CONTENTS
Introduction Redbud In 'ect Pests Whitc Flannel Moth Redhumped Caterpillar False Unicorn Catcrpillar Fall Wcbworm Redbud Leaffolder Redbud Petiole Gall Midge Redbud Leafhopper Broadno ed Wecvil, Leafcutter Ike' tinging Caterpillar Importance and Control of Redbud Foliage Insects References

2 5 7 9 11 13 15 16 1 19

20 20

First Printing 1M, February 2002

Information contained herein is available w all persons regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin.

REDBUD INSECTS

A
GUIDE TO RECOGNITION AND HABITS

OF SPECIES DAMAGING FOLIAGE OF


ORNAMENTAL REDBUD TREES IN ALABAMA

L.L. HYCHE]

Introduction

REDBUD, OR JUDAS.TREE', is a small, shrub-like, decidu·
ous tree that glows commonly and naturally in the (orest under­ story. It has no value as timber; however, it flowers prolifically

and is valued as an omamentallandscape tree. Rowering occurs
in late winter/early spring and, for a time, provides welcome
color to a landscape still largely bare from winter.
Redbud is cultivated and used In many urban and suburban areas of Alabama as an ornamental and/or Jl:reen-space tree. As with many such culti­ v:ued ornamental plants, it provides favorable habimt for a variN¥ of insects. Rowers provide nectar or pollen to bees, but without harm [0 hlooms or trees. Foliage, however, is prime food for leaf.feeding insects. Damage to leaves pri­ marily destroys the ornamental quality and envtronmenrol value of the tree; howcvcr, hcavy or complete defoliation can result in loss of growth, dieback of twillS and bmnchcs, or even tree mortality.
Dunng research at the Alabama Agricultural Experimem Station dcvotcJ to identification and habiLS of insecLS associated with Alabama trees,
1AssociaTe Pm(c,'ISOr of EnromolOj,ty. lAccordim: to histOf)" It ""as an old-world redbud hnmdf.

trtt

from which Judas hanged

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

SCVCf"<l1 species lilac (ceJ on, or damage in some manner, redhud leaves have

been encountered. Included are ~pecies in the onJcrs of Lepidoptera (mmhs and butterflics!carerpillars), Diprcrd (flies and midges), Homoptera (leafhop­ pers, aphids, whiteflies, cic..~Jas, and scale and spittle insects), Coleoptera (beetles and weevils), and Hymenoprcl1l (bees. WdSp:>. dnd ants). For two species, and po:;sibly three. n..-JbuJ Illdy be the pnmary, or only, host. The remaining species atc known to occur on a vatic£)' of trees, but in Alabama, ornamental H:dbud appears to be a common host. ThiS publication lists, describes, and depicts those species encountered and proVides infonnation on the life cycles and habits as found to usually occur in Alabama. Seasonal activity reponed (or most spccic~ IS as It occurs in rhe Auburn vicimty of Ease­ Centml Alab.1m~1 and may vary somewhat m other areas of the st:ue.

REDBUD INSECT PESTS
WHITE FLANNEL MOTH}
 NfJTafJc CKlina (Sepp)

Order Lepidoptera, Family Megalopygidae
 The white flannel moth, Norape ouna, is one of the most <kostn/ctive leaf­ feeders identified tn the study. In 1993, an infeslation occurred in a planting of red­ buds at the state hardwood tree seed orchard in Lee County near Auburn. Caterpillars were numerous and small trees were completely defoliated (Phoro I). The species and its activities in Alabama were unl.::.nown before this time; consequently, .1 study of the msect, Its life history, habIb, and potential as a ~t of redbud bel,'3n and continued through subsequem ~'ears 1994· Photo 1- Redbud infested with white 98. Findings are as follows. f1~nnel moth I~rv~e; I~rv~e are about full­
grown.
J.nl'" iTllk'C1 !lib no tlpproved. umven;ally occq:w:aJ common name. Name gi\en is on", commonly used or assIgned for (he 'Ipecics..

REDBUD INSECTS

J

Range and Hosts The mmh occurs from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south w florida and west [0 Louisiana and Missouri. BcI.."Ch, black locust, hackberry, mimosa,

and redbud are commonly listl..-d as host trees. In Alabama, the caterpillar has been collected also from honeylocusl, but is found more often on redhud.
Description Thc aduh is describedi as a medium-sized moth, wingspan 27-33 S. Wings arc pure white and the lxxly is white and hairy. mm EAAS (Photo 2) are small, less than 1 mm long, yellow and covered with fine, soft hairs from the body of the female. They are found end-[Q-end in strJ.Ilds or rows on the underside of leave.\.

