Tree Cattle are Harmless

Tree cattle webbing. Photograph by Douglas L. Caldwell, University of Florida

Tree cattle webbing. Photograph by Douglas L. Caldwell, University of Florida

Many people are noticing small insects on trunks and branches of their trees. When disturbed, these insects move in a group and are commonly called tree cattle because of this herding habit. They are ¼ inch brownish-black insects with white markings. Some people assume that these insects will injure their trees but they are harmless. They could be considered beneficial.

Before you spray your tree to control these insects, click on the following link and read the entire article.

Tree cattle are harmless

Tree cattle. Photograph by Jim Castner, University of Florida

Tree cattle. Photograph by Jim Castner, University of Florida

Spittlebugs: an IPM approach

Spittlebugs: an IPM approach

Credit: Lyle Buss, University of Florida

In recent weeks Spittlebugs have been found everywhere in the western parts of the panhandle.  Spittlebugs are the little black and orange insects you find everywhere in early June.  The adult spittlebug is about 1/4 inch long and has two orange lines across its back.  You may notice them flying on you while you mow the lawn.

The immature spittlebugs called nymphs, are usually found in a foamy white mass that characterizes the name of the insect.  The spittle mass is for protection of the nymphs from predators and desiccation.

Credit: E. A. Buss, University of Florida

The spittlebug can cause injury to ornamental turfs and other ornamental plants.  The adults feed on turf, centipede is the turf of choice.  When feeding, the insect injects a toxin into the leaf blade with its piercing/sucking mouthparts.  The pierced leaf blade will take on  purple, white, or yellow stripes along the turfgrass blade vertically.  Heavy infestations are best identified by a combinations of finding the injury, spittle masses, and large numbers of adults present.

Credit: Larry Williams, UF/IFAS

Recently spittlebugs have been spotted across many counties in the panhandle.  Many have brought them to the extension offices for identification and treatment recommendations.  Identification is the correct first step when having an IPM or Integrated Pest Management approach to insect control.

Bryan Unruh Ph.D is the UF/IFAS turf specialist stationed in Jay at the West Florida Research and Education Center.  Dr. Unruh posted on Facebook about Spittlebugs and the post read:

Dr. Bryan Unruh, UF/IFAS

Dr. Bryan Unruh, UF/IFAS

facebook spittlebugs

 

Sticking to an IPM plan, at this current date spittlebug damage has not met the aesthetic threshold to put a control plan in place.  Once the threshold has been met then cultural, mechanical, an chemical techniques need to be discussed to best take care of the issue.  Since Dr. Unruh commented on spittlebugs there has been a dramatic increase in rainfall, so we can expect for the spittlebugs, to stay around a while longer.  If you think you have an infestation that warrants treatment, call your local extension agent for treatment options.

 

 

Scale: A Major Pest of the Home Landscape and Garden

 

Adult Scale - Image Courtesy Lyle Buss

Adult Scale – Image Courtesy Lyle Buss

Many different species of scale insect infect citrus in North Florida, and mid spring is usually when gardeners notice them on their fruit trees and ornamental shrubs.  Many different species of scale affect Florida homeowners and cause a host of problems in the garden and landscape. Citrus is particularly prone to scale infestations in North Florida.

The Satsuma Tangerine, Citrus unshiu, is currently a fruit that is highly prized by home gardeners in North Florida. Now is the time to act to prevent heavy scale infestations since weather is warming and control methods cannot be used when daytime temperatures are very hot.  This pest has already been observed at multiple locations throughout the Florida Panhandle in both home gardens and commercial production areas.

Scale often reduces tree vitality by ingesting sap that would otherwise be used by the tree for growth and fruit production.  They may also cause premature fruit drop and defoliation. A secondary pest that may occur as result of Scale is Sooty Mold. Sooty Mold lives off of the surgery secretions of the scale and can cause citrus leaves to look black and eventually drop.

The good news is that Scale is relatively easy to control when managed in winter or early in the spring growing season.  From October through mid-May growers should use Horticultural Oil to control scale, particularly horticultural oil containing petroleum products.  These products deprive scale insects of oxygen. This will smother them, but dead insects will need to be washed off if complete removal is desired.

Cottony Cushion Scale - Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat

Cottony Cushion Scale – Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat

 

Applications should be timed correctly since horticultural oil applications can burn plants once the outdoor temperature reaches 94 ® F. A good rule of thumb is to apply horticultural oil on cool and cloudy days to minimize leaf damage. Always consult the label of each individual product before application and never apply more than the recommended amount. This last statement is especially crucial for horticultural oil applications, since increased rates are highly likely to damage plants. For more information, please consult this UF / IFAS publication on Citrus Scale and the Citrus Pest Management Guide.

Cottony Cushion Scale - Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat

Cottony Cushion Scale – Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat