clustered; calyx imbricate; petals absent; styles bifid; ovary 3-celled. Fruit a red, globose or flattened berry. It is the only commonly grown member of this genus. Native of the Pacific Islands. (Lee County; B2000-031; Sheila J. Foe; 27 January 2000). (Huxley 1992).
Caesalpinia cassioides Willd., (ca. 150 species, tropical and warm climates), Leguminosae, anicullo: Shrub or small tree, usually sparsely thorny. Leaves alternate, bipinnate; petiole to 8 cm long; pinnae 2-5 pairs; leaflets to 2.5 cm long and 2 cm wide, 5-7 pairs, broad-obovate or elliptic, emarginate. Flowers in terminal racemes; pedicels 1.6-2.5 cm long, joined at apex; sepals to 10 mm, unequal; corolla 1.5 cm long, tubular-campanulate, orange, red- and dark-veined; stamens 10, markedly exerted, 2 cm long. Legume 4 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, stipitate, falcate. Rare in cultivation. Native of Peru. (Miami-Dade; B2000-066; Louis T. Lodyga; 13 January 2000). (Huxley 1992; Macbride 1976).
Cedrela odorata L., (8 species, tropical America), Meliaceae, Spanish cedar, West Indian cedar, cigar-box cedar: Timber tree more than 25 m tall, with smooth bark and reddish-brown, aromatic heartwood. Leaves alternate, to 80 cm long, with 5-14 pairs of leaflets; leaflets 12-20, ovate-lanceolate, acute to rounded at base, acuminate or obtuse at tip, 8-20 cm long and 2.5-5.5 cm broad, margins entire, glabrous. Inflorescence in panicles, shorter than the leaves; flowers with a heavy malty odor, 6-9 mm long; petals greenish-cream in bud, opening white. fruit 2.5-4.5 cm long, septicidally 5-valved; seeds flat, chestnut-brown, about 25 mm long and 6-7 mm broad. One of the most important timbers for domestic use in tropical America. The wood is repellant to insects and has been much used for closets, chests, and cigar boxes. Native to the West Indies and South America. (Sarasota County; B2000-022; Katherine A. Macias; 12 January 2000). (Adams 1972; Bailey 1976).
Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., (11+ species from tropical America, 1 species extending to Africa), Bombacaceae, white silk-cotton tree, kapok: Deciduous tree to 70 m tall (tallest tree in Africa); trunk spiny, to 3 m in diameter, buttress to 10 m wide; branches horizontal, widely spreading. Leaves palmate, with 5-8 leaflets, oblong-lanceolate, 20 cm long and 4 cm broad, margins entire. Flowers appearing before leaves; calyx 4-5-lobed, cup-shaped, to 1.5 cm long; petals to 3 cm long, oblong-obovate, yellow, pink or white, tomentose externally. Fruit a dehiscent capsule, to 15 cm in diameter, ellipsoid to fusiform; seeds many, embedded in white fibers. The large shiny seed capsule, which ripens in late spring, encases the seeds in fine, cream silky down (kapok), which may be a nuisance on dispersal. Widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics. Kapok produced commercially mainly in Sri-Lanka, Java, and Philippine Islands. Bat pollinated. Native to South America, and Africa. (Miami-Dade County; B2000-024; Edward T. Putland; 20 January 2000). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. [=L. cylindrica (L.) M. Roem.], (7 species, tropical), Cucurbitaceae, vegetable sponge, loofah, luffa: Climber or trailer to 15 m long. Stems finely pubescent. Tendrils 3 to 6-parted. Leaves palmate, ovate-cordate, 6-18 cm long and 6-20 cm broad, lobes 3-5, sometimes slightly lobulate, margins sparsely serrate or entire, midlobe largest. male raceme glandular bracteate, 12-35 cm long; female flowers on peduncle to 3 cm long; calyx tube pubescent within, to 12 mm long; petals yellow, rounded, to 45 mm long; stamens 3 or 5, absent in female; ovary cylindric, densely pubescent, slightly 10-ribbed, absent in male flowers. Fruit ellipsoid to cylindric, glabrous, to 50 cm long; seeds lenticular, 12 mm broad, smooth, narrowly winged. Grown mostly as ornamental or for the "vegetable sponge" (=luffa) provided by the dried, reticulate, fibrous interior of the fruit. (Pinellas County: B2000-071; David M. Mooney; 25 February 2000). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
GLOSSARY: distichous: in two vertical ranks; emarginate: having a notch or a sinus at the end; falcate: sickle-shaped; septicidal: an ovary which dehisces along the partitions, as in crane's bill.
REFERENCES
- Adams, C. D. 1972. Flowering plants of Jamaica. Robert MacLehose and Co. Ltd., The University Press, Glasgow. 848 p.
- L. H. Bailey Hortorium Staff. 1976. Hortus third, a concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. 1,290 p.
- Huxley, A. J. (ed.) 1992. New Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening. 4 vols. Macmillan Press, London. 3,240 p.
- Macbride, J. F. 1976. Flora of Peru. Leguminosae. Fieldiana. 13 (III): 191.
ENTOMOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Susan E. Halbert, Ph. D.
For the month of January, there were 224 samples consisting of 17,459+ specimens. In February, there were 280 samples consisting of 12,400+ specimens. Some of the samples processed are listed below:
ORNAMENTALS, WOODY PLANTS AND PALMS: Chamaedorea erumpens (bamboo palm)-- Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel, a whitefly: A slight infestation was intercepted in DeLand (Volusia County; E00-137; Stacey S. Simmons; 21 January 2000) on plants from Guatemala. The whitefly occurs in South Florida, but not in Volusia County (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).
Chamaedorea sp. (palm)-- Microtenochira sp. nr. plebeja (Boheman), a tortoise beetle: A slight infestation was intercepted on cut foliage from Mexico in Groveland (Lake County; E00-3296; Stephen B. Beidler; 15 December 1999). This is an exotic leaf beetle from Mexico (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).
Cycas revoluta (king sago, king sago-palm)-- Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead), oriental scale: A severe infestation was found at a residence in LaBelle (Hendry County; E00-42; Lisa A. Bolick and James M. Conner, University of Florida's Southwest Florida Research and Extension Center; 29 December 1999). This is a very heavy population of this scale (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).
-- Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, aulacaspis cycad scale: A moderate to severe infestation was found in the entry area of a subdivision in Merritt Island (Brevard County; E99-3241; Gregory A. Brown; 9 December 1999). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD. A severe infestation was found in Dorado, Puerto Rico (E00-23; Osvaldo Cotte, Extension Service, University of Puerto Rico; 10 December 1999). NEW RECORD FOR PUERTO RICO. A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Sarasota (Sarasota County; E00-306; Katherine A. Macias; 10 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Ficus benjamina L. (weeping fig)-- Lindingaspis floridana Ferris, floridana scale: A moderate infestation was found in a parking lot in Miami (Miami-Dade County; E00-454; Duraid I. Hanna; 20 February 2000).
Gardenia augusta (gardenia)-- Minutaleyrodes minutus (Singh), minute whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Winter Haven (Polk County; E00-257; Amanda D. Mattison; 7 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (hibiscus)-- Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, a whitefly: A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Christmas (Orange County; E99-3284; Terrence D. Williams; 8 December 1999).
Lantana camara hybrid (a hybrid lantana)-- Phenacoccus parvus Morrison, a mealybug: A moderate infestation involved 3500 plants at a nursery in Princeton (Miami-Dade County; E99-3176; Edward T. Putland; 29 November 1999). This mealybug occurs throughout the Americas and West Indies, and may be widespread in Florida but it is seldom identified (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).
Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine)-- Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi), jasmine whitefly: A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E99-2606; Maria S. Quintanilla; 24 September 1999). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Rhaphiolepis indica (white dwarf Indian hawthorn)-- Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), San Jose scale: A moderate infestation involved 1% of 1,100 plants at a nursery in Odessa (Pasco County; E99-3092; Alan R. Haynes; 19 November 1999). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Severinia buxifolia (Chinese box-orange)-- Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Asian citrus psyllid: A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Kissimmee (Osceola County; E00-395; Terrence D. Williams; 14 February 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Terminalia catappa L. (tropical-almond)-- Aspidiotus destructor Signoret, coconut scale: A severe infestation was found on a plant at a residence in Homestead (Miami-Dade County; E99-3128; Edward T. Putland; 23 November 1999).
ORNAMENTALS, FOLIAGE PLANTS: Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum 'Emerald Beauty' (maria)-- Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller, a mealybug: A moderate infestation was found at a research unit in Apopka (Orange County; E99-3189; Dr. Lance S. Osborne, University of Florida's Central Florida Research and Extension Center; 3 December 1999).
Cyathea cooperi (Australian tree fern)-- Dysmicoccus alazon Williams, a mealybug: A severe infestation involved all of ten plants at a nursery in Sarasota (Sarasota County; E99-3062; Jennifer A. Lee and L. Wayne Clifton; 16 November 1999).