Larvae (Photo 3) are colorful and dis· unctively marked. The body is ),ellow With a brood, dark brown to blacL: band down the back. Within the band IS a double row of yellow tubercles, or spots, from which arise clumps of short setae (hairs), some of which arc urrica­ ceous and may Irritate skm whcn touched: Slm· ilar clumps also occur along the sides. Overall, the lxxly IS sparsely clothed with long hairs. The full-grown caterpillar is 28-32 mm lon~. Cocoons (Photo 4) are tough, parch­ ment·like, brown, and oval (8-9 x 15-16 nun). They are somewhat "crumpled" in appearance, with a thin, fiLmsy covering of silken threads and particles of soil or leaf liner.
Photo 2, top -Typical strands of eggs on underside of redbud leaf. Leaf contains approx­ imately 90 eggs. Photo 3, middle - Full-grown white flannel moth caterpillar. Photo 4, bottom - Cocoons (left) and prepupa (right) ofthe white flannel moth.
40escrlption from Covell, ~Eastcm Moths, ~ PctCIRXl Field Guide. See refcrcn~. SOne inch equals about 25 mm.

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Life History and Habits Only one brood of white flannel moth caterpillars occurred each year in d,e AAES sTudy. The insect spent winter in the cocoon in duff, trash, and/or soi1. Moths were never seen during the swdy, their activity apparent­ ly being restric[t't! 10 the hours of darkness. However, based on time of appear­
:mce of eggs and newly hatched larvae, emc'l.'Cncc of moths apparently
occurred durmg early to mid-July. The earliest date
In any year that eggs were foond was July 12 (J 997); in all other years, oviposition (egg-laying) began subsequently but not later than July Z5. Once begun, egg-laying continued for two to three weeks, imo the first week of August in some years. Eggs wcrc laid end-m-end in rows or smmds (Phow 2) on the underside of leaves. The num­

ber of strands per leaf ami number of eggs per strand varit.-d from a single shoTt strand with a few e~s to that dcpictL-J in Photo 2. Eggs hatchL-d in about seven days. In the Auburn vicinity, hatch usu­ ally began each )·ear during the la;;t 10­

IZ days of July; however. unhatched and hatching eggs were found as late as August to (1995) and 13 (1996). Newly hatched larvae (Photo 5) fcd in groups on the lower surface of the leaf, skele­
tonizing and killing patches of leaf tis­ sue. Caterpillars continued to feed togemer through early stages of devel­ opment (Photo 6), then te.ndt-d to diS­ perse and consume the. entire leaf (pho­ tos I and 3). Larval development was usually complctc by the end of September but somctimL'S extended into early Octoher. Full-grown caterpillars descended to the ground to consmlct cocoons for overwintering. In the laboratory, caterpillars collected from the field readil)' formed cocoons in soil ancL'or among leaves on

l'.l....

Photo 5 - Newly hatched larvae skeletonizing the lower surface of redbud leaf. Photo 6 - Group.feeding typical of early and mid-stage N.ovino larvae.

REDBUD INSECTS

5

the surface of soil provided in holdmg cages. Subsequent examinadons of cocoons found caterpillars in the pre{)\lpal stage (Photo 4). Some species of flannel moths spend the winter as prepupae and pupate in spring. This appears 10 also be the manner and fonn of overwintering for N. OViM in Alabama. Occurrcnce, Damage. and Importance Infestations of the white flannel mOth have been il)frequenr and localized in Alabama. However, the recent appcamnce of catcrpillars in suffi­ cient numbers to complNely strip full-foliaged redbuds in the seed orchard demonstrates clearly the serious pest potential of the species. Damage, for the most part, has been aesthetic; however, heavy to complete defoliation can seriously affect tree growth, form, and survival. In addition lO causing damage lO foliage, the caterpillar sometimes poses another problem on ornamental redbuds. It's urticating setae, when touched, produce a stinging or nettling reaction. The reaction is usually mild and shon-lived, but nevertheless. quite noticC'<Ible 6.

