Pest of the Week - June Bug Beetle

The June bug  (Phylophaga sp) is a member of the Scarab family which was revered by the ancient Egyptians and isn't actually a "true" bug.  True bugs are members of the Order Hemiptera("half wings"). For members of the Order Hemiptera part of the first pair of wings is toughened and hard, while the rest of the first pair and the second pair of wings are membranous.

June bugs are memebers of the Order Coleoptera.  The name Coleoptera, derived from the Greek words "koleos" meaning sheath and "ptera" meaning wings, refers to the modified front wings which serve as protective covers for the membranous hind wings.  There are more than 400 species of June bug beetles (Phyllophaga spp.) north of Mexico, and they are difficult to distinguish.

June beetle. Photo by Laura C. Jesse
University of Iowa Extension

After mating, June beetle females dig a few inches into the soil to deposit their eggs, often near trees. Depending on the species. the grubs live underground for 1–4 years. During that time they feed on plant roots and descend much lower into the soil to overwinter.  In late spring the larvae pupate for a few weeks, within a small cavity in the soil. They emerge as adults but stay underground for another year until the following spring, when they crawl to the surface to fly, mate, and lay eggs.

Larval form of June bugs
Texas A&M
Photo by Bart Drees

June beetle grubs feed on the roots of grass.  The damage can appear as irregular yellow or dead patches.  Less severely damaged turf lacks strength and is more vulnerable to invasion by weeds.   During the second year of an infestation the damage becomes more apparent, because the grubs have reached a larger size.  The second year is the best time to apply insecticide since the damage usually isn't  extensive and an insecticide would be effective.

Additional Information

Hemiptera - Entomology for Master Gardeners - University of Kentucky

Coleoptera - NC State University

Managing Turfgrass Insects of the Northeast Part 2: Root Infesting Insect Pests- Rutgers University

May June Beetles - University of Minnesota

The Sacred Scarab - McClung Museum

IPM Notes from July 24, 2014

The sweet corn is now in the ear stage and harvesting on the more mature varieties should begin any day. In the open spaces between each of the four cornrows the taller weeds are once again making a comeback with the increased sun exposure.

On the other side of the sweet corn, the pollinator plants are doing very well. They are attracting many of the pollinators to the vegetable plants of Shared Ground on Centerton Road side. Municipalities are beginning to understand that using pollinating plants with the right species and height as sustainability projects in places like drainage basins can save money.

The field corn is coming along. The corn was planted 2 weeks before the sweet corn but takes longer to mature. Sweet corn takes about 60-80 days to mature, whereas for field corn it's about 108 days. The corn is pretty well pollinated and the ears just need to grow. It will also be awhile for the milking in the corn to be noticed.

The popcorn for the most part looks fine, although there are some signs of corn borer damage, and some slight leaf burn from the use of urea. Some of the plants in the taller soybean field show some very early flowering or R1 stage. The potassium deficiency mentioned last week now show greener leaves, as the plant is now absorbing potassium from the soil. On these taller plants can also be noticed soybean aphids. Hopefully ladybugs will be appearing on the scene (as they did last year) to consume the aphids.

The other soybean field has younger (and smaller) plants in the 3rd trifoliate leaf stage. These young plants are showing signs of spotting, and also curling from thrip damage. Since this field was a no-till field, insect damage and disease seem more prevalent. The plant should outgrow these issues in time.

In the demonstration plots the pepper plants, like last week, still show the effect of severe leaf damage by beetles. The daughter plants in the strawberry plants were cut back, fertilized, and sprayed twice for powdery mildew. For the first year they look good. The hop plants show foliage as weather worn, but are producing healthy large looking cones.

Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.

Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 2 click beetles, 2 moths.
Trap 2 (Fall Army Worm) – 1 chafer beetle, 1 armyworm.
Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – None.

Pest of the Week - Pennsylvania Smartweed

Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum) is an annual and prevalent wildflower approximating 30-120 cm. in height.  The leaves of Pennsylvania smartweed are long and lanceolote to elliptic in shapre. Flowers are approximately 3 mm. in length and are light pink in color. Each bloom has 4-6 sepals which form slightly ovate grain-like structures. Flowers are arranged in elongated clusters approximately varying in length and width.

Pennsylvania smartweed is a member of the Polygonaceae family.  A key characteristic that all members of the Polygonaceae family have is that of swollen nodes. The genus name Polygonum means "many knees." These nodes are covered with a clear or whitish membranous sheath called an ocrea.

Rheum, sheathing leaf base or "ocrea"
University of Washington

Universidad Nacional del Nordeste

Pennsylvania smartweed ocrea
Virginia Tech University

Ocrea pubescence and size often help distinguish many of the smartweed species from one another.

