TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 36, No. 1
Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Managing Editor
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1997
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 48 mounted specimens (total of 7,491). Randall N. Mescher (R3A1), Maria E. Peacock (R1A1), and Barbara J. Wilder (R2A1) each submitted one specimen new to the herbarium. For this period, 57 specimens were submitted to Botany for identification, and 623 were received from other Sections for identification and/or name verification (for a total of 680). Some of the samples are described below:
Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., Leguminosae, gray nicker; yellow nicker: Robust woody or herbaceous vine. Stems to 6 m long and 1 cm thick, often reclining on other vegetation, abundantly armed with straight prickles (rarely unarmed). Leaves alternate, evenly pinnate; petioles to about 4 cm long, with recurved, usually paired prickles; pinnae in 4 or 6 pairs, 4-12 cm long, usually with recurved prickles. Leaflets in 4 to 8 pairs, shortly petiolulate, ovate to elliptic, symmetric, 2-4 cm long, mucronate, glabrate or puberulent along the veins. Stipules usually persistent, foliaceous and conspicuous, 1-3 cm long. Flowers perfect or staminate, in simple or compound racemes to 2 dm long, crowded in bud. Sepals pubescent, 5-8 mm long; petals orange-yellow, broadly oblong, 7-10 mm long; stamens as long or shorter than petals. Legume tardily dehiscent, suborbicular to oval, compressed, 3-9 cm in greatest circumference, densely prickly. Seeds 1 to 3, gray, 1.5-2 cm in diameter. In coastal thickets on sand and rocks, open banks, and vacant lots. South Florida, widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. (Indian River County; B97-016; Richard H. 'Dick' Stoll; 7 January 1997). (Correll and Correll 1982; Long and Lakela 1971).
Cichorium intybus L., Compositae, chicory; succory; witloof: Perennial herb, with a long and thick taproot; milky sap. Stems 30 to 120 cm tall, rigid, grooved, glabrous. Basal leaves 7-30 cm long, 1-20 cm broad, oblanceolate, runcinate*-pinnatifid to toothed, short petiolate, sparsely hairy below; stem leaves sessile, sparsely dentate to entire. Heads sessile, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter; peduncles of terminal heads slightly swollen; involucre 11-14 mm long, 4-10 mm across; outer phyllaries ovate-lanceolate, spreading, inner lanceolate, twice as long as outer, erect; ligules bright blue (occasionally pink or white). No disc flowers. Achenes 2-3 mm long. Cultivated especially in Europe for greens, and the root used as a substitute for or an adulterant of coffee. New Orleans coffee is noted for containing chicory. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, but naturalized throughout temperate areas. (Orange County; B97-006; Barbara J. Wilder; 31 December 1996). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
Guaiacum sanctum L., Zygophyllaceae, lignum vitae: A small or sometimes rather large tree or a large shrub, to 10 m tall, with dense spreading crown and a thick trunk rarely more than 3 dm in diameter, the bark pale. Leaves opposite; petioles to 2 cm long; even-pinnate, 4-10 cm long; leaflets 6 to 10, sessile, oblong to obovate or oblanceolate, 2-3.5 cm long, coriaceous, glabrous or sparsely sericeous, obtuse or rounded at the apex, commonly apiculate; stipules 3 mm long, pubescent, caducous. Flowers solitary or several together, on pubescent peduncles shorter than the leaves; sepals obovate or oblong-obovate, pubescent, 5-7 mm long; petals blue or purple, broadly obovate, 7-12 mm long, rounded at the apex, glabrous. Capsule broadly obovoid, yellow or orange, about 1.5 cm long; seeds ellipsoid, dark-brown or black, 1 cm long, with a red aril. Coastal areas. Florida, the West Indies, and Central America to northern South America. Cultivated. (Dade County; B97-041; Donna M. Gruber; 5 February 1997). (Correll and Correll 1982; Long and Lakela 1971). This is a Florida Endangered Plant species.
Hibiscus aculeatus Walt., Malvaceae, comfort-root: Perennial with spreading-ascending (sometimes erect) branches to 1 m tall. Trichomes on stems, petioles, leaves and pedicels are short, bristly, stellate, scabrous. Leaves palmately 3-5 cleft or lobed, 3-9 cm long, mostly wider than long, margins coarsely and irregularly serrate, truncate to cleft with an inverted broad, V-shaped sinus; petioles 2-10 cm long. Inflorescence consists of leafy-bracteate racemes, bracts less divided than the leaves or entire; peduncles obsolete or 2 mm long; pedicels 5-12 mm long, elongated slightly in fruit; involucral bracts 8-10, linear, 1-2 cm long, usually palmately or pinnately cleft at apex. Calyx lobes triangular-lanceolate, 8-12 mm long, acute, elongate in fruit, distinctly keeled to the apex with a thickened margin resembling the keel, pubescent, with long, stiff, postulate-based trichomes. Petals cream, turning a deeper yellow and finally fading to pink, marked crimson at base, 5-6 cm long. Capsule gradually contracted to a beak, 1.7-2 cm long. Seeds brown, with fine reticulations and with a few whitish papillae, 3.5-4 mm long. Pond margins, coastal flatwoods, stream banks, secondary woods. Florida to North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. (Pinellas County; B97-045; Alan R. Haynes; 13 February 1997). (Clewell 1985; Radford et al. 1964).
