Eric R. Day

Douglas G. Pfeiffer

Department of Entomology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

 

A total of 1,609 requests were received in 2001. This report summarizes the activity of the Insect Identification Laboratory at Virginia Tech for 2001. The laboratory is located in 215 Price Hall. It is managed by Eric Day, Lab Manager, and Doug Pfeiffer, Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology.

Specimens are identified and recorded in the lab, then sent for control recommendations and additional comments to Extension Entomologists who handle particular commodity groups. All specimen data are entered into the Insect I.D. Lab computer data base on the Virginia Tech mainframe computer. The data base greatly facilitates sorting and storage of the information. Some of the records were sent via microcomputer to the Cooperative National Plant Pest Survey and Detection Program (USDA, APHIS, PPQ). We at Virginia Tech acknowledge support provided by this program.

Whenever possible insects are identified to the species level. Common names are used where possible because of their wide recognition. To facilitate mailing insects and insect damaged plant specimens to the lab, local offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension are provided with Insect Identification and Diagnosis Request forms (form 444-113), alcohol vials, and mailing tubes. Specimens also may be brought directly to the lab or mailed to:

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Internet Use for 2002: Combined total requests for all sites: 2,599,310

Web Server Statistics for For the Insect Identification Laboratory sites,

http://www.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDInfo.html, http://everest.ento.vt.edu/~idlab, and

http://www.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDLab

Analysed requests from Mon-01-Jan-2001 00:02 to Mon-31-Dec-2001 23:54 (364.99 days).

 

General Summary (Figures in parentheses refer to the 7 days to 31-Dec-2001 23:59).

 

Successful requests: 1,706,616 (9,977)

 

Average successful requests per day: 4,675 (1,425)

 

Successful requests for pages: 534,436 (4,056)

 

Average successful requests for pages per day: 1,464 (579)

 

Failed requests: 7,185 (74)

 

Redirected requests: 625 (24)

 

Distinct files requested: 1,075 (650)

 

Distinct hosts served: 124,027 (1,240)

 

Corrupt logfile lines: 154

 

Unwanted logfile entries: 24,489,707

 

Data transferred: 16.949 Gbytes (98.601 Mbytes)

 

Average data transferred per day: 47.551 Mbytes (14.085 Mbytes) 

 

Web Server Statistics for Virginia Cooperative Extension

 

Program started on Tue, Jul 31 2001 at 9:54 AM.

Analyzed requests from Sat, Jul 01 2000 at 12:00 AM to Sat, Jun 30 2001 at 11:59 PM (365.00 days).

 

This report lists the directories from which files were requested. (The figures for each directory include all of its subdirectories.)

Listing directories with at least 1 request for a page, sorted alphabetically.

#pages: directory

-------: ---------

892694: /departments/entomology/

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Insect and Pest Surveys conducted in 2001

Swarm Trap Survey of Low Moor, Virginia for Africanized Honey Bee

Swarm Trap Survey of Low Moor, Virginia for Africanized Honey Bee, Results: No Africanized bees were captured in the swarm capture traps. A swarm was captured in a backyard in Clifton Forge, 4 miles from the AHB capture in 2000, and it was determined to be of European strain based on a test from the Bee Research Lab in Beltsville. Results uploaded to NAPIS in October 2001. Current Status: Traps placed March 14, 2001, no honey bees captured at this time. Project Coordinators: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Richard Fell, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Keith Tignor, VDACS, Richmond, VA. Objective: Survey within a 1200 meter diameter area centered over the site of the Africanized honey bee capture of July, 2000. Benefits/Justification: On July 5^th, 2000 a goat was killed by what was later determined to be Africanized honey bees in the town of Low Moor, Virginia. The site is in the back yard of a house next to a railroad siding and close to a major highway (I-64). The presence or absence of additional Africanized bees in not known. Materials and Methods: 10 traps have were placed in the area March 14, 2001 in the area where the Africanized bee swarm was discovered in July 2000. Traps are at the following locations:

 

Trap site	longitude	latitude	Distance in meters from 2000 AHB Capture
Mr. Downey's house*	37' 47.287	79' 53.057	0
Tree, Downey field	37' 47.279	79' 53.083	20
Animal Shelter hill	37' 47.198	79' 53.831	600
Va Power Substation	37' 46.552	79' 53.575	600
Cemetery NE	37' 47.232	79' 53.113	50
Cemetery E	37' 47.262	79' 53.130	50
C.A.T. (Trucking)	37' 47.821	79' 52.853	700
All. Co. Gov. Center	37' 47.682	79' 52.964	600
Near Hospital	37' 47.447	79' 53.018	300
Power line	37' 47.026	79' 53.140	300

* Original site where Africanized bees were discovered.

