Woodland Health A column focusing on topics that might limit the health, vigor and productivity of our private or public woodlands

摘要

As I finish the early defoliator season with an intense period of Bacillus thuringiensis treatment in my orchard against the onslaught of Spongy (Gypsy) moth, I begin contemplating the insects of summer. One of my favorite groups are often hidden in plain view, the scale insects. I can't think of a woody plant that is not fed upon by at least one scale species. Most of the scales in New York are native and rarely cause economic damage, but can be annoying. Of course, there are the introduced scales, and they pose problems. Scale insects are part of an order of insects often referred to as the "True bugs", or Hemiptera, which has over 65,000 species named. Insects in this order all have piercing-sucking mouthparts that, for the most part, are used to suck the sap out of plants, and include such wonders as aphids, stinkbugs, cicadas, spittlebugs, and plant hoppers (Spotted Lanternfly). One of my favorite exceptions to the vegetarian diet predominant in this order are the giant water bugs, or "toe-biters". I consider myself lucky when I lay on a pond dock and find one catching and feeding on an unfortunate frog or bullfrog tadpole. Another exception, and definitely not a favorite, are bedbugs. Take some advice from an entomologist and put your luggage in the tub or shower when staying at a hotel. I digress...