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Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray Jan 2024

Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Plum curculio is a brown weevil (beetle with a snout) native to eastern North America, where it is a major pest of pome and stone fruits. It was detected in Box Elder County, Utah, in the early 1980s, and this population remains the only known infestation in western North America, where it is occasionally found in residential and wild fruit trees. Plum curculio is a quarantine pest in western North America (U.S. and Canada), and fruit grown in infested counties is restricted from being exported. Thus, it is a threat to Utah’s fruit industry and requires ongoing monitoring and management …


Red Firebug, Kate V. Richardson, Erin Hodgson Aug 2023

Red Firebug, Kate V. Richardson, Erin Hodgson

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Red firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), are true bugs with vibrant red body and wing coloration. These insects are native to central Europe, but are also found in western Siberia, southwestern Mongolia, India and northwestern China. This fact sheet describes red firebug, host plants, nuisance behavior, and management.


Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis Mar 2023

Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis

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The larval stage of the carpenterworm, Prionoxystus robiniae is a wood-boring insect that affects various ornamental trees. Unlike most other wood-boring pests of ornamentals, which are mostly beetle larvae, the carpenterworm is a caterpillar belonging to the moth family Cossidae.


Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis [Fairmaire]), Emily A. Parent, Lori R. Spears, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo Ramirez Jan 2023

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis [Fairmaire]), Emily A. Parent, Lori R. Spears, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo Ramirez

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Emerald ash borer (Order: Coleoptera: Family Buprestidae) (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring insect that infects the true ash species (Fraxinus spp.). EAB is native to parts of China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and small areas of Russia and Mongolia. EAB was first discovered in North America in June 2002 near Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and is thought to have arrived to North America via infested wood packing material. EAB is generally established in an area for several years before it is detected and can spread over large areas through active flight and human-mediated dispersal.


Billbugs In Turfgrass (Sphenophorus Spp.), Desiree Wickwar, Ricardo Ramirez Mar 2022

Billbugs In Turfgrass (Sphenophorus Spp.), Desiree Wickwar, Ricardo Ramirez

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Billbugs are weevils, a type of beetle, in the genus Sphenophorus. At least 10 billbug species are known pests of turfgrass and can be found in both warm and cool season turfgrasses throughout the United States. Though billbug adults do feed on the leaves of turfgrasses, it is the larvae that cause visible damage. Larvae feed within the stems and on roots of grasses, leading to the development of yellow or brown patches, with the potential to escalate into large patches of dead turfgrass. Billbug management in turfgrass presents a number of unique challenges, but early monitoring and informed integration …


Lily Leaf Beetle, Ann Mull, Lori R. Spears Nov 2021

Lily Leaf Beetle, Ann Mull, Lori R. Spears

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The lily leaf beetle (LLB) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest from Eurasia that threatens native and cultivated true lilies (Lilium spp.) and fritillaries (Fritillaria spp.). It is also known as the red lily leaf beetle or scarlet lily beetle. LLB was first reported in North America in Montréal, Canada, in 1945 and in the U.S. in 1992 in Massachusetts, likely arriving via European shipments of lily bulbs. LLB has been detected in nine of the 10 Canadian provinces and 14 U.S. states, including the New England states, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington (EDDMapS, 2021). Based on LLB’s native distribution …


Gambel Oak Care, Shawn Olsen, Debbie Amundsen, Shital Poudyal Sep 2021

Gambel Oak Care, Shawn Olsen, Debbie Amundsen, Shital Poudyal

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Gambel oak is commonly called scrub oak, but other common names are Rocky Mountain white oak and Utah white oak. The scientific name is Quercus gambelii, after William Gambel, an American naturalist. This fact sheet reviews Gambel oak's usability in the landscape, its care, growth requirements, diseases and pests, and maintenance.


Fire Blight In Utah: An Annual Management Guide, Marion Murray Jul 2021

Fire Blight In Utah: An Annual Management Guide, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Fire blight is a serious disease of apple and pear trees. Because this disease spreads rapidly and symptoms are not visible until two weeks after infection, it can catch growers off-guard. Having a well-executed and integrated year-round management program can reduce losses from fire blight.


Plagas Frutales: Albaricoque, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Albaricoque, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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El tiro de munición es una enfermedad de hongos común en Utah. Ataca capullos latentes de hojas, brotes de flores, hojas, frutos y ramitas. Las lesiones visibles ocurren primero en las hojas jóvenes como pequeñas manchas redondas y bronceadas que con el tiempo se caen, dejando agujeros redondos.


