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TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 40, No. 1
Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Managing Editor
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2001

Wayne N. Dixon, Ph. D., Editor

ENPP Home | Tri-ology Home

BOTANY SECTION
Compiled by Carlos R. Artaud

Added to the herbarium collection during this period were three seed collections (total of 1,467 seed samples). For this period, 41 specimens were submitted to Botany for identification, and 477 were received from other Sections for identification and/or name verification (for a total of 518). Some of the samples are described below:

Hemigraphis alternata (Burm. f.) T. Anders., (90 species from tropical Asia to New Caledonia, in the South Pacific), Acanthaceae, red ivy: Perennial herb, evergreen, pubescent. Stems slender, prostrate, rooting at the nodes. Leaves to 9 cm long, cordate-ovate, margins crenate, bullate, silvery-gray on upper surface, flushed purple beneath; petiole to 3 cm long. Inflorescences in terminal spikes; flowers to 1.25 cm long, white. Pollen apparently sterile, fruit absent. Propagation exclusively vegetative. From India to Java. (Collier County; B2001-016; Scott D. Krueger; 25 January 2001). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).

Mahonia fortunei (Lindl.) Fedde, (ca. 100 species from the Himalayas to Japan and Sumatra, also North and Central America, Berberidaceae, a holly grape; Fortune's mahonia: Shrub to 2 m tall. Stems erect, unbranched. Leaves odd-pinnate, 25 cm long, 18 cm broad; leaflets 7-13, elliptic-lanceolate, long-acuminate, increasing in size from the base, becoming 10 cm long, 2.5 cm broad, margins serrate with 10 teeth per side, apex acute, not cusped, dark dull green above, pale yellowish-green beneath, with prominent reticulate venation. Flowers yellow, borne profusely in fascicles of 4-8 on slender racemes to 5 cm long. Fruit berry-like, black with a waxy covering (like black plums). Cultivated for its handsome evergreen foliage. Native of China. (Taylor County; B2001-011; Clay B. Olson, University of Florida's County Extension Service; 18 January 2001). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).

Physalis pubescens L., (80 species, cosmopolitan), Solanaceae, husk tomato; ground-cherry: Annual herb, 1-9 dm tall, villous to sometimes viscid. Leaves alternate, 4-9 cm long, 2-4 cm broad, ovate, acuminate at apex, rounded to cordate at base, the margins usually irregularly -several-toothed or sometimes entire. Flowering calyx 4-10 mm long, and 3-12 mm wide at base of lobes; corolla yellowish, dark-spotted, matted-hairy at throat, 7-12 mm long, 10-15 mm across; anthers bluish or violet, 1.5-3 mm long; filaments 2-3 mm long. Fruiting calyx 5-angled, usually prominently so, soft-hairy, somewhat papery, 1.8-3 cm long, 1.3-2.2 cm wide, with pedicels 5-13 mm long. Berry 1-1.8 cm in diameter, sessile or subsessile on the invaginate calyx base. Southern U.S.A., Mexico, and the West Indies. (Manatee County; B2001-025; Karen `Lea' Etchells and Mark L. Runnals; 31 January 2001). (Correll and Correll 1982).

Prunus umbellata Ell., (more than 200 species, temperate, especially the Northern Hemisphere, and tropical mountains), Rosaceae, flatwoods plum; hog plum: Deciduous shrub or small tree, usually occurring singly and not thicket-forming. Leaves 2-6 cm long, 1-3 cm broad, elliptic, oval, or oblong, acute apically, margins serrate, tips of the teeth pointed but not gland-tipped; commonly a gland is present on one side or both sides of the base of the blade or the summit of the petiole. Flowers single or frequently 2-5-fascicled from buds on wood of previous year growth; blooming mostly before emergence of new season growth; pedicels slender, 4-10 mm long; sepals spreading at anthesis, 2-3 mm long; petals spreading, white short clawed basally, 3 mm long or more; corolla 12-15 mm across; stamens 10-20 or more, filaments white, markedly unequal in length, anthers yellow (usually before petal fall they become partially pink), the filaments, sepals, floral tubes, and flower stalks become dull rose-pink and remain so for a short period, the flowers being very numerous the plant then has a pinkish aspect when viewed from a distance. Drupes red or yellow when ripening, becoming dark purplish or greenish blotched with purple, rarely red, glaucous, globose, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, the flesh bitter-sour to the taste. Coastal plain from South Carolina to central peninsular Florida, Alabama, southeastern and northwester Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas, and eastern Texas. (Highlands County; B2001-029; James E. Bennett; 2 February 2001). (Godfrey 1988).