REDHUMPED CATERPIl.LAR
Schitura concinna (J.E. Smith) Order Lepidoptera, Family Notodontidae Range and Hosts The redhumped cater­ pillar (Photo 7) occurs throughout the Untted States. Larvae feed on a variety afforest, fruit. shade, and ornamental trees and shrubs - apple, plum, cherry, black locust, dor'ood, elm, persmln\On, sweetgum. and members of the walnut­ hickory and willow-poplar famIlies. Most available lists Photo 7 _ Full-grown redhumped caterpillar on redbud. of hosts do nOt include red 6For lnformallnn on stmgmg caterpIllars see AAES Bol1etm 633, MSungmg
CaterplllaI'li.~

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

bud. bur In the Auburn area of East Alabama, open-grown ornamental red­ buds seem [Q be common host trees.

Description. Life History, and Habits
The clHerpillar overwinters In a cocoon In the sot! or In leaf litter on the surface of the sOIL The cocoon (Photo 8) is flimsy, o\"al, about 17 mm long and II mm in diameter. Emergence of moths cakes place in spring. The moth (Photo 8) is grayish brown with a wingspan of 30.

J 7 mm. Each from wing has a
light-colored area along the (ront edge at the base; hind WlOgs of the female are gmy, those of the male are white.
Females lay eggs in

groups of 25-100 on the under­ side of leaves. Newly hatched larvae feed gregariously, skele­ tonizmg the leaf (Photo 9); subsequently, older larvae con­ sume entire leaves, except (or the larger parts of midrib and veins. Mid- and late-stage caterpillars tend to separate but still feed generally in groups, defoliating one branch then Photo 8, top - Cocoon (left) and adult (right) of the redhumped caterpillar. moving [Q another. Photo 9, bottom -Leaf partially skeletonized by newly Early stage caterpillars hatched larvae. Note mass of hatched eggs.

(Photo 10) are tan-orange with block heads. As larvae grow, body color and markings change. Late-stage and full-grown caterpillars (photos 7 and 10) have coral red heads and a conspicuous red hump (the basis for the common name) on the first segment of the abdomen. The body has alternating black and yellow longitudinal lines, a pair of white lines along the marglOS of the back, and a double row of black spines down the back. The full-grown cater­ pillar IS 30-40 mm long. Full-grown caterpillars leave foliage and Sptn cocoons in plant debris or soil.

REDBUD INSECTS

7

Photo 10 - Early- (left) and late-stage (right) redhumped caterpillars.

Redhumpcd catcrpillars are mQ&t commonly found in the Auburn area during August, September, and October. Two broods apparently occur; early stagc larvae have been found in late July-early August and again in mid­ September, with cOlTcsponding mature larvae present about the end of August and again III the last half of October. Typically, IIlfestations have been • small and isolated, confim.-d mOIStly to scattered individual trees. Trees are usuall)' only partially defoliatt.'<i and damage is mainly aesthetic. However, the species has the porential to produce large populations and cause serious defo­ liation of landscape trees. The full-grown redhumpcd caterpillar possesses a specialized gland located on the underside the thorax JuSt behind the head. From this it can emit <In acidic spray. This apparently is primarily a defensive action against predators, but if sprayed on human skin the sprdY may cause ilTit,uion.

FALSE UNICORN CATERPILLAR) Schi-tura ipomoeae Doubleday
Order Lepidoptera, Family Notodontidae Range and Hosts The false unicorn, also called morning-glory prominent, occurs throughout much of the United States but is most common in the East. The caterpillar (Photo II) feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs, including apple, beech, birch, cherry, elm, maple, and oak. In Alabama, it has been collected

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

also from buckeye. silverhell, and

boxelder, and has bLocn found regular­
lyon omamemal redbud.

Description, Habits

Life History,

and

Details of life hiswry and habits in Alabama are not well­ known. The insect overwinters as a prcpupa or pupa in a cocoon in the

soil or in plant dehris on the surface Photo I I - False unicorn caterpillar. of the soil. Adults emerge in spring.
 Moths are grayish brown. Front winb'S arc streaked with black; hind wings are

grayish; wingspan is 35·45 mm.
 Activity begins In the Aubum vicitl1ty in May. L1.rvae are present from late May into mid-October. The number of bn:::KXIs that occur per year is uncertain; two or more probably occur in Alabama. Broods overlap, and caterpillars differing Widely in size and age are often present simuham."Olisly.

