| 1440133 |
stilt bug |
Jalysus wickhami |
Spined stilt bugs are slender brown bugs about 1/2 inch in length when full grown. They have long thread-like legs and antennae. Nymphs are similar to the adults but are smaller, lighter in color, and wingless. Stilt bugs are commonly seen walking slowly over tobacco plants or flying about the field in search of prey. These important beneficials feed on hornworm and budworm eggs (and to some extent on aphids) and may have a major impact on reducing damage caused by these pests. |
| 1402121 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Larvae live in the soil and feed on and burrow into the roots of tobacco plants. |
| 1402134 |
spotted lady beetle |
Coleomegilla maculata |
Both adult and larval lady beetles are important predators of aphids. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. The adult spotted lady beetle is bright red to pink with black spots on the wing covers and pronotum. |
| 1402128 |
cabbage looper |
Trichoplusia ni |
Loopers are pale green, about one inch long when full grown, and taper slightly toward the head. There is a thin, white line along each side of the body and two others along the middle of the back. Larvae are characterized by the presence of three pairs of fleshy prolegs (in addition to three pairs of jointed legs behind the head) and their habit of moving in a "looping" motion. They generally feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving small to moderate size ragged holes. Larvae also spin silken cocoons on the undersides of leaves in which they pupate. |
| 1402119 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Adult beetles are present on tobacco throughout the growing season (both in plant beds and in the field). Damage is characterized by small, round holes that give the leaves a "shot-hole" appearance. Injury is especially severe on newly transplanted tobacco. The lower leaves of larger plants can also be heavily damaged, especially near the base of the leaves. Adult beetles are brown with black markings and fine punctures on their wing covers. They are about 1/16 inch long. Adults pass the winter in grassy areas, woodlots, and other favorable sites in and around tobacco fields. The larvae are slender, white grubs 1/16 to 3/16 inch long with brown heads. Larvae live in the soil and feed on and burrow into the roots of tobacco plants. There are 3 to 5 generations of flea beetles per year. Several other species may occur in tobacco. |
| 1402136 |
lady beetle |
|
Larvae are elongate and taper towards the rear. They are about 1/3 inch long, velvety black with orange spots and are covered with black spines. |
| 1440100 |
tobacco wireworm |
Conoderus vespertinus |
Wireworms (various species) are the major soil insects attacking tobacco. The yellow to brown, hard-bodied larvae are slender and cylindrical. The adult is a click beetle. Wireworms hatch in the summer, spend the winter in the soil and are usually most destructive to newly transplanted tobacco. Wireworm larvae cut off small underground stems and roots and bore into larger stems and roots. They may be found tunneling in stems near the soil surface . Affected plants may become stunted or wilt and die within a few days. Tobacco following sod may be damaged by wireworms for one to five years because some species have long life cycles. |
| 1440107 |
yellowstriped armyworm |
Spodoptera ornithogalli |
The yellowstriped armyworm, is an occasional pest of tobacco. Full-grown larvae are about one inch long. They are predominately glossy black to gray with several pairs of triangular spots on the upper side of the body. A prominent longitudinal yellow stripe runs along each side. A distinct black spot can be seen immediately behind the third pair of legs. Yellowstriped armyworms chew roughly rounded holes in tobacco leaves. Economic infestations are rare in tobacco fields. The insect may occasionally be found feeding in tobacco beds. |
| 1440130 |
syrphid or flower flies |
|
Syrphid larvae [Allograta obliqua (Say) and others] are greenish or brownish maggots that are predators of aphids. The larvae has an indistinct tapering head with mouth hooks on the anterior end. A pair of dorsal tracheal trunks, visible through the thin skin, make this maggot appear to have two longitudinal stripes along its back. Larvae feed on aphids by sucking out their body fluids. Depending on the species, a larva can consume 100-900 aphids during its lifetime. The brown pupal case is tear-dropped shaped with a prominent tube at the posterior end. The adult flies are brightly colored, wasp- like insects with bands across their abdomen. They are often seen hovering over plants. Syrphid flies have one pair of wings, while wasps have two pairs. |
| 1440102 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Tobacco flea beetles, are major pests of tobacco. The are brownish black beetles about 1/16-inch long. Feeding by adults gives leaves a characteristic shot-hole appearance. They attack plants in the seedbeds almost as soon as they come up, often ruining entire plant beds. After transplanting, beetles become continue chewing holes into the leaves until the crop is harvested, weakening the plants and decreasing the value of the leaves. Heavy feeding on newly-set plants may cause stunting, resulting in uneven stands. The white, larvae burrow into the soil and feed on the roots of tobacco, cutting off the small roots and sometimes tunneling into the stalk. |
| 1440128 |
lady beetle |
|