Rivina humilis L., (1 species, U.S.A. to tropical America), Phytolaccaceae, rouge plant: Stems often straggling from a thick perennial rootstock, erect or becoming vine-like with spreading branches, up to 1 m tall or more. Leaves alternate, 15 cm long, 9 cm broad, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate at apex, rounded to truncate at base; petioles to 8 cm long. Inflorescences axillary or terminal racemes, flower white, greenish or rose colored; sepals 4, cuneate to linear-oblong, 2-2.5 mm long, partly enclosing the fruit or reflexed at maturity; stamens 4; pedicels 2.5-4 mm long, with a minute bracteole just beneath the calyx. Berry red or orange-red, 2-3.5 mm in diameter. Fruit was a source of red dye to Native Americans. Florida to Arkansas and Texas, throughout tropical America. Naturalized in tropical Asia. (Manatee County; B2001-010; Karen `Lea' Etchells; 17 January 2001). (Correll and Correll 1982; Long and Lakela 1971).

Stachytarpheta frantzii Polak., (65 species, tropical and warm temperate America, and tropical Old World), Verbenaceae, a porterweed; pije de gato: Annual or perennial herb to 1 m tall, usually much branched, stems often tetragonus, pilose, tomentose, or glabrate. leaves on winged petioles or blades often cuneate to the base, 3-10 cm long, ovate or oblong-ovate, apex acute or obtuse, margins coarsely serrate, scabrous to strigose-pubescent above, pubescent to tomentose beneath. Inflorescence a raceme, 8-30 cm long, rachis slender, usually 2-3 mm in diameter, many-flowered; bracts narrowly lanceolate, 6-9 mm long, appressed or slightly divergent; calyx 7-12 mm long; corolla normally blue, violet or purple, rarely white, red, or pink, the tube 10-16 mm long. It has been reported from Guatemala as S. mutabilis (Jacq.) Vahl, a more robust plant with the rachis of the inflorescence often 5-6 mm in diameter. Collector commented this species appears to be a new introduction into the plant nursery trade in South Florida. Native from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. (Miami-Dade County; B2001-017; Gwen H. Myres; 24 January 2001). (Standley and Williams 1970-1973).

Ursinia anthemioides (L.) Poir., (38 species, South Africa and Ethiopia), Compositae, Ursinius' daisy: Annual herb to 40 cm tall, strongly scented and gland dotted. Leaves 2-6 cm long, ovate, 1-2-pinnately parted, segments linear, lobes small, slightly pubescent. heads solitary, 1.5-6 cm across, in peduncles 20 cm long; ray florets sterile, yellow or dark purple toward base or purple-coppery beneath; disc florets yellow or purple at apex; pappus in 2 rows. Native of Namibia. (Pinellas County; B2001-028; Thomas W. Turner; 6 February 2001). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).

GLOSSARY: anthesis: the time of the expansion of a flower; bullate: with a blistered or puckered surface; cusped: with a sharp, rigid point; invaginate: involuted or drawn into a sheath; pappus: the modified calyx of the Compositae, the modified tufts of hairs on the achene; strigose: covered with sharp, straight, and stiff hairs which tend to lie flat.

