When people think of stink bugs, one question usually arises: Do stink bugs really stink? While they don’t go around contaminating every area they cohabitate with, they do emit a notably pungent scent when threatened: a chemical defense mechanism that deters predators.
But it’s not their smell that’s most concerning. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), or Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive species that’s rapidly spread across 38 states, wreaking havoc on crops and causing significant economic losses.
In this article, we’ll explore the defining traits of the BMSB, examine the environmental and economic impacts of its spread and highlight the current pest management strategies used to control this invasive pest and limit further damage.
Identifying a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Before you can determine whether this species is living in or around your home, it’s important to know how to distinguish it from other insects. Here’s how to spot an adult BMSB:
- Size: Typically 14 to 17 millimeters long — just over half an inch.
- Appearance: The BMSB’s back has a unique shield shape with a marbled brown color and intricate, mottled patterns that earn it the term “marmorated.”
- Key features: Look for white and brown bands on both the antennae and legs — distinctive marks that help set the BMSB apart from similar species.
As with other critters in the world, these insects don’t start their lives as adults. You can spot them during other phases of life as well:
- Egg stage
BMSBs lay clusters of approximately two dozen eggs on the underbellies of leaves each spring. The eggs are usually light green.
- Nymph stage
After about a week, the eggs hatch, and the second stage of their life begins. Young nymphs are bright red and black and have a more circular shape than their adult counterparts. As they mature, their adult coloring begins to take over and their signature shield-shape becomes more prominent.
- Adults
By the time they’ve reached the adult stage of life, BMSBs have developed wings that allow them to fly to overwintering sites in the fall to avoid colder temperatures.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug’s Initial Spread
The BMSB, originally from East Asia, arrived in North America in 1996, likely via shipping containers. First spotted in Pennsylvania, it spread rapidly across the U.S. While BMSBs can fly, they rely on human transport to cover long distances, “hitchhiking” on vehicles and shipments, often settling in warmer climates where they can thrive.
The main reason brown marmorated stink bugs have thrived in North America is due to their voracious appetites — and the U.S. offers plenty of their preferred foods. So, what do stink bugs eat?
They enjoy dining on several juicy field crops, including:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Asian pears
- Cherries
- Corn
- Grapes
- Lima beans
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
How Do They Impact the Environment?
While BMSBs have excellent taste in produce, their appetite for fruits and vegetables has caused economic losses in some areas, especially in the mid-Atlantic region, including states like Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 2010, a BMSB outbreak caused over $37 million in losses to fruit producers in this area.
These significant economic losses highlight the destructive potential of the BMSB. After consuming fruits and vegetables, they cause physical damage to produce, leading to mealy textures and discoloration that make the affected crops unsuitable for fresh markets and sometimes even for processing. Additionally, when they feed on plant leaves, they create openings for pathogens, leaving crops vulnerable to disease. These direct and indirect damages make BMSBs a significant agricultural and ecological concern in the regions they invade.
Pest Management Strategies
The brown marmorated stink bug, invasive species that it is, requires carefully planned pest management strategies to significantly reduce its numbers. Unfortunately, the number of effective pesticides is limited for this species, but that hasn’t stopped agricultural scientists and pest management experts from exploring alternative methods.
In 2021, researchers from the Agricultural Research Service investigated the Trissolcus japonicus, or samurai wasp, for biological control. While the tiny wasp parasitizes stink bug eggs and can reduce populations, ecological limitations prevent it from being a fully compatible, standalone control solution.
However, if you live in a BMSB hot spot, there are measures you can take to keep these invasive pests out of your home:
- Seal entry points: Use caulk or silicone to close cracks and crevices around windows and doors.
- Remove with care: Vacuum stink bugs you find indoors, but be mindful of the odor they release — better in the vacuum than on you!
- Limit lights: Since stink bugs are attracted to light, reduce outdoor lighting at night to minimize attraction.
Discover the Latest Pest Management Strategies at UF
Understanding and managing invasive species like the brown marmorated stink bug requires expertise in pest control and ecological balance. While DIY strategies can help minimize indoor encounters, effective long-term solutions rely on continued scientific research and advanced pest management strategies.
