Life Sciences Commons^™

Sp341-N-The Eastern Tent Caterpillar And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Nests or tents of the eastern tent caterpillar are a part of the landscape along fence rows and in trees in many parts of Tennessee. This insect has become an increasing problem as more subdivisions spring up in rural areas.

Sp290-D-Two-Spotted Spider Mites, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Twospotted spider mites occur as injurious pests on more than 180 host plants, including more than 100 cultivated species. Violet, chickweed, pokeweed, wild mustard and blackberry are common foci from which infestations develop on nearby ornamental plants.

Sp290-S-Mealybugs On Ornamentals, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Mealybugs are worldwide pests of ornamental plants grown indoors and outdoors. Both greenhouse and field-grown ornamentals are commonly attacked.

Damage to ornamentals occurs when mealybugs insert their needlelike mouthparts into host plants and suck out the sap. Heavy infestations often result in the disfiguration of the plant. While feeding, the mealybug excretes honeydew, a sweet sticky liquid. Infested plant parts darken due to sooty mold growing on the honeydew. Ants may also feed on the honeydew. Some species of mealybugs inject a toxin into the plant while feeding. This toxin causes the plant to drop buds and leaves.

Sp341-H-Boxelder Bugs And Red-Shouldered Bugs, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittata (Say), are a nuisance, especially during the cool autumn months when they cluster in large numbers on the sides of trees, houses and other structures. This pest enters buildings through cracks and openings and spends the winter hibernating behind exterior siding and in attics, soffits, wall voids, window/door casings and similar protected areas. Boxelder bugs may also take refuge in soil and leaf litter next to foundations. With the onset of warmer weather in late winter and spring, these bugs become active and emerge from their overwintering sites. As they attempt to escape to their natural …

Pb946-The Japanese Beetle And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, has been in the United States since 1916 and in Tennessee since 1936. Adult beetles severely damage some ornamental plants, shrubs, garden plants and field crops (Figure 1). The immature stages feed on roots of grasses and other plants. Approximately 80 Tennessee counties are infested with established populations (Figure 2), although there is no geographical or climatic barrier that will prevent the spread of the beetle into all 95 Tennessee counties.

Pb1303-Managing Pests Around The Home, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Most household pests are insects and are commonly called “bugs.” Other organisms such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, sowbugs, pillbugs, mites, rats, mice, snakes, bats, squirrels, birds, molds and fungi may enter homes. In Tennessee, one or more of about 40 common pests are found in every home at one time or another. Even the most conscientious person cannot always avoid an occasional pest infestation.

Sp503-C-Lady Beetles Infesting Homes, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

In Tennessee, the invasion often starts around the third week in October. Multicolored Asian lady beetles, orange-red with a variable number of spots, often invade homes in the search of a protected overwintering spot. These beetles may congregate on the sunny sides of buildings by the thousands and, if given the opportunity, will often move inside. In Japan, they seek protected sites such as cracks and crevices in rocks on mountains. In the U.S., they use buildings as overwintering sites. This can be a particular problem in log homes because of their many cracks and crevices.

Pb1629-Managing Structure-Invading Ants, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

As a group, ants are the most difficult household pests to control. In a recent survey, pest control technicians indicated they had more call-backs due to ants than any other insect. Too often our first response to a pest problem is to reach for a can of pesticide. When managing ants, this can lead to disaster. In some cases, such as with Pharaoh ants, spraying ant trails only makes the problem worse. So, learn to identify pest ants, understand their biology and management options and you will be more successful combating them.

Sp341-Z Mexican Bean Beetle, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, is the most injurious insect pest of beans. The adults are 1/4 to 1/3 inch long, slightly oval and yellowish with 16 black spots on their wing covers (elytra). The adults look like large ladybird beetles and are classified in the ladybird beetle family, Coccinellidae. While the Mexican bean beetle and the closely related squash beetle feed on plants, other ladybird beetle species prey on insects and mites.

Sp370-K-Identifying Problems Of Garden Flowers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

There are many causes of garden flower and perennial landscape plant problems, and a number of these problems can appear to have the same symptoms on the plant.

To identify the cause of the plant’s problem, it is usually necessary to look at the plant closely; examine the flowers, leaves, stem and (sometimes) the roots; and do some detective work to determine possible causes. Often the process of elimination of the possible causes will lead to the identification of the problem. Once the cause is correctly identified, corrective measures can be taken to eliminate or reduce the problem.

Sp594-Small Hive Beetle - A New Pest Of Honey Bees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, a new pest of honey bees, was discovered damaging honey bee colonies in Florida in spring of 1998. It is native to South Africa. When and how it arrived in North America are unknown; however, the earliest known collection was made in 1996 in Charleston, SC. By 1999 it was established in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina. In 2000, it was discovered in Alabama, Ohio, Maine, Michigan, South Dakota and Mississippi. In Tennessee, the beetle was found in Polk County in 2000 and in Hamilton, Sequatchie and Dyer counties in 2001. …

Sp409-A-Tracheal Mites In Tennessee - Parasites Of The Honey Bee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Tracheal mites (Acarapis woodi) have spread throughout Tennessee since their introduction in 1987. In the past decade, this parasite is believed responsible for 20 to 50 percent of losses of bee colonies statewide, with local losses reaching 100 percent. The mite has become a severe problem, in part due to the difficulty in detecting the minute parasite and to the ease with which contaminated bees can spread the mites. The mites are spread among the colonies by drifting bees, or by any activities of beekeepers involved in moving adult bees. Honey bees contaminated with mites can be found …

Pb1215-Disease Control In The Home Vegetable Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Control of vegetable pests (diseases, insects, weeds) involves a total production program that includes both chemical and non-chemical means of pest control. The establishment of a healthy, vigorous crop is central to a successful pest control program. Production practices such as maintaining proper soil pH and fertility are helpful in reducing potential losses from all types of pests.

