Summary of Losses from Insect Damage and Cost of Control in Georgia 2001

Transcription

1 Summary of Losses from Insect Damage and Cost of Control in Georgia 2001 Editors Paul Guillebeau, Nancy Hinkle & Phillip Roberts

2 Contents Subcommittee Chair & Members... ii Introduction... iii Acknowledgments... iv Subcommittee Reports...1 I. Apiculture...1 II. Apple Insects...2 III. Blueberry Insects...4 IV. Cotton Insects...5 V. Field Corn Insects...8 VI. Forest Insects...10 VII. Grain Sorghum Insects...12 VIII. Grape Insects...14 IX. Household and Structural Insects...15 X. Livestock and Poultry Insects...18 XI. Ornamental, Lawn and Turf Insects...20 XII. Pasture and Forage Insects...23 XIII. Peach Insects...25 XIV. Peanut Insects...26 XV. Pecan Insects...28 XVI. Public Health and Recreational Area Insects...30 XVII. Small Grain Insects...35 XVIII. Soybean Insects...37 XIX. Strawberry Insects...39 XX. Tobacco Insects...40 XXI. Vegetable Insects...42 Summary of Losses Resulting from Insect Damage and Control Costs in Georgia in 2001 by Commodity or Other Category...48 List of the 20 Most Damaging Insect Species or Complexes in Georgia in Scientific Names or Other Taxonomic Classifications of the Insect Species or Insect Complexed for Which Economic Loss Estimates Have Been Made In Georgia...50 References...56

3 DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INSECT SURVEY AND LOSSES FOR 2001 Subcommittee Apiculture Apple Blueberries Cotton Field Corn Forest Grain Sorghum Grapes Paul Guillebeau, Phillip Roberts & Nancy Hinkle Co-Chairs Subcommittee Chair & Members K. Delaplane, (chair) D. Horton (chair), J. Dutcher D. Horton (chair) P. Roberts (chair), D. Jones, J. Ruberson D. Buntin (chair), J. All K. Douce (chair), W. Berisford D. Buntin (chair), J. All D. Horton (chair), J. All, J. Dutcher Household & Structural Livestock & Poultry Ornamental, Lawn & Turf Pasture & Forage Peach Peanut Pecan Public Health & Recreational Area Small Grain Soybean Strawberry Tobacco Vegetables D. Suiter (chair), B. Forschler N. Hinkle (chair), D. Sheppard, E. Gray R. Oetting (chair), W. Hudson, K. Braman W. Hudson (chair), D. Buntin, W. Gardner D. Horton (chair), J. Dutcher S. Brown (chair), J. Todd W. Hudson (chair), J. Dutcher E. Gray (chair), B. Sparks D. Buntin (chair), J. All B. McPherson (chair), D. Jones D. Horton (chair) B. McPherson (chair), D. Jones A. Sparks (chair), D. Riley iii

4 Introduction This publication summarizes the economic losses resulting from insect damage and cost of their control in The loss estimates are prepared by subcommittees of The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Department of Entomology Special Committee on Insect Surveys and Losses. The estimates of yield loss on units treated and untreated for a given insect pest can vary greatly between commodities. This reflects differences in pest populations pressure, efficacy of control, management practices, etc., and the loss is not always lower for the treated units. iv

5 Acknowledgments Many people other than the members of The University of Georgia Department of Entomology Special Committee on Insect Surveys and Losses have contributed significantly in this publication. Committee members had considerable aid from representatives of agribusiness, the United States Department of Agriculture, research and extension workers in other states, and County Extension Coordinators and Agents of The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, the Committee thanks them all. We sincerely thank Ms. Detsy Bridges and Terry All in the Entomology Unit in Athens for their assistance in compiling, typing, proofreading and preparing the web version of this report. v

6 Subcommittee Reports I. Apiculture K. Delaplane The number of managed bee hives in Georgia stayed fixed at 55,000 from 2000 to This welcome stability follows generally favorable honey prices in Beekeepers continue to sustain colony losses and control costs associated with parasitic Varroa mites. Locally high colony losses were sustained in from the newly-introduced small hive beetle Aethina tumida, but for unknown reasons acute colony losses from this pest were diminished in Beekeepers report high nuisance levels of small hive beetles in honey houses and stored equipment. Sustained drought did not make a measurable impact on honey production in 2001; yields were within a range normal for the past decade. The summed production of beekeepers with five or more hives was 3,135,000 pounds of honey, identical to Production per hive (57 pounds) likewise did not change from Value of the 2001 crop was $2,195,000 compared to $1,975,000 in In 2001, average price per pound rose to 70 from 63 in Extension programs reached 452 people in educational efforts aimed at honey bee parasite biology and control, optimum bee management, and public awareness of the value of bee pollinators. The tenth annual Young Harris College/University of Georgia Beekeeping Institute drew over 100 participants. Research focused on identifying economic treatment thresholds for Varroa mites, small hive beetle IPM, and the pollination of rabbiteye blueberry. 1 Georgia Agric. Statistics Service, Mar. 15,

7 II. Apple Insects D. Horton and J. Dutcher Georgia s 2001 apple crop was valued at 5,294,000 from 1,474 bearing acres. Average price was $14.00/bushel*. Yields varied considerably, with some sites experiencing substantial losses to early-season cold. Control of San Jose scale, rosy apple aphid, plant bugs, leafminers, leafhoppers, codling moths, leafrollers and mites was good. Increased use of pheromone monitoring and developmental models for codling moth, oriental fruit moth and tufted bud moth has improved control. Newer miticides have also improved control. *2001 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report. Doherty, B., N. Dykes and J. McKissick. UGA Cooperative Extension Service, AR-02-02, May Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Codling moth $123,816 $21,727 $145,543 2 Tufted bud moth 114,972 10, ,835 3 Oriental fruit moth 30,954 10,863 41,817 4 San Jose scale 26,532 6,518 33,050 5 Aphids 23,584 4,345 27,929 6 Mites 9, ,184 Total $329,158 $55,200 $384,358 2