These caterpillars are solitary feeders thrOl.!ghOllt development. Newly hatched and early-stage caterpillars skeletonize patches on the lower surface of leaves (Photo 12, left); older ones feed at leaf margins (Photo 12 ,right) and consume all but the midrib. Full-grown caterpillars (photos 11 and 12, right) fire 30-35 mm long. The head is gray or tan with two dark brown to black parallel stripes on each side. There is a large, fleshy, forked hump on the

Photo 12 - (left) Early-stage larva skeletonizing leaf; (right) late-stage false unicorn feeding typicaJly at leaf margin. Note how caterpillar appears to be part of the margin of the damaged leaf.

REDBUD INSECTS

•

first segment of the abdomen and smaller oncs on abdommal segments five and eight. There is a white patch on me back of abdominal segments one and nm and a white "V" on segments six and sevcn (Phow 11). Sides of the sec­ ond and third segments of the thorax are green. and the rest of the 1xxIy is monIed gray, reddish brown. and tan. The combination of brown-green col­ OfIltion and "jagged" form makes caterpillars blend into leaf margins to appear as a part of the damaged leaf (Photo 12 B), affording the caterpillar some pro­ rection from predators. False unicorn caterpillars are present from May into October but are u~ually mOSt common during AUI:,'llst and Scptemher. Thcy arc solitary fced· ers and usUillly do not occur in sufficient numbers to injure trees - foliage loss is minimal. llowever. in some years, patch·kill of leaf tissue from skeletotllz· ing hy earl\, stage larvae, lind "ragging" of leaves by late-stage caterpillars may become noticeable and n..Juce the anractiveness of landscape redbud trees. FALL WEBWOIU.i H)'phamria cunea (Drury) Order Lepidoptera, Family Arctiidae

•

Range and Hosts This common webworm occurs throughout the United States and infest.s a variety of bmadleaf trees. Some common hosts in Alabama are pecan. persimmon, Photo 13 - Fall webworm sweetgum. willow. sourwood. cherry, elm, mulberry and cocoon and pupa. redbud. Description, Life History, and Habits The webworm is unique in rhllt there are two distinct forms (races) within the species, each dIffering somewhat from the other in appearance, habits, and host preference. The races arc commonly referred to as orange or black, based primarily on color of the head and wart-likc tubercles on the lxxIy of larvae. A rew common host trce specks are acceptable to either r<lCC; other trees, however, arc commonly infested only by onc race or the other. Webwonn inrestations on redhud are commonly black race. Both races of the fall wcbworm overwinter as pupae in thin hrown cocoons (Photo 13) in leaf litter on the ground or in the upper layer of soil. Black-race moths (Photo 14) emerge 1tl April in the Auburn viciniry (orange­

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

race moths emerge four [Q five weeks later 7). Females arc pure white; males also are white, but commonly with black spots on the forewings. The first black-race generation is usually a small one. and often goes unno­ ticed. Sweetgum and mulber­
ry arc the most common hosts

,.

of the early brood. A subse­ quent brood of the race occurs

in July·August-Scptcmber; it is this brood that infests redbud. Females lay 300 £0 more than 1,(xx) small greenish cw 11\ single.layer mass­ es on the underside of le~l\'es, and cov­ ers the masses lightly with hairs from her boJy (Phow 14). Eggs hatch in about a week. Early stage larvae skeletonize by feeding on leaf surfaces, forming ­ webs as they feed (Photo 15). Larvae feed in colonies, enlarging webs as they grow. Full·grown larvae (Photo 16) of the black race are abour 22 mm long, have black heads and tubercles along the lxxIy, and are densely clothed with long hairs. In the late stages, larvae ahandon the web, feed some on foliage O\lrside, then pupate in thin cocoons in or on surface of the soil.
75« AAES Circular 324 ~The Fall (or h~ts and habits of' th~ orolfll,'e rac~ and (or habIts of the blaCK on other ho:;ts.
Web.",.orm~

Photo 14 ­ Black-race fall webworm moths; female and egg mass (left) and male (above).

rac~

Photo 15 - Skeletonizing (above) and webbing (below) of leaves typical of early stage webworm larvae.

REDBUD INSECTS

"
In most years, web­ worm IX>pulations are low and webs on redbud are small and scattered. Infestations mostly result in unsightly trees, made 50 from presence of webs and skele­ tonized leaves. However, the webwonn has high reproductive potential, and can occur period­ ically in "outbreak" numbers, becoming a serious pest of land­ scape trees.

Photo 16 - Full-grown black-race fall webworms (spring brood on sweetgum).