Plagas Frutales: Ciruela, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Ciruela, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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Causada por un organismo parecido a un hongo de suelo (Phytophthora), ésta enfermedad se produce en todo el mundo en casi todos los árboles frutales. Phytophthora está presente en la mayoría de los suelos, pero sólo causa infección en circunstancias óptimas, las cuáles son alta humedad del suelo o agua estancada, y un huésped susceptible.


Plagas Frutales: Durazno Y Nectarine, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Durazno Y Nectarine, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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El tiro de munición es una enfermedad de hongos común en Utah. Ataca capullos latentes de hojas, brotes de flores, hojas, frutos y ramitas. Las primeras lesiones visibles ocurren en las hojas jóvenes como pequeñas manchas redondas y bronceadas que con el tiempo se caen, dejando agujeros redondos. Las lesiones circulares se desarollan en la fruta que primero aparecen como manchas rojizas (mostradas a la derecha, arriba), y más tarde como protuberancias ásperas y taponadas.


Plagas Frutales: Manzana, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Manzana, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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El fuego bacteriano es causado por una bacteria llamada Erwinia amylovora. Algunas variedades de manzanas son muy susceptibles a esta enfermedad, como Jonathan, Jonagold y Gala. Flores, ramitas terminales, y a veces ramas enteras o árboles mueren.


Polilla De La Manzana, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Michael Reding May 2020

Polilla De La Manzana, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Michael Reding

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Polilla de la manzana (Orden Lepidoptera, familia Tortricidae) es la plaga más grave de la manzana y la pera en todo el mundo (Fig. 1). En la mayoría de las regiones productoras de las frutas más comerciales y en los patios de casas en Utah, la fruta debe ser protegida para cosechar un cultivo.


Plagas Frutales: Cereza, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Cereza, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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El tiro de munición ataca capullos latentes de hojas, brotes de flores, hojas, frutos y ramitas (las infecciones de frutas son menos comunes en la cereza). Las primeras lesiones visibles ocurren en las hojas jóvenes como pequeñas manchas redondas y moradas. Eventualmente estas infecciones se caen, dejando agujeros redondos dando el nombre a esta enfermedad.


Plagas Frutales: Pera, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston May 2020

Plagas Frutales: Pera, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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El fuego bacteriano es causado por una bacteria llamada Erwinia amylovora. Las peras son muy susceptibles al fuego bacteriano. Flores, ramitas terminales, y a veces ramas enteras o árboles mueren. Las condiciones ambientales que favorecen la infección son los días lluviosos calientes durante la floración. La lluvia, el rocío fuerte, y los insectos propagan las bacterias exudadas a las flores, donde las nuevas infecciones se producen


Using Degree Days To Time Treatments For Insect Pests, Marion Murray Mar 2020

Using Degree Days To Time Treatments For Insect Pests, Marion Murray

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Insecticides that are applied for a perennial insect pest based on a calendar date often result in poor insect control and a waste of resources. Insect activity varies from year to year depending on weather. For example, in Logan, Utah, eggs of the apple pest codling moth began hatching on May 15 in 2005, May 5 in 2006, and April 30 in 2007.


Soft Scales In Utah, Marion Murray, Erin W. Hodgson Mar 2020

Soft Scales In Utah, Marion Murray, Erin W. Hodgson

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Soft scales are insects in the family Coccidae and are closely related to armored and felt scales and mealybugs. Scales are fluid feeders with piercingsucking mouthparts that remove plant phloem or sap. Most life stages are immobile because they anchor their mouthparts into host tissue. They are difficult to control because of their waxy covering, seasonal abundance, and high fecundity.


Cankerworms, Marion Murray, Erin W. Hodgson Mar 2020

Cankerworms, Marion Murray, Erin W. Hodgson

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Cankerworms, also known as inchworms, are in the order Lepidoptera and family Geometridae. Geometrid moth adults have slender bodies and relatively large, broad forewings (Figs. 1, 3). Both fall, Alsophila pometaria, and spring, Paleacrita vernata, cankerworms occur in Utah, with the fall cankerworm being most common.


Community-Wide Grasshopper Control, Marion Murray Mar 2020

Community-Wide Grasshopper Control, Marion Murray

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Springtime, while grasshoppers are still nymphs, is the best time for communities or neighborhoods to work together to suppress grasshopper populations. Treating as wide an area as possible is the key to success. When grasshoppers become adults, they can travel great distances and may not remain in one area long enough for an insecticide to be effective.