Fortunately honey bees rarely move more then 300 meters per year so the area surveyed was locally limited. Swarm capture traps were placed on the detection site in the following pattern. Trap #1 next to the old infested hive. Traps #2 - #5 were placed evenly within a concentric ring 300 meters from the July 2000 capture site. Traps #6 - #10 were placed within a concentric ring 600 meters from the capture site. Preliminary screening of samples was done by a VPI&SU technician and suspect specimens were submitted to the USDA Bee Lab for confirmation. Summary data was entered into the NAPIS database by the state ADP by the close of the fiscal year.

Survey for the Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines, in Virginia

Survey for the Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines, in Virginia Results: Initial surveys in July of 2001 did not recover any Soybean aphids. Repeat surveys in September, 2001 turned up several positive counties. Positive counties include: Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Middlesex, New Kent, Richmond, Westmoreland, Greensville, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Clarke, Louisa, Madison, and Montgomery. Eighteen counties did not have soybean aphids when surveyed. All data has been uploaded onto the NAPIS database. Project Coordinator: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Objective: Survey soybean fields and feral buckthorn (Rhamnus) in Virginia for the presence of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Homoptera: Aphididae). Benefits/Justification: Late in the growing season of 2000, the soybean aphid was found in 10 states including two that border Virginia. Those states are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. No formal surveys were conducted in Virginia but through monitoring at the in Insects Identification Lab and by entomologists working on soybeans, no suspect aphids were reported in 2000. Materials and Methods: Survey efforts was concentrated in two regions. The Shenandoah valley which although has limited production, is closer to the mid-western infestations. The second area for survey was in the major eastern soybean production areas of the commonwealth. Fields were selected along secondary and primary roads. A "Z" or zigzag pattern was used by those walking through the field and random leaves were selected to check for the presence or absence of the aphid. In addition field borders were scanned for feral buckthorn plants. All aphids were preserved in alcohol and submitted to the Insect Identification Lab at Virginia Tech for preliminary screening. Suspect aphids were submitted to the Taxonomic Services Unit of the USDA for confirmation. Summary data was entered into the NAPIS database by the state ADP by the close of the fiscal year.

Leek Moth Survey for Virginia in 2001

Leek Moth Survey for Virginia in 2001 Results: Suspect moths have been evaluated by Dr. Steve Passoa and NO LEEK MOTHS WERE FOUND IN ANY OF THE TRAPS Project Coordinator: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Objective: Survey commercial garlic farms and non-commercial onion gardens in selected geographically distant locations in Virginia. Benefits/Justification: Because Virginia is a coastal state with many ports and thus has many possible sites for entry of exotic pests. If established the leek moth could spread from Virginia to other regions of the country. Both of these factors lead the State Survey Committee to include this moth as a potentially important pest. In addition this moth could have a negative impact on Virginia’s fledgling garlic industry. Brief Biological Summary: Hosts include green onions, garlic, onions, chives, and leeks. The leek moth is a recognized pest of onion and leek in Europe and Japan. The leek moth larvae is highly specialized to feed on the leaves of onion and related plants. The larvae prefer younger leaves (0-7 days) but will consume leaves up to two months old. The larvae tunnel mines and chew perforations on young leaves which eventually become deformed older leaves (Ronald FL Mau, Extension Entomologist, Stephan G. Lee, Educational Specialist, Department of Entomology, Honolulu, Hawaii). Materials and Methods: Ten sites in different regions of Virginia was selected for this survey. Pheromone traps were placed in mid-summer in or near large onion and garlic plantings. Traps were mailed to cooperating Master Gardeners and commercial growers in mid summer were returned by mail in September. All insect specimens collected were screened for leek moths and suspect moths were submitted to the Smithsonian for determination.