8 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Apple Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. Trees Needing Control No. Trees Treated No. of Applic. Avg. Cost Per Tree Yield (Bu) Loss on Treated Trees Yield Loss (Bu) on Untreated Trees Codling moth Tufted bud moth Oriental fruit moth San Jose scale 1,474 1,474 4 $ ,474 1, ,474 1, ,474 1, Aphids 1,474 1, Mites

9 III. Blueberry Insects D. Horton Georgia blueberries were valued at $23,134,258 from 6,639 bearing acres. Emerging pests gall midge and flower thrips (pre-bloom and bloom), as well as the blueberry maggot (late season) are an under-researched concern. Our understanding of biology and controls for these pests under southeastern conditions is wanting. Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Pre-bloom/Bloom complex (gall midge and flower thrips) $468,000 $ 39,000 $507,000 2 Blueberry maggot 174, ,250 3 Cranberry fruit worm 12,000 40,000 52,000 4 Defoliating caterpillars 8,000 40,000 48,000 5 Fire ants 5, ,000 6 Stem borers 1,500 2,000 3,500 Total $494,500 $295,250 $789,750 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Blueberry Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect Acres Needing Control Acres Treated No. of Applic. Application Cost Per Acre Yield ($) Loss on Treated Acre Yield ($) Loss on Untreated Acre Gall midge and flower thrip Cranberry fruit worm 4,000 2,000 1 $18.00 $35.00 $ ,000 1, Caterpillars 1,000 1, Fire ants and wasps

10 Blueberry maggot ,

11 IV. Cotton Insects P. Roberts, D. Jones and J. Ruberson Approximately 1.49 million acres of cotton were planted in Georgia during After several years of hot and dry seasons, rainfall and temperatures were much more conducive for cotton production. As a whole insect populations were light, but some sporadic problems occurred. This season was a prime example of why each individual field is scouted and treated on an as needed basis. Thrips populations were moderate but appeared to peak later than normal during the season. The highest infestation levels occurred on early to mid May planted cottons. Preventive treatments applied at planting performed very well, suppressing thrips numbers below economic levels in most areas. Isolated problems of cutworms, grasshoppers, and false chinch bugs were reported and were generally associated with reduced tillage systems. Plant bug numbers were higher than in previous years probably due to more abundant rainfall during early spring. However, few acres required treatment prior to bloom. During early to mid bloom, internal boll injury was apparent and plant bugs are believed to be responsible for some of this injury. Aphid populations were much lower when compared to recent years. As numbers built, the naturally occurring fungus quickly eliminated populations. The first report of this fungus was on June 25 which was a week to ten days earlier than in recent years. Tobacco budworm and corn earworm populations varied significantly from area to area and even field to field. A small percentage of acres were treated during June and July, but economic infestations were more common during August and early September. Control of tobacco budworm with pyrethroids was difficult in parts of the state and is probably associated with resistance levels. Bt cotton provided excellent control of tobacco budworm and only a small percentage of Bt acres were treated for corn earworm. Stink bugs and other boll feeding bugs continue to be a primary pest of cotton in Georgia. Threshold levels of boll feeding bugs (stink bugs, plant bugs, leaf-footed bugs, etc.) were found in most areas during late July and August. However, significant variation did occur on a field by field basis. Fall and beet armyworm populations were unusually light. Soybean loopers required treatment on a limited number of late planted fields. Although rainfall was more abundant, isolated fields were infested with spider mites. Silverleaf whitefly has been a troublesome pest in Tift and surrounding counties during recent years but infestations did not materialize this past season. Four boll weevils were captured in Turner County. Boll weevil eradication personnel reacted in a timely manner to manage this situation. 6

12 Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage 1 Total 1 Tobacco Budworm 2 $21,150,000 $4,464,369 $25,614,369 2 Corn Earworm 2 11,750,000 5,012,280 16,762,280 3 Stink Bugs 8,400,000 7,021,404 15,421,404 4 Thrips 13,750, ,750,000 5 Boll Weevil 3 6,332,500-6,332,500 6 Plant Bugs 420, ,000 7 Grasshoppers 8,000 70, , Aphids 45, ,000 9 Soybean Looper 22, , Cutworms Fall Armyworm Beet Armyworm Whiteflies Spider Mites Total $61,877,500 $16,568,309 $78,445,809 1 Average price received, $0.351lb. lint (Georgia Agricultural Facts 2002 Edition, Georgia Department of Agricultural). 2 Bt transgenic cotton costs: $26.00/A technology fee on 700,000 acres. Seventy-five percent of total costs charged to tobacco budworm ($13,650,000) and 25 percent to bollworm ($4,550,000). 3 Grower costs of Boll Weevil Eradication Program. 7

13 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Cotton Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Acres Treated No. of Acres Applic. Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated 1 Yield Loss on Units Treated Yield Loss on Units Untreated 2 Tobacco Budworm 2 350, , ,878,000 2,841,000 Corn Earworm 2 650, , ,424,000 2,856,000 Stink Bugs 1,000, , ,760,000 14,244,000 Thrips 1,400,000 1,250, Boll Weevil 3 1,490, Plant Bugs 70,000 70, Grasshoppers 2,000 1, , ,000 Aphids 5,000 5, Soybean Looper 2,000 2, Cutworms 5,000 5, Fall Armyworm Beet Armyworm Whiteflies Spider Mites Includes application costs. 2 Yield units measured in pounds of lint. 3 Does not include costs of Bt transgenic cotton; foliar insecticides only. 4 Grower costs of Boll Weevil Eradication Program (BWEP). All cotton produced in Georgia is required to participate in BWEP. The annual per acre assessment for participation was $4.25 per acre during

14 V. Field Corn Insects G. Buntin and J. All Corn was harvested from 220,000 acres in 2001, which was reduced from Yields averaged 134 bushels per acre with an average price of $2.15 per bushel was an extremely dry year with some dryland plantings being abandoned before harvest. Soil insects as a group were the number one insect pest of field corn in Georgia. Stink bugs, which damage seedling plants and developing grain ears, were second. An outbreak of true armyworm damaged seedlings early, but yield losses were not large. Grasshoppers also were abundant early and damaged some fields. Generally, corn earworm and fall armyworm numbers were low in corn in Cereal leaf beetle populations continue to increase in the coastal plain region. Newly emerged adults moved from small grain fields to corn fields where they defoliate whorl-stage corn. Most defoliation is along corn field edges and does not reduce grain yield. Estimated Losses and Control Costs in 2001 Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Soil insects 1 $528,000 $ 889,000 $1,417,000 2 Stink bugs 77, , ,000 3 True armyworm 88, , ,000 4 Corn armyworm 18, , ,000 5 Fall armyworms 35, , ,000 6 Grasshoppers 0 127, ,000 7 Cereal leaf beetle 66, ,000 Total $812,000 $2,963,000 $3,775,000 1 Includes wireworms, southern corn rootworm, western corn rootworm, lesser cornstalk borer, billbugs and sugarcane beetles. 9

15 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Field Corn Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Acres Treated No. of Acres Applic. Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated 1 Yield Loss on Units Treated Yield Loss on Units Untreated Soil insects 2 66,000 44, , ,000 Stink bugs 44,000 11, , ,000 True armyworm 44,000 11, , ,000 Corn earworm 24,000 2, , ,000 Fall armyworm 11,000 4, ,000 88,000 Grasshoppers 11, ,000 Cereal leaf beetle 4,000 7, Application cost not included. 2 Includes wireworms, southern corn rootworm, western corn rootworm, lesser cornstalk borer, billbugs and sugarcane beetles. 10

16 VI. Forest Insects K. Douce and W. Berisford Southern pine beetle activity was reported moderate to heavy during Twenty eight counties had populations rated as epidemic. A county is declared endemic if there is an average of 1 beetle spot per 1,000 acres of pine type in the county. Overall, a total of 2,438 beetle spots were reported from 55 Georgia counties. In general, Ips and black turpentine beetles were not a problem. Pine tip moths, mostly Nantucket pine tip moth, were common in east central Georgia in young loblolly pine plantations. A number of commercial growers successfully managed stands using the Nantucket pine tip moth degree-day model by Fettig, Dalusky and Berisford (see: White-fringed beetle larvae caused seedling mortality in many young seedling pines across the coastal plain on land that had been converted from agricultural to pine plantations. Damage to young longleaf pine shoots by Dioryctria spp. larvae were reported in young planted longleaf pine stands in central Georgia. Six thousand two hundred and sixty-one (6,261) gypsy moth delta-style pheromone traps were set and monitored in 77 Georgia counties as part of the national gypsy moth detection and monitoring program. One moth was captured in a coastal county. Two delimiting trap grids operated in areas where moths were captured in 2000 did not result in any captures. The Georgia Forestry Commission has primary responsibility for gypsy moth programs in Georgia in cooperation with USDA-APHIS-PPQ and other state and federal agencies. Surveys for the Exotic Asian longhorned beetle - ALB (Coleoptera Cerambycidae: Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)) and several species of bark beetles not indigenous to North America were carried out as part of the USDA-sponsored Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program ( in several locations where the potential for introduction of these potential pests was considered high. None were trapped or seen during surveys. 11

17 Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Southern pine beetle $1,850,000 $14,292,000 $16,142,000 2 Pine tip moths 1 650,000 2,650,000 3,300,000 3 Other insects 2 250,000 2,500,000 2,750,000 4 Defect and degrade causing insects 3 120,000 2,500,000 2,620,000 5 Seed and cone insects 4 150,000 2,100,000 2,250,000 6 Ips spp. Beetles 5 and Black turpentine beetle 510,000 1,380,000 1,890,000 7 Reproduction weevils 6 90,000 1,150,000 1,240,000 8 Gypsy moth 7 94, ,000 Total $3,714,500 $26,572,000 $30,286,000 1 Includes Nantucket pine tip moth, pitch pine tip moth and subtropical pine tip moth. 2 Includes white-fringed beetle larvae, Dioryctria larvae, aphids, scale insects, lace bugs, sawflies, and lepidopterous defoliators. 3 Includes carpenter ants, ambrosia beetles, lepidopterous wood borers, shothole borers and various other cerambycid, buprestid and scolytid beetles 4 Includes coneworms, seedworms, seed bugs and cone beetles. 5 Ips avulsus, I. grandicollis, I. calligraphus and I. pini. 6 Pales weevil and pitcheating weevils. 7 The gypsy moth is not known to be established in Georgia, although isolated infestations have been detected. Therefore, there are no damage estimates and only monitoring and/or control costs are included. 12

18 VII. Grain Sorghum Insects D. Buntin and J. All Grain sorghum was harvested from 25,000 acres in 2001, which was reduced from Yields averaged 48 bushels per acre with an average price of $2.05 per bushel was an extremely dry year. Chinch bugs continue to be the number one insect pest of grain sorghum in Georgia. Swarming birds also eat grain especially along field margins and in smaller fields. Sorghum midge caused losses mainly in late-planted sorghum. Head worms, including corn earworm, sorghum webworm and fall armyworm, stink bugs in grain heads and soil insects at planting caused sporadic damage in some fields. Estimated Losses and Control Costs in 2001 Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Chinch bug $30,000 $ 43,000 $ 73,000 2 Sorghum midge 17,000 25,000 42,000 3 Bird damage 0 50,000 50,000 4 Soil insects 3,000 12,000 15,000 5 Head worms 1 13,000 6,000 19,000 6 Stink bugs 1,000 9,000 10,000 Total $64,000 $145,000 $209,000 1 Includes corn earworm, sorghum webworm and fall armyworm 13