That’s where the University of Florida comes in. As the number one nematology and entomology program in the world, our online master’s degree and graduate certificate programs provide the skills needed to address these environmental challenges. Whether you’re interested in one of our pest management programs or another specialization, you can earn a graduate certificate or master’s degree (or both) in as little as one year.
Explore our programs to determine which one aligns with your career aspirations, and when you’re ready, fill out an application to begin the next chapter in your professional journey.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
https://www.stopbmsb.org/stink-bug-basics/life-stages/
https://onlineentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/how-invasive-insects-travel-by-hitchhiking/\
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.htm
https://www.cabi.org/news-article/samurai-wasp-has-minimal-impact-on-native-stink-bugs-new-cabi-led-study-confirms/
Some people believe that spotting a praying mantis can sprinkle a little good luck into their lives. Others, however, might see those head-spinning, exorcist-like abilities (they can turn their heads a full 180 degrees!) as a reason to steer clear.
Regardless of your beliefs about these long-legged wonders, there’s no denying that praying mantises are incredibly beneficial to the environment. So, if you happen to cross paths with one, why not tip your hat to the little guy before continuing on your way?
Still on the fence? We’re here to unveil all the fantastic ways praying mantises contribute to our world.
What Is a Praying Mantis?
When you look into the large compound eyes of a praying mantis, you might feel as if it’s peering deep into your soul. Its triangular head, spindly front legs and long body only enhance its unique, otherworldly aesthetic. But rest assured — a praying mantis is, in fact, an insect. Just like bees, butterflies and ants, praying mantises have a segmented body divided into the head, thorax and abdomen. With four legs positioned at the abdomen and two arm-like forelegs closer to their heads, these five-inch creatures are both fascinating and functional.
Known scientifically as Mantis religiosa, this species of praying mantid hails from Europe, parts of Asia and Africa. It made its way to North America over a hundred years ago. Praying mantises prefer warm habitats full of grass, shrubs and other forms of greenery. These lush environments offer the perfect buffet for their carnivorous appetites — other insects, spiders, frogs, lizards and even the occasional hummingbird.
Praying Mantis Benefits: Ecological and Agricultural
While praying mantises are not native to North America and are considered invasive, they’ve managed to become valuable contributors to their adopted home, offering a range of benefits to ecosystems and humans alike. Let’s explore some of the beneficial ways praying mantises impact the world around us.
Natural Pest Control
If you were to step into your backyard right now, you’d likely spot a handful of pests that you’d rather not share your space with — mosquitoes and cockroaches included. But pesticides often contain harmful substances that can contribute to pollution, reduce biodiversity and negatively impact the health of people and animals.
Fortunately, praying mantises are nature’s pest control experts, and they’re more than happy to help you manage these unwanted guests. If you have a garden or are looking for a way to rid crops of unwanted pests, consider using praying mantises as a natural form of pest control. As carnivorous predators, mantises feast on a wide variety of insects, making them an ally in keeping your yard bug-free.
In addition to mosquitoes and cockroaches, mantises also target aphids, grasshoppers, caterpillars and other sizable pests that can wreak havoc on plants and gardens. A juvenile mantis’ appetite for aphids is a major advantage, as these tiny sap-sucking insects can quickly decimate crops and ornamental plants. Grasshoppers and caterpillars, notorious for chewing through leaves and damaging greenery, are no match for a hungry adult mantis either.
Food Source
While praying mantises are fierce predators, they’re far from invincible. In fact, they play a critical role in the food chain, serving as both hunter and hunted. Their ability to control pest populations makes them valuable contributors to the ecosystem.
But mantises, too, find themselves on the menu for larger animals. Birds, frogs, bats and even some larger spiders see these stealthy insects as a worthwhile meal. This dynamic keeps the ecosystem in balance, ensuring that mantises don’t overrun their habitats while providing a vital food source for their predators. So, while mantises may seem like the apex predators of the insect world, they’re just one piece of the intricate web that keeps nature balanced.
How to Attract (and Keep) Praying Mantises
To create a welcoming environment for praying mantises in your garden, try these tips:
- Plant native flowers
Wondering what to feed a praying mantis? If they’re living freely in your garden, providing a delectable diet is easy. Opt to add a few shrubs, flowers and tall grasses that naturally attract food sources for mantises.