Inga vera Willd. ex L., Leguminosae, guaba; cat-paw: Tree to 15 m tall. Branchlets pubescent. Leaves even pinnate, 4-6 foliate, to 30 cm long; leaflets to 13 com long, 7.5 cm broad, oblong to elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, pubescent to subglabrous. Flowers few, sessile or subsessile, in dense, rusty-downy spikes; peduncles small; calyx 13 mm long, pubescent, lobes 2 mm long; corolla 16 mm long, white, densely silky; stamens to four times longer than corolla, white. Legume to 15 cm long, and 2 cm wide, tomentose. Showy flowers makes it a useful and attractive ornamental which tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including limestone. From Mexico to northern South America, Greater Antilles, and Puerto Rico. (Dade County; B97-010; William S. Brewton; 3 January 1997). (Huxley 1992).
Kalanchoe delagonensis Ecklon & Zeyh., Crassulaceae, chandelier plant: Glabrous, perennial herb to 2 m tall. Stems erect, simple, suckering at base. Leaves linear, 2-12 cm long, 0.2-0.6 cm wide, round in cross section, nearly cylindrical but channelled above, grey-green spotted with violet-brown, sessile, opposite on young shoots, in whorls of 3 or sometimes alternate on older shoots, apex toothed and bearing plantlets. Inflorescence large, dense cymes in a corymbose cluster; flowers pendent; sepals to 14 mm long, fused for half their length; petals deep magenta to pale orange, tube 20-25 mm long, lobes 8-12 mm long, spreading; stamens exceeding corolla tube. Grown for its curious, beautifully marked foliage, and vibrantly colored flowers. Native of South Africa and Madagascar. (=K. tubiflora [Harv.] Hamet.). (Flagler County; B97-042; Tracey L. Wright; 7 February 1997). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
Ochrosia elliptica Labill. (=O. parviflora), Apocynaceae, pokosola, kopsia: Tree 6-12 m tall. Leaves in whorls, 7.5-15 cm long, elliptic, leathery, apex acute or obtuse. Flowers fragrant, in small dense, stalked corymbs in upper leaf axils; corolla cream-white, tube 1 cm long, lobes 6 mm long, linear. Fruit ellipsoid to oval, to 5 cm across, angled, scarlet at maturity, pulp with odor of violets; seeds orbicular, narrowly winged. Cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Coastal from New Caledonia to Australia. Listed as Category II by Exotic Pest Plant Council. (Dade County; B97-036; Edward T. Putland; 28 January 1997). (Bailey 1976; Huxley 1992).
GLOSSARY: caducous: deciduous, lasting for a short time, soon falling from the plant; mucronate: with a broad apex ending abruptly in a sharp tip or spine; runcinate: sharply pinnatifid or incised with the lobes or segments turned backward; coarsely toothed or cut, the pointed teeth turned toward the base of the leaf; stipule: a leafy appendage at the base of the petiole, usually one on each side; trichome: a hair-like outgrowth on the epidermis, these structures may be: forked, or barbed, or with several arms radiating from the base (= stellate, as in some species of Hibiscus, Solanum), or T-shaped, or a peltate scale (as in Tillandsia), or simple (single-celled and multicelled), etc.
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.
- Clewell, A. F. 1985. Guide to the vascular plants of the Florida Panhandle. Florida State University Press, Tallahassee. 605 p.
- Correll, D. S. and H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama Archipelago. J. Cramer, Hirschberg, Germany. 1,692 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.
- Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles and C. R. Bell. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. 1,183 p.
ENTOMOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Susan E. Halbert, Ph.D.
For the month of January, there were 1458 samples consisting of 8576+ specimens. In February, there were 578 samples consisting of 5371+ specimens. Some of the samples processed are listed below:
ORNAMENTALS, WOODY PLANTS AND PALMS: Acacia sp. (an acacia)-- Tachardiella mexicana Comstock, lac scales: A slight infestation was found at an amusement park in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County (31 December 1996; Barbara J. Wilder). Scales in this family are used to make shellac (Avas B. Hamon).
Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island pine)-- Acanthococcus araucariae (Maskell), Norfolk Island pine eriococcin: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Apopka, Orange County (10 February 1997; William B. Purvis).