19 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Grain Sorghum Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Acres Treated No. of Acres Applic. Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated 1 Yield Loss on Units Treated Yield Loss on Units Untreated Chinch bugs 6,300 3, ,000 12,000 Sorghum midge 5,000 2, ,000 Bird damage 5, ,000 Soil insects 1, ,000 Head worms 1,300 1, ,000 Stink bugs 2,000 1, Application cost not included. 2 Not legal to control birds with pesticides. 14

20 VIII. Grape Insects D. Horton, J. All and J. Dutcher Georgia s 2001 grape crop was valued at $6,198,274 from 1,876 bearing acres. Insect control was generally good. Pierce s disease, Xylella fastidiosa, a significant cause of premature vine death, is vectored by leafhopper. Options for suppression of Pierce s disease vector are limited. Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Grape root borer $22,100 $92,472 $114,572 2 Japanese and June beetles 7,200 19,824 27,024 3 Grape curculio 3,600 9,912 13,512 4 At-harvest nuisance pests 2,700 9,912 12,612 Total $35,600 $132,120 $167,720 Information Pertaining to Control of Grape Insects in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. of Acres Needing Control No. of Acres Treated No. of Applic. Average Application Cost Per Acre Yield Loss ($) on Treated Acres Yield Loss on Untreated Acres Grape root borer Japanese and June beetles Grape curculio At-harvest nuisance pests 1,600 1,300 1 $17.00 $33.04 $

21 IX. Household and Structural Insects D. Suiter and B. Forschler Over 1,000 pest control companies in Georgia employ in excess of 8,500 people. Annually, Georgia companies pay over $200 million in salaries and benefits to their employees. A recent nationwide survey indicated that over 18,000 pest control firms amass an estimated $5.65 billion in annual service revenues. Job opportunities in the pest control industry are abundant. Generally, service technicians can expect to earn about $9-$11.50 base salary/hourly rate plus commissions and bonuses. Many companies provide medical, dental, and life insurance; some form of savings plan; and paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave/personal days. Companies commonly provide various other perks and fringe benefits, such as uniforms and the take-home of company vehicles. The estimates provided in this report (below in tabular form) are the total, estimated revenue generated by the structural pest control industry in Georgia for the control of termites (including an estimate of repair to damaged homes) and general household pests in residential accounts. Previous surveys (i.e., Pest Control, Pest Control Technology magazines, and National Pest Management Association) indicate that still, the bulk of the pest control industry remains residential services. As such, the numbers provided in this report do not include revenue generated by commercial and/or institutional pest control in Georgia or revenue generated by the sale of pest control products and equipment by manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. Numbers in this report have been gleaned from information provided by various sources, including the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the National Association of Realtors, and the U.S. Census. In 2001, The Georgia pest control industry consisted of about 1,000 licensed companies and 6,200 employees, excluding secretaries and other office personnel. Just 5% of Georgia s companies hold a fumigation license, while 95% and 80% hold a household pest control and wood destroying organism license, respectively. In 2001, there were 1,800 certified operators in Georgia. Six percent were certified in the category of fumigation, while 95% and 75% held a household pest control and wood destroying organism certification, respectively. There were 4,400 registered employees (i.e., service technicians) in Georgia. Two percent were registered in fumigation, while 95% and 80% held a household pest control and wood destroying organism registration, respectively. Termites. Subterranean termites continue to be the most important structural insect pest encountered by Georgia homeowners. They account for over $120 million in combined pest control industry revenue and repair of termite-damaged homes. Drywood termites are of minor importance, and largely a regional pest along Georgia s southeast coastline. Other, less important, wood-destroying insect pests encountered by the structural pest control industry include powderpost beetles (mainly Anobiids), old house borers, and to a lesser extent carpenter bees. Collectively, though, drywood termites and all wood-infesting beetles account for a small 16

22 fraction of the economic impact in comparison with subterranean termites. The Formosan subterranean termite (FST) was accidentally introduced into the southern U.S. by maritime traffic following World War II, and has since been found in nine southern states, including Georgia. The FST is the most destructive termite pest in the U.S. In New Orleans alone, it is annually responsible for an estimated $100 million in damage to homes and businesses. Since the mid-90s the Formosan termite has been found in ten Atlanta communities, and recently Savannah. To date, the economic impact of the Formosan termite in Georgia has not been significant, but its potential negative impact on the state is enormous. Household Pests. The most important household pests continue to be ants (Argentine, fire, carpenter, and odorous house), cockroaches (German, smokybrown, American), flys (houseflies, moth flys, fruit flys), biting and stinging insect pests (spiders, fleas, ticks, yellow jackets, hornets, bees, stinging caterpillars, mosquitoes), pantry and fabric pests (Indianmeal moths, cowpea weevils, drugstore and cigarette beetles, and carpet beetles), and various perimeter pests (millipedes, centipedes, crickets, pillbugs and sowbugs, and springtails). Pest Group Specific Pests Cost of Control/Damage Termites Household Pests Subterranean and drywood termites Ants, cockroaches, flys, biting and stinging pests, pantry and fabric pests, and perimeter pests $121,610,170 $118,944,000 Total $240,554,170 Estimates (1) Household Pest Control: a. A residential pest control technician services accounts per week (data from surveys conducted by our group) during the busy part of the year (assumed to be April through September; n = 24 weeks). Assuming an estimated service price of $40, and 3,540 employees (i.e., 60% of the 5,900 employees certified or registered in household pest control [statistic from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, GDA]), then the yearly household pest control revenue estimate is: (35 jobs/week) x (24 weeks) x (3,540 employees) x ($40/job) = $118,944,000. b. Household Pest Control sub-total = $118,944,000. (2) Termites: a. Post-Construction Termite Treatments: 2,922 WDO employees (i.e., 60% of the 17