High Hazard Survey: A Survey of Three Botanical Gardens in Virginia

High Hazard Survey: A Survey of Three Botanical Gardens in Virginia. Results: No exotic pests were found. Visits were made to Lewis Ginter Gardens, May 30, 2001 and to Maymont Botanical Garden Sept. 7, 2001, both are in Richmond. A visit was made to the Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk on September 11, 2001. Currently no plans are being made to enter the data onto the NAPIS database as there is no method for this kind of data. Project Coordinator: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Objective: For a team of Specialists to visit 3 botanical gardens and survey for exotic pests. Benefits/Justification: Botanical gardens have been identified as possible entryways for exotic pests by the Eastern Survey Committee. Three botanical gardens in Virginia were determined to be suitable by the State Survey Committee and they are Maymont and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in the Richmond area and the Norfolk Botanical gardens in the Tidewater area. The Hemlock Woolly adelgid was first found in the eastern United States in the 1950’s in an arboretum in the Richmond, so Virginia has a precedent for detection’s of new pests at botanical gardens. In addition Virginia has a large and growing horticultural industry which grow many of the same species of plants grown at these botanical gardens. Team Members: Mike Likins, Plant Pathologist, Va Dept. of Ag; Mary Ann Hansen, Manager, Plant Disease Clinic, Va Tech; Jeff Derr, Extension Weed Scientist, and Eric Day, Manager, Insect Identification Lab and State Survey Coordinator. Materials and Methods: Plant samples, weeds, and suspect arthropods were collected for laboratory analysis. Suspect plant virus samples were collect and submitted to Agdia.

FUNNEL TRAP SURVEY FOR TOMICUS PINIPERDA IN VIRGINIA, WINTER 2000-2001

FUNNEL TRAP SURVEY FOR TOMICUS PINIPERDA IN VIRGINIA, WINTER 2000-2001. Results: No pine shoot beetles were found in any of the traps. Survey will continue in 2002 but antifreeze will be used in the capture cups. Principal Investigators: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA; Frank Fulgham Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Richmond, VA; Bernetta Barco USDA/APHIS/PPQ Richmond, Va Abstract: Survey of five Virginia counties for Tomicus piniperda using alpha-pinene baited Lindgren funnel traps. Project Proposed: Tomicus piniperda was recently detected and continues to be found in western panhandle region of Maryland (Allegheny, Frederick, Garrett and Washington Counties) less then 20 miles from the Virginia state line. T. piniperda is known in the United States from seven states and has not yet been found in Virginia. This insect has the potential to be a pest of pine (Pinus sp.) in Virginia and knowledge of its presence would aid in pest management and regulatory programs. It is currently regulated by a USDA/ APHIS quarantine. Past survey procedures relied on visual surveys conducted during July and August. The literature and recent trapping experience in infested states shows that Lindgren funnel traps baited with alpha pinene or a combination of alpha pinene, terpinolene, and 3-carene are effective in detecting T. piniperda. Due to the amount of work during the visual survey season and the cryptic nature of shoot damage, survey for T. piniperda during spring emergence is needed. Five Virginia counties (Frederick, Clarke, Loudoun, Fauquier, Highland) was surveyed. Widely scattered sites were selected in each county. Each site will consist of at least 25 pine trees or a saw mill, pulp mill, or timber gathering yard. Three traps were placed per site. A total of 96 traps were placed in all five counties. T. piniperda fly when winter temperatures exceed 54oF, thus traps were placed in the January 2001 and monitored until about June 2001. Traps were baited with alpha pinene lures obtained from a commercial source. Traps were serviced by VDACS, APHIS, and VPI&SU. All samples were sent to VPI&SU. Preliminary screening of samples was done by a VPI&SU technician and suspect specimens will be submitted to S. Passoa for confirmation. Summary data was entered into the NAPIS database by the state ADP by the close of the fiscal year. Work Plan: Counties: Frederick, Clarke, Loudoun, Highland, Fauquier, Monitoring agencies: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU), Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and APHIS/PPQ., Number of Sites: 32 Sites in five counties, Traps per site: 3, Total traps: 96, Supplies: Order lures, supplies, and replacement traps to use as backups for damaged traps., Trap Setup: January 2001. This is to take into account warm weather that often occurs during the winter in Virginia. The concern is that Pine Shoot Beetle may become active as temperatures will often exceed 54oF for days at a time in January. Travel & Transportation: Traps were visited every 4-8 weeks from January to June., Personnel: Virginia Tech Personnel: Eric R. Day, VDACS Personnel: Frank Fulgham, Tom Finn, Tom Cary, Beth McClelland, Ernie Elliott