Brunfelsia pauciflora (yesterday-today-and-tomorrow)-- Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock, barnacle scale: A moderate infestation was found on a plant at a campground on Fiesta Key, Monroe County (5 January 1997; Anne R. Gorden-Vega).
Dracaena sp. (a dracaena)-- Praticolella griseola (Pfeiffer), a snail: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Apopka, Orange County (14 February 1997; William B. Purvis).
Ficus sp. (a ficus)-- Zachrysia provisoria (Pfeiffer), Cuban land snail: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Apopka, Orange County (14 February 1997; William B. Purvis).
Ilex x attenuata 'Savannah' (Savannah holly)-- Morganella longispina (Morgan), plumose scale: A moderate infestation involved half of 20 plants at a nursery in Odessa, Hillsborough County (18 February 1997; Cindy S. Kamelhair). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Lycium carolinianum (Christmasberry)-- Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus), fig wax scale: A slight infestation was found at a park in Indian Harbour Beach, Brevard County (6 January 1997; David H. Faneuf). NEW DPI HOST AND COUNTY RECORDS.
ORNAMENTALS, FOLIAGE PLANTS: Aglaonema sp. (an aglaonema)-- Aspidiotus excisus Green, aglaonema scale: A severe infestation was found on undersides of leaves on plants at a nursery in Winter Garden, Orange County (7 February 1997; Barbara J. Wilder).
Asplenium australasicum (bird's-nest-fern)-- Idiopterus nephrelepidis Davis, fern aphid: A heavy infestation was found on both sides of the leaves of 5% of 10,000 plants at a nursery in Windermere, Orange County (11 February 1997; Barbara J. Wilder). This aphid is specific to tropical ferns (Susan E. Halbert). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Cactaceae (assorted cacti)-- Pseudococcus nakaharai Gimpel & Miller, Nakahara mealybug: A moderate infestation was found on three of 100 plants at a discount store in Orlando, Orange County (31 January 1997; Tyson R. Emery). This mealybug was recently described and is known from Florida, California, Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Japan, primarily from cactus (Avas B. Hamon).
Cycas revoluta (king sago)-- Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Takagi), cycad scale and Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley), magnolia white scale: A moderate mixed infestation was found on 10 plants at a nursery in Miami, Dade County (23 December 1996; Eduardo M. Varona).
Dieffenbachia sp. (a dumbcane)-- Echinothrips americanus Morgan, a thrips: A severe infestation involved all of 140,000 plants at a nursery in Plymouth, Orange County (7 February 1997; Charles A. 'Zo' Cooper).
Eranthemum pulchellum (tropical blue sage)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' (a variegated eulalia)-- Melanaphis sp., an aphid: A moderate infestation was found on 100 plants at an amusement park in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County (19 December 1996; Barbara J. Wilder). Although morphologically similar to Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), the sugarcane aphid, this aphid is an Asian species that is apparently specific to Miscanthus. A host choice experiment in DPI quarantine indicated that the aphid is not Melanaphis sacchari because the aphids from Miscanthus did not colonize sugarcane. There are several species of Melanaphis described from Miscanthus, and without type specimens for comparison, the proper name for this one remains unclear (Susan E. Halbert). NEW RECORD FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum (Mexican weeping bamboo)-- Aclerda holci Teague, a grass scale insect: A moderate infestation involved half of 10 plants at a nursery in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County (19 October 1996; Thomas S. Everett).
Solenostemon scutellarioides (coleus, =Coleus blumei)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
ORNAMENTALS, FLOWERING PLANTS: Clerodendrum indicum (Turk's turban, or tube flower)-- Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijokes), red and black flat mite: A moderate infestation involved five of 20 plants at a residence in Tampa, Hillsborough County (19 November 1996; Cindy S. Kamelhair and James R. Martin).
Dendranthema x grandiflorum (chrysanthemum)-- Scapteriscus borellii Giglio-Tos, Southern mole cricket: An infestation involved 50% of a million plants at a nursery in Alva, Lee County (15 January 1997; Yolanda I. Inguanzo).
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A severe infestation was found at a nursery in Oak Hill, Volusia County (19 February 1997; Tracy L. Wright). NEW DPI STATE RECORD.
Infestations were found on this species at eight more locations near Oak Hill, Volusia County (28 February 1997; Stephen P. Beidler and L.J. Chambliss).
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A severe infestation was found at a residence in Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County (25 February 1997; Kenneth L. Hibbard). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Fourteen more infestations were found in Port St. Lucie on the same plant (28 February 1997; Kenneth L. Hibbard, Darin W. Hughes, Richard H. Stoll, James E. 'Pete' Lindsay, Donald R. Robbins). One more infestation was found in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County (3 March 1997; Kenneth L. Hibbard; Bob and Laura Pigekop, homeowners).