- Create a water source
Whether it’s a shallow dish of water or a small birdbath, mantises need access to water to thrive. Providing a consistent water source will encourage them to stay in your garden.
- Release egg cases
Praying mantises lay large egg cases, called oothecae, where their eggs develop before hatching. If you’re not seeing mantises in your garden despite your best efforts, consider purchasing an ootheca from a garden supply store. Place it in your garden, and once the nymphs hatch, they’ll begin feasting on smaller pests. As they grow, they’ll move on to larger, more troublesome insects.
Help Keep Unwanted Insects at Bay at the University of Florida
Praying mantises are just one of many misunderstood yet beneficial insect species. If their world (or the larger world of insects) has piqued your interest, consider a career in entomology. The University of Florida offers four distinct specializations:
- Medical Entomology
- Landscape Pest Management
- Urban Pest Management
- Beekeeping
Earn a fully online graduate certificate or graduate degree with a specialization in the area of your choosing. Our programs offer year-round start dates, so you can begin your journey whenever you’re ready. Plus, you’ll be studying with the best: Our program is ranked #1 in the world for entomology and nematology.
Check out our extensive program offerings, and choose the program that aligns with your professional goals.
Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/praying-mantis
https://biologydictionary.net/praying-mantis/
https://fortheland.org/praying-mantis/
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ghopper/intro3.pdf
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/editorial/pesticides-what-are-the-risks
Upon first glance, the spotted lanternfly might appear to be a virtuous little moth. With a black and yellow body tucked gracefully inside a pair of radiant red, black and brown wings, they’re a speckled sight to behold. But if you research these colorful insects, you’ll quickly discover that they’re not nearly as innocent as they appear.
This unsuspecting pest is one of more than 450 known invasive insect species in the United States. Invasive species are insects that aren’t native to a country and cause harm to the environment or human health. Once they arrive on foreign soil, they settle in at the expense of local ecosystems and can be difficult to remove without also harming beneficial insects.
Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at the spotted lanternfly and exploring ways to reduce the number of this invasive species in our environment.
Getting to Know the Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternflies, or Lycorma delicatula, are classified as planthoppers due to their ability to easily hop from one place to another. They typically grow to about one inch in length and half an inch in width. With their wings folded, they resemble a lantern shape, giving them their informal moniker.
In the fall, adult spotted lanternflies lay their eggs, which hatch as nymphs the following spring. It takes several months for these nymphs to mature into adults, and then the cycle repeats. Upon hatching, nymphs immediately seek out a food source. They prefer the Ailanthus tree but are also known to feed on more than 70 species of maple trees, oak trees, apple trees and grapevines.
How Did the Spotted Lanternfly Spread?
You may be familiar with the spotted lanternfly’s outer appearance, but do you know its origin story and how it spread to other countries? This invasive species hails from Southeastern Asia, where it naturally thrives in the warm, humid climates of countries like China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
They have also established themselves in countries with mild climates, such as Japan and South Korea. However, their appearance in the cooler region of the northeastern United States, specifically Pennsylvania in 2014, came as a surprise.
The spotted lanternfly likely arrived in the U.S. through international trade, hitching rides on imported goods such as stone or wood shipments. Since its introduction, the spotted lanternfly has spread to 14 other states, often carried unknowingly on infested wood and pallets.
What Are the Ecological and Economic Impacts?
As spotted lanternflies feed, they use their sharp mouthparts to retrieve the sap under the tree’s bark. This feeding alone can cause damage, but the lanternflies don’t stop there. After feeding, they excrete honeydew, a sugary substance that attracts other insects.
The result is the growth of sooty mold, a fungus that makes the tree more vulnerable to other diseases and stops its growth, often killing it. The infection and death of these trees disrupts the habitats of native species that rely on them for shelter and food, including birds and mammals like bats and squirrels.
From an economic perspective, a 2019 study from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture estimated that spotted lanternflies could cost the state $324 million annually and remove the need for approximately 2,800 jobs.
