FFA Agronomy Insect Identification Practicum Study Guide Wyoming 2015 6March2015 Prepared by Scott Schell Assistant Extension Entomologist sschell@uwyo.edu
Important Information About this Guide: The information in this guide will allow you to successfully answer all of the questions on the Wyoming FFA Agronomy- Entomology exam. Some terms have been generalized. For example the mouth parts of spider mite are not actually a piercing-sucking beaks but they function like them. The insect Order Homoptera has recently been incorporated into Hemiptera. This may not withstand scientific scrutiny. Most all except for the very newest entomology textbooks still call them Homoptera so we will maintain that nomenclature for now to avoid confusion. References such as Garden Insects of North America and Entomology and Pest management would make an excellent additional study material.
Alfalfa looper Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact - vegetative part destruction by larvae Mouth parts chewing on larva; proboscis on adult Alfalfa loopers are greenish caterpillars, tapered from back to front, that can exceed 25mm in length when ready to pupate. Because of the arrangement of legs (only 3 abdominal prolegs) they walk with a looping inch worm type motion. Usually only two generations per year of this pest occur in Wyoming.
Alfalfa Weevil Order Coleoptera Economic Impact - vegetative part destruction, primarily the by the larvae pupa Mouth parts chewing on adult and larvae. Larvae and feeding damage The adult s coloration varies from gray to brown; 4 to 6mm long Adult Larval stages
Aphids corn leaf species in the Family Aphididae, Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal of plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Green colored with a dark pair of cornicles on posterior (they look like exhaust pipes). Many species of aphid adults can be seen with wings (alate) and without wings (apterous) at various times of the year. Body length 1 to 2 mm.
Aphids Russian wheat species in the Family Aphididae, Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal of plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Many species of aphid adults can be seen with wings (alate) and without wings (apterous) at various times of the year. Many species have a pair of prominent cornicles on posterior (they look like exhaust pipes). The Russian wheat aphid has very small ones them and is uniformly colored pale green. Body length 1 to 2 mm.
Aphids spotted alfalfa species in the Family Aphididae, Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal of plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Many species of aphid adults can be seen with wings (alate) and without wings (apterous) at various times of the year. Aphids with red eyes and spots on the back, found feeding on alfalfa will be spotted alfalfa aphids. Body length 1 to 2 mm.
Aphids sugarbeet root species in the Family Aphididae, Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal of plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Many species of aphid adults can be seen with wings (alate) and without wings (apterous) at various times of the year. In the early spring the sugarbeet root aphid forms petiole galls on cottonwood trees. The galls break off and the aphids fly into sugarbeet fields. The next generations are wingless and feed on the fibrous roots attached to the main storage taproot and secrete a white waxy substance around the roots. Body length 1 to 2 mm.
Armyworm larva Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact - vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing on larva, proboscis on adult Larvae march in mass in search of food, giving them their common name. They will crawl up on vegetation to feed. Maturing larvae can exceed 25mm in length. Adult
Assassin bugs Economic Impact - beneficial predator Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak All members of the insect Family Reduviidae, Order Hemipterashare this common name. Most are black or brown but not all are. Adults of various species range from 10-25 mm in length.
Bean leaf beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction on bean species Mouth parts chewing on both adult and larvae Their coloration is extremely variable. All forms have a black triangle at the junction of the front wings, behind the head (see arrow) Body length 5 to 7mm. Larvae do a little damage to roots. The adults feed heavily on the leaves.
Blister beetles Order Coleoptera Economic Impact poisonous to livestock if ingested when they are Incorporated into alfalfa hay Mouth parts chewing The family Meloidae s common name is blister beetle but 4 members in the genus Epicauta are the main pests when they swarm on alfalfa, that is in bloom, when it is harvested. The crushed beetles contain cantharidin, a powerful blister agent, which contaminates the hay and can kill livestock.
Boll weevil Order Coleoptera Economic Impact fruit/flower destruction of cotton Life cycle -complete Mouth parts chewing adult and larvae A small 6mm long beetle with an elongated face with chewing mandibles. They are a serious pest on cotton. The adult female chews a wound into the developing cotton boll and deposites eggs in the pit. The eggs hatch and the larva feed on the developing cotton boll. Adult on a cotton boll
Chinch bug Order Hemiptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids from turf grasses Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Wings on the adult vary from short to full length but have the typical combination of a thick leathery portion and a thin membranous section. Egg to adult from shown. Adults up to 4mm long.