Jatropha integerrima (peregrina)-- Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.-Tozz.), white peach scale: A severe infestation involved all of 13 plants at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E00-89; Maria S. Quintanilla and Rita J. Carpenter; 13 January 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Nolina recurvata (ponytail-palm)-- Pseudococcus odermatti Miller & Williams, a mealybug: A severe infestation was found on a plant at a residence in Bradenton (Manatee County; E99-2849; Mark L. Runnals; 23 October 1999). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Opuntia subulata (Eve's-pin cactus)-- Diaspis echinocacti (Bouche), cactus scale: A severe infestation was found on a plant at a nursery in Apopka (Orange County; E99-3074; Leslie J. Wilber; 17 November 1999).
Viburnum sp. (viburnum)-- Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), citrus whitefly: A severe infestation involved all of 300 plants at a nursery in Bradenton (Manatee County; E99-3091; Mark L. Runnals; 18 November 1999).
ORNAMENTALS, FLOWERING PLANTS: Asclepias sp. (a milkweed)-- Oncopeltus cingulifer Stål, a milkweed bug: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E00-327; Maria S. Quintanilla; 11 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Ceropegia sp. (ceropegia)-- Asterolecanium stentae Brain, euphorbia pit scale: A moderate infestation was found in a greenhouse in Sarasota (Sarasota County; E99-3287; Jennifer A. Lee and L. Wayne Clifton; 9 December 1999). This is the same species that severely damages blue daze, Evolvulus glomeratus (Dr.Avas B. Hamon).
Dendrobium sp. (an orchid)-- Hercinothrips femoralis Reuter, banded greenhouse thrips: A severe infestation involved all of 2000 plants at a nursery in Lake Mary (Seminole County; E99-3228; Stacey S. Simmons; 7 December 1999).
-- Diaspis boisdovalii Signoret, Boisduval scale: A severe infestation involved all of 1000 plants at a nursery in Lake Mary (Seminole County; E99-3230; Stacey S. Simmons; 7 December 1999).
Orchidaceae (an unknown orchid)-- Diaspis boisduvalii Signoret, Boisduval scale: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Glenwood (Volusia County; E99-3245; Stacey S. Simmons; 8 December 1999).
Protea neriifolia (oleander-leaved protea)-- Parlatoria pittospori Maskell, pittosporum scale: A slight infestation was found on a shipment of cut flowers from Vista, California (E00-5; Terrence D. Williams; 28 December 1999). This scale is not found in Florida (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).
Protea grandiceps (peach protea) Fiorinia sp., an armored scale: A moderate infestation was intercepted at a flower shop in Orlando (Orange County; E99-3120; Terrence D. Williams; 22 November 1999) in a shipment from New Zealand via Oregon.
FOREST AND SHADE TREES: Celtis laevigata (hackberry, a native species)-- Shivaphis celti Das, an Asian woolly hackberry aphid: An infestation was found in a county park in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E00-347; Pat Howell and Dr. Forrest W. 'Bill' Howard, University of Florida's Ft. Lauderdale Research and Extension Center; 7 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Pinus elliottii (slash pine, a native species)-- Cecidomyia bisetosa Gagne, a gall midge: A moderate to severe infestation was found in a seed nursery in Yulee (Nassau County; E00-212; Dr. James R. Meeker, Division of Forestry; 21 January 2000).
Quercus geminata (sand live oak, a native species)-- Allokermes sp., a kermesid: A moderate infestation involved all of three plants at a residence in Miami (Miami-Dade County; E00-237; Eduardo M. Varona; 2 February 2000).
Quercus virginiana (live oak, a native species)-- Diphyllaphis microtrema Quednau, a woolly oak aphid: A moderate infestation was found at a high school in Port Orange (Volusia County; E00-446; Stacey S. Simmons; 18 February 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD and NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD. The state record for this native North American species was found among some DPI unknowns collected in Ft. Pierce in 1986 (Dr. Susan E. Halbert).
CITRUS: Citrus sp. (citrus)-- Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: A severe infestation was found at a residence in Palm Coast (Flagler County; E00-487; Raymond C. Jarrett; 29 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Citrus x tangelo 'Minneola' (minneola tangelo, honeybell)-- Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Asian citrus psyllid: A severe infestation was found at a residence in Buckhead Ridge (Glades County; E99-3375; 20 December 1999). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
WEEDS AND GRASSES: Solanum tampicense (wetland nightshade, aquatic soda-apple, Florida Noxious Weed)-- Spodoptera eridamia (Cramer), southern army worm: A slight infestation was found on the noxious weed in Venus (Highlands County; E2000-56; Lisa A. Huey and Judy L. Gillmore, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville; January 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Urena lobata (caesar weed)-- Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, solenopsis mealybug: A severe infestation was found on 80% of several hundred weeds in a state park in Key Largo (Monroe County; E99-3158; Dr. Susan E. Halbert and Dr. Paul A. Skelley; 1 December 1999).