Lady beetles [various species including convergent Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and spotted Coleomegills maculata fuscilabris (Musant)] are important predators of soft-bodied insects such as aphids. The adult stages are easily recognized by their convex bodies and distinctive coloration. The hard wing covers are often orange, yellow, or red with a pattern of dark spots. Adult convergent lady beetles are black with orange or red wing covers with 12 black spots (spots are sometimes indistinct). The pronotum has two converging lines and a white margin. The adult spotted lady beetle is bright red to pink with black spots on the wig covers and pronotum. Yellowish lady beetle eggs are laid in groups on plants infested with aphids. The lady beetle larvae is enlongated with a velvety black to blue body 1/3-inch long with orange spots and black spines. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. |
| 1440127 |
lady beetle |
|
Lady beetles [various species including convergent Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and spotted Coleomegills maculata fuscilabris (Musant)] are important predators of soft-bodied insects such as aphids. The adult stages are easily recognized by their convex bodies and distinctive coloration. The hard wing covers are often orange, yellow, or red with a pattern of dark spots. Adult convergent lady beetles are black with orange or red wing covers with 12 black spots (spots are sometimes indistinct). The pronotum has two converging lines and a white margin. The adult spotted lady beetle is bright red to pink with black spots on the wig covers and pronotum. Yellowish lady beetle eggs are laid in groups on plants infested with aphids. The lady beetle larvae is enlongated with a velvety black to blue body 1/3- inch long with orange spots and black spines. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. |
| 1440108 |
Japanese beetle |
Popillia japonica |
Japanese beetles, occasionally feed on tobacco in groups, causing a skeletonization of the leaf. The beetles are less than 1/2- inch in length, shiny metallic green, with copper brown forewings. There are six tufts of white hairs on each side of the body near the outer margins of the wing covers. These adults usually emerge from the soil during late May. Their population peaks four to five weeks later. Feeding is the greatest on warm sunny days. A relative humidity below 60% retards flying and induces the insect to feed extensively. The larvae are white grubs that feed in the soil, devouring the roots of a large number of plants, especially turf grasses. |
| 1440104 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Tobacco flea beetles, are major pests of tobacco. The are brownish black beetles about 1/16-inch long. Feeding by adults gives leaves a characteristic shot-hole appearance. They attack plants in the seedbeds almost as soon as they come up, often ruining entire plant beds. After transplanting, beetles become continue chewing holes into the leaves until the crop is harvested, weakening the plants and decreasing the value of the leaves. Heavy feeding on newly-set plants may cause stunting, resulting in uneven stands. The white, larvae burrow into the soil and feed on the roots of tobacco, cutting off the small roots and sometimes tunneling into the stalk. |
| 1440110 |
cabbage looper |
Trichoplusia ni |
The cabbage looper is a light green caterpillar with a thin white line along each side of the body. Two additional lines run along the midline of the back. Cabbage loopers have three pair of slender legs just behind the head and three pairs of fleshly legs near the rear end. The body tapers noticeably toward the head. An absence of legs in the mid-portion of the body results in the larvae moving with a "looping" motion. Cabbage loopers feed for two to four weeks, usually on the lower portion of the plant. |
| 1440111 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
The tobacco budworm is one of the most destructive pests of the tobacco. Eggs, laid by the adult moth on the tobacco leaves, hatch and eventually develop into 1 1/2-inch long larvae when full grown. The larvae are light to dark green and have several longitudinal pale stripes. They may chew small holes in the leaves before they reach the buds. Larvae then damage the bud or growing tip of the plant. They may appear any time during the growing season. The leaves that expand from the buds are often ragged and distorted. Because of their protected location on the plant, budworms are difficult to control. The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), also attacks burley and is closely related to the budworm in appearance and feeding habits. |
| 1402131 |
paper wasps |
Polistes spp. |
Several species of paper wasps search out and kill small hornworms and other tobacco pests. The wasps roll parts of the worms into balls, fly them to their nest, and feed them to their young. Research in the early 1960’s showed the provision of nesting sites near tobacco fields reduced numbers of hornworms and leaf loss. Most people recognize these beneficials as the familiar "stinging" wasps which build paper nests or combs under the eaves of buildings and in dense vegetation. |
| 1402126 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
Tobacco and tomato hornworms [Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), Manduca quinquemaculata (Hawthorn)]: These two species, usually referred to collectively as "hornworms," are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. Newly hatched larvae are ¼ inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 3 or 4 inches) are bright green in color. Tobacco hornworm larvae have seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. Tomato hornworms have eight white V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. Small larvae chew small irregular holes in leaves. Larger larvae more often feed on leaf margins and may leave only the midribs of leaves. |
| 1402123 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