How to Stop the Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly
Whether you’re a pest control professional or a concerned resident in an area affected by the invasive spotted lanternfly, there are effective tactics to prevent its spread:
- Inspect your items
Before traveling, check your items for lanternflies or their eggs. Look along the exterior and underside of your vehicle, destroying any egg masses, which often resemble mud splashes. You can use this checklist to help you identify potential lanternflies or their eggs.
- Report sightings
If you notice damage to trees that may be caused by spotted lanternflies, or if you spot egg masses, nymphs or adult lanternflies, take photos and report them to your state’s invasive species program.
- Use control methods
Incorporate removal methods such as vinegar, insecticidal soap or even the suction from a vacuum cleaner.
Learn Advanced Pest Control Strategies at the University of Florida
When it comes to combating the spread of the spotted lanternfly and other invasive species, professionals in pest management have access to a range of advanced strategies. If you’re familiar with the challenges posed by these pests and are looking to enhance your role in pest management, the University of Florida offers online graduate credentials with specializations tailored to your needs, including:
Each specialization offers two pathways:
- Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology
Our online entomology master’s degree consists of 30 credits, with 15 focused on your chosen specialization. Upon completion, you’ll earn both a master’s degree and a graduate certificate in your specialization of choice.
- Graduate Certificate (in the specialization of your choice)
Our online graduate certificates are 15 credits and can be completed in as little as one year, providing a significant boost to your resume in the field of pest management.
Applications are accepted year-round, so start your application today to begin advancing your career next semester!
Sources:
https://www.fws.gov/story/stopping-spotted-lanternfly-its-tracks
https://research.fs.usda.gov/forestplanthealth/invasives
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/spotted-lanternfly/
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/quarantine/Documents/SLF_Checklist_for_Residents.pdf
https://www.montgomerynj.gov/bc-stc/page/ways-fight-spotted-lanternfly
It’s no wonder insects are often referred to as pests. Discovering that six-legged intruders have invaded your garden overnight, intent on decimating your carefully cultivated vegetables, is undoubtedly disheartening. The sight of a cockroach scurrying under your refrigerator is equally unsettling.
While you could resort to spraying pesticides in your home and garden to eliminate these pests, the chemicals in pesticides carry potential health risks, from skin conditions to neurological deficiencies. If you’re uncomfortable with having insecticide residue in your home or if the idea of consuming vegetables with pesticide residues roils your stomach, you’re not alone.
Put your pesticides aside as we discuss three natural pest control options to keep those unruly bugs at bay.
#1 Use Natural Repellant Ingredients
It’s easier to create natural pest repellents than you might think. In fact, you might already have some of these ingredients lying around your home. Below, we explore some simple yet effective natural ingredients you can use to make your own eco-friendly pest control creations:
Essential Oils
Essential oils offer health benefits beyond aromatherapy, serving as effective natural pest control agents. When mixed with water in a spray bottle, they can create a potent natural insect repellent tailored to the specific type of insect you wish to repel:
- Eucalyptus: This oil is ideal for reducing the number of flies and roaches.
- Citronella: Mosquitoes are not fond of the strong smell associated with citronella oil.
- Peppermint: If you’re looking to deter ants or spiders, peppermint is highly effective.
Coffee Grounds
In all seriousness, what can’t coffee make better? It helps us greet the day with a smile on our faces, it’s the pick-me-up we all want after a long day and it doubles as eco-friendly pest control.
That’s right, you can reuse this morning’s coffee grounds to fight off unwanted pests, such as ants and destructive garden slugs and snails. Its powerful scent works to mask the smell —and items — insects are really after, and it becomes even more potent if you use burnt coffee grounds.
Here are the steps to crafting the most potent coffee-ground bug repellant:
- Step 1: Use the coffee grounds to brew your coffee. If you’re a coffee drinker, take a moment to enjoy your freshly brewed cup. Afterward, add more water to the coffee maker and filter the grounds a second time.
- Step 2: Enhance the flavor and aroma by carefully placing the twice-used grounds in a dry pan and cooking them until dry.
- Step 3: Allow the grounds to cool, then sprinkle them around areas where you notice ants and slugs. This will help repel them from garden veggies, doorways or cracks.