Colorado potato beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Life cycle -complete Mouth parts chewing larvae and adult Major pest of potato and tomatoes as adult and larvae. Adult beetles are 10mm long Adult larva
Corn earworm larva Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact - on corn seed head destruction Mouth parts chewing as larva, proboscis on adult In addition to corn, cotton, tomato, it also attacks artichoke, asparagus, cabbage, cantaloupe, collard, cowpea, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, lima bean, melon, okra, pea, pepper, potato, pumpkin, snap bean, spinach, squash, sweet potato, and watermelon. Adult Green and brown color morphs of the larva
Corn rootworm larva (Three species of beetles in the genus Diabrotica ) Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part (root) destruction Mouth parts chewing larvae and adult. 3 species of corn rootworm adult Beetles 5 to 6.4 mm long. The dark plate on the top of the tail end of the larva is a diagnostic character (see arrow) makes them look two headed. Larvae reach 8 to 10 mm.
Cutworm larva A member of the Noctuidae family of moths. Order Lepidoptera Larva spend much of the time out of sight Economic Impact vegetative part destruction under the soil litter. They cut off plants at ground level giving them their common name. Mouth parts chewing as larvae, proboscis on adult Typical adult called a miller moth
Earwig (common name of all members of the order) Order Dermaptera Economic Impact fruit/flower damage Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - chewing The European species is the most common pest in US.
European corn borer larva Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing on larva, proboscis on adult Ostrinia nubilalis larva can attack other crops besides corn that have stems big enough for the larva to enter. Adults have 25 mm wing span on average. Larva inside the stem of a corn plant. Adult
Field Crickets Order Orthoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts chewing as adult and nymph At high population levels field crickets can damage crops. They can be black or brown and as adults can be 25 mm long. Very long antennae as compared to grasshoppers. Males chirp to call in mates
Flea beetle many species of small, jumping beetles in the Family Chrysomelidae Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing as adults and larvae Attack many crops and even trees and shrubs by some species. Most species less than 3 mm. Adult beetles with enlarged hind femurs for jumping: typically brown, black, or iridescent
Granary weevils - Sitophilus species Order Coleoptera Economic Impact attack stored grain, can render the grain unfit for human consumption, will feed on and deposit an egg into intact grain kernel Mouth parts chewing on adult and lava A 2.5 mm long adult weevil, after emerging from a single kernel of stored grain.
Slantfaced Grasshoppers - subfamily Gophocerinae, several are major rangeland pests Order Orthoptera Economic Impact vegetative plant part destruction Life cycle incomplete metamorphosis Mouth parts chewing as adult and nymph Typical adult with enlarged hind legs for jumping; avg. size ranges from 20mm to 60mm as adults. Typical Annual Lifecycle
Bandwing Grasshoppers - subfamily Oedipodinae, several important pests but most are not Order Orthoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts chewing as adult and nymph Some species spend the winter as a freeze tolerant nymphs. Typical grasshopper with enlarged hind legs for jumping; avg. size ranges from 25mm to 80mm as adults. Good fliers, the males often make clicking noises to attract females. Usually very well camouflaged nymphs, Adults usually have colorful banded hind wings Typical nymph
Green lacewing Order Neuroptera Economic Impact - beneficial predator Mouth parts chewing Eggs on stalks Many species of lacewings. Adults rarely exceed 19mm. Lacewing refers the fine venation of the wings. Adult usually reach 10 to 12 mm in body length.
Ground beetle - Family Carabidae Order Coleoptera Economic Impact beneficial predator Mouth parts chewing as adult and larva. Most species 5-15 mm but range from 2 to 35 mm. Larva Many are black to dark brown and shiny.
Honey bee Order Hymenoptera Economic Impact - beneficial pollinator Mouth parts chewing for shaping beeswax- lapping tongue for nectar feeding Larvae are, white, wormlike, and legless and are raised in the hive.
Japanese beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing Adults defoliate many common ornamental and garden plants. They are 15 mm long. Larva attack turf grass roots.
Lady beetle larva Order Coleoptera Economic Impact - beneficial predators Mouth parts - chewing Larva surround by potential prey Many species of lady beetles exist and not all are orange with black spots. This adult of the twice-stabbed species illustrates this. The mobile larva often have many black and orange spots. Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves.
Leafcutter bees Order Hymenoptera Economic Impact - beneficial pollinator Mouth parts chewing for cutting leaves for larval chambers and lapping tongue for nectar feeding.