23 4,870 employees certified or registered in wood destroying organisms [a GDA figure]) x (an estimated mean of 30 post-construction termite jobs per employee per year) x ($800 per treatment average) = $70,128,000. b. Pre-Construction Termite Treatments: 91,198 pre-construction termite treatments (this number is 98% of the actual number of new housing unit permits issued in Georgia in 2001 because 2% of permits issued never result in construction, according to the U.S. Census. Furthermore, this number is likely a low estimate of the value of pre-construction termite treatments in Georgia as it does not include permits issued for commercial and other building types in 2001]; data are from at an estimated $150 each = $13,679,700. c. Contract Renewals: Assume that 5% of the 2,099,254 owner-occupied housing units (i.e., 104,963 single-family homes) in Georgia are under termite contract. FYI, 2,099,254 = the number of owner-occupied housing units in Georgia in 2000 (i.e., 2,029,154; U.S. Census) plus 98% (or 70,100, data from U.S. Census) of the number of 1-unit housing permits (single-family homes) issued in Georgia in The estimate that follows DOES NOT include rental or commercial properties, and as such is likely low. Assume that the average renewal price per year is $200 and that the average renewal rate is 50% (i.e., half of the 104,963 homes estimated to be under contract, or 52,481 annual renewals) times $200 per renewal = $10,496,200. d. Real-Estate Inspections: 164,100 existing homes were sold in Georgia in 2001 (data from the National Association of Realtors) and, by law, a wood destroying organism report issued for each at, on average, $100 = $16,410,000. e. Fumigation: Gross estimate of 100 structural fumigations in Georgia in 2001 at $4,000 each = $400,000. f. Damage to Homes: Estimate that in % of the 2,099,254 owner-occupied housing units (or 10,496 homes) in Georgia suffered $1,000 in structural damage = $10,496,270. g. Termite sub-total = $121,610,

24 X. Livestock and Poultry Insects N. Hinkle, D. Sheppard and E. Gray Darkling beetles cause major losses to Georgia s poultry producers, particularly in the state s large broiler industry. House flies are present at virtually all animal agriculture sites, causing annoyance to humans and animals, affecting production as well as community relations. Stable flies and horn flies cause distress to cattle, horses, and the people working around them. Northern fowl mites are common in poultry, reducing egg production and fertility. Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Darkling beetles $2,321,000 $ 7,277,000 $ 9,598,000 2 House flies 2,384,000 2,758,000 5,142,000 3 Horn flies 1,163,600 1,615,500 2,779,100 4 Stable flies 917,000 1,284,000 2,201,000 5 Northern fowl mites 339,000 1,238,000 1,577,000 6 Lice 339, , ,800 7 Grubs and bots 274, , ,000 8 Horse flies 37, , ,000 Total $7,774,600 $14,860,300 $22,634,900 Estimates of Losses and Control Costs for Each Group of Livestock and Associated Pests in Georgia in Insect Control Cost Damage Total Beef Cattle Horn fly $1,154,000 $1,564,500 $2,718,500 Lice 192, , ,800 Stable fly 115, , ,000 Grubs 111,000 54, ,000 Subtotal $1,572,000 $2,248,300 $3,820,300 19

25 Insect Control Cost Damage Total Dairy Cattle Horn fly $ 9,600 $ 51,000 $ 60,600 Lice 28,000 53,000 81,000 Stable fly 92, ,000 1,020,000 Grubs 92,000 9, ,000 House fly 165, ,000 1,089,000 Subtotal $386,600 $1,965,000 $2,351,600 Horses Lice $ 69,000 $ 7,000 $ 76,000 Stable fly 710,000 73, ,000 House fly 631,000 64, ,000 Horse fly 37, , ,000 Bots 71,000 75, ,000 Subtotal $1,518,000 $362,000 $1,880,000 Poultry (Layers) Lice $ 20,000 $ 0 $ 20,000 House fly 289, , ,000 Darkling beetle 40,000 77, ,000 Mites 143, , ,000 Subtotal $492,000 $705,000 $1,197,000 Poultry (Breeders) Lice $ 30,000 $ 0 $ 30,000 House fly 399, , ,000 Darkling beetle 31, , ,000 Mites 196, ,000 1,096,000 Subtotal $656,000 $1,680,000 $2,336,000 Poultry (Broilers) House fly $ 900,000 $ 900,000 $ 1,800,000 Darkling beetle 2,250,000 7,000,000 9,250,000 Subtotal $3,150,000 $ 7,900,000 $11,050,000 Grand Total $7,774,600 $14,860,300 $22,634,900 20