Polygonum pensylvanicum

Pennsylvania smartweed, along with various other species of smartweed are a part of the buckwheat family. The seeds are a popular food source for many animals including ducks, geese, bobwhites, mourning doves, ring-necked pheasants, some rails, and many non-game birds. Some mammals such as muskrat and raccoons eat the plant or seeds.


Additional Information

Pennsylvania Smartweed Factsheet - USDA

Pecíolo y base foliar - Universidad Nacional del Nordeste

Increasing Your Knowledge About Smartweeds - University of Illinois

Armyworms marching through Mississippi

Armyworms.  Something we are quite familiar with here in New Jersey.  We don't always see the catepillar form, but the moth regularly appears in the weekly IPM report.  To read Delta Press article about the armyworm problem in Missisissippi click the link below:

Armyworms marching through Mississippi

IPM Notes from July 17, 2014

As mentioned last week, the sweet corn now has the tassels and silks appearing at the same time. The corn is now in the silk and earful stage and the corn could be harvested in about 10 days. The problem is the nearby field corn is also tasseling and there will be a high probability of cross-pollination with the sweet corn. This can make the sweet corn starchier and have different color corn. The sweet corn is showing some corn earworm and corn borer damage. Some sweet corn that is sugar enhanced, can last up to 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The field corn is coming along. There is still some corn borer and cereal leaf beetle damage.

The popcorn for the most part looks fine, although there are some signs of deer damage.

The soybeans are in the 5th to 6th trifoliate stage. The top leaves are slightly lighter. This could be potassium deficiency. The plants are also showing deer damage.

In the demonstration plots the pepper plants look much greener, but like last week the leaves are being chewed by beetles. The strawberry plants are showing too much growth from the daughter plants and will need to be cut back. The strawberry plants will be fertilized. They will also need to be sprayed again for powdery mildew.

Bug of the week – June Bug

Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.

• Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 6 June bugs, 3 chafer beetles.
• Trap 2 (Fall Armyworm) – 4 Japanese beetles, 1 each of chafer beetle, bee, fly, lady bug and armyworm.
• Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – None.

IPM Notes from July 10, 2014

The sheep at the BCCAC were sheared today. This occurs twice a year at the BCCAC, summer and winter. The IPM team watched as each sheep was sheared, and the wool stored in large clear plastic bags for shipping and cleaning in Bucks County. The process took about five minutes for each animal.

A brief discussion was held on Timothy grass growing near the sweet corn. The grass is used by horse farmers. The leaves are curled and off color, due to the microscopic cereal rust mite. Farmers are not willing to buy as much if the grass contains the mites.

The sweet corn has the tassels and silks appearing at the same time. The corn is now in the reproduction stage, and the two ears are beginning to appear. The larger weeds noted in previous weeks are no longer a problem. After being fertilized recently the corn is looking better.

The field corn has some early tassels appearing. Looking at the outside rows of the cornfield, there can be seen damage from the corn borer and cereal leaf beetle. There were various beetles noted such as the Japanese, oriental, click and striped cucumber beetle.

The popcorn for the most part looks fine.

The soybeans are having issues with thrips, as the leaves are puckering.

In the demonstration plots the pepper plants look much greener, but the leaves are being chewed by beetles. The peanut plants are showing some slight leaf yellowing and may need some potassium. The hops are ready to be harvested. The sorghum plants have recently sprouted and are doing well.

Bug of the week – Japanese Beetle

Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.

Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 3 Japanese beetles, 2 oriental beetles, 1 each of click beetle and fly.
Trap 2 (Fall Army Worm) – 2 each of lightning bug and oriental beetle, and 1 each of June bug and armyworm.
Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – 1 each of click beetle, wire worm, squash bug and moth.

Pest of the Week - Flea Beetle

Because of their small size, enlarged hind legs, characteristic shot-hole damage, and habit of jumping when disturbed make flea beetles easy to identify.

Epitrix sp. - Texas A&M

There are numerous flea beetle species. All flea beetles are tiny, less than 0.10 inch long, and jump like fleas when disturbed.

North Carolina State University

There are numerous species of flea beetles are found in New Jersey (Table 1). Although there is some overlap of tastes, each type of flea beetle has a preference for particular plants. For example, some flea beetles feed only on potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family. Others have a taste for broccoli, cabbage and other cole crops.

 Systena blanda - Palestriped flea beetle
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.insectimages.org

Natural History
Flea beetles spend the winter in the adult stage, hidden under leaves, dirt clods or in other protected sites. They typically begin to become active during warm days in midspring but may straggle out over several weeks. Many flea beetles are strong fliers and seek out emerging host plants, which they locate by chemical cues the plants produce.

The adults feed for several weeks. Soon the females intersperse feeding with some egg laying. They lay eggs in soil cracks around the base of the plants. The minute, worm-like larvae then move to feed on small roots and root hairs. With the exception of the tuber flea beetle, an occasional pest of potato tubers, larval feeding is not considered to cause significant plant injury. The larval stage is typically completed in about a month. The insects pupate, then emerge from the soil as adults. There may be a second generation during the summer and, with a few species, a third generation.