Tobacco budworm and corn earworm [Heliothis virescent (Fabricius), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]: Both species attack tobacco, but the budworm is predominant. Larvae of both species are closely related, similar in appearance, and cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. When fully developed, larvae can range from pale greenish-yellow to red-brown to nearly black. Most have pale striped running lengthwise on the body, and small dark spots may be visible on each body segment. All have five pairs of fleshly prolegs in addition to three pairs of jointed legs near the head. The primary distinguishing feature of these pests is their habit of feeding in the bud. As this damage expands with the leaf, large regular holes are produced. Both species may also top plants, tunnel into stalks or midribs of leaves, or feed on seed pods. After topping, they may produce more irregular holes in expanded leaves. |
| 1402133 |
stilt bug |
Jalysus wickhami |
Stilt bugs are slender, brown bugs slightly over ½ inch in length when full grown. They have long, thread-like legs and antennae. Nymphs are similar to the adults but are smaller, lighter in color, and wingless. Stilt bugs are commonly seen walking slowly over tobacco plants or flying about the field in search of prey. These important beneficials feed on hornworm and budworm eggs (and to some extent on aphids) and may have a major impact on reducing damage caused by these pests. |
| 1402103 |
vegetable weevil |
Listroderes costirostris obliquus |
Larvae are small legless grubs (1/4 - 3/8 inch long) and somewhat C-shaped. They are cream to green with dark heads and may be difficult to see against young leaves. |
| 1402114 |
Japanese beetle |
Popillia japonica |
Adult beetles are metallic green with copper-colored wings and tufts of white hair around the posterior end. They are 3/8 to ½ inch long. Adults appear during late spring and early summer and are most active on bright sunny days. They migrate into tobacco fields and often feed in groups on the upper leaves of scattered plants. Feeding holes are of moderate size and irregular or ragged, giving leaves a lacy appearance. Larvae are the grubs which feed in the soil on roots other than tobacco. They are about one inch long at maturity, white or grayish white with a reddish-brown head and are somewhat C-shaped. |
| 1402115 |
Japanese beetle |
Popillia japonica |
They migrate into tobacco fields and often feed in groups on the upper leaves of scattered plants. Feeding holes are of moderate size and irregular or ragged, giving leaves a lacy appearance. Larvae are the grubs which feed in the soil on roots other than tobacco. They are about one inch long at maturity, white or grayish white with a reddish-brown head and are somewhat C-shaped. |
| 1402109 |
whitefringed beetles |
Naupactus spp. |
The flightless adults are dark gray, short-snouted weevils with a line of white hairs along each side. Adults are active in midsummer and may leave sawtooth cuts along leaf margins but cause little real damage. |
| 1402108 |
whitefringed beetles |
Naupactus spp. |
Larvae of this pest overwinter in the soil and feed under ground on roots and stems of recently set tobacco. This feeding may cause wilting, stunting or uneven stands. Yellow-white, legless grubs with light brown heads are heavy-bodied, slightly C-shaped, and up to ½ inch in length. They are often found in the soil near damaged plants or in stems. |
| 1440131 |
Ichneumonid wasp |
Campoletis sonorensis |
The adult wasp is black, slender and about 1/4- inch long but is rarely recognized in the field. The female lays an egg beneath the skin of a small budworm. The egg hatches and larva develops inside the budworm. When development is complete, the parasitic larvae emerges and pupates outside attached to a tobacco leaf. The silken cocoon is white, oblong, and about 1/4 inch long and is frequently attached to the skin of the host budworm. This parasite may kill 70% to 80% of the budworms in a field. |
| 1402120 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Adult beetles are present on tobacco throughout the growing season (both in plant beds and in the field). Damage is characterized by small, round holes that give the leaves a "shot-hole" appearance. Injury is especially severe on newly transplanted tobacco. The lower leaves of larger plants can also be heavily damaged, especially near the base of the leaves. Adult beetles are brown with black markings and fine punctures on their wing covers. They are about 1/16 inch long. Adults pass the winter in grassy areas, woodlots, and other favorable sites in and around tobacco fields. The larvae are slender, white grubs 1/16 to 3/16 inch long with brown heads. Larvae live in the soil and feed on and burrow into the roots of tobacco plants. There are 3 to 5 generations of flea beetles per year. Several other species may occur in tobacco. |
| 1440098 |
vegetable weevil |
Listroderes costirostris obliquus |
The vegetable weevil, feeds as a larva and an adult, primarily at night. The adult is a dull gray-brown beetle, about 3/8- inch long, with a pale gray mark near the posterior end of each wing cover, forming an inconspicuous V-shaped spot. The pale green legless larvae have brown heads. Larvae may feed on tobacco in plant beds during early spring. Larvae may damage or destroy the bud and eat holes into the leaves. Larvae appear in spots and may damage a good size area. Because they feed mostly at night, it is difficult to locate them. However, the feeding damage is usually easy to see and should be used to determine the presence of this insect. |
| 1440114 |
green peach aphid |
Myzus persicae |