#2 Incorporate Insect-Repellant Plants
You can have your bug repellant (and eat some of it, too)! Certain plants provide an ideal natural pest control, thanks to their distinct scents that repel many unwanted insects. If you’re dealing with annoying, disease-carrying mosquitoes in the mornings and evenings, try adding a few of these eco-friendly, bug-repellant plants to your landscape to reduce the mosquito population:
- Lavender
- Marigolds
- Citronella grass
- Catmint
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Mint
- Sage
#3 Incorporate Biological Controls
In the context of natural pest control, biological controls refer to using living organisms to reduce pest populations. Biological controls are useful when you want to remove pests from outside areas, such as gardens or landscaping.
These “natural enemies” of pests come in many forms, including:
- Predators: Pest-reducing predators include ladybeetles, predatory mites and ladybugs.
- Parasitoids: A parasitoid is an organism that spends much of its life inside or attached to a living host. While they don’t kill their hosts outright, parasitoids forfeit the host’s life as part of their reproductive strategy. Aphelinid wasps and tachinid flies are both examples of parasitoids that may help prevent certain insects from developing and spreading.
- Pathogens: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) sometimes incorporates pathogens, such as fungi, nematodes and bacteria, to cause diseases in unwanted pests. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis is a protein-producing bacteria. Its protein is toxic to certain insects, and many IPMs use it to control insects in large batches of crops.
Rid The World of Pests One Natural Remedy at a Time
Despite your efforts to reduce the number of pests in your environment, they often manage to return. Fortunately, pest management professionals possess a comprehensive understanding of these pests and, armed with a toolbox of strategies aimed at reducing their numbers, can effectively keep them at bay.
At the University of Florida, we aim to ignite your passion for pest management. We offer a range of specializations in entomology depending on your areas of interest:
In each of these specializations, you have the option to pursue a 15-credit online graduate certificate focusing on one area. For those seeking a more comprehensive education, we also provide an entirely online 30-credit master’s degree program. This program allows you to select one of the aforementioned specializations while gaining a broad understanding of entomology.
All of our online programs offer benefits including:
- The flexibility to complete your work at your convenience.
- Affordable tuition.
- No GRE scores required.
- Year-round start dates.
Choose the program that aligns with your future in entomology, and apply today!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4947579/
https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html
https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/predators-parasites-and-parasitoids/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553484/
The hemlock woolly adelgid has a particular palate, feeding exclusively on hemlock trees. First discovered in Virginia, this invasive species has spread throughout the forests of the Appalachian Mountains, where it poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems. Invasive species experts have attempted to prevent the spread of these aphid-like insects, but management tactics, including chemical control, have yet to suppress hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
Hope is not yet lost for the hemlock forests of the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, however. Every day brings entomologists closer to developing more effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and the efforts of individuals can go a long way toward preventing these insects from inadvertently being introduced into new areas.
Let’s take a closer look at the hemlock woolly adelgid and its destructive appetite.
From Japan, With Love
The hemlock woolly adelgid was first spotted in the Pacific Northwest in 1922, but this is believed to be a case of mistaken identity. The first confirmed sighting in North America was in Richmond, Virginia, in 1951. Native to Japan, the adelgid is believed to have been introduced via infested ornamental Japanese hemlocks. These insects can now be found in over 20 states and Nova Scotia. Without natural predators or hosts with natural resistances, adelgids are free to feed on eastern and Carolina hemlocks.
Hemlock trees play a vital role in their ecosystem. From a black bear making its den in a tree hollow to a speckled trout swimming in waters cooled by tree shade, all types of animals and plants rely on the habitat provided by hemlock forests. Found on steep slopes, hemlock trees even prevent erosion by stabilizing shallow soil. Losing hemlock trees could mean losing unique plants and wildlife, which is what makes adelgid infestations so concerning.
Four Years to Live
Hemlock woolly adelgids feed by inserting their piercing mouth parts, known as a proboscis, into plant tissues and extracting stored nutrients. Affected hemlock trees shed their needles and lose buds and branch tips necessary for regeneration. Eastern hemlocks are particularly vulnerable to infestation, having fewer defenses against piercing-sucking insects. A herbivore-induced hypersensitive response also results in needles with higher levels of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), resulting in tissue death at the feeding site. Infested hemlock trees die within as few as four years, and as many as 80% of hemlocks in the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains have died due to infestation.
Winter and Spring Adelgids
Two generations of adelgids emerge during the year: the winter generation and the spring generation. In early summer, winter adelgids hatch only to enter summer dormancy at the bases of hemlock needles. They spend the rest of their lives at this feeding site. Dormancy ends come winter, and winter adelgids progress through four stages of life as wingless nymphs. During this time, they produce a waxy, woolly mass above their bodies, where they will lay their eggs through early spring.
The lifecycle of the spring generation is only three months long and comes to a rather abrupt end. Hatching in early spring, a proportion of adults known as sexuparae develop wings and fly in search of tigertail spruce trees to deposit their eggs. There’s just one problem: There are no tigertail spruce trees native to their area. Having reached a reproductive dead end, the winged adults die, and it’s the non-winged adults that lay the eggs that will become the winter generation.
Current Management Tactics
Hemlock woolly adelgids are miniscule, measuring less than two millimeters. The woolly mass they produce is easy enough to spot, however. Each mass resembles the head of a cotton swab, and an infested tree will have a number on the underside of its branches throughout fall and spring.
Once detected, there a number of potential methods for managing these invasive insects:
Chemical Control
Insecticides have been shown to control hemlock woolly adelgid populations, but the cost of applying pesticides to large areas makes this strategy less than desirable.
Silvicultural Control
Silvicultural control entails removing infested hemlock trees, which allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor, stimulating regeneration and helping hemlocks survive an infestation. Unfortunately, silviculture can lead to unintended consequences, including the removal of resistant hemlocks.
Host Resistance
Attempts to cross the eastern hemlock with the highly resistant Chinese hemlock have been unsuccessful. However, there are over 200 cultivars of eastern hemlock, and the possibility remains that some hemlocks have an innate resistance to the adelgid.
Biocontrol
Native and introduced enemies have a substantial impact on the hemlock woolly adelgid, including Laricobius nigrinus, among its most important predators. A six-year study spanning nine field sites across six states revealed that this black beetle had a significant impact on winter generations. Spring generations rebounded, however, resulting in the need for a more comprehensive approach.
Integrated Pest Management
IPM uses a combination of the strategies listed above and has been shown to have moderate success in forest and urban settings. IPM is the most promising long-term solution to controlling hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
Here’s What You Can Do
The keen eyes of entomology enthusiasts can help slow the spread of hemlock woolly adelgids. If you’re in a state actively monitoring for adelgids and you spot them in a city where they’ve yet to be identified, you can document their appearance and report it to your local government. However, there is a way to take a more active role in managing this invasive insect.
The University of Florida offers an online entomology master’s degree and graduate certificate, each with three specialization options. Our online courses instill the principles and practices of IPM, helping working professionals like yourself become entomologists, ecologists, biologists, IPM managers, and more. Explore our program and course offerings to find the graduate credential that’s ideal for your career.
The hemlock woolly adelgid is one of many invasive insects. Apply to one of our online entomology programs to protect the delicate balance of our natural habitats.
Sources:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/TREES/hemlock_woolly_adelgid.html
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7250.html
https://inspection.canada.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species/insects/hemlock-woolly-adelgid/fact-sheet/eng/1325616708296/1325618964954
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/hwa/control_management/host_plant_resistance/
https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/vegetation-management/silviculture/index.shtml
Florida is synonymous with oranges. It’s the proud home of Orange County, boasts 569,000 acres of orange groves and offers tourists a special treat with its Florida Citrus Center gas stations filled to the brim with mounds of oranges beckoning you to take a five-pound bag home.
Floridians have every reason to be proud of their knowledge of every kind of orange and grapefruit on the market, but Florida’s citrus industry isn’t what it used to be. During the 1999 to 2000 season, industry output amounted to a whopping $9.13 billion. In the years since, those earnings have dropped significantly, with the industry output totaling only $6.935 billion in the 2020 to 2021 season. So what’s the cause for such a drastic reduction in earnings?
Florida’s wonky weather patterns (a.k.a. hurricanes) have played a small part in the disruption of citrus production, but the real culprit is much smaller — and much more lethal. Its name is the Asian citrus psyllid, and it’s caused complete mayhem in the citrus industry.