This publication deals mainly with chemical and biological pest control, because these recommendations change more often than do cultural practices. Cultural practices of pest control are extremely important and are addressed throughout the publication.

Pb1344-Subterranean Termite Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Subterranean termites, the most destructive wood-feeding insects in Tennessee, feed on cellulose that is usually obtained from wood. Termites are very important because they help recycle dead, fallen trees back into the soil. They do not easily distinguish between a dead pine tree and pine lumber; therefore, their food may be in the form of a dead tree or the wood in a house. They will also feed upon fence posts, paper, books and fabrics of plant origin, as well as living plants such as trees, shrubs, flowers and some crops.

Colonies of subterranean termites live in the soil and …

Sp341-M-Yellowjacket Wasps In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

In Tennessee, 11 species of yellowjackete wasps can be found (Table 1). These wasps are often considered beneficial as predators of crop pests; however, in late summer they can be pests due to their stinging behavior. This factsheet summarizes information about yellowjacket identification, biology, behavior and lists options for control when needed.

Pb1157-Insects And Related Pests Of House Plants, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

No abstract provided.

Sp341-L-Nematode Control In The Home Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Plant-parasitic nematodes are slender, worm-like animals that usually can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. There are thousands of different kinds of nematodes, but few are pests in vegetable gardens of Tennessee. The southern root-knot nematode is the most serious pest in the home garden, although lesion and lance nematodes occasionally can cause damage.

Pb1623-Decision Making Handbook For Insect & Mite Pests Of Ornamental Plants, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Attractive, vital landscape plants contribute significantly to real estate values. On the other hand, poorly maintained landscapes may become a liability, especially if trees or their parts fall and cause property or bodily injury. This realization, coupled with increased leisure time to enjoy our yards and more discretionary income for landscaping and landscape maintenance, has contributed to dramatic increases in the demand for nursery products and competent service personnel. At the same time, concerns for environmental quality and safe use of pesticides require that plant health care activities, including pest control, provide quality plants without creating adverse side effects. This …

Pb1158 Lawn Insects, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Many insects and insect-like pests damage lawns and other turf. They cause the grass to turn brown and die, or they build unsightly mounds that may smother the grass.

Some pests infest the soil and attack the plant roots, some feed on the plants’ leaves and stems, while others suck juice from the plants.

Other insects and insect-like pests inhabit lawns, but do not damage them. The pests are annoying and some of them attack people.

These pests can be controlled with insecticides. The recommendations in this publication are applicable not only to lawns, but also to such places as …

Sp277-F-Azalea Leaf And Flower Gall, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Leaf and flower galls are commonly found on many flowering woody hosts, most often on azalea and camellia. This disease occurs on plants in the Ericaceae or heath family, as well as on some species in the Empetraceae, Lauraceae, Symplocaceae and Theaceae families; including andromeda, arbutus, azalea, blueberry, camellia, huckleberry, Labrador tea, leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), leucothoe, kalmia (mountain laurel) and rhododendron. Azalea leaf and flower gall, caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii can occur on woody ornamentals growing outdoors in landscape plantings and in greenhouses. Disease is more common on plants growing in humid, sheltered areas with little …

Sp341-T-Mud Daubers And Cicada Killers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Mud daubers, mud wasps and cicada killers may become a nuisance when they nest around homes and other structures where people live, work and play. In spite of their formidable appearance, these solitary wasps are not aggressive and controls are rarely needed.

Sp518 Gypsy Moth Management For Homeowners, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Soon, the gypsy moth will become a household word in Tennessee. This obnoxious new neighbor will be eating its way through our hardwood forests, leaving some forests bare.

The gypsy moth is an introduced exotic insect that defoliates hardwood trees, particularly oaks and hickories. Several successive defoliations by the gypsy moth may eventually kill the tree. The gypsy moth has the potential to decimate some older oak forests, similar to the effects of chestnut blight in the early 1900s. The moth was brought to Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 as part of a silk-making experiment. Some larvae escaped, and the …

Pb1024-Control Cockroaches In The Home, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Cockroaches are the number one pest in homes or other buildings They have successfully adapted to living wherever people live and are common on ships, in warehouses, restaurants, stores, apartments, offices, hotels and one-family dwellings. In fact, cockroaches are often the first occupant in a new building.

Cockroaches are frequently carried into buildings in bags or boxes. They can live outside in water meters, garbage dumps or sewage systems and then migrate into buildings.

Cockroaches hide in sheltered, dark places during the day. Because they avoid light, they may not be detected in a home for months. Most homes have …