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27 XI. Ornamental, Lawn and Turf Insects R. Oetting, W. Hudson, and K. Braman The ornamentals, lawn, and turf section covers estimates for both the production and maintenance industries. The economic impact is inflated more by the maintenance industry than production industry. The use of pesticides by homeowners and professional pest control operators for control of pests around public areas (schools, industrial sites, hotels and motels, financial institutions, hospitals, municipal and private parks, shopping centers, higher education institutions, churches, cemeteries, golf courses) contribute to determining the costs of control and damage. Ornamental production of floricultural crops is primarily under greenhouse culture and has spring and fall pest problems. Field production has been on a decline and there are only a few commercial field production operations left. There is a substantial amount of outdoor production of bedding plants near greenhouses as part of the overall production. In 2001 sales were down substantially as a result of the continued drought. As a result many growers were not as concerned about pest problems. Mites were constantly present with the hot dry weather but an abundance of effective miticides allowed growers to keep them in check. Mealybugs, especially Phenacoccus madeirensis, were difficult to control and resulted in more insecticides being applied and more plants being discarded. Thrips, leafminers, and whiteflies were the other major pests that required the most management. Leafminers had not been a serious problem since the 80s, but they have returned and populations were present in greenhouse production that were extremely difficult to manage. Approximately 24% of Georgia homeowners purchase lawn care and landscape maintenance services (Jordan et al., 1999) and the Atlanta Metro Area is consistently one of the largest lawn care markets in the United States. The number of landscape installation and maintenance firms in Georgia exceeded 2,300 and provided employment for 42,588 individuals. The majority of these firms (63%) serviced at least 100 acres of lawns and landscapes, and it is estimated that all firms serviced approximately 225,000 landscape acres. In 2001, the major insect problems on woody ornamentals, both in home landscapes and commercial landscape maintenance, included various species of scale insects, mealybugs, mites, aphids, whiteflies, various caterpillars, foliage feeding beetles, borers, and lace bugs. Due to drought conditions throughout much of the state there were limitations on outdoor watering and many people did not plant annuals, perennials, or woody ornamentals. There was also a reduction in maintenance of existing plants. The turf industry in Georgia, including production, sales, installation and maintenance, is estimated to be worth over $1.6 billion annually. There are currently 445 golf courses in operation in the state, with more under construction or in planning. There are over 750 football fields, thousands of acres of turf on school grounds (public and private), and more than 25,000 acres of turf in parks. In total, there are almost 2 million acres of turf grass in the state. The Atlanta metro area has been the strongest housing market and largest lawn care market in the 22

28 country. Continued demand for quality sod has fueled an expansion of the state s sod production industry to over 38,000 acres, more than double the acreage in Although mole crickets are found only in the coastal plain region, they are so destructive and difficult to control that a significant proportion of the losses and control costs due to insects statewide are due to these pests. The expense has been dropping for the last three years, however, as hot dry weather during the critical May-June period of egg hatching and early nymphal development has had an impact on mole cricket survival. The continuing drought has also reduced populations of white grubs, and survival of overwintered spittlebug eggs and young nymphs declined as well. Weather probably also contributed to the lower losses from chinch bugs. The modest increase in losses in the miscellaneous category was due to more widespread problems with billbugs as the sod production industry has boomed in Georgia. These pests attack most types of turfgrass but zoysia is most seriously damaged. If production of susceptible grasses continues to expand, problems with billbugs will become even more important and costly. Private units considered in preparing the loss estimates for Households 3,006,000 Floriculture (18.4 million ft 2 ) 1,025 Nurseries (3,600 acres containers) 1,285 Nurseries (5,825 acres field) 1,800 Sod farms (38,000 acres) 100 Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Insect Cost of Control Damage Total Ornamentals Scale insect & mealybugs $32,382,700 $38,400,300 $ 70,783,000 Mites 26,750,000 28,800,000 55,550,000 Aphids 9,300,000 5,580,000 14,880,000 Whiteflies 7,550,000 5,895,000 13,445,000 Thrips 5,435,000 6,295,000 11,730,000 Caterpillars 1 5,300,000 3,415,000 8,715,000 Slugs and snails 2,500,000 1,100,000 3,600,000 23

29 Insect Cost of Control Damage Total Beetles 2 1,466,400 2,350,000 3,816,400 Lace bugs 1,140, ,000 1,425,000 Spittle bugs 585, , ,000 Miscellaneous 3 5,165,000 2,625,000 7,790,000 Subtotal $97,574,100 $94,870,300 $192,444,400 Lawns and Turf Mole crickets $ 10,950,000 9,100,000 20,050,000 Caterpillars 4 4,000,000 7,000,000 11,000,000 White grubs 2,790,000 5,000,000 7,790,000 Chinch bugs 940,000 1,500,000 2,440,000 Spittle bugs 900,000 1,710,000 2,610,000 Miscellaneous 5 2,700,000 2,700,000 5,400,000 Subtotal $ 22,280,000 $ 27,010,000 $ 49,290,000 Grand Total $119,854,100 $121,880,300 $241,734,400 1 Primarily bagworm, cutworms, corn earworms, loopers, azalea caterpillars, tent caterpillars, webworms, and leaf rollers. 2 Primarily leaf beetles, Japanese weevils, Fuller Rose weevils, Japanese beetles, whitefringed beetles, and borers. 3 Includes grasshoppers, fungus gnats, millipedes, sowbugs, psocids, springtails, ants, earwigs, and leafminers. 4 Sodwebworms, armyworms, cutworms. 5 Ants (fire ants are included in a separate report), billbugs, leafhoppers, bermudagrass mites and stunt mites. 24