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus)-- Tetranychus gloveri Banks, a mite: A moderate infestation involved 500 of 1500 plants at a nursery in Plymouth, Orange County (2 December 1996; Leslie J. Wilbur).
Limnocharis flava (Sawah-flowering rush, or velvetleaf)-- Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, silverleaf whitefly: An infestation involved 200 of 333 plants at a nursery in Lake City, Columbia County (6 January 1997; M. 'Janie' Echols). This is a Prohibited Plant.
Neoregelia sp. (a bromeliad)-- Diaspis boisduvalii (Signoret), boisduval scale: A moderate infestation involved all of 20 plants at a nursery in Apopka, Orange County (10 February 1997; Leslie J. Wilber).
Nymphaea sp. (a water lily)-- Physella sp., pond snail: A severe infestation involved 100% of 1,000 plants at a nursery in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County (3 December 1996; Randall N. Mescher).
FOREST AND SHADE TREES: Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo)-- Tegonotus sp., rust mite: A severe infestation caused new leaves to curl on one plant at a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences unit in Homestead, Dade County (August 1996; A. Castineiras, University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center).
Manilkara roxburghiana (mimusops)-- Ceroplastes rusci Linnaeus, fig wax scale: A slight infestation was found on a plant at a nursery in Homestead, Dade County (23 January 1997; Edward T. Putland). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Pinus taeda (loblolly pine)--Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, southern pine beetle: Numerous, relatively small, scattered infestations were recorded in old stands along state road 40, between Silver Springs and the Oklawaha River in Marion County. Infestations of this tree-killing bark beetle affected ca. 100 acres of pine forest in the area. The number, size, and apparent beetle success exhibited in these winter infestations may or may not develop into a more widespread outbreak situation following the spring dispersal phase of this beetle (James 'Jim' R. Meeker, FDACS/Division of Forestry).
Quercus virginiana (live oak)-- Aceria quercerinus (Keifer), an eriophyid mite: A slight infestation on 2 of 25 plants caused distortion and erineum patches (pubescent overgrowth) at a nursery in Jacksonville, Duval County (11 February 1997; Flewellyn W. Podris).
Quercus spp. (oaks; especially live oak, laurel oaks and water oak)-- Malacosoma disstria Hübner, forest tent caterpillar: Noticeable to severe levels of defoliation and numerous public nuisance problems have been generated by outbreaks in Hillsborough, Manatee, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties. Populations should subside by the end of March and disappear until next year (James 'Jim' R. Meeker, FDACS/Division of Forestry).
FOOD OR CROP PLANTS: Ananas comosus (pineapple)-- Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), a mealybug: An infestation was intercepted on fruit from Jamaica at the Orlando Port, Orange County (25 August 1996; Paul A. Courneya, USDA/APHIS/PPQ).
Fragaria x ananassa (strawberry)-- Neopamera bilobata (Say), a lygaeid bug: A damaging population was found on ½ acre of commercial organic strawberries in Plant City, Hillsborough County (7 February 1997; Tina Rivera, University of Florida entomology student).
Fragaria x ananassa (strawberry)-- Tetranychus nr. turkestoni Ugarov and Nikolski, and Panonychus ulmi (McGregor) mites: A slight to moderate infestation caused yellowing and speckling of leaves on 2,000 plants at a farm in Sanford, Seminole County (16 December 1997; Anne F. Weathers).
Leguminosae (beans)-- Bemesia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, silverleaf whitefly: A severe infestation was found in a display at an amusement park in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County (31 December 1996; Barbara J. Wilder).
Litchi chinensis (litchi)-- Thysanofiorinia nephelii (Meskell), longan scale: A moderate infestation was found in a grove in Sunny Isles, Dade County (16 January 1997; Bill Whitman, grower). This is the first time this recently introduced Asian scale insect has been found on litchi (Avas B. Hamon). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Musa sp. (banana)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Another collection was made at a residence in Port St. Lucie, St Lucie County (28 February 1997; Donald R. Robbins).
Vaccinium myrsinites (shiny blueberry, a native species)-- Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret), latania scale and Pseudaonidia duplex (Cockerell), camphor scale: A slight infestation was found on a plant at a nursery in Deer Park, Osceola/Brevard county line (9 January 1997; Karen L. Garrett-Kraus).