Florida Citrus Industry: Then and Now
Oranges are such a Floridian staple that it’s hard to believe citrus isn’t native to the United States. Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other citrus fruits originated in Asia. They eventually spread westward, and while the first attempts at cultivation failed in the U.S., Florida became prime real estate for the citrus industry in the 1870s.
Eventually, scientists created a special blend of orange juice called frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) to ensure that soldiers received adequate amounts of vitamin C while fighting on the frontlines during World War II. Citrus production increased from 43 million boxes in 1945 to 72 million in 1952, largely due to an increase in demand for FCOJ.
In the 1980s, a series of below-freezing temperatures took a toll on the overall production of citrus. Because of this, many citrus growers began migrating from central and northern regions of Florida to more southern areas that were less likely to freeze. Most growers were able to make a quick comeback and provided large amounts of citrus for processing plants and packing houses. It wasn’t until 2005 that the Asian citrus psyllid invaded thousands of acres of citrus groves, bringing a debilitating, tree-killing disease with it.
The King of all Citrus Insect Pests: The Asian Citrus Psyllid
Like citrus, the Asian citrus psyllid originated from Asia. While scientists don’t know exactly how they found their way to the U.S., some believe that someone brought smuggled tree clippings from Asia to Florida in 2005. Asian citrus psyllids are only three to four millimeters in length, but don’t let their scant size fool you. While their appetite for citrus leaves is voracious, that’s not what’s causing the death of so many Florida citrus trees. Rather, it’s the bacteria, Candidatus Liberibacter asciaticus (CLas), that many of these insects carry. The bacteria CLas causes huanglongbing (HLB), a citrus disease that some scientists have compared to HIV in its severity.
Since Asian citrus psyllids began their reign of terror on citrus trees throughout Florida in 2005, 90% of the state’s orange groves now suffer from HLB, which negatively impacts the citrus industry by:
- Reducing fruit quality by preventing fruit from ripening (also known as citrus greening).
- Creating dry, lopsided fruit.
- Decreasing the overall fruit yield.
- Leading to tree decline and eventual death.
This disruption of citrus production has caused a major decline in the industry, with statistics that include:
- Two-thirds of processing fruit factories shut down.
- Approximately 5,000 farmers left the industry since 2004 (with about 2,000 remaining)
- Citrus packing plants dropped from 80 to 26.
- Approximately 34,000 citrus industry jobs were eliminated from 2006 to 2016.
These invasive pests reproduce so quickly that even insecticides haven’t slowed them down as quickly as farmers had hoped. In addition, Asian citrus psyllids thrive in Florida’s warm weather, so it’s unlikely that they plan on going anywhere anytime soon. And while there’s no cure for trees with HLB, early detection and removal of infected trees is key to preventing its spread.
The University of Florida is doing its part in the fight against HLB and Asian citrus psyllids. The USDA has recently granted the UF/IFAS faculty from the Citrus Research and Education Center over $16 million to complete a series of research projects that aim to combat the deadly citrus greening disease.
The University of Florida: Keeping Citrus Around for Years to Come
With a Graduate Certificate in Landscape Pest Management, you can take your own stand against HLB. Our 15-credit program is entirely online and prepares you for a career in pest control, pest management, entomology and more.
In addition to required courses like Turf and Ornamental Entomology and Insect Classification, you can choose from exciting electives relevant to your chosen career path, including:
- ENY 5212 Insects and Wildlife
- IPM 6021 Insect Pest and Vector Management
- IPM 5305 Principles of Pesticides
Take your curiosity and passion for insects and nematodes to the next level by learning more about our program today.
Sources:
https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/eat-drink-facts-about-florida-citrus-oranges/
https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/economic-impact-analysis/er01-2-citrus.pdf
https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/exhibits/photo_exhibits/citrus/citrus3.php
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/11/09/end-florida-orange-juice-lethal-disease-is-decimating-its-citrus-industry/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/acp/PestProfile.html
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/11/09/university-of-florida-ifas-awarded-over-16-million-in-research-grants-to-fight-citrus-disease/
