Featured Creatures collection

Summary Contributors New and Revised Publications

Featured Creatures collection was founded in1996, a cooperative venture of the University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology Department and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Plant Industry. It provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms.

Editorial Team

Elena Rhodes - Editor
Kay Weigel - Editor

Publications

Showing 20 of 768 Publications

Culex coronator (Dyar & Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Sierra M. Schluep, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Derrick K. Mathias, and Eva A. Buckner

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

thumbnail for publication: Shining Orange Slender Twig Ant (suggested common name) Pseudomyrmex simplex (F. Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecine)

Shining Orange Slender Twig Ant (suggested common name) Pseudomyrmex simplex (F. Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecine)

Emily J. Le Falchier and Carey R. Minteer

Northern Frog Biting Mosquito Culex territans (Walker 1856) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Chanakya R. Bhosale, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick Mathias

Twin-flagged Jumping Spider Anasaitis canosa (Walckenaer, 1837) (Arachnida: Araneae: Salticidae)

Kayla Stalcup, Lisa Taylor, and Erin Powell

A UF/IFAS numbered publication.

Lygodium Defoliator Moth (suggested) Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Warren) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Kristen Bowers, Melissa Smith, and Carey Minteer

Iridescent Paddle Mosquito Sabethes cyaneus (Fabricius, 1805) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae)

Abram E. Estrada, Estelle M. Martin, and Jason L. Williams

thumbnail for publication: Weevil Parasitoid, Pteromalid Wasp, Parasitoid Wasp Catolaccus hunteri Crawford (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Weevil Parasitoid, Pteromalid Wasp, Parasitoid Wasp Catolaccus hunteri Crawford (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Victoria Oluwaseun Adeleye, Dakshina Seal, Garima Garima, and Adam Dale

Lilioceris egena (Weise) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae)—Biological Control Agent of Air Potato Vine

F. Allen Dray Jr., Octavio Menocal, Rosemary Murray, Eric Rohrig, and Carey Minteer

This publication provides an in-depth profile of the air potato bulbil beetle (suggested common name), a new biological control agent of the air potato vine. It is intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae): A New Invasive Pest

Dak Seal, Rafia Khan, Lance Osborne, and Ian Gibbs

O bicudo do botão do hibisco (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell, Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Alexandra M Revynthi, Livia M S Ataide, Yisell Velazquez Hernandez, Paul E Kendra, Daniel Carrillo, Catharine M Mannion

Este informativo sobre do bicudo do botão do hibisco é destinado ao público leigo e acadêmico, dentre outros interessados em adiquirir algum conhecimento sobre a biologia do bicudo do botão do hibisco. Essa praga do hibisco rosa da China, é originário do nordeste do México e do sul do Texas e pode causar grandes perdas econômicas aos produtores de hibisco. O objetivo desta publicação é fornecer informações importantes sobre essa praga do hibisco aos proprietários de viveiros, proprietários de casas-de-vegetação e outros.

Hibiscus Erineum Mite Aceria hibisci (Nalepa, 1906) (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

Mikinley Weaver and Adam Dale

Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): parasitoid of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Salman Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

This publication describes the biology, distribution, behavior, and impact of the parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii Howard. This beneficial insect is known for providing significant reductions in mealybug populations in Florida and other locations. It is also intended to provide knowledge about this parasitoid to a wide range of interested audiences including growers, Extension agents, researchers, students, laypersons, and other stakeholders.

thumbnail for publication: Six-Toothed Bark Beetle, Six-Spined Engraver Beetle, Pine Stenographer Beetle Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1767) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Six-Toothed Bark Beetle, Six-Spined Engraver Beetle, Pine Stenographer Beetle Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1767) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Yiyi Dong and Jiri Hulcr

thumbnail for publication: American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

Marirose P. Kuhlman and Adam G. Dale

This publication describes the identification, biology, and importance of the American sand wasps (Bembix americana Fabricius), which are a subspecies-complex of large, robust wasps in the subfamily Bembicinae. They nest gregariously in bare soil and provision their nests with flies (order Diptera). The females are progressive provisioners, meaning they continue to provide their developing larvae with prey until the larvae pupate. Males participate in a distinctive mating behavior called a “sun dance” in which groups of males fly low over nesting areas waiting for females to emerge so they can be the first to mate with them. Adults feed on flower nectar and can often be found visiting a variety of wildflowers. This species has a broad ecological range and can be found nesting in a variety of soil types and habitats.

Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): Parasitoid of Soft Scale Pests (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Salman A. Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

Redlegged Ham Beetle, Copra Beetle Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cleridae: Korynetinae)

Ian Williams and Michael Scharf

The redlegged ham beetle (Necrobia rufipes) is a predaceous beetle that feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter, especially matter with high protein and fat content such as dead vertebrate animals, and some of plant origin, such as copra, nuts, and palm kernels. The redlegged ham beetle is of economic importance as a pest of stored products and has relevance to forensic entomology. Other common names include the ham beetle, the copra beetle or bug, and the “paper worm.”

thumbnail for publication: Snowbush spanworm (larva), white-tipped black (adult), Melanchroia chephise (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera; Geometridae: Melanchroia)

Snowbush spanworm (larva), white-tipped black (adult), Melanchroia chephise (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera; Geometridae: Melanchroia)

Kaydie McCormick and Adam Dale

Melanchroia chephise, commonly known as the snowbush spanworm or white-tipped black, is an occasional insect pest of snowbush shrubs and several other ornamental plant species. Found throughout the southern United States, these gregarious moth caterpillars can commonly be found defoliating their chosen hosts soon after they emerge en masse. The colorful appearance of the caterpillars may be alarming, but they pose little risk to people, and usually offer no lasting harm to the plants they feed on. The adult moths, with their black and white wings, can be an attractive addition to a pollinator garden. This publication describes how to identify this insect and provides in-depth information on its biology, development, and management.

Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines (Ichinohe, 1952) (Chromadorea: Rhabdita: Heteroderidae)

Holly Andres and Zane J. Grabau

The nematode Heterodera glycines, known as soybean cyst nematode (SCN), is the most economically damaging pest of soybean crops in the United States and around the world. Members of the Heteroderidae family belong in the order Tylenchida; most are plant parasitic while some are insect parasites. They are obligate parasites that attack different species of crops and weeds. Heteroderidae are divided into two groups: cyst and cystoid based on morphological alterations in their skin. The cyst group are unique in that the female skin changes, transforming into a hardened cyst that protects her eggs. Unlike many plant parasites, there may be little to no aboveground evidence of an infestation with H. glycines. They are extremely damaging to the agricultural economy and impossible to eradicate once established, but with proper management, it is possible to minimize H. glycines populations and maximize yield.

The Oriental Beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse 1875) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abigail Prohofsky and Adam Dale

This article describes the identification, biology, and ecology of the oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse). Anomala orientalis is native to eastern Asia and one of several exotic scarab beetle species in the United States commonly known as white grubs during their larval stage. This insect and many of its close relatives are considered frequent pests of turfgrasses throughout the northeastern U.S.

Twig Girdler: Oncideres spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Onciderini)

Miranda Barnes and Jiri Hulcr

The following Featured Creatures article discusses the habits, distribution, appearance, life history, ecology, and other features of twig girdlers in the genus Oncideres, with a particular focus on O. cingulata cingulata in Florida. Hallmarks of twig girdler damage are described, and the common hosts of different twig girder species are discussed. The life cycle and phenology of the insect are detailed, as are theories about the purpose of the girdling behavior. Management practices for pecan growers are overviewed, and homeowners are advised that the insect is not a serious threat to ornamental trees.

Editorial Team

Elena Rhodes - Editor
Kay Weigel - Editor

Publications

Showing 20 of 768 Publications

Culex coronator (Dyar & Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Sierra M. Schluep, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Derrick K. Mathias, and Eva A. Buckner

Shining Orange Slender Twig Ant (suggested common name) Pseudomyrmex simplex (F. Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecine)

Emily J. Le Falchier and Carey R. Minteer

Northern Frog Biting Mosquito Culex territans (Walker 1856) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Chanakya R. Bhosale, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick Mathias

Twin-flagged Jumping Spider Anasaitis canosa (Walckenaer, 1837) (Arachnida: Araneae: Salticidae)

Kayla Stalcup, Lisa Taylor, and Erin Powell

A UF/IFAS numbered publication.