CITRUS: Citrus x paradisi (grapefruit)-- Pseudotephritis vau (Say), an otitid fly: A specimen was collected in a McPhail trap located in a grapefruit tree in Orlando, Orange County (23 October 1996; Luis G. Morales). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Citrus x paradisi (grapefruit)-- Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: A small colony was found at a residence in Englewood, Sarasota County (26 February 1997; Floyd E. Crim, USDA/APHIS/PPQ). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Citrus sinensis (sweet orange)-- Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: A small colony was found at a residence in Englewood, Charlotte County (20 February 1997; Floyd E. Crim, USDA/APHIS/PPQ). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Citrus sinensis (sweet orange)-- Anelaphus inermis (Newman), a cerambycid beetle: A slight infestation involved 1% of 1000 plants in a grove at Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County (29 August 1996; Kenneth L. Hibbard). A larva was collected in a dead citrus branch and held in the office until February 1997, when the beetle emerged as an adult.
Citrus sp. (citrus)-- Rhizoecus floridanus Hambleton, a root mealybug: Specimens were collected in a Division of Plant Industry greenhouse in Gainesville, Alachua County (13 January 1997; Timothy S. Shubert).
Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange)-- Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: A slight infestation on 10 of 19,000 plants was found at a nursery in LaBelle, Hendry County (19 December 1996; Yolanda I. Inguanzo). Brown citrus aphids have been previously collected from rootstocks with trifoliate leaves, but the rootstocks were probably hybrids of P. trifoliata with a Citrus species (Susan E. Halbert). Thus, it is likely that this find is a DPI HOST RECORD.
WEEDS AND GRASSES: Urena lobata (Caesarweed)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
unknown weed-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss).
NATIVE AND NATURALIZED PLANTS: Arundinaria gigantea (giant cane, a native bamboo)-- Takecallis arundicolens (Clarke), an Asian bamboo aphid: A slight infestation was found in a state park in Bristol, Liberty County (6 January 1997; Susan E. Halbert and Letitia C. Croom, retired Episcopal Priest). This aphid was previously known in the US only from California. NEW DPI STATE RECORD.
Cakile sp. (sea rocket)-- Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach), turnip aphid: A slight infestation was found at a park in Melbourne, Brevard County (7 January 1997; David H. Faneuf). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Callicarpa americana (beauty berry)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A moderate infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Clerodendrum speciosissimum (glory flower)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A slight infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Galium aparine (bedstraw, sticky willy)-- Myzus cerasi (Fabricius), black cherry aphid: A slight infestation was discovered in a natural area in Gainesville, Alachua County (25 February 1997; Robert P. Esser). The black cherry aphid is a significant spring pest of cherries in northern climates, where it overwinters on the plants as eggs. Eggs hatch in the early spring and several generations occur before the aphids leave cherry trees for summer hosts, which include bedstraw. The overwintering part of the life cycle may not occur in Florida (Susan E. Halbert). DPI STATE RECORD.
Geranium carolinianum (crane's bill)-- Aphis gossypii Glover, cotton aphid or melon aphid: A slight infestation was found in a natural area in Gainesville, Alachua County (27 February 1997; Robert P. Esser). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
Verbesina virginica (frostweed)-- Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell, giant whitefly: A moderate infestation was found in Oak Hill, Volusia County (26 February 1997; Avas B. Hamon, Ru Nguyen, Kenneth L. Hibbard, and L.J. Chambliss). NEW DPI HOST RECORD.
FEDERAL/STATE PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE PROGRAMS: Cedrus deodara (cedar of Lebanon)-- Helix aspersa Müller, brown garden snail: Several specimens were intercepted in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County in a shipment of trees from Arizona (13 January 1997; Barbara J. Wilder).
Crassula sp. (jade plant)-- Helix aspersa Müller, brown garden snail: A severe infestation was found in 300 boxes of plants shipped from California, intercepted in Sarasota, Sarasota County (12 February 1997; Douglas W. Lawrence).
Hydrangea macrophylla (garden hydrangea)-- Deroceras laeve Müller marsh slug: A moderate infestation involved 1,650 plants from California at a nursery in Plymouth, Orange County (27 December 1996; Leslie J. Wilber and Anthony N. Capitano).
Lactuca sativa (romaine lettuce)-- Deroceras laeve Müller marsh slug: A slight infestation was intercepted on a shipment of organic produce from California in Winter Haven, Polk County (9 December 1997; W. Jack Shirley).
Lactuca sativa (green leaf lettuce)-- Helix aspersa Müller, brown garden snail: A slight infestation was found in a box of plants at an organic food store in Melbourne, Brevard County (31 January 1997; David H. Faneuf).
INSECTS OF MEDICAL AND VETERINARY IMPORTANCE: Latrodectus geometricus C.L. Koch, brown widow spider: A single spider was found on patio furniture in Miami, Dade County (1 December 1996; Edward T. Putland).
INSECT DETECTION: Bolbocerosoma hamatum Brown, a scarab beetle: A single specimen of this rare beetle was found in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County (10 January 1997; Kenneth L. Hibbard).