The green peach aphid is a pale green, soft- bodied insect that is found in clusters on the underside of tobacco leaves. The 1/16-inch long "plant lice" use their sucking mouthparts to remove sap from the plants. Feeding by large numbers of aphids results in thin, lightweight leaves that may ripen prematurely. The sugar rich "honeydew" excreted by aphids builds up on the leaf surface and supports growth of black, sooty mold. The honeydew may cause leaves to stick together and cure to a dark, off-color of poor quality. Green peach aphids may transmit viruses such as tobacco vein mottling virus through their mouthparts. Aphid populations build up after winged females fly into tobacco fields, usually during the middle portion of the growing season. They settle on the leaf to feed and give birth to living young. Large populations can build up in a short period of time due to their short life cycle and the occurrence of several generations during a growing season. |
| 1440116 |
green peach aphid |
Myzus persicae |
The green peach aphid is a pale green, soft- bodied insect that is found in clusters on the underside of tobacco leaves. The 1/16-inch long "plant lice" use their sucking mouthparts to remove sap from the plants. Feeding by large numbers of aphids results in thin, lightweight leaves that may ripen prematurely. The sugar rich "honeydew" excreted by aphids builds up on the leaf surface and supports growth of black, sooty mold. The honeydew may cause leaves to stick together and cure to a dark, off-color of poor quality. Green peach aphids may transmit viruses such as tobacco vein mottling virus through their mouthparts. Aphid populations build up after winged females fly into tobacco fields, usually during the middle portion of the growing season. They settle on the leaf to feed and give birth to living young. Large populations can build up in a short period of time due to their short life cycle and the occurrence of several generations during a growing season. |
| 1402124 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
Tobacco budworm and corn earworm [Heliothis virescent (Fabricius), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]: Both species attack tobacco, but the budworm is predominant. Larvae of both species are closely related, similar in appearance, and cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. When fully developed, larvae can range from pale greenish-yellow to red-brown to nearly black. Most have pale striped running lengthwise on the body, and small dark spots may be visible on each body segment. All have five pairs of fleshly prolegs in addition to three pairs of jointed legs near the head. The primary distinguishing feature of these pests is their habit of feeding in the bud. As this damage expands with the leaf, large regular holes are produced. Both species may also top plants, tunnel into stalks or midribs of leaves, or feed on seed pods. After topping, they may produce more irregular holes in expanded leaves. |
| 1440103 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
Tobacco flea beetles, are major pests of tobacco. The are brownish black beetles about 1/16-inch long. Feeding by adults gives leaves a characteristic shot-hole appearance. They attack plants in the seedbeds almost as soon as they come up, often ruining entire plant beds. After transplanting, beetles become continue chewing holes into the leaves until the crop is harvested, weakening the plants and decreasing the value of the leaves. Heavy feeding on newly-set plants may cause stunting, resulting in uneven stands. The white, larvae burrow into the soil and feed on the roots of tobacco, cutting off the small roots and sometimes tunneling into the stalk. |
| 1440126 |
grasshoppers |
|
Grasshoppers [various species including differential grasshopper, Melanoplus differntialis (Thomas) and redlegged grasshopper, Melanoplus femurrubrum (DeGeer)] chew irregular holes between veins of leaves. Adult redlegged grasshoppers are 3/4 to 1 inch long. They are greenish-gray to olive-green or reddish-brown with a yellowish underside. The hind tibiaae are red with black spines. The differential grasshopper is 1 1/2 to 2-inches long with a shiny, brownish-yellow color and black V-shaped marks on the outer face of the yellow femur. Immature (nymphs) are similar but lack fully developed wings. Most species prefer other plants but will eat tobacco if their food supply is inadequate. Grasshoppers often migrate into tobacco fields from ditch banks and grasslands, especially when populations are high during droughts and following hay mowing or other habitiat modifications. Tobacco injury usually starts along the edges of fields and is more common late in the growing season. |
| 1402125 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
Tobacco budworm and corn earworm [Heliothis virescent (Fabricius), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]: Both species attack tobacco, but the budworm is predominant. Larvae of both species are closely related, similar in appearance, and cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. When fully developed, larvae can range from pale greenish-yellow to red-brown to nearly black. Most have pale striped running lengthwise on the body, and small dark spots may be visible on each body segment. All have five pairs of fleshly prolegs in addition to three pairs of jointed legs near the head. The primary distinguishing feature of these pests is their habit of feeding in the bud. As this damage expands with the leaf, large regular holes are produced. Both species may also top plants, tunnel into stalks or midribs of leaves, or feed on seed pods. After topping, they may produce more irregular holes in expanded leaves. |
| 1440096 |
green June beetle |
Cotinis nitida |
The green June beetle larva, (Cotinis nitada (Linnaeus), can be a serious pest of tobacco plant beds. Eggs are laid during the summer. Larvae hatch and grow to be about two inches in length. They have brown head and creamy white C-shaped bodies. June beetles overwinter in the larval stage, complete their development the following spring, and are nearly full grown when beds are started. Larvae live several inches below the soil surface and cause some damage by feeding on young tender roots of plants. They cause the most serious damage by their continual burrowing and tunneling through the soil, loosening the soil and uprooting plants. |
