Amanda C. Hodges

“Push-pull” Technology and Companion Planting: A Dual Strategy for Insect Pest Management in High Tunnel Vegetable Production and Organic Systems

Jesusa C. Legaspi, Alejandro Bolques, Fanny E. Ospina, Shufang Tian, Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez, Amanda C. Hodges, Adam J. Pitcher, and Xin Zhao

This publication is aimed to introduce “push-pull” technology and companion planting for pest management to high tunnel vegetable growers. It is also of interest to other crop producers wishing to improve their IPM practices.

Citrus Snow Scale Unaspis citri (Comstock) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae)

Courtney R. Buckley and Amanda Hodges

This document provides an overview of the citrus snow scale, Unaspis citri, an armored scale insect affecting citrus crops. It details the insect’s biology, life cycle, and distribution, highlighting its impact on citrus production in Florida. The document also discusses the economic significance of citrus snow scale infestations and outlines management strategies, including biological, cultural, and chemical controls. Emphasis is placed on the importance of monitoring and controlling this pest to prevent economic damage to citrus groves. 

Bagrada Bug, Painted Bug, Bagrada Hilaris (Burmeister) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Eric LeVeen and Amanda C. Hodges

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Striped Mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ariane McCorquodale and Amanda Hodges

Redbanded Stink Bug, Red-Banded Stink Bug, Smaller Green Stink Bug (suggested common names) Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Morgan G. Pinkerton andAmanda C. Hodges

This document provides an in-depth profile of the redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii. It covers the insect’s introduction, distribution, physical description, life stages, and host plants. The redbanded stink bug is a significant pest in the southeastern United States, particularly affecting leguminous crops like soybeans. The article also discusses the damage caused by this pest and various management strategies, including monitoring, cultural practices, and chemical control. The information is intended for both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences.

The Predatory Mite Amblyseius tamatavensis (Blommers) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Hannah R. Talton, Maria A. Canon, Amanda C. Hodges, Hugh A. Smith, and Alexandra M. Revynthi

The predatory mite Amblyseius tamatavensis (Blommers) belongs to the order Mesostigmata and the family Phytoseiidae. This family is important because it includes commercially available biological control agents and natural enemies of plant-feeding mites and small, soft-bodied insects. Amblyseius tamatavensis is a generalist predatory mite, and it has been found in many cropping systems feeding on small hemipteran insects and pollen when prey is not present.

Ladybirds, Ladybird beetles, Lady Beetles, Ladybugs of Florida, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae

J. H. Frank, R. F. Mizell, III

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Russell F. Mizell III

Lobate Lac Scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae)

F. W. Howard, Robert Pemberton, Avas Hamon, Greg S. Hodges, Bryan Steinberg, Catharine M. Mannion, David McLean, and Jeanette Wofford

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

The Pecan Bud Moth: Pest of Nursery Stock and Transplanted Pecans

Russell F. Mizell III
Other Contacts: Amanda C. Hodges

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (=coagulata) (Germar) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae)

Tracy Conklin andRussell F. Mizell III
Other Contacts: Amanda C. Hodges

The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a large leafhopper species native to the southeastern United States. It is one of the main vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pathogen that causes a variety of plant diseases, including phony peach disease of peach and Pierce's disease of grape.

Sharpshooters, Leafhoppers, Cicadellidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae)

Chris Tipping and Russell F. Mizell III

Orange Spiny Whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen, Amanda Hodges, and Greg S. Hodges

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Amanda C. Hodges

Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica Newman (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen, Amanda Hodges, and Clayton Bania

Citrus Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Twobanded Japanese Weevil, Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus Roelofs (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Viburnum Leaf Beetle Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Dogwood Borer, Synanthedon scitula(Harris) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Azalea Lace Bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Tingidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Fuller Rose Beetle, Naupactus godmanni (Crotch) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Jamba Gyeltshen and Amanda Hodges

Black Stink Bug Proxys punctulatus (Palisot) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Celina Gomez and Russell F. Mizell III

Brown Stink Bug Euschistus servus (Say) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Celina Gómez, Russell F. Mizell III, andCelina Gómez
Other Contacts: Amanda C. Hodges

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus, a significant pest in the southern U.S. It details the insect's life cycle, physical description, and the damage it causes to various crops, including peaches and pecans. The article also discusses the geographical distribution, feeding habits, and management strategies, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and using trap crops to control populations. The resurgence of brown stink bugs due to reduced pesticide use in major crops is highlighted, along with the economic impact on agriculture. Published: February 2009.

Cypress Twig Gall Midge, Taxodiomyia cupressiananassa (Osten Sacken) (Insecta: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Celina Gomez and Russell F. Mizell III

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Coconut Mealybug Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Red Date Scale, Phoenicococcus marlatti (Cockerell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Phoenicoccidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Black Thread Scale, Ischnaspis longirostris (Signoret) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Tessellated Scale, Ecualymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, Forrest Howard, and Catharine Mannion

Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a Mealybug

Amanda Hodges and Greg Hodges

Palmetto Scale Comstockiella sabalis Comstock

Adrianna Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, and Greg Hodges

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Boisduval Scale, Diaspis boisduvalii Signoret (Insecta: Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Adriana Espinosa, Heidi Bowman, Amanda Hodges, and Greg Hodges

Light Brown Apple Moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Caitlin A. Lewis and Amanda C. Hodges

Myakka Bug, Ischnodemus variegatus (Signoret) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Blissidae)

Cecil O. Montemayor, Rodrigo Diaz, William A. Overholt, Amanda Hodges, and James P. Cuda

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Tiphiid Wasp Myzinum maculata Fabricius (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Myzininae)

Donald Spence and Amanda Hodges

Horned passalus, Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Passalidae: Passalinae)

Christopher S. Bibbs, Amanda C. Hodges, and Rebecca W. Baldwin

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

European Pepper Moth or Southern European Marsh Pyralid Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller)

Stephanie D. Stocks and Amanda Hodges

Tropical Bont Tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodidae)

Karen C. Prine and Amanda C. Hodges

Western Leaffooted Bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle Chrysomela scripta Fabricius (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomela)

Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III

The cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta Fabricius, is one of the most economically-important pests of managed cottonwood, aspen, and some poplar and willow species. Although it does not present a serious pest problem in forests, often it is a severe pest of urban ornamental trees. This leaf feeder has several generations each year, may cause extensive leaf loss, and can consequently reduce stem volume up to 70%.

Bean Plataspid: Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae)

Ashley Poplin and Amanda Hodges

The Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

C. L. Harmon, A. Hodges, N. Peres, P. D. Roberts, L. Buss, W. T. Crow, J. Xin, and M. Paret

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.