Dinoderus minutus (Fabricius), a bostrichid beetle: Four beetles were intercepted in Pensacola, Escambia County (23 January 1997; Russell E. Hill, USDA/APHIS/PPQ).
Heterobostrichus aequalis (Waterhouse), a bostrichid beetle: An infestation in cast iron goods was intercepted in Pensacola, Escambia County (22 January 1997; Russell E. Hill, USDA/APHIS/PPQ).
Mantispa floridana Banks, a mantispid: A specimen was found in Plant City, Hillsborough County (6 February 1997; Janice Jones, a homeowner). NEW DPI COUNTY RECORD.
Minthea rugicollis (Walker) a lyctid beetle: Several specimens of this exotic beetle were found in pine furniture in Miami, Dade County (22 January 1997; Gwen H. Myres).
Sinoxylon anale Lesne, a bostrichid beetle: Several specimens were intercepted in manhole cover crates from India in Pensacola, Escambia County (22 January 1997; Russell E. Hill, USDA/APHIS/PPQ).
Sinoxylon conigerum Gerstaecker, a bostrichid beetle: Several specimens were intercepted in manhole cover crates from India in Pensacola, Escambia County (22 January 1997; Russell E. Hill, USDA/APHIS/PPQ).
Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: Collections in a suction trap in Kendall, Dade County indicate that flight activity is occurring in southern Florida (14-21 February and 21-28 February 1997; Robert T. Lawton and Susan E. Halbert). These are the first trap collections for the 1997 season.
Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), brown citrus aphid: A single wingless adult was found in a yellow pan trap in Cudjoe Key (20 February 1997; John MacKean, USDA/ APHIS/ PPQ). The female aphid evidently fell off the tangelo tree under which the pan was placed. This collection indicates that the brown citrus aphid has colonized the Florida Keys nearly as far as Key West (Susan E. Halbert).
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NEMATOLOGY SECTION
Compiled by Robert P. Esser, Ph.D.
A total of 2,024 samples were processed in January and February. Details are shown below:
Certification and Regulatory Samples:
Multistate Certification for National and
International Export 892
California Certification 592
Premovement 52
Site or Pit Approval 47
Burrowing Nematode 30
Other Samples:
Identification
(Invertebrate) 4
Nematology Investigations 0
Out of state survey, via
Florida Interceptions 4
Plant Problem 67
Intra-state Survey, Random 334
Detections of Special Interest:
Ardisia crenata (coral ardisia) -- Belonolaimus euthychilus (Rau, 1963), Hoplolaimus tylenchiformis (Daday, 1905), Nanodorus minor (Colbran, 1956), Nothocriconema permistum (Raski & Golden, 1966; de Grisse, 1967), Helicotylenchus truncatus (Roman, 1965), Scutellonema bradys (Steiner & Lehew, 1933; Andrassy, 1968), Trophotylenchus floridensis (Raski, 1957), and Xiphinema sheri (Lamberti & Bleve-Zacheo, 1979) were detected for the first time associated with the rhizosphere of this plant. Criconema boettgeri (originally described from the Island of Ischia, Italy) and Hemicriconemoides sacchariae, (originally described from South Africa) were detected in Florida for the first time (6 January 1997; Robert P. Esser; N97-00007).
Quercus falcata (southern red oak)-- Hemicriconemoides minutus (Esser, 1960), Longidorus longicaudatus (Siddiqi, 1962), Scutellonema bradys and Trichodorus aequalis were detected for the first time associated with the rhizosphere this tree (26 December 1996; Robert P. Esser; N96-01592).
Quercus michauxii (cow oak, or basket oak, or swamp chestnut-oak)-- Criconemoides xenoplax (Raski, 1952), Dolichodorus miradvulvus (Smart & Khuong, 1985), Xiphinema chambersi (Thorne, 1939) and Crossonema octozonale (Mamota & Ohshma, 1974) were detected for the first time associated with the rhizosphere of this tree (15 January 1997; Robert P. Esser; N97-00014).
Nematology Note 129: Nematodes Associated with Cabbage Palm:
Cabbage palm and associated flora were first sampled for nematodes in March 1955. A total of 1,805 samples (971 soil and 834 root) were collected and examined for nematodes through January 1997. Thirty-five genera and 72 species of phytoparasitic nematodes have been identified from cabbage palm and associated flora as follows: Aglenchus costatus (de Man, 1921) Meyl, 196; Aphelenchoides sp.; Belonolaimus euthychilus Rau, 1963; Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau, 1958; Bursaphelenchus n.sp.; Criconema cobbi (Micholetzky, 1925) Taylor, 1936; C. fimbriatum Cobb & Taylor, 1936; C. hungaricum Andrassy, 1962; C. sulcatum Golden & Friedman, 1964; Criconemoides annulifer (de Man, 1921) Taylor, 1936; C. citri Steiner, 1949; C. curvatum Raski, 1952; C. informe Micoletzky, 1922; C. quadricorne Kirjanova, 1948; C. xenoplax Raski, 1958; Crossonema octozonale Momota & Ohshima, 1974; Discocriconemella mauritiense (Williams, 1960) de Grisse & Loof, 1965; Ditylenchus sp.; Dolichodorus heterocephalus Cobb, 1914; D. miradvulvus Smart & Khuong, 1985; Gracilacus sp.; Helicotylenchus crenicauda Sher, 1966; H. dihystera (Cobb, 1893) Sher, 1961; H. erythrinae (Zimmerman, 1904) Golden, 1956; H. hydrophilus Sher, 1966; H. microlobus Perry in Perry Darling & Thorne, 1959; H. nanus Steiner, 1945; H. pseudorobustus Steiner, 1914; Hemicriconemoides minutus Esser, 1960; H. wessoni Chitwood & Birchfield, 1957; Hemicycliphora floridensis Chitwood & Birchfield, 1957; H. similis Thorne, 1955; Heterodera sp.; Hirschmanniella caudacrena Sher, 1968; Hoplolaimus galeatus Cobb, 1913; H. tylenchiformus Daday, 1905; Longidorus sp.; Meloidodera floridensis Chitwood, Hannon & Esser, 1956; Macroposthonia denoudeni de Grisse, 1967; Meloidogyne acrita (Chitwood, 1949) Esser, Perry & Taylor, 1976; M. graminis (Sledge & Golden, 1964) Whitehead, 1968; M. megatyla Baldwin & Sasser, 1979; Nothocriconema longulum (Gunhold, 1953) de Grisse & Loof, 1965; N. permistum (Raski & Golden, 1956) de Grisse, 1967; Paratylenchus audriellis Brown, 1959; P. elachistis Steiner, 1949; P. goodeyi Oostenbrink, 1953; P. micolezkyi Edwards, Misra and Singh, 1967; Peltamigratus christiei (Golden & Taylor, 1956) Sher, 1964; Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey, 1929) Filipjey, Shuurmans, Stekhoven, 1941; P. coffeae (Zimmerman, 1898) Filipjey, Shuurmans, Stekhoven, 1941; P. zeae Graham, 1951; Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliviera, 1940; Scutellonema brachyurum (Steiner, 1938) Andrassy, 1958; S. bradys (Steiner & Lehew, 1933) Andrassy, 1958; Sphaeronema whittoni Sledge & Chrissie, 1962; Trichodorus borneoensis Hooper, 1962; T. christiei Allen, 1957; T. kurumeensis Yokoo, 1966; T. minor Colbran, 1956; T. nanus Allen, 1957; T. proximus Allen, 1957; T. teres Hooper, 1962; Trophotylenchulus floridensis Raski,1957; Tylenchorhynchus claytoni Steiner, 1937; T. martini Fielding, 1956; T. phaseolus Sethi & Swarrup, 1968; Tylenchulus graminus Inserra, Vovles, O'Bannon, & Esser, 1988; T. palustris Inserra, Vovles, O'Bannon, & Esser, 1988; T. semipentrans Cobb, 1913; Verutus volvingentis Esser, 1981; Xenocriconemella macrodorum (Taylor, 1936) de Grisse & Loof, 1965; Xiphinema americanum Cobb, 1913; X. chambersi Thorne, 1939; X. ensiculiferum (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1937; and X. vulgare Tarjan, 1964.
Sabal palmetto (cabbage palmetto, Florida and South Carolina state tree)-- To the long list of taxa above, four soil and four root samples from Taylor County added (a) two new phytoparasitic nematode/cabbage palm associations: Nothocriconema crotaloides (Cobb, 1924) (de Grisse & Loof, 1965) and N. oachirae (Khan, Seshadri, Weisher & Mathen, 1972) (Ivanova, 1976), and (b) one new geographic record: N. loofi (de Grisse, 1967) (originally described from the Netherlands) (14 January 1997; M.'Janie' Echols and W. Walter Smith; N97-00039).
COLLECTORS SUBMITTING FIVE OR MORE SAMPLES THAT WERE PROCESSED FOR NEMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1997:
Brown, Gregory A. 33
Dees, Carrie S. 36
Echols, M. 'Janie' 17
Esser, Robert P. 14
Fuller, Samuel A. 36
Harris, Jessie M. 9
Harris, J. Keith 6
Inserra, Renato N. 6
LeBoutillier, Karen W. 151
Peacock, Maria E. 32
Robinson, William L. 'Robbie' 127
Salisbury, Thomas L. 242
Santos-Quintanilla, Maria I. 136
Smith, W. Wayne 71
Wigelsworth, Jimmie R. 14
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Compiled by John W. Miller, Ph.D.
