New Insects and Factsheets

Photo credit:  Holly Glenn

Here are a couple of new insects to be on the look out for.  One insect is the Rugose spiraling whitefly.  This insect has been found in most of the coastal counties in Florida south of I-4.  This insect is extremely problematic in the amount of honeydew, sticky wax, sooty mold and dead insects that can accumulate on leaves and drop down to surfaces below.  The insect has a spiraling pattern of egg laying which is rather distinctive.  Here is a link to the new publication.  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN101500.pdf
There is also a list of host plants that you can click on in the online version of the publication.

Photo credit:  Anita Neal

Another new insect is the Sri Lankan weevil.  This little weevil has a big appetite for plants and has a rather large host range.  Over 150 plants are on the menu for this insect!  Typical damage is seen on the margins of leaves being notched.  This insect also has been found in most counties south of I-4.  Here is a factsheet on it. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN101600.pdf