FEDERAL/STATE PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE PROGRAMS: Citrus sp. (citrus)-- Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Mediterranean fruit fly: Six maggots were found in oranges imported from Spain and purchased at a grocery store in Spokane, Washington (E00-31; George Bruno, USDA; 28 December 1999). Despite pre-clearance programs and/or other strict regulations, imported fruits infested with live fruit fly larvae can still make their way into retail outlets. Homeowners and inspectors should be aware of this possibility and promptly report infested or diseased food products to County Extension agents or the Division of Plant Industry (Dr. Gary J. Steck).
APIARY PESTS: Aethina tumida Murray, small hive beetle: An infested hive was found in O'Brien (Suwannee County; E00-216; Thomas B. Dowda, III; 1 February 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
INSECT DETECTION: Bostrychoplites cornutus (Olivier), a bostrichid beetle: A specimen was found in Tampa (Hillsborough County; E99-3175; Tom Wisdo, Employee, Impact Pest Management, Inc.; December 1999) in large carved wooden zebras from east Africa. This is an African species (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).
Coccinella californica Mannerheim, a lady bird beetle: A specimen was intercepted on cut flowers from Lompoc California at a flower shop in Orlando (Orange County; E99-2968; Terrence D. Williams; 1 November 1999). This species is not native to Florida but occurs in California (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).
Lyctus africanus Lesne, a bostrichid beetle: Several specimens were found in a bamboo hat imported from China in Orlando (Orange County; E00-90; Ping Qiao; 12 January 2000). This is a commonly imported, exotic powderpost beetle that does not appear to be established in Florida (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).
Phloeosinus sp., a scolytid beetle: Infestations were found in 30% of 82 artificial Christmas trees imported from China and inspected at a craft store in Valrico (Hillsborough County; E99-2974; Stacy A. Tyrala; 1 November 1999). This is an exotic species (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).
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NEMATOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Renato N. Inserra, Ph.D.
A total of 2,928 samples were processed in January and February of 2000. Details are shown below:
Certification and Regulatory Samples:
Multistate Certification for National and International Export...............1,392
California Certification.....................................................................1,085
Burrowing Nematode (Citrus Regulatory Survey)................................180
Premovement (Citrus Nursery Certification) ..................................... 53
Site or Pit Approval (Citrus Nursery Certification)..............................18
Other Samples:
Plant Problems.................................................................................16
Out of State Survey, via Florida Identifications.......................................1
Intrastate Survey, Random.................................................................181
Out of State Survey, via Florida Interceptions........................................2
HOST TEST
The host status of five Dracaena species to the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1940, was determined in a greenhouse study. Swollen females and eggs of R. reniformis were found on the roots of D. cincta, D. concinna, D. deremensis, D. fragrans, and D. sanderiana, which were grown for 6 months in a Rockdale soil infested by 2,000 nematodes per 100 cm3. Nematode swollen females and eggs were found also on roots of D. cincta 'Tricolor' exposed for 4 months to 1,000 reniform nematodes per 100 cm3 of soil (N00-351, 352,353,354,355, and 356; W. Wayne Smith and Carol R. Scoates; 15 February 2000).
COLLECTORS SUBMITTING FIVE OR MORE SAMPLES THAT WERE PROCESSED FOR NEMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2000:
Branch, Kenneth D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Dees, Carrie A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Emery, Tyson R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Fuller, Samuel A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Harris, Jessie M.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Inguanzo, Yolanda I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
LeBoutillier, Karen W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .428
Lorenzo, Jose A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
Pate, JoAnn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Robinson, William L. 'Robbie' . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Salisbury, Thomas L.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Smith, W. Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Compiled by Robert M. Leahy
For this period, the Plant Pathology Section received and processed 5,745 specimens. These included 337 pathology, 8 miscellaneous, 27 soil, 5,316 suspected canker samples in Southeast Florida, 16 in Manatee County, 31 in Collier County, 5 in Central Florida, and 5 suspect canker samples in North Florida.
ORNAMENTALS, WOODY PLANTS AND PALMS: Serenoa repens (saw palmetto)-- Annellophora phoenocis, leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in LaBelle (Hendry County; P2000-0174; Matthew M. Brodie and Dana L. White; 2 February 2000). NEW HOST RECORD.
FOOD OR CROP PLANTS: Piper nigrum (black pepper)-- Cephaleuros virescens, leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Sarasota (Sarasota County; P2000-0198; Katherine A. Macias; 8 February 2000). NEW HOST RECORD.