Previous Surveys: Corn Earworm, Heliocoverpa zea, Survey (1987-1997); Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera (1987-93); Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (1988-1992); Pear Thrips (1990-92), Exotic Lady Beetles (1993), Hylobius abietis (1995). Exotic moths: Apple Ermine Moth, Cherry Bark Tortrix, and Pear Leaf Blister Moth (1986-1995). Broomrape Weed (Orobanche) (1996), Tufted Apple Bud Moth (1996), Apple Maggot (1996), Golden Nematode (1996) Culicoides veripennis. (1994 -1995), Pine Shoot beetle (1997-2001), Exotic Bark Beetles (1995-2000), Tropical Soda Apple (1998), Sweet Potato Weevil (1998), exotic clover weevils: Ischnopterapion virens (1999), Soybean Aphid (2001), Leek moth (2001).

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Identifications and control recommendations covering most commodities performed by:

Mr. Eric R. Day

Manager, Insect Identification Laboratory

Timely and valuable identifications and/or control recommendations were also provided by:

Dr. Tom Kuhar	Assistant Professor of Entomology	Vegetable Pests
Dr. Richard D. Fell	Professor of Entomology	Apiculture and Stinging Insects
Dr. Dini Miller	Assistant Professor of Entomology	Structural and Household Insects
Dr. Ames Herbert	Associate Professor of Entomology	Soybeans, Small grains, Peanuts, and cotton
Mr. Steve Hiner	Technical Support Staff	Aquatic Insects and Invertebrates
Dr. Michael Kosztarab	Emeriti Professor of Entomology	Scale Insects
Dr. Edwin Lewis	Assistant Professor of Entomology	Turf and Ornamentals
Dr. Douglas G. Pfeiffer	Professor of Entomology	Fruit and Nuts
Dr. Scott Salom	Associate Professor of Entomology	Forest and Conifer
Dr. Peter Schultz	Station Director, Hampton Roads	Ornamentals
Dr. Paul J. Semtner	Professor of Entomology	Tobacco
Dr. J. Reese Voshell	Professor of Entomology	Aquatic Insects
Dr. Roger Youngman	Associate Professor of Entomology	Corn, Small grains, and Livestock

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Number of Specimens Identified
Year	Identifications for Extension Agents and the Public	Identifications from Exotic Pest Surveys, Numbers of Traps Examined	Specimens sent to the Systematic Entomology Laboratory,USDA at Beltsville, Md. *
1967	318	A	a
1968	984	A	a
1969	1104	A	a
1970	1245	A	a
1971	1276	A	100b
1972	970	A	516
1973	1124	A	184
1974	1264	A	316
1975	1430	A	160
1976	1437	A	223
1977	1365	A	282
1978	1351	A	89
1979	1770	A	120
1980	1527	A	23
1981	2028	A	89
1982	2004	A	100
1983	1815	A	36
1984	1745	A	45
1985	1730	A	20
1986	1537	62	16
1987	1731	0	32
1988	1719	69	15
1989	1877	145	10
1990	1629	120	37
1991	1874	120	23
1992	1516	80	13
1993	1642c	160	30
1994	1548	77	17
1995	1764	0	32
1996	1376	0	6
1997	1435	0	4
1998	1595	0	6
1999	1510	0	7
2000	1751	0	7
2001	1609	0	11
	______	_____	_____
TOTAL	52600	833	2569

a Service not previously provided; b Estimated; c Includes requested Harmonia axyridis samples; * Includes specimens sent to other taxonomists at other institutions

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