| 1440112 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
The tobacco budworm is one of the most destructive pests of the tobacco. Eggs, laid by the adult moth on the tobacco leaves, hatch and eventually develop into 1 1/2-inch long larvae when full grown. The larvae are light to dark green and have several longitudinal pale stripes. They may chew small holes in the leaves before they reach the buds. Larvae then damage the bud or growing tip of the plant. They may appear any time during the growing season. The leaves that expand from the buds are often ragged and distorted. Because of their protected location on the plant, budworms are difficult to control. The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), also attacks burley and is closely related to the budworm in appearance and feeding habits. |
| 1440132 |
Tachinid flies |
|
Tachinid flies including Zygostrumia and Winthemia species, belong to a large family of parasitic flies. These flies are hairy and resemble house flies, but some species are slightly larger. The tip of the abdomen may be red. Most lay large eggs on the body of budworms and hornworms. Caterpillars may be found with several tachinid larvae on them. Upon hatching, the tachinid larva usually burrows into the host and feeds internally. The parasitized insect usually dies while in the soil during the pupal stage, before it can transform into an adult and initiate a new generation. |
| 1440106 |
variegated cutworm |
Peridroma saucia |
The variegated cutworm, may be a serious problem during the mid- portion of the growing season. This climbing cutworm usually feeds in the buds and on the leaves of tobacco plants. Larvae vary widely in color. The posterior segment is enlarged and blunt. A row of whitish or yellowish dots is visible down the middle of the back. The full grown larva usually has a mark on the back of the eighth abdominal segment, followed by a conspicuous yellow or orange area. There is usually a narrow orange-brown stripe on the sides. The variegated cutworm passes the winter in the pupal stage. |
| 1402104 |
vegetable weevil |
Listroderes costirostris obliquus |
Adult weevils are grayish-brown snout beetles about 1/4 inch long and usually have a light V-shaped making near the apex of the wing covers. |
| 1402116 |
tobacco aphid |
Myzus nicotianae |
Several species of aphids or plant lice feed on tobacco, but only the tobacco aphid commonly builds up large colonies. Winged aphids fly to plants in the bed or field and being producing wingless young (nymphs). Wingless, aphids are softbodied, pink to red, pale green to yellow-green, pear-shaped, and only about 1/16 inch long when full grown. Most aphids are wingless even as adults, but darker, winged forms may also be produced. Aphids have beak-like mouthparts through which they suck plant juices. In addition, they produce a sticky waste product, honeydew, on which sooty mold develop. As a result of these factors, both yield and quality may be reduced. (This and other species of aphids may also transmit certain virus diseases.) Infestations are characterized by the presence of aphids (mostly on the underside of upper leaves), shiny or greasy honeydew deposits on the upper surface of leaves, and sooty mold. In recent years, the red (pink) form of the tobacco aphid has become much more prevalent than the green form. |
| 1440113 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
The tobacco budworm is one of the most destructive pests of the tobacco. Eggs, laid by the adult moth on the tobacco leaves, hatch and eventually develop into 1 1/2-inch long larvae when full grown. The larvae are light to dark green and have several longitudinal pale stripes. They may chew small holes in the leaves before they reach the buds. Larvae then damage the bud or growing tip of the plant. They may appear any time during the growing season. The leaves that expand from the buds are often ragged and distorted. Because of their protected location on the plant, budworms are difficult to control. The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), also attacks burley and is closely related to the budworm in appearance and feeding habits. |
| 1402110 |
cutworms, loopers, owlet moths, and underwings |
|
Cutworms [various species including black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel); granulate, Feltia subterranean (Fabricius); and variegated Peridroma saucia (Hubner)]: In plant beds, cutworms may feed on stems at the soil surface, cut off buds, or eat holes in leaves. In recently transplanted fields, plants may be cut off just above ground level and individual leaves or buds may be cut off. A few species eat holes in the leaves. If cutworms are suspected as a cause of damage, dig around damaged plants (cutworms usually hide beneath soil, detached leaves or debris during the day). Cutworms are generally soft-bodied, dirty gray to brown to black, variously marked with dark spots or lines and usually 1-2 inches long. They curl up when disturbed. |
| 1402102 |
vegetable weevil |
Listroderes costirostris obliquus |
Larvae and sometimes adults may feed on buds and leaves in plant beds. Adults may occasionally attack newly transplanted tobacco, feeding on leaves and stems. Feeding holes are ragged and may resemble grasshopper damage, but vegetable weevils nearly always cause some stem damage. |
| 1402130 |
grasshoppers |
|
