BEGINNING OF SCHOOL MARKS SHIFT IN INSECT PROBLEMS:

It is hard to believe that school is set to start back in session, but it is also a sign that many pest problems are nearing an end for the season while others are probably just getting started. In southwest Kansas a majority of the southwestern eggs appeared to have already hatched by the middle of this week, recent rains and cool weather have continued to keep most spider mite populations in control and even thought cotton fleahoppers were noticeable in some cotton fields the cotton is probably past the point were treatment for fleahoppers is warranted. However, other insect problems are probably just beginning. With most corn having reached the brown silk stage means that it will soon not be very attractive to corn earworm moths and oviposition is more likely to take place on sorghum and cotton. Cool weather has probably been good for pea aphids and cowpea aphids which continue to be reported in scattered alfalfa fields. We are also nearing a time when worms such as fall armyworms, beet armyworms and yellow striped armyworms occasionally cause concern. So while it appears we are nearing the end of some problems it is time to start watching for others.

Phil Sloderbeck

NOT ALL BED BUGS ARE EQUALLY BAD:

This spring and summer, we have been getting samples of bed bugs from houses that are not human bed bugs. We actually got a several different species of bed bugs that are associated with bats and birds. And this makes a big difference in terms of the pest management.

If you have a bird nest(s) or bats in your chimney or attic, bedbugs associated with these animals can accidentally drop down, show up in your house, and because they have nothing else to feed on, they can start biting people. However, they cannot survive and develop on human blood and therefore they do not establish large populations. So, you don't need to necessarily contact a pest control company to treat your house. You need to get rid off the nests and possibly put screening on chimney and attics. Otherwise, even if you kill all the bed bugs in your house at one time, you might be getting a continuous supply of them from birds or bats.

The bottom line is that if you suspect a bed bug infestation on your property, get the bed bug identified to make sure that you find out if it's a human bed bug (Cimex lectularius) or some other species. They are not easy to tell apart, it has to be done under a microscope (figures bellow). In fact, this year we have seen more cases of non-human bed bugs and in some cases people wasted their money on fogging the house instead of dealing with the bed bug source in chimney and attic.

Also, if you contact any pest control company for any pest infestation problem make sure to ask them to do a surveillance first to find out exactly what insect/arthropod species you are dealing with and only then allow them to treat! This might save you a lot of money. If you get a sample of a suspect pest yourself feel free to send it to Bobby Brown in our Diagnostic lab.


Human bed bug	Bed Bug associated with birds (Mexican chicken bed bug)

Ludek Zurek Bobby Brown
Medical and Veterinary Entomology Insect Diagnostician

SOYBEAN APHIDS:

"As of 12 Aug , 5 counties have reported soybean aphids (Riley, Mitchell, Marshall, Ellis and Wichita). Population densities remain low (well below any treatment threshold) but with the cool temperatures forecast for the next few days and north breezes, all soybean fields should continue to be monitored for the presence or increase of these very small aphids."

Jeff Whitworth

Weekly Report from the Kansas State University Insect Diagnostic Laboratory:

The following samples were submitted to the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory from August 5 through August 11, 2004:

    8-5-2004, Johnson County: Black Larder Beetle larva in wood.
    8-5-2004, Shawnee County: Blowfly Larvae in kitchen carpet.
    8-5-2004, McPherson County: Milichiid Fly larvae in waste water sludge.
    8-5-2004, Republic County: Oriental Cockroach in home.
    8-10-2004, Wichita County: Psocoptera on corn.
    8-10-2004, Coffey County: Harlequin Bugs on Field Radish.
    8-10-2004, Riley County: Melyrid Beetle larva.
    8-10-2004, Riley County: Moth Fly larvae.
    8-10-2004, Kiowa County: Colydiid Beetle.
    8-10-2004, Sedgwick County: Eastern Ash Bark Beetles from trees.
    8-11-2004, Smith County: Springtails in and around home.
    8-11-2004, Riley County: Springtails in home.

If there are any questions regarding these samples or about the identification of any arthropod please contact the Insect Diagnostician at 785-532-4739 or at bbrown@oznet.ksu.edu .

Bobby Brown

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

Sincerely,

Phil Sloderbeck                                                                Ludek Zurek
Kansas State University                                                    Extension Specialist
Southwest Research and Extension Center                        Medical & Veterinary Entomologist
Garden City

Jeff Whitworth Bobby Brown
Extension Specialist Entomology Diagnostician
Entomology (Crops)