Leaf skeletonizer moths Order Lepidoptera Pictured is the grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina americana Economic Impact larva vegetative part destruction eating the soft parts of leaves, leaving the viens as a skeleton. Family Zygaenidae many different Leaf Skeletonizer species Mouth parts larva chewing; adults siphoning Larva clump together Mating pair of adults
Leafhoppers- all species in the Family Cicadellidae. Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Most are 3 to 6 mm long, some are brightly colored. Adult Nymph
Lygus bug (40 species in the genus Lygus) Order Hemiptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts piercing-sucking 5-6mm long adults The worst species Lygus lineolaris it feeds on over half of all commercially-grown crop plants, but favors cotton, alfalfa, beans, stone fruits, and conifer seedlings. This bug can be found across North America, from northern Canada to southern Mexico. Adult
Mexican bean beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing as larva and adult Pupa Feed on legume (bean) plants. Adult Larva
Mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex Order Orthoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts chewing Lack functional flight wings Body length 35 to 50 mm Adult female has swordlike ovipositor Line drawing of the adult male showing the long antennae and no ovipositor.
Mountain pine beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing as larva and adult Feeds on the inner bark (cambium) of most species of pine (Pinus) trees. Kills the trees in one year. Body length 2- to 3 mm. Adult pair in the gallery they have chewed out for the larvae
Pink bollworm larva Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact cotton flower destruction Mouth parts - larva chewing; adults siphoning Adult
Salt marsh caterpillar (aka salt marsh wooly worm) Order Lepidoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts larva chewing; adults siphoning Attacks many different crop plants. Larva color variants Adults
Adults and tin crawle Scale insects many species of hard and soft from the Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts - piercing-sucking The first stage out of the eggs are mobile and are called crawlers. They attach to host plant and the females remain attached their entire lives. Soft brown scale 1mm long light yellow just hatched nymph or crawler Oystershell scale Adults eggs
Spider mites - small (0.5mm) 8 legged arthropod not in the Class Insecta but in the Class Arachnida, Order Acari Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle ametabolous Mouth parts - piercing-sucking beak Adults, and eggs (the large round balls) less than 1mm long.
Spittlebugs (multiple species that have similar habits but have different host plants) Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle incomplete, nymphs secrete bubbly mucous for protection Mouth parts piercing-sucking
Spotted cucumber beetle Order Coleoptera Economic Impact - vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing Adult of the Southern corn rootworm. Injurious to many plant species by leaf feeding.
Stinkbug - all species in the Family Pentatomidae Order Hemiptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts -piercing-sucking beak carried when not feeding in grove between the legs
Sugarbeet root maggot Order Diptera Economic Impact larvae scrape the tap roots of sugarbeets Mouth parts sponging as adult, rasping- sucking on larvae that damages the roots Larvae lack head capsule but have two mouth hooks to rasp the plant cells open and secrete digestive enzymes to liquefy the contents for ingestion. Root damage
Flower flies (all species in the family Syrphidae) Order Diptera Economic Impact - beneficial Adults pollinate, in many species the larvae prey on aphids Life cycle complete Adults of many species mimic the coloration of bee and wasps to bluff predators. The Larvae are capable predators despite lacking a defined head and normal legs. Wasp mimic species Larvae with dead aphids Bee mimic species
Tobacco/tomato hornworms: two very similar species in the Genus Manduca that feed on plants in the nightshade family. Order Lepidoptera Adult Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts larva chewing; adults siphoning Larva Larva
Western flower thrips Order Thysanoptera Economic Impact damage by rasping and sucking of plant fluids. Life cycle -incomplete 1 mm long, winged adult Mouth parts rasping-sucking combination Thrips damaged flower
Western corn rootworm beetle, Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction Mouth parts chewing Black striping on the adults varies widely. Adult will feed on the leaves, pollen and silks of corn plants
White grubs the common name given the larvae of beetles in the Family Scarabidae Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction (the roots of turf grasses mainly) Chewing mouth parts Exposed Larva assume this characteristic C shape when dug up
Whiteflies all species in the Family Aleyrodidae Order Homoptera Economic Impact damage by removal plant fluids Life cycle - incomplete Mouth parts piercing-sucking beak Mainly pest of greenhouses and in area of high humidity and warmth on many plant species. Adult 2 to 3 mm long adults Last nymphal instar is quiescent and doesn t feed
Wireworm larvae of many species of beetles in the Family Elateridae (click beetles) Order Coleoptera Economic Impact vegetative part destruction (attack roots and tubers) Mouth parts chewing on both larvae and adult Wireworms are beetle larvae with this body form Typical form of a adult click beetle