Grasshoppers [various species including the differential grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas) and southern red-legged grasshopper are ¾ to 1 inch long. They are greenish-gray to olive-green or reddish-brown with a yellowish underside. The hind tibiae are red with black spines. The differential grasshopper is 1½ to 2-inches long with a shiny, brownish-yellow color and black V-shaped marks on the outer face of the yellow femur. Immatures (nymphs) are similar but lack fully developed wings. Grasshoppers damage tobacco by chewing ragged holes in the leaves. Most species prefer other plants but will eat tobacco if their food supply is inadequate. Grasshoppers often migrate into tobacco fields from hay fields, pastures, and old fields, especially when populations are high during droughts and following hay mowing or other habitat modifications. |
| 1402122 |
tobacco flea beetle |
Epitrix hirtipennis |
The lower leaves of larger plants can also be heavily damaged, especially near the base of the leaves. |
| 1402010 |
tobacco wireworm |
Conoderus vespertinus |
Wireworm damage may first appear as stunted or irregular plant growth. Holes and tunneling in plant stems just below the soil line and scars on root surfaces often indicate wireworm or other insect feeding. |
| 1440109 |
Japanese beetle |
Popillia japonica |
Japanese beetles, occasionally feed on tobacco in groups, causing a skeletonization of the leaf. The beetles are less than 1/2-inch in length, shiny metallic green, with copper brown forewings. There are six tufts of white hairs on each side of the body near the outer margins of the wing covers. These adults usually emerge from the soil during late May. Their population peaks four to five weeks later. Feeding is the greatest on warm sunny days. A relative humidity below 60% retards flying and induces the insect to feed extensively. The larvae are white grubs that feed in the soil, devouring the roots of a large number of plants, especially turf grasses. |
| 1440129 |
lady beetle |
|
Lady beetles [various species including convergent Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and spotted Coleomegills maculata fuscilabris (Musant)] are important predators of soft-bodied insects such as aphids. The adult stages are easily recognized by their convex bodies and distinctive coloration. The hard wing covers are often orange, yellow, or red with a pattern of dark spots. Adult convergent lady beetles are black with orange or red wing covers with 12 black spots (spots are sometimes indistinct). The pronotum has two converging lines and a white margin. The adult spotted lady beetle is bright red to pink with black spots on the wig covers and pronotum. Yellowish lady beetle eggs are laid in groups on plants infested with aphids. The lady beetle larvae is enlongated with a velvety black to blue body 1/3- inch long with orange spots and black spines. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. |
| 1402139 |
red-tailed wasp |
Cardiochiles nigriceps |
These small wasps are parasites of budworms. They are about 3/8 inch long. Although the wings and front portion of these wasps are black and only the abdomen and hind legs are red, they appear red in color. Red-tail wasps are often seen hovering over tobacco buds or flowers in search of small budworm larvae. Once a female finds a larva, she inserts an egg into its body. The parasitized budworm will look normal and continue to develop to the 4th or 5th stage before it prematurely pupates and dies. |
| 1440097 |
vegetable weevil |
Listroderes costirostris obliquus |
The vegetable weevil, feeds as a larva and an adult, primarily at night. The adult is a dull gray-brown beetle, about 3/8- inch long, with a pale gray mark near the posterior end of each wing cover, forming an inconspicuous V-shaped spot. The pale green legless larvae have brown heads. Larvae may feed on tobacco in plant beds during early spring. Larvae may damage or destroy the bud and eat holes into the leaves. Larvae appear in spots and may damage a good size area. Because they feed mostly at night, it is difficult to locate them. However, the feeding damage is usually easy to see and should be used to determine the presence of this insect. |
| 1402141 |
Ichneumonid wasp |
Campoletis sonorensis |
The adult wasp is black, slender and about ¼ inch long but is rarely recognized in the field. The female lays an egg beneath the skin of a small budworm. The egg hatches and the larva develops inside the budworm. When development is complete, the parasitic larva emerges and pupates outside attached to a tobacco leaf. The cocoon is white, oblong, about ¼ inch long and is frequently attached to the skin of the host budworm. |
| 1402140 |
red-tailed wasp |
Cardiochiles nigriceps |
These small wasps are parasites of budworms. They are about 3/8 inch long. Although the wings and front portion of these wasps are black and only the abdomen and hind legs are red, they appear red in color. Red-tail wasps are often seen hovering over tobacco buds or flowers in search of small budworm larvae. Once a female finds a larva, she inserts an egg into its body. The parasitized budworm will look normal and continue to develop to the 4th or 5th stage before it prematurely pupates and dies. |
| 1402118 |
tobacco aphid |
Myzus nicotianae |
Aphids have beak-like mouthparts through which they suck plant juices. In addition, they produce a sticky waste product, honeydew, on which sooty mold develop. |
| 1402107 |
tobacco wireworm |
Conoderus vespertinus |
Wireworms are thin, yellow-brown, hard-bodies larvae of click beetles that reach ½ - ¾ inch in length. They hatch from eggs laid in the summer, feed on roots of tobacco and other plants, and spend the winter in the soil. The first sign of a wireworm problem may be an uneven stand caused by damage to stems of newly set plants. Plants should be dug up and checked for feeding scars and tunneling in the stem. Sod webworms cause similar damage but generally leave silken webbing on and within the damaged stems. |
| 1402106 |
tobacco wireworm |
Conoderus vespertinus |