Dozens of species of flea beetles are found in New Jersey (Table 1). Although there is some overlap of tastes, each type of flea beetle has a decided preference for certain plants. For example, some flea beetles feed only on potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family. Others have a taste for broccoli, cabbage and other cole crops.

Although flea beetles are common, injuries often are insignificant to plant health. On established plants, 10 to 20 percent or more of the leaf area must be destroyed before there is any effect on yields. The plants most likely to benefit from treatment are more sensitive seedlings, plants grown for ornamental purposes or for edible greens, and potatoes that may be affected by tuber flea beetle larvae.

As flea beetles feed, they create small rounded, irregular, holes in the leaves, resulting in what is know as a shot hole appearance.

Flea beetle damage - University of Arkansas

Controls
Garden insecticides containing carbaryl (Sevin), spinosad, bifenthrin and permethrin can provide fairly good control for about a week. However, to protect seedlings, applications usually must be reapplied. The plants produce continuous new growth and the highly mobile beetles may rapidly reinvade plantings. As with all pesticides, carefully read and follow all label directions. Pay particular attention to ensure that any flea beetle insecticides being considered are properly registered for use on the plants.

Diatomaceous earth is one of the more effective repellents, applied as a dry powder to the plants. Horticultural oils and some neem insecticides also have some repellent effect on this insect.

Table 1: Some common flea beetles
Common name	Scientific names	Host plants, comments
Cabbage flea beetle	Phyllotreta cruciferae	Wide host range, primarily of cabbage family plants (Cruciferae family). The most damaging species in the state. Two and occasionally three generations are typical.
Palestriped flea beetle	Systena blanda	Has the widest host range of all flea beetles including squash, beans, corn, sunflowers, lettuce, potatoes and many weeds.
Potato flea beetles	Epitrix cucumeris, E. subcrinita, E. parvula	Tomato, potato and other nightshade family plants.
Tobacco flea beetle	Epitrix hirtipennis	Eggplant and some other nightshade family plants. Most common in warmer areas of the state.
Tuber flea beetle	Epitrix tuberis	Potatoes. Larvae are associated with tuber injuries.
Horseradish flea beetles	Phyllotreta armoraciae, P. albionica	Horseradish, occasionally other mustards.
Corn flea beetle	Chaetocnema pulicaria Melscheimer	Corn flea beetles remove remove leaf tissue of corn as they feed and leave long scratch marks on the leaves.
*Sumac flea beetle	Blepharida rhois	Currants, sumac, skunkbrush.
* Willow flea beetles	Disonycha spp.	Willow.
* Species that have larvae that feed on leaves, similar to other leaf beetles

Additional Information

Insect and related pests of vegetables _ North Caroline State University

Vegetable Resources - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Corn flea beetle - University of Illinois IPM

Neem, a Botanical Insecticide - Montana State University

IPM Notes from July 3, 2014

The sweet corn is in leaf stage 7. The majority of weeds in this cornfield have died from spraying. The corn has also recently been fertilized and does not show the recent firing at the base of the plant from last week. The sweet corn shows some damage from the cereal leaf beetle. Other bugs noted were the sap beetle, click beetle and plant bug. Much of the sweet corn damage was seen from the European corn borer. The corn borer holes were noted in the foliage, as well as the frass, and several corn borers were found inside the corn plant, which is non-BT corn.

The field corn is in leaf stage 9. The field corn next to the wheat field still shows a tremendous amount of window paining from the cereal leaf beetle, even on the newer growth. The larger leaf of this variety of corn grows in a more vertical direction, thus receiving more sunlight and capable of being planted closer together, thus increasing yield.

The popcorn is in leaf stage 3 and will be side-dressed possibly today, with urea fertilizer. There were some Japanese beetles on the popcorn and this will need to be monitored.

The soybeans are just sprouting and are in the second trifoliate phase.

The wheat was harvested this past Monday. The new crop to be planted on this no-tilled field will be soybeans. There were several types of weeds on this field, which will need to be killed before planting.

In the demonstration plots bacterial leaf spots on the tomato plants may be coming from the straw that was laid down as a barrier to weeds.. The two outside rows of the strawberry plot have powdery mildew, and were sprayed again today. The peanut and pepper plants have rebounded and are performing much better. The hops show a disease on the leaves that need to be determined. The sorghum plants have recently sprouted and are doing well.

Weed of the week – Pepper weed

Bug of the week – Flea beetle

Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.

• Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 3 oriental beetles.
• Trap 2 (Fall Army Worm) – 4 true armyworms, 3 chafer bugs, 2 lightning bugs, and 1 each of ladybug and syrphid bug.
• Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – Nothing