Codling Moth In Utah Orchards, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

Codling Moth In Utah Orchards, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Codling moth (Order Lepidoptera, Family Tortricidae) is the most serious pest of apple and pear worldwide. In most commercial fruit producing regions and home yards in Utah, fruit must be protected to harvest a crop. Insecticides are the main control tactic. There are new insecticides available, many of which are less toxic to humans and beneficial insects and mites than earlier insecticides. For commercial orchards with more than 10 acres of contiguous apple and pear plantings, pheromone-based mating disruption can greatly reduce codling moth populations to allow reduced insecticide use.


The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Apple, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Apple, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Fire blight is caused by a bacteria called Erwinia amylovora. Some varieties of apples are very susceptible to this disease, such as Jonathan, Jonagold, and Gala. Blossoms, terminal twigs, and sometimes entire limbs or trees are killed.


The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Peach And Nectarine, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Peach And Nectarine, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Shothole is a common fungal disease in Utah. It attacks dormant leaf buds, blossom buds, leaves, fruit, and twigs. The first visible lesions occur on young leaves as small, round, tan spots that eventually fall out, leaving round holes.


The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Plum, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Plum, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

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Caused by a soil-borne, fungus-like organism (Phytophthora), crown and root rot occurs worldwide on almost all fruit trees. This pathogen is present in most soils, but only causes infection under optimal circumstances— high soil moisture or standing water, and susceptible host tissue. Once trees are infected, there is no cure.


The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Cherry, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Cherry, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes diseases and insect pests of cherry in order of importance. Shothole attacks dormant leaf buds, blossom buds, leaves, fruit, and twigs (fruit infections are less common on cherry. Other diseases described are crown rot and root rot, gummosis, perennial canker, and powdery mildew, Insects include western cherry fruit fly, spider mites, black cherry aphids, flathead borers, pear sawfly, and speckled green fruitworm.


The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Pear, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

The Backyard Orchardist – Fruit Pests: Pear, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Fire blight is caused by a bacterium called Erwinia amylovora. Pears are very susceptible to fire blight. Blossoms, terminal twigs, and sometimes entire limbs or trees are killed. Environmental conditions favoring infection are warm, rainy days during bloom.


Codling Moth Mating Disruption, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Jan 2020

Codling Moth Mating Disruption, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Mating disruption became commercially available in the early 1990s, and was adopted by many Utah growers about a decade later. Use of this pest management technology can be daunting due to high up-front costs and monitoring requirements; however, after two to three seasons of use, the cost of mating disruption is the same or even less than conventional pest management.


Peach Twig Borer Mating Disruption, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston Dec 2019

Peach Twig Borer Mating Disruption, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Mating disruption became commercially available in the early 1990s, and was adopted by many Utah growers about a decade later. Use of this pest management technology can be daunting due to high up-front costs and monitoring requirements; however, after two to three seasons of use, the cost of mating disruption is the same or even less than conventional pest management.


Common Crane Fly In Turf, Ricardo Ramirez, Kelly Kopp Jun 2015

Common Crane Fly In Turf, Ricardo Ramirez, Kelly Kopp

All Current Publications

Crane flies belong to one of the most specious families of flies. The adult flies, also known as “mosquito hawks”, are not giant mosquitoes and do not bite, and though the name suggests it, they do not feed on mosquitoes. In general, the larvae are associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. The majority of crane flies are not pests.


Flea Beetles On Vegetables, Bonnie Bunn, Diane Alston, Marion Murray Apr 2015

Flea Beetles On Vegetables, Bonnie Bunn, Diane Alston, Marion Murray

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Flea beetles are common and problematic in Utah. They are present in late spring and early summer on many vegetable crops and ornamental plants. Adult flea beetles are small, shiny insects that have enlarged hind legs, allowing them to jump great distances when disturbed.


Walnut Husk Fly, Diane Alston, Marion Murray, James Barnhill Jan 2015

Walnut Husk Fly, Diane Alston, Marion Murray, James Barnhill

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Walnut husk fly (Order Diptera, Family Tephritidae; Fig. 1) is the most common insect pest of walnuts in Utah. Husk fly larvae (maggots) tunnel in walnut husks, causing them to soften and decay, and stain the shell (Fig. 2). Damaged husks are difficult to remove. If husk fly infestation occurs early in kernel development, nuts may shrivel, darken, become moldy, and drop from the tree (Fig. 3).