Wireworms are thin, yellow-brown, hard-bodies larvae of click beetles that reach ½ - ¾ inch in length. They hatch from eggs laid in the summer, feed on roots of tobacco and other plants, and spend the winter in the soil. The first sign of a wireworm problem may be an uneven stand caused by damage to stems of newly set plants. Plants should be dug up and checked for feeding scars and tunneling in the stem. Sod webworms cause similar damage but generally leave silken webbing on and within the damaged stems. |
| 1440119 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
The tobacco tomato hornworms, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), and Manduca quinquemaculata (Haworth), are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. They chew irregular holes in leaves and often feed along leaf margins. Newly hatched larvae are 1/4-inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 4 inches) are bright green in color. The tobacco hornworm larva has seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. The adult, a dark gray moth, has six round, orange-yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Tomato hornworms have eight V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. |
| 1440117 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
The tobacco tomato hornworms, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), and Manduca quinquemaculata (Haworth), are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. They chew irregular holes in leaves and often feed along leaf margins. Newly hatched larvae are 1/4-inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 4 inches) are bright green in color. The tobacco hornworm larva has seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. The adult, a dark gray moth, has six round, orange-yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Tomato hornworms have eight V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. |
| 1440125 |
grasshoppers |
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Grasshoppers [various species including differential grasshopper, Melanoplus differntialis (Thomas) and redlegged grasshopper, Melanoplus femurrubrum (DeGeer)] chew irregular holes between veins of leaves. Adult redlegged grasshoppers are 3/4 to 1 inch long. They are greenish-gray to olive-green or reddish-brown with a yellowish underside. The hind tibiaae are red with black spines. The differential grasshopper is 1 1/2 to 2-inches long with a shiny, brownish-yellow color and black V-shaped marks on the outer face of the yellow femur. Immature (nymphs) are similar but lack fully developed wings. Most species prefer other plants but will eat tobacco if their food supply is inadequate. Grasshoppers often migrate into tobacco fields from ditch banks and grasslands, especially when populations are high during droughts and following hay mowing or other habitiat modifications. Tobacco injury usually starts along the edges of fields and is more common late in the growing season. |
| 1440118 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
The tobacco tomato hornworms, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), and Manduca quinquemaculata (Haworth), are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. They chew irregular holes in leaves and often feed along leaf margins. Newly hatched larvae are 1/4-inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 4 inches) are bright green in color. The tobacco hornworm larva has seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. The adult, a dark gray moth, has six round, orange-yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Tomato hornworms have eight V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. |
| 1402127 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
Tobacco and tomato hornworms [Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), Manduca quinquemaculata (Hawthorn)]: These two species, usually referred to collectively as "hornworms," are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. Newly hatched larvae are ¼ inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 3 or 4 inches) are bright green in color. Tobacco hornworm larvae have seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. Tomato hornworms have eight white V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. Small larvae chew small irregular holes in leaves. Larger larvae more often feed on leaf margins and may leave only the midribs of leaves. |
| 1440124 |
stalk borer |
Papaipema nebris |
The stalk borer is recognized by prominent longitudinal white stripes at the head and posterior ends of the body. The stripes are interrupted by a distinct dark purple "saddle" approximately 1/3 of the distance back from the head. Full- grown larvae are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Stalk borers may be found feeding on foliage or boring into the stalk of tobacco plants, usually during late June to early July. Infestations are more likely to occur along weedy field margins. |
| 1440123 |
stink bugs |
|
Stink bugs [several species including green, Acrosternum hilare (Say); southern green, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), and brown, Euschistus servus (Say)] are green or gray-brown, shield shaped bugs slightly over 1/2 inch long when full grown. Young (nymphs) are similar to adults but are smaller and lack wings. Their beak-like mouthparts are used to remove plant sap. A salivary secretion, which is injected as the insect feeds, produces a rapid wilting of the leaf or stem. The leaf usually resumes its normal shape and is not permanently damaged. Scalded areas may develop on injured leaves during hot weather. Growers are likely to encounter injury symptoms and not see the insects. Damage is usually limited to scattered plants, often in border rows. Some stink bugs are beneficial insects. They resemble plant-feeding stink bugs but can be identified by the presence of a distinct spine on each "shoulder". |