For this period, the Plant Pathology Section received and processed 1,420 specimens. Theses included 655 pathology, 11 miscellaneous, 7 soil, and 747 suspect canker samples. Some of the samples are shown below.
ORNAMENTALS, FOLIAGE PLANTS: Dracaena concinna (purple/red-edged dracaena)-- Phaeotrichoconis sp., leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Sharpes, Brevard County (08 January 1997, Karen L. Garrett-Kraus, P97-0132). NEW HOST RECORD.
Plectranthus ecklonii (Ecklon's spurflower)-- Cercospora sp., leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Archer, Alachua County (06 February 1997, Maria E. Peacock, David A. Davison, P97-0380). NEW HOST RECORD.
ORNAMENTALS, FLOWERING PLANTS: Allamanda sp. (allamanda)-- Tomato spotted wilt tosopvirus, virus: Collected at a nursery in Longwood, Seminole County (07 February 1997, Anne F. Weathers, P97-0440). NEW HOST RECORD.
Angelonia angustifolia (angelonia)-- Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus, virus: Collected at a nursery in Gainesville, Alachua County (25 February 1997, Maria E. Peacock, P97-0621). NEW HOST RECORD.
Brunfelsia sp. (brunfelsia)-- Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr., Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., root rot: Collected at a nursery in Jasper, Hamilton County (19 February 1997, M. 'Janie' Echols, P97-0574). NEW HOST RECORD.
Lupinus sp. (lupine)-- Pleiochaeta setosa (Kirchn.) S. J. Hughes, leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Altoona, Lake County (15 January 1997, Christine M. Murphy, P97-0192).
Penstemon sp. (penstemon)-- Phoma sp., leaf spot: Collected at a Research Station in Gainesville, Alachua County (29 January 1997, Maria E. Peacock, J. J. 'Jack' McRitchie, P97-0283). NEW HOST RECORD.
Veronica sp. (veronica)-- Peronospora grisea (Unger) Unger, downy mildew: Collected at a nursery in Orlando, Orange County (06 January 1997, Leslie J. Wilber, Barbara J. Wilder, P97-0091). NEW STATE RECORD.
FOOD OR CROP PLANTS: Anethum graveolens (dill)-- Alternaria sp., leaf spot: Collected at a dooryard in Apopka, Orange County (07 February 1997, Anthony N. Capitano, P97-0425). NEW HOST RECORD.
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)-- Alternaria sp., leaf spot: Collected at nursery in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County (08 January 1997, Barbara J. Wilder, P97-0127). NEW HOST RECORD.
Petroselinum crispum (flat leaved parsley)-- Alternaria petroselini (Neergard) Simmons, leaf spot, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, stem blight: Collected at a dooryard in Apopka, Orange County (16 February 1997, Anthony K. Capitano, P97-0541). NEW HOST RECORD.
Plant pathology Note 1: Be on the Lookout for Sorghum Ergot - Sugary Disease. One of the ergot or sugary diseases of sorghum is caused by Claviceps africana Frederickson, Mantle & DeMilliano. The common name "sugary disease" denotes the profuse seepage of honeydew from the infected florets of the sorghum grain head. Conidia of the asexual stage of the ergot pathogen, Spacelia sorghi McRae, are produced in abundance on infected grain heads. Historically, neither of the ergot diseases of sorghum (the other is Claviceps sorghi Kulkarni et al.) was present in the western Hemisphere. However C. africana has recently found its way from its historical range in Africa and Asia to cause serious yield losses in South America (Brazil in 1995; Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia in 1996), Australia (southern Queensland, 1996), Central America (Mexico, 1996?, unconfirmed), and the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, 1997). There is a good chance that C. africana will continue to spread northward into Texas by the spring of 1997. Sorghum growers in the US should be on the alert for symptoms of a white, drippy exudate at anthesis from the florets of grain sorghum. The honeydew is attractive to insects, which then serve as vectors. The sugary phase is followed by the growth of a hard, black seed-like sclerotium where the seed should form. Although the C. africana ergot/sugary disease pathogen does produce some alkaloids in infected tissues (remember St. Anthony's fire from ergot of rye), these alkaloids do not appear to have any strong mycotoxic properties (Timothy S. Schubert).
WEEDS AND GRASSES: Arrhenatherum elatius (tuber oat grass)-- Puccinia sp., rust: Collected at a nursery in Pace, Santa Rosa County (09 January 1997, Wilson, P97-0060). NEW HOST RECORD.
Limnocharis flava (Sawah flowing rush, Florida Prohibited Plant)-- Pseudocercospora sp., leaf spot: Collected at a nursery in Lake City, Columbia, (06 January 1997, M. 'Janie' Echols, P97-0056). NEW HOST RECORD.