Lygodium Defoliator Moth (suggested) Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Warren) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Kristen Bowers, Melissa Smith, and Carey Minteer

Iridescent Paddle Mosquito Sabethes cyaneus (Fabricius, 1805) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae)

Abram E. Estrada, Estelle M. Martin, and Jason L. Williams

Weevil Parasitoid, Pteromalid Wasp, Parasitoid Wasp Catolaccus hunteri Crawford (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Victoria Oluwaseun Adeleye, Dakshina Seal, Garima Garima, and Adam Dale

Lilioceris egena (Weise) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae)—Biological Control Agent of Air Potato Vine

F. Allen Dray Jr., Octavio Menocal, Rosemary Murray, Eric Rohrig, and Carey Minteer

Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae): A New Invasive Pest

Dak Seal, Rafia Khan, Lance Osborne, and Ian Gibbs

O bicudo do botão do hibisco (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell, Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Alexandra M Revynthi, Livia M S Ataide, Yisell Velazquez Hernandez, Paul E Kendra, Daniel Carrillo, Catharine M Mannion

Hibiscus Erineum Mite Aceria hibisci (Nalepa, 1906) (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

Mikinley Weaver and Adam Dale

Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): parasitoid of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Salman Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

Six-Toothed Bark Beetle, Six-Spined Engraver Beetle, Pine Stenographer Beetle Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1767) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Yiyi Dong and Jiri Hulcr

American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

Marirose P. Kuhlman and Adam G. Dale

Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): Parasitoid of Soft Scale Pests (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Salman A. Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

Redlegged Ham Beetle, Copra Beetle Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cleridae: Korynetinae)

Ian Williams and Michael Scharf

Snowbush spanworm (larva), white-tipped black (adult), Melanchroia chephise (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera; Geometridae: Melanchroia)

Kaydie McCormick and Adam Dale

Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines (Ichinohe, 1952) (Chromadorea: Rhabdita: Heteroderidae)

Holly Andres and Zane J. Grabau

The Oriental Beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse 1875) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abigail Prohofsky and Adam Dale

Twig Girdler: Oncideres spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Onciderini)

Miranda Barnes and Jiri Hulcr

Showing of 197 Experts

Showing 10 of 10 Publications

Twig Girdler: Oncideres spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Onciderini)

Miranda Barnes and Jiri Hulcr

thumbnail for publication: Striped Sod Webworm (Larva), Changeable Grass-Veneer (Adult) Fissicrambus mutabilis (Clemens) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Striped Sod Webworm (Larva), Changeable Grass-Veneer (Adult) Fissicrambus mutabilis (Clemens) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Anthony Coffey and Eileen Buss

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This publication describes the striped sod webworm, a turfgrass pest that also damages wheat and corn. The publication describes the pest's morphology, natural history, and range in the United States; lists potential host plants and damage the pest can cause; and provides advice on management strategies.

Black-Banded Honey Bee, Sulawesian Honey Bee Apis nigrocincta Smith (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Lisa Rodriguez, Brynn Johnson, and Cameron Jack

thumbnail for publication: Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Thomas Chouvenc, Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Integrated Pest Management

The Oriental Beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse 1875) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abigail Prohofsky and Adam Dale

Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines (Ichinohe, 1952) (Chromadorea: Rhabdita: Heteroderidae)

Holly Andres and Zane J. Grabau

Tuliptree Aphid Scientific Name: Illinoia liriodendri (Monell) (Insecta: Hempitera: Aphididae)

Lindsay Mikell and Adam Dale

The tuliptree aphid, Illinoia liriodendri (Monell) is a sap-feeding insect herbivore of Liriodendron tulipifera that commonly reaches high densities on trees planted in urban settings. Liriodendron tulipifera is a large tree species native throughout eastern North America known commonly as tuliptree or tulip poplar. This tree is a common ornamental tree species used in urban forests throughout the mid-Atlantic states of North America. Although it occurs mostly in temperate regions, Illinoia liriodendri can be found in most places where tulip poplar is grown. While its effects are recognized to be mostly aesthetic, heavy infestations of tuliptree aphid can significantly impact young trees, and they are considered the most important insect pest of this tree species in urban landscapes. This publication describes the identification, biology, and management of tuliptree aphid.

Ornate Tree Hole Mosquito, Orthopodomyia signifera (Coquillett, 1896) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Leigh H. Ketelsen and Eva A. Buckner

Bumble Bees of Florida

Joel Neylon, Lionel Stange, T. R. Fasulo, and Rachel Mallinger

A UF/IFAS numbered publication. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Redlegged Ham Beetle, Copra Beetle Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cleridae: Korynetinae)

Ian Williams and Michael Scharf