| 1440122 |
stink bugs |
|
Stink bugs [several species including green, Acrosternum hilare (Say); southern green, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), and brown, Euschistus servus (Say)] are green or gray-brown, shield shaped bugs slightly over 1/2 inch long when full grown. Young (nymphs) are similar to adults but are smaller and lack wings. Their beak-like mouthparts are used to remove plant sap. A salivary secretion, which is injected as the insect feeds, produces a rapid wilting of the leaf or stem. The leaf usually resumes its normal shape and is not permanently damaged. Scalded areas may develop on injured leaves during hot weather. Growers are likely to encounter injury symptoms and not see the insects. Damage is usually limited to scattered plants, often in border rows. Some stink bugs are beneficial insects. They resemble plant-feeding stink bugs but can be identified by the presence of a distinct spine on each "shoulder". |
| 1440120 |
tobacco thrips |
Frankliniella fusca |
Tobacco thrips may cause damage to tobacco, especially during dry years. These slender yellow-to-brown insects are about 1/25 inch long. Adults have four very narrow, featherlike wings. Adults and nymphs suck sap from the leaves producing gray to silver feeding marks primarily along the veins of the lower leaves. The leave also become peppered with minute black spots. The underside of midribs may be damaged. Heavy infestations cause the foliage to turn yellow. |
| 1440105 |
variegated cutworm |
Peridroma saucia |
The variegated cutworm, may be a serious problem during the mid- portion of the growing season. This climbing cutworm usually feeds in the buds and on the leaves of tobacco plants. Larvae vary widely in color. The posterior segment is enlarged and blunt. A row of whitish or yellowish dots is visible down the middle of the back. The full grown larva usually has a mark on the back of the eighth abdominal segment, followed by a conspicuous yellow or orange area. There is usually a narrow orange-brown stripe on the sides. The variegated cutworm passes the winter in the pupal stage. |
| 1402138 |
green lacewings |
Chrysopa spp. |
Both the adult and immature forms of these beneficials are predators on aphids. The immatures are often known as aphid-lions. Lacewing eggs are unusual in that they are attached to surfaces by long, threadlike, upright stalks. Larvae are shaped somewhat like those of lady beetles but are light colored and have a pair of long sickle-shaped mouthparts protruding forward. Adults are light green, about 5/8 inch long and have 4 large lacy wings, thin bodies and long antennae. |
| 1402113 |
stink bugs |
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Young (nymphs) are similar to adults but are smaller and lack wings. Eggs are barrel-shaped and laid in clusters on the underside of leaves. Both adults and nymphs suck plant juices through beak-like mouthparts. They will attack all plant parts but prefer young, tender growth. This may cause one or more leaves to wilt and flop over, similar to sunscald. |
| 1402135 |
convergent lady beetle |
Hippodamia convergens |
Both adult and larval lady beetles are important predators of aphids. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. Adult convergent lady beetles are black with orange or red wing covers with 12 black spots (spots are sometimes indistinct). The pronotum has two converging lines and a white margin. |
| 1402112 |
stink bugs |
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Stink bugs are green or brown, shield-shaped bugs slightly over ½ inch long when full grown. |
| 1402111 |
tobacco thrips |
Frankliniella fusca |
Thrips feeding usually follows minor veins and the overall appearance is similar to some diseases like etch. Heavy feeding will sometimes give the surface of the leaf a shiny or silvery appearance. The underside of midribs may also be injured. Damage is most common on lower leaves of knee-high plants, but thrips may attack newly set plants. Adult thrips are tiny (1/25 inch), elongate insects, dark brown with featherlike wings. Immature are smaller and yellow or yellow-orange. To see thrips, slap a damaged leaf against a light-colored surface and observe insect movement on that surface. Thrips may be most significant as a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus. |
| 1402137 |
syrphid or flower flies |
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Syrphid larvae [Allograpta oblique (Say) and others]: Syrphid larvae are greenish or brownish maggots that are predators of aphids. The larva has an indistinct tapering head with mouth hooks on the anterior end. A pair of dorsal tracheal trunks, visible through the thin skin, make this maggot appear to have two longitudinal stripes along its back. Larvae feed on aphids by sucking out their body fluids. Depending on the species, a larva can consume 100-900 aphids during its lifetime. The brown pupal case is tear-drop shaped with a prominent tube at the posterior end. The adult flies are brightly colored, wasp-like insects with bands across their abdomen. They are often seen hovering over plants. Syrphid flies have one pair of wings, while wasps have two pairs. |
| 1440121 |
tobacco thrips |
Frankliniella fusca |
Tobacco thrips may cause damage to tobacco, especially during dry years. These slender yellow-to-brown insects are about 1/25 inch long. Adults have four very narrow, featherlike wings. Adults and nymphs suck sap from the leaves producing gray to silver feeding marks primarily along the veins of the lower leaves. The leaves also become peppered with minute black spots. The underside of midribs may be damaged. Heavy infestations cause the foliage to turn yellow, as seen here. |
