Kansas State University

–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Green June beetle, Cotinis nitida, adults are flying around in massive numbers near managed and/or unmanaged grassy areas, and occasionally ‘bumping’ into people and objects. Adults are 3/4 to 1.0 inch long, velvety-green, and tinged with yellow-brown coloration (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1. Green June Beetle Adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Figure 2. Green June Beetle Adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Green stripes with yellow-orange margins extend lengthwise on the front wings. The underside of the body is distinctly shiny and metallic green or gold. Adults resemble ‘dive bombers’ flying around for several weeks in July. Green June beetle adults are sometimes confused with Japanese beetle (Popilla japonica) adults; however, they really do not look alike (Figures 3 and 4).

Figure 3. Green June Beetle Adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Figure 4. Japanese Beetle Adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Green June beetle has a one-year life cycle, and overwinters as a mature larva or grub. Adults generally emerge in late-June and are active during the day, resting at night on plants, in thatch, or in compost. Adults produce a sound similar to that of bumble bees. Adults feed on ripening fruits (Figure 5) and corn tassels, and may feed on the leaves of oak and maple trees. Male beetles swarm in the morning, ‘dive bombing’ to-and-fro just above managed and/or unmanaged grassy areas where females are located. Females emit a pheromone that attracts the males. Clusters of beetles may be seen on the surface of the soil or in grassy areas with several males attempting to mate with a single female, resulting in an ‘insect orgy.’ Mated females that survive the ‘experience’ will lay clusters of 10 to 30 eggs in moist soil that contains high amount of organic matter.

Figure 5. Green June Beetle Adults Feeding On Fruit (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

–by Frannie Miller

–by Frannie Miller

Assassin bug nymph – This nymph uses it piercing sucking mouthparts to inject paralyzing and pre-digestive enzymes into its prey. These nymphs look nothing like the adult wheel bug, which they will become. Both the adult and nymph can inflict a painful bite if handled.

–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Elm Leaf Beetle: Insect Pest of Elm Trees (https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3537.pdf)

Whiteflies: Management in Greenhouse Production Systems (https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3532.pdf)

–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Damage associated with mimosa webworm (Homadaula anisocentra) larvae/caterpillars is now quite prevalent on honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) trees throughout regions of Kansas. The larvae/caterpillars are 1/2 inch long when fully-grown (Figure 1) and rapidly move backward when disturbed. Caterpillars’ web leaves together on the ends of branches (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Mimosa Webworm Caterpillars Feeding On Leaves (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Figure 2. Mimosa Webworm Webbing On End Of Branch (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Webbing, in general, starts at the tops of trees and protects caterpillars from natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) and insecticide spray applications. Heavily infested trees are brown or scorched in appearance (Figures 3 and 4) as the caterpillars skeletonize the leaf tissue. Caterpillars eventually fall from trees on a silken strand before pupating. Mimosa webworm pupates in bark crevices or pupae are attached to structures (e.g. buildings). There are two generations per year in Kansas.

Figure 3. Mimosa Webworm Caterpillar Feeding Damage (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Figure 4. Extensive Feeding Damage Caused By Mimosa Webworm Caterpillars (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Regarding management of mimosa webworm, it is too late to apply an insecticide if trees are already heavily infested with webbing because caterpillars are protected from spray applications of insecticides inside the leaf webbing. However, next year (2021), you can manage mimosa webworm caterpillar populations by applying an insecticide when the caterpillars are initially present and exposed to insecticide spray applications. Insecticides that contain the following active ingredients can be used: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, spinosad, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and permethrin. Read the label of each product to ensure that “webworms” are listed. High-volume spray applications are required to contact the caterpillars. If possible, selective pruning can quickly remove isolated or localized infestations of mimosa webworm.

–by Frannie Miller

–by Frannie Miller

Colorado potato beetle – The pictured insect is identified as a Colorado potato beetle. Both the larval and adult stages feed on potato (sometimes tomato, eggplant and pepper) causing extensive foliage loss, which can lead to decreased yields.

–by Frannie Miller

–by Frannie Miller

Rough stink Bug – As you can see from the image, Rough stink bugs resemble the color and texture of a tree’s bark providing them with camouflage. These insects feed on caterpillars, planting eating beetle larvae, aphids and other soft-bodied insects that may harm plants.

–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Squash vine borer, Melitta curcurbitae, feeds on squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and muskmelon. At this time of year, larvae are feeding inside plants. Adults are moths that are 5/8 inches long, orange-red, with gray bands and three to four black markings along with orange-red hairs on the abdomen (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Squash Vine Borer Adult

). Adults are active during the day with females depositing eggs on the stem near the soil level or on stems or petioles when plants begin to flower. The eggs are red-brown, flattened, 1/30 inches in diameter, and are located at the base of plants (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Squash Vine Borer Eggs At  Base Of Plant

A single female can lay up to 200 eggs during her lifetime. Larvae that emerge (eclose) from eggs are white, with a dark head capsule. Young larvae are 1/4 to 3/4 inches in length and taper toward the end of the abdomen. Mature or fully-grown larvae are 1 to 1-1/2 inches long (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Mature Squash Vine Borer Larva (Raymond Cloyd, KS)

Larvae that emerge (eclose) from eggs immediately tunnel into the base of plants; feeding for 30 days in the plant stem. The larvae increase in size as they mature. There is usually only one larva per stem; however, multiple larvae may be present in a single stem. In fact, one year we found seven larvae in one stem (it was awesome J). Mature larvae emerge from plant stems and burrow into the soil. The larvae construct brown, silken cocoons where they overwinter. Squash vine borer overwinters as a mature larva in the cocoon located 1.0 to 2.0 inches deep in the soil. In early spring, adults emerge from the soil. Squash vine borer has one generation in Kansas.

During this time of year, squash vine borer larvae are feeding within the internal vascular tissues, which inhibits the plant’s ability to take-up water and nutrients. Consequently, larval feeding causes the sudden wilting of vines and plant collapse (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Plant Wilting Due To Feeding By Squash Vine Borer Larvae (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Once the larvae are inside the plant, not much can be done to manage squash vine borer and prevent damage. The tunnels inside infested plants are filled with moistened frass (fecal matter) (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Frass Associated With Squash Vine Borer Larva In Plant Stem (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)

Yellow-green sawdust-like frass can also be found around feeding sites at the base of vines or plants, which will be a direct indication that larvae have entered the plant.

Since the larvae are feeding inside the plant there is not much that can be done to kill the larvae; however, there are plant protection strategies that can be implemented during the remainder of the growing season such as; sanitation and physical control.

Sanitation: remove and dispose of all wilted plants before the larvae leave and enter the soil. Discard all plant debris such as vines and fruits after harvest.

Physical control: rototilling in fall will directly kill squash vine borer pupae or bring the pupae to the soil surface where they are exposed to cold weather or predation by birds. In addition, the process of deep plowing will bury the pupae deeper in the soil profile, which may inhibit adult emergence from the soil. Another technique that may have limited use in large plantings but may be feasible for smaller plantings is to locate infested stems and vines, and create slits at the base of the plant. Tweezers can then be used to remove larvae from inside the plant. Larvae should be killed and the plant base covered with moist soil and mulch, which will stimulate the production of secondary vines and/or root growth; thus helping the plant to re-establish.

For more information on how to manage the squash vine borer, refer to the following extension publication:

Squash Vine Borer (MF3309 July 2016)

http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3309.pdf