REDBUD LEAFFOLDER
Fascista cercerisella (Chambers) Order Lepidoptera, Family Gele<hiidae The leaffolder occurs from Maryland to Aorida and west to Tex3:!i and Kansas. It is common in Alabama. As far as is known, redbud is its only host. Little infonnation is available on the redbud leaffolder and its life history and hahits. The insect apparently ovef'Wimers as a pupa among leaves or other plant material on the ground or in the soil. Leaffolder activity begins in spring promptly following leaf development - dunng April in East-Central Alabama. The moth (Photo 17, top left} is small with a wingspan of about 15 mm. The head is white and the thorax and forewings are black. Each forewing is marked with three white spots along the cosml, or outer (when folded), margin. Egg-laying habits are not well-known. One larva is usually found per leaffolJ, mdicatlng that eggs are probably laid Singly or in small groups. Larvae feed by skcletoni:ing leaf surfaces WIthin "nests" made by tyin~ togeth­ er parts of two leaves (Phoro 17, top right) or by folding the margm ofthe leaf blade inward over the upper surface and tying it with strands of silk (Photo 17, Ixmom left). The full-grown larva (Photo 17, bortom tight) is about 15 mm long, and black with white cross-stripes. The number of leaffolder gener­ ations per year is not known but, in the Auburn vicinity, larvae have been found in cvety month of the season from May throu~h September. Ovcr thc

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPEAIMENT STATION

Photo 17 - Redbud leaffolder adult (top left); typical "nesu" and skeletonizing damage of redbud leaffolder larvae (top right, bottom left); (ull-grown leaffolder larva (bottom right).

rears. damage to foliage by the lea{{oldcr has not hecn serious enough to .,jure trees; however, on small trees, folds lind skeletonized areas of leaves become noticeable and reduce the attractiveness of landscape orn<lrnentals.

REDBUD INSECTS

IJ

REDBUD PETIOLE GALL MIDGEJ
DasineuTa sp.8

Order Diptera. Family Cceidomyiidae The specific identity of this gallmaker has not yet been determim:d. As far as is known, the gaU has not before been encountered in this area. At Auburn, it has been seen only on r<.-dbud, and redbud may, indeed, be its pre­ ferred, possibly only, hoSt tree. Following discovery of the gall at Auburn, a similar, or same, j,>all on thc petiole of redbud has been report<..od from West Virginia8. L,rvae from the galls have been identified to genus Dasineura. It seems possible, even likely, that the midges from the two localities may be the same, so the Auburn midge is tentatively identified also as a species of Dasineura. To date, no published informa­ tion has been found on the life history and habits of the midge. Findings from preliminary studies at Auburn are as fol­ lows. The gall is formed at the base of petioles of young, developing leaves (Photo 18). Galled petioles and leaves wilt, die, and tum dark brown to black. In the Auburn area, damage to foliage occurs in April and resembles that Photo 18 - Typicotl gotll formed by the midge at the base of redbud leaf petiole (above); caused by late frosts or free%es (Photo open gall showing signs of larval feeding 19), cvents not uncommon in this area (below). in early spring. Examination of dam­ aged leaves rcveals the gall and evidence of larval feeding (Photo 18); galls examined so far have each comained only a single larva. At Auburn, damage
8Personal communication from Dr. R.J. Gavne, Research Entomologist, Emeritus: SystCmatlCS Entomology LaooratOry, USDA, U.S. National Museum, WashingtOn, D.C. Z0500-0168 to Dr. Wayne Brewcr, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Parhology, Auburn Ulll\·crsny.

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Photo 19 - Young redbud foliage damaged by frost (above) and gall midge (right).

to foliage, and apparently midge anivity, ceases by abour the end of April; apparent­ ly only one brood occurs each year. Overwinrering is believed to be as a pupar­ ium in the soil beneath trees. In the springs of 1999 and 2000, infestations occurred on a number of orna­ mental and green-space redbuds on the Auburn University campus. Many young leaves in crowns just recently in full flower were killed, severely reducing the atrrac­ tiveness of the trees. It seems apparent that this gall maker can be a serious pest of orna­ menwl redbud.

