beneficial insects - university of wisconsin–madison · insect diagnostic lab flies: in logs...
TRANSCRIPT
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Beneficial Insects
PJ Liesch UW-Madison: Insect Diagnostic Lab
[email protected] Twitter: @WiBugGuy
1
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
What are Beneficial Insects?
! Insects that provide ecosystem services to humans ! Benefits provided to humans by nature
! Pollination ! Biological control ! Decomposition, nutrient recycling ! Etc.
2
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Pollinators ! Bees, wasps, beetles, moths, butterflies
! Honey bees, bumble bees, solitary bees
3
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Pollinator Decline ! Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies in decline
! Reasons: ! Habitat loss ! Diseases: protozoans, viruses, etc. ! Parasitic mites ! Interactions with pesticides
4
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
What Can YOU Do? ! Use pesticides only when needed
! Read the pesticide label; follow all directions
! Apply insecticides early in the morning or in the evening
! Minimize drift
! Avoid applying pesticides to flowering plants
! Be aware of your surroundings
! “Weeds” can be food to pollinators!
! Choose products that are less toxic to bees
5
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
What Does the Label Say?
This product is highly toxic to honeybees and other bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on crops or weeds in bloom. Do not apply this product to target crops or weeds in bloom.
6
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
What Can We Do? ! Use insecticides only when appropriate
! Explicitly follow allow label directions
! Make your yard and landscape pollinator friendly ! Diversity of flowers = diversity of insects ! Seasonal blooming patterns
! Provide nesting habitat ! Google “Bee Hotel”
! Educate yourself
7
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
A-Series Publication X-Series Factsheet 8
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Biological Control in the Landscape ! Predatory insects can be very common in the landscape
Predators ! Beetles ! True bugs ! Flies ! Lacewings and kin ! Yellowjackets and wasps ! Spiders
Parasites ! Wasps ! Flies ! Roundworms
(nematodes)
Pathogens ! Bacteria ! Fungi ! Viruses
9
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Beetles
Rove beetles
Ground beetles Firefly Larva (w/slug)
10
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Lady Beetles
Multicolored Asian Lady
beetle
(Harmonia axyridis)
11
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: True Bugs
Minute Pirate Bug Damsel Bug
Assassin Bug Spined Soldier Bug Big Eyed Bug
12
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Flies
Hover Fly (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Robber Flies
13
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Lacewings & Kin
Lacewings
Dustywing
14
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Wasps
Bald Faced Hornet (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Yellow Jacket (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
15
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Predators: Mites and Spiders
Predatory Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Grass Spider (Above) Wolf Spider (Below)
16
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Usually specialists (only kill one or a few hosts) ! Can be ecto- or endo- parasites (external vs. internal) ! Same size or smaller than prey
! Examples: ! Wasps ! Flies
Parasites 17
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Many species known ! Tend to attack only a single specific host ! Some have been purposely released for biocontrol
Parasitic Wasps 18
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Parasitic Wasps
Mummies – “parasitized aphid shell”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk
19
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Parasites: Flies
Pyrgotid Fly and May/June Beetle
Tachinid Flies
20
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Parasites: Roundworms (Nematodes)
! Many species known, some commercially available ! Can usually infest many different hosts ! Can be very sensitive to environmental factors
! UV light, moisture
21
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Some can be highly specific, others can infect many hosts ! Can be significantly influenced by weather
! Wet, cool weather: more disease
! Examples: ! Fungi ! Bacteria ! Viruses
Pathogens 22
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Spread through spores ! Most require high humidity ! Some commercially available
Pathogens: Fungi 23
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Some are commercially available ! Milky spore (Bacillus popilliae) ! Bacillus thuringiensis
Pathogens: Bacteria
Non-Infected
Milky Spore Infected
24
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
! Are highly specific ! Viruses exist for many insects, including pests such as
armyworms, black cutworm, and gypsy moth
Pathogens: Viruses 25
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Common Decomposers Dung Beetles
(Aphodius sp. and others)
American Carrion Beetle (Nicrophilus americana)
Sexton or Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus sp.)
26
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Flies: In logs Crane Fly
• Larvae 1 inch long, plump, grayish worms
• Love moisture • Adults look like gigantic mosquitoes (but can’t bite!)
Xylophagid Fly Larva
• Dark, pointy head • Just beneath bark
Fungus Gnat Larvae
• Small whitish worms w/ black dot for a head
• Only ¼ inch long • In fungi and in rotting logs
27
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Common Beetles: In Logs Roundheaded Borers (Longhorned Beetles)
• Only see mandibles sticking out of head • Often have a “chunky” appearance
• Similar to roundheaded borers • Usually with wider “head”
Flatheaded Borers (Jewel Beetles)
28
University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab
Questions?
PJ Liesch UW-Madison: Insect Diagnostic Lab
labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/
[email protected] Twitter: @WiBugGuy
29