30 XII. Pasture and Forage Insects W. Hudson, D. Buntin and W. Gardner Acreages of forage and pasture crops have declined in recent years to about 1.3 million acres of grass pastures and an additional 600,000 acres of grass hay pastures in Although losses per acre generally are low and treatment thresholds are large, this extensive acreage produces large combined losses for forage and pasture insects in Georgia. Losses are greater for hay than pastures because hay crops have greater yield potential and market value. Rainfall was much below normal which reduced forage yields. The number one pest of perennial grass forages, primarily bermudagrass was mole crickets. Mole crickets damaged grass pastures in southern Georgia especially in the Flatwoods region sometimes requiring replanting. Mole cricket damage has declined in some fields in counties where the parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci has been released. The white grub complex, mostly Phyllophaga spp., Cyclocephala sp. and Green June beetle larvae caused damage in some fields. Green June beetle larvae were particularly damaging to fescue pastures in northern Georgia. Fall armyworm, 2- lined spittlebug, and leafhoppers/planthoppers caused damage in some fields. Alfalfa acreage in Georgia was about 30,000 acres in The alfalfa weevil was the number one pest of alfalfa with most fields being treated to control this insect. Dry weather induced damage by the potato leafhopper in some fields. Estimated Losses and Control Costs in 2001 Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total GRASS HAY PASTURES 1 Mole crickets $ 0 $7,140,000 $7,140,000 2 White grubs 480,000 1,008,000 1,488,000 3 Fall armyworm 90,000 54, , lined spittlebug 42,000 99, ,000 5 Leafhoppers/planthoppers 60,000 54, ,000 Subtotal $672,000 $8,355,000 $9,027,000 GRASS PASTURES 1 Mole crickets $ 0 $3,575,000 $3,575,000 2 White grubs 940, ,000 1,569,000 3 Fall armyworm 520, , , lines spittlebug 91,000 79, ,000 5 Leafhoppers/planthoppers 91,000 43, ,000 Subtotal $1,642,000 $4,426,000 $6,068,000 ALFALFA 1 Alfalfa weevil $ 189,000 $ 403,000 $ 592,000 2 Potato leafhopper 0 36,000 36,000 Subtotal 189, , ,000 25

31 Total $2,503,000 $13,220,000 $15,723,000 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Pasture and Forage Insect Pests in Georgia in Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Acres Treated No. of Acres Applic. Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated 1 Ton Loss on Units Treated Tons Loss on Units Untreated GRASS HAY PASTURES Mole crickets 192, ,000 White grubs 72,000 48, ,800 12,000 Fall armyworm 12,000 6, Spittlebug 18,000 12, ,500 Leafhoppers/ planthoppers 12,000 6, GRASS PASTURES Mole crickets 260, ,000 White grubs 156, , ,160 10,400 Fall armyworm 78,000 52, ,300 Spittlebug 39,000 26, ,300 Hoppers 26,000 13, ALFALFA HAY Alfalfa weevil 28,500 27, ,160 1,200 Potato leafhopper 1, NOTE: Hay crops consisted of 600,000 acres of grasses (hybrid bermudagrass 75%; tall fescue 20%; and other grasses 5%), with an average yield of 2.5 tons per acre. Alfalfa acreage was 30,000 acres with an average yield of 3.5 tons per acre. Grass and clover hay were valued at $60 per ton and alfalfa hay was worth $120 per ton. Permanent pasture consisted of 500,000 acres of bahiagrass and 800,000 acres of fescue, fescue/clover mixtures and fescue/common bermudagrass. Average yield was estimated at 1.0 ton per acre with a value of $55 per ton. An additional 400,000 acres of temporary pasture (mostly small grains and sorghum) was grazed. There was 150,000 acres of sorghum, and millet silage was harvested. Silage and temporary pasture crops were included as pasture grasses. 1 Application cost not included. 26

32 XIII. Peach Insects D. Horton and J. Dutcher Georgia s 2001 peach crop was valued at $47,200,222 from 15,971 bearing acres. Insect control was acceptable. Scale, and in isolated orchards lesser peachtree borer, continue to rise in pest status. Estimated of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Fruit attacking pests $1,533,216 $399,275 $1,932,491 2 Scale 190, , ,550 3 Borers 133,000 20, ,762 4 Leafhoppers 0 199, ,638 Total $1,856,216 $1,418,225 $3,274,441 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Peach Insect Pests in Georgia in 2001 Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Acres Treated No. of Applic. Application Cost Per Acre Yield Loss ($) on Treated Acres Yield Loss on Untreated Acres Fruit attacking pests (plant & stink bugs, plum curculio, oriental fruit moth) 15,971 15,971 8 $12.00 $ Scale 19,000 19, Borers 19,000 19,

33 XIV. Peanut Insects S. Brown and J. Todd Peanut yields averaged 3330 lbs/a on 514,000 harvest acres. Total production was billion pounds up 28.9% from billion pounds in Prices received by farmers averaged $0.227 down 14.3% from $0.265 in Timely rains and the lowest incidence of spotted wilt in 10 years resulted in the second longest peanut yield on record. Insect pressure was generally light. A dry April and May allowed lesser cornstalk borers to become established in many fields, but June rains suppressed further development. Thrips pressure was heavy and dry weather slowed the uptake of in-furrow insecticides. Foliage feeding caterpillar populations were unusually light. Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Lesser cornstalk borer $1,100,000 $ 968,382 $ 2,068,382 2 Spider mites 70,000 1,112,300 1,182,300 3 Thrips 4,750,000 1,112,300 5,862, cornered alfalfa hoppers 68,750 1,266,660 1,335,410 5 Leafhopper 150, , ,400 6 Wireworms 550,000 1,280,280 1,830,280 7 Velvetbean caterpillar 90, ,000 Total $6,778,750 $6,012,322 $12,791,072 28

34 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Peanut Insect Pests in Georgia in Insect No. Acres Needing Control No. Units Treated No. of Unit Applic. Avg. Cost per Unit Treated 1 Yield Loss on Units Treated 2 Yield Loss on Units Untreated 2 Lesser cornstalk borer 50,000 50, ,250,000 3,016,000 Thrips 3 460, , ,900,000 3-cornered alfalfa hoppers 90,000 11, ,000 5,030,000 Spider mites 10,000 5, ,000 0 Leafhopper 100,000 30, ,200,000 0 Velvetbean caterpillar , Wireworms 20,000 25, ,000 4,890,000 1 Includes application costs. 2 Yield units measured in pounds. 3 Losses due to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) are not included. 29