REFERENCES

• 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.
• Correll, D. S. and H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama Archipelago. J. Cramer, Hirschberg, Germany. 1,692 p.
• Godfrey, R. K. 1988. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of northern Florida and adjacent Georgia and Alabama. The University of Georgia Press, Athens and London. 734 p.
• Huxley, A. J. (ed.) 1992. New Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening. 4 vols. Macmillan Press, London. 3,240 p.
• Long, R. W. and O. Lakela. 1971. A flora of tropical Florida. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables. 962 p.
• Mabberley, D. J. 1997. The plant-book, 2^nd ed.. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 858 p.
• Standley, P. C. and L. O Williams. 1970-1973. Flora of Guatemala. Verbenaceae. Fieldiana. 24 (IX): 227.

ENTOMOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Susan E. Halbert, Ph. D.

For the month of January, there were 342 samples consisting of 12,992+ specimens. In February, there were 416 samples consisting of 9243+ specimens. Some of the samples processed are listed below:

ORNAMENTALS, WOODY PLANTS AND PALMS: Callistemon sp. (bottlebrush)-- Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus), Florida red scale: A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Apopka (Orange County; E2001-559; Katherine A. Gonzalez; 12 February 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

Cycas revoluta (king sago)-- Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, aulacaspis cycad scale: A severe infestation on eight plants was found at a discount store in Leesburg (Lake County; E2000-2900; Stephen B. Beidler; 21 August 2000.

--A severe infestation on more than 90 plants was found at a nursery in Vero Beach (Indian River County; E2000-3079; Richard H. 'Dick' Stoll; 30 August 2000).

--A severe infestation on 2 plants was found at a nursery in Arcadia (DeSoto County; E2000-3858; Katherine A. Macias; 12 October 2000).

--A severe infestation was found on a plant at a residence in Palm Harbor (Pinellas County; E2000-4278; Linda G. McRay; 7 November 2000).

All are NEW DPI COUNTY RECORDS. Aulacaspis cycad scale is now in 27 counties (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).

Chamaedorea sp. (a palm)-- Aleurocerus palmae Russell, a whitefly: A slight infestation was intercepted on 800 bunches of cut fronds from Mexico at a business in Zellwood (Orange County; E2001-284; Anthony N. Capitano; 1 February 2001). This whitefly often is intercepted on cut fronds, but is probably not established in Florida (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A moderate infestation was found on a plant at a harbor in Flagler Beach (Flagler County; E2000-4276; Raymond C. Jarrett; 6 November 2000).

--A severe infestation of giant whitefly was found at a residence in Avon Park (Highlands County; E2001-542; James E. Bennett; 13 February 2001).

Both finds are NEW DPI COUNTY RECORDS. Giant whitefly is now in seven counties (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).

--Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, papaya mealybug: A severe infestation was found at University of Florida's Central Florida Research and Education Center (Orange County; E2001-220; Dr. Lance S. Osborne, University of Florida; 23 January 2001). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD. Papaya mealybug is now in 17 counties (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).

Juniperus sp. (a juniper bonsai)-- Oligonychus coniferarum (McGregor), a spider mite: A severe infestation was intercepted on bonsai from California at a discount store in Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa County; E2001-314; Laura L. Ooms; 31 January 2001). This species can be a serious pest of junipers in Florida and California (Dr. W.C. 'Cal' Welbourn).

Myrica cerifera (wax myrtle)-- Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin), Kerriidae: a lac scale: A severe infestation on ten plants was found at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E2001-339; William A. 'Bill' Thiel, Jr.; 2 February 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

Ravenea rivularis (majesty palm)-- Fiorinia fioriniae (Targioni-Tozzetti), fiorinia scale: A moderate infestation was found on a plant at a discount store in Apopka (Orange County; E2001-116; Katherine A. Gonzalez; 10 January 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

Palmae (a palm)-- Aleurocerus palmae Russell, a whitefly: An infestation was intercepted on a shipment from Guatemala in Barberville (Volusia County; E2001-278; Stacey S. Simmons; 31 January 2001). See note on Chamaedorea above.