35 XV. Pecan Insects W. Hudson and J. Dutcher Georgia s pecan production was 110 million pounds in Extremely dry weather early continued for most of the season, leading to drought stress even in irrigated orchards. Prices were also very low, and many lower quality nuts were not worth harvesting and were simply abandoned. The total crop value was estimated at $67 million. Overall, losses to pecan arthropods were lower in 2001, primarily due to decreased value of the crop. Black pecan aphids and pecan leaf scorch mites were active late in the season. Damage from late-season aphid populations can be difficult to assess, as most of the effect is expressed in reduced yield the following crop year. Grower awareness of hickory shuckworm and pecan nut casebearer resulted in more and better-timed insecticide applications, and effective control in treated orchards. Extremely dry conditions early in the season reduced spittlebug damage overall. Yellow aphids appeared early, but populations remained relatively low throughout the season and few treatments were required other than early applications of systemic materials. Estimate of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control Damage Total 1 Pecan weevil $ 4,050,000 $ 4,296,000 $8,346,000 2 Black pecan aphids 3,125,000 3,794,000 6,919,000 3 Hickory shuckworm 900,000 1,071,000 1,971,000 4 Yellow aphids 1,2 1,600, ,000 1,921,000 5 Mites 3 720, ,000 1,568,000 6 Pecan nut casebearer 715, , ,000 7 Spittlebugs 120,000 76, ,000 8 Kernel feeding hemipterans 225, , ,000 9 Others 4 300, , ,000 Total $11,755,000 $11,084,000 $22,839,000 1 Yellow aphids include the yellow pecan aphid and the blackmargined aphid. 2 The cost of control of yellow aphids includes $60 per acre for application of aldicarb or imidacloprid on 20,000 acres and $10 per acre for foliar sprays on 105,000 acres. 3 Mites refers primarily to the pecan leaf scorch mite. 4 Others include the pecan bud moth, casebearers, leaf miners, fall webworm, phylloxeras, walnut caterpillar, boring insects, Prionus spp., hickory nut curculio, and hickory shoot curculio. 30

36 Information Pertaining to Control of Major Pecan Insect Pests in Georgia in Insect No. Units Needing Control No. Units Treated No. of Unit Applic. 1 Avg. Cost Per Units Treated Yield Loss on Units Treated 2 Yield Loss on Units Untreated 3 Pecan weevil 113,000 90, $ ,283,000 5,737,000 Black pecan aphids 150, , ,428,125 1,771,250 Hickory Shuckworm 100,000 50, ,000 1,100,000 Yellow pecan aphids 4 50,000 60, , ,000 Mites 5 45,000 40, , ,000 Pecan nut casebearer 50,000 65, ,000 0 Spittlebugs 20,000 10, , ,000 Kernel feeding hemipterans 6 30,000 25, , ,000 Others 7 30,000 25, , ,000 1 Some applications control more than one pest and the number of applications indicated were not made in all orchards. 2 Excluding application costs. 3 Yield units measured in pounds. 4 Yellow aphids include the yellow pecan aphid and the blackmargined aphid. 5 Mites refers to primarily to the pecan leaf scorch mite. 6 kernel feeding hemipteran include the southern green stink bug, the brown stink bug, the leaffooted bug and others 7 Others include the pecan bud moth, pecan leaf casebearer, leaf miners, fall webworm, walnut caterpillar, phylloxeras, boring insects, Prionus spp., hickory nut curculio, and hickory shoot curculio. 31

37 XVI. Public Health and Recreational Area Insects E. Gray and B. Sparks In 2001, mosquitoes became the most important and expensive public health insects to control in Georgia. The introduction of the West Nile Virus into the United States and it s rapid spread has spurred new interest in mosquito control and as a consequence the number of organized programs has increased. As a result of significant levels of WNV found in the metro- Atlanta area, significant funding has been allocated for mosquito education and control in counties that had little or no funding only a few years ago. Government agencies that were dedicated to the control of a single pest were primarily concerned with mosquitoes. Approximately 84 counties in the state had one or more mosquito control programs, up from our last report of 79 in Mosquito numbers were moderate to low, most of the season, due to continued drought conditions throughout the state. No cases of any of the other endemic types of mosquito borne encephalitis (LaCrosse, St. Louis or Eastern Equine) were reported. Surveillance for all types of mosquito borne encephalitis has been greatly expanded due to the recent WNV introduction. Imported malaria continues to be relatively common with 50 cases being reported. Houseflies also continue to be significant pests, particularly concern garbage management and exclusion aspects. Ticks, mostly lone star ticks, American dog ticks and blacklegged ticks were present in many sections of the state. Their bite and their ability to serve as vectors of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) made them important public health arthropods. There was only 1 case of Lyme disease in 2001, up from no cases in 2000 and In 1998 there were 5 cases, 9 cases in 1997, 1 case in 1996 and 14 in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever continues to be the most common tick borne disease in the state with 9 cases reported in This figure is down from 2000 when there were 19 cases of RMSF. There were 14 cases in 1999, 4 in 1998, 11 in 1997, 66 in 1996 and 59 in (Data on vector borne disease provided by the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Georgia Department of Human Resources). 32

38 Estimates of Losses and Control Costs Rank Insect Cost of Control 1 Mosquitoes $49,584,427 2 Flies (non-biting) 48,372,805 3 Others 1 28,715,197 4 Head Lice 5,648,509 5 Ticks and Chiggers 13,520,137 6 Yellow Jackets 4,184,213 Total $150,025,288 1 Others include eye gnats, spiders, biting flies, bees and other stinging insects (other than yellow jackets). Summary of Insect Control and Losses Estimates Insect Item Cost Flies window screens screened doors aerosol sprays garbage removal garbage dumpsters garbage cans fly swatters $ 5,907,127 9,188,864 13,126,948 16,408, ,087 1,640,869 1,936,225 Subtotal $48,372,805 Mosquitoes window screens screened doors aerosol sprays repellents abatement programs hospitalization doctor fees druggist fees $ 5,907,127 9,188,864 13,126,948 13,783,295 7,051, , ,029 37,817 Subtotal $49,584,427 33