Schefflera arboricola (dwarf schefflera)-- Dialeurodes n. sp., a whitefly: A slight infestation was found at a school in Orlando (Orange County; E2001-223; Katherine A. Gonzalez; 23 January 2001). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

ORNAMENTALS, FOLIAGE PLANTS: Opuntia (prickly-pear cactus)-- Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), tropical cactus borer: A moderate infestation was found at a nursery in Orlando (Orange County; E2001-180; Terrence D. Williams; 7 January 2001). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

ORNAMENTALS, FLOWERING PLANTS: Leonotis leonurus (lion's ear)-- Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti), white peach scale: A moderate infestation was found on a plant at a nursery in St. Cloud (Osceola County; E2001-115; Terrence D. Williams; 8 January 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

NATIVE OR NATURALIZED PLANTS: Conocarpus erectus (buttonwood)-- Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin), Kerriidae: a lac scale: A severe infestation was found on all of 50 plants at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E2001-333; William A. 'Bill' Thiel, Jr.; 2 February 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

Quercus geminata (sand live oak)-- Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin), Kerriidae: a lac scale: A severe infestation was found on all of 750 plants at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E2001-335; William A. 'Bill' Thiel, Jr.; 2 February 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD. This lac scale insect is becoming more prominent in Broward and Miami-Dade counties (Dr. Avas B. Hamon).

FOOD AND CROP PLANTS: Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found on a plant at a nursery in Orlando (Orange County; E2000-2987; Terrence D. Williams; 21 August 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

WEEDS AND GRASSES: Ficus microcarpa (laurel fig, = F. retusa, Category I, Exotic Pest Plant Council)-- Paratachardina lobata (Chamberlin), a lac scale: A severe infestation was found on all of 25 plants at a nursery in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E2001-336; William A. 'Bill' Thiel, Jr.; 2 February 2001). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (punktree, a noxious weed)-- Oedancala crassimana (Fabricius), a lygaeid bug: A specimen was found in a sweep sample in rural Broward County (E2001-442; Dr. Paul D. Pratt, USDA/ARS, Ft. Lauderdale; 7 November 2000). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

Paederia foetida (skunk vine, a noxious weed)-- Xylophanes tersa (Linnaeus), tersa sphinx: A specimen which had completed its life cycle on skunk vine was found feeding on the weed at the USDA/ARS quarantine facility in Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County; E2001-447; Dr. Paul D. Pratt, USDA/ARS; 15 August 2000). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.

BENEFICIAL INSECTS: Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly)-- Amitus fuscipennis MacGown & Nebaker, a parasitic wasp: Specimens were reared by Dr. de Coss from a collection at a residence in Homestead (Miami-Dade County; E2001-362; Dr. Martha de Coss, Visiting Scientist, University of Florida's Tropical Research and Extension Center; 17 January 2001). This species is Neotropical and has been found in Texas (Dr. Gregory A. Evans). NEW DPI STATE RECORD.

Uroleucon sp. (an aphid)-- Aphidius floridaensis Smith, a parasitic wasp: A specimen was reared by K. L. Hibbard from a collection in Indian River Shores (Indian River County; E2001-255; Kenneth L. Hibbard; 16 January 2001). The holotype of this insect was described from Gainesville, FL (Dr. Gregory A. Evans). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

---Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig), a hyperparasitic wasp: A specimen was reared by K. L. Hibbard from a collection in Indian River Shores (Indian River County; E2001-536; Kenneth L. Hibbard; 16 January 2001). P. villosa is European, while P. ambrosiae (Ashmead) is North American; in 1991, the species were combined and the older name took priority (Dr. Gregory A. Evans). NEW DPI STATE RECORD.

INSECT DETECTION: Acrotaphus fuscipennis (Cresson), an ichneumonid wasp: A specimen was reared from a spider collected at a USDA research unit in Miami (Miami-Dade County; E2001-177; Julieta Brambila; 3 August 2001). This is the first time this ichneumonid wasp, native to Cuba, has ever been reared (Dr. Charles C. Porter, Research Associate, Florida State Collection of Arthropods). NEW US CONTINENTAL RECORD.

Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall), a spider: A moderate infestation was found at a rest area in Palm Bay (Brevard County; E2001-388; Kenneth L. Hibbard; 1 February 2001). This is a quickly spreading imported spider (Dr. G.B. Edwards). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

Lyctus africanus Lesne, a powder post beetle: Two specimens were found in handcraft imported from China and purchased at a business in Lithia (Hillsborough County; E2001-394; Howard L. Wallace; 30 January 2001). This is a commonly intercepted but not established powder post beetle (Dr. Michael C. Thomas).

Microsania imperfecta (Loew), smoke fly: Many specimens were found in a suction trap sample at a nursery in LaBelle (Collier County; E2001-44; Lori A. McKay; 18 December 2001). The abdomen was densely covered with mites. The genus is rarely collected except in association with smoking fires (Dr. Gary J. Steck).

Phrynus marginemaculatus C.L. Koch, a whipspider: A specimen was found at a residence in St. Petersburg (Pinellas County; E2001-516; Thomas W. Turner; 8 February 2001. NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.

Theotima n.sp., a spider: A specimen was collected at a nursery in Aladdin City (Miami-Dade County; E2000-1373; Julieta Brambila; 6 May 2000). This species is reported from Florida, but this is the first record for the FSCA (Dr. G.B. Edwards).

NEMATOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Renato N. Inserra, Ph.D.

A total of 2,577 samples were processed in January and February of 2001. Details are shown below:

HOST TEST

Dracaena reflexa (Song of India dracaena)-- Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1940, reniform nematode: The host status was determined in a greenhouse study (Alachua County; N01-00221; Jason D. Stanley; 22 February 2001). Swollen females and eggs of R. reniformis were found on the roots of D. reflexa plants, which were grown for 11 months in a Rockdale soil infested by 600 nematodes per 100 cm³. The results of this test indicate that D. reflexa, like other susceptible dracaenas, can easily become infected by the reniform nematode from infected weeds, soil and root debris. Reniform nematode root infections, even at small population levels, should be of particular concern to dracaena growers because shipments of reniform nematode-infected dracaenas are rejected by states (Arizona, California, and New Mexico) and countries (Argentina, Chile, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey) which impose restrictions against this pest.

COLLECTORS SUBMITTING FIVE OR MORE SAMPLES THAT WERE PROCESSED FOR
NEMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2001:

PLANT PATHOLOGY
Compiled by: Robert M. Leahy

For this period, the Plant Pathology Section received and processed 2,180 specimens. These included 528 pathology, 11 miscellaneous, and 6 soil samples. A total of 1,635 citrus canker sample were also processed, including 1,598 from South Florida, 0 from West Coast Florida, 29 from South West Coast Florida, 4 from Central Florida, and 4 from North Florida.

ORNAMENTALS, FLOWERING PLANTS: Bracteantha bracteata (golden everlasting, yellow paper daisy; synonym: Helichrysum bracteatum)-- Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & de Toni, downy mildew: Collected at a dooryard in Homestead (Miami-Dade County; P2001-0315; William 'Bill' R. Graves, University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center; 7 February 2001). NEW HOST RECORD.

Lobelia sp. (a lobelia)-- Stemphylium lycopersici (Enjoji) W. Yamamoto, leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Ocoee (Orange County; P2001-0255; Barbara J. Wilder; 29 January 2001). NEW HOST RECORD.

Osteospermum sp. (bone-seed daisy)-- Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & de Toni, downy mildew: Collected at a nursery in Melbourne (Brevard County; P20001-0091; David H. Faneuf; 17 January 2001). NEW HOST RECORD.

Scabiosa sp. (a pincushion flower)-- Peronospora radii DeBary, downy mildew: Collected at a dooryard in Homestead (Miami-Dade County; P2001-314; William 'Bill' R. Graves, University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center; 7 February 2001). NEW HOST RECORD.

WEEDS AND GRASSES: Calamagrotis sp. (feather reed grass)-- Puccinia pygmaea Eriks., leaf rust: Collected at a nursery in Pensacola (Escambia County; P2001-0248; T. Carrar and Laura L. Ooms; 29 January 2001). NEW STATE RECORD.

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