REDBUD INSECTS

IS

REDBUD LEAFHOPPER'
Erythrol'leura sp. Order Homoptera, Family Cil::adellidae Many species of leaf· hoppers feed on foliage of a wide range of plants, including trees. A species tentatively identified as a member of the genus Eryrhronellra is common on redbud in the Auburn vicinity. Whether the species has other host plants in the area has not been determined. Adults and developing nymphs have sucking-type beaks and feed by extracting leaf sap. Leaf tissue at poims of feeding dIes and fades, leav­ ing foliage discolored, or "stippled" (Pharo 20, above). Feeding is from the underside of leaves, but damage is most visible on the upper. Photo 20 - (above) Redbud leaf with typical leafhopper The adult leafhopper damage; (below) "Redbud" leafhopper. (PhotO 20. below) encoun· tered on redbud is 2·3 mm long and pale yellow-green with reddish·brown markings on thorax and wings. The life cycle of the species in the Auburn area has not been determined. Some species of Erychroneura are known to o\'erwinter as adults in hibernation. Adults emerge in spring, feed, and lay eggs in leaf tissue; two or more generations may occur each season. It appears likely that this species on redbud in Alabama has a similar cycle,

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

BROADNOSED WEEVILS
Fuller Rose Beetle kynonychus godmanni Crotch \Vhitcfringed Beetle Qraphognathus leucoLmna (Boheman) Atrichonotus taeniatulus 9 - (Berg) Order C<lleoptera, Family Curculionidac
Adults of three related species of broadnosed weevils sometimes feed on and damage foliage of redbud. Feeding usually begins at the margins of leaves and progresses to partial­ ly or completely destroy all but the midrib and larger veins (Photo 21). Adults are similar in (orm, each with the shon,

•

•

broad "snout" typical of the group. The fuller rose beetle
(Photo 22. top) is brown ;md 7­ 8 rom long; the whitefringcd beetle (Photo 22, middle) is about 12 rom long, and dark grny with white stripes along the sides and on the dorsal sur­ (ace of the head and thorax; A.

•

fllelliarulus (Photo 22. bottom) Photo 21 ­ Redbud leaf with typiCilI damage caused

is black with gray scales, and about; mm long.

by broadnosed weevil adults.

Hosts for the fuller rose and whitefringed beetles include a wide vari­ ePi of plants ranging from vegetables, field crops. nursery plants, flowers, shrubs, and some tre~ other than redhud. Local hosts of A. raeniaruJus have nOt been determined, but likely include a ~imilar variety of plants. In the Auburn vicinity, the fuller rose beetle has heen the most com· man of the three. Adults first I.x:comc active in spring. Eggs arc laid in or on the soil or Iowan plams in the area. Newly hatched larvae (grubs) burrow into the soil and fet.-d on roots of various plants. New adults emerge in sum­
9Species identified by Dr. Wayn", Clark. Taxonomist, Department of Entomol~'Y and Plant PathoIOl.'Y. Auburn University.

REDBUD INSECTS

17

mer - they are usually most common on n..-dbud in the Auburn vicinity dunng August and September. Only one gener­ ation occurs each rear. WhitefnngL-d beetle life crcle and habits are much the s.."1me as those ofthe fuller rose beede. One genemrion occurs each year; eggs are laid on the soil or on objeC[s/plants at points near ground level; grubs feed on roots of plants. In some plant systems, such as nursery and field crops, grubs of whirefringed beedc cause mortality. life cycle and habits of A. taeniatulus in the Central Alabama area are not known. General infonnation and obser­ vations, however, indicate that they are likely similar to those of fuller rose and whitefringed beetles. Adults of these three beedes cannot fly. They must climb from soil to foliage of hosts to feed. Consequently, it is the low-growing shrub hosts and lowest leaves of tree hosts, in this case r... dbud, > that arc most heavily damaged.

Photo 22 - Broadnosed weevils: (top) fuller rose beetle; (middle) whitefringed beetle; (bottom) Atrichonotus toen;otulus.

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

LEAFCUTIER BEES
Megachile jpp. Order Hymenoptera, Family Megachilidae Leafcuner bee adults (Photo ZJ) are important pol­ linators. They visit blQ';S()lIlS, collcn pollen, and feed 01\ nee­ £aT, processes that hann neither blossom nor plant. However, adults do produce conspicuous damage (Photo 24) to leaves of various plants, including several species of broadleaf trees. In Alabama, leaves of maples, oaks. and redbud are common­ ly damaged. Damage is not from feeding, bU[ from the unique nesting habit of the bees. Females rear young in cavities such as those provided by hollow twigs (Photo 25). Eggs are deposited and larvae dcvdop in cylindrical leaf cells (Photo 25) constructed by the female. Oblong sections (Photo 24) are cur from leaf mar­ gins w (orm Sides of the celli circular sections are cut to fonn caps at ends of the cell. Cells are pro­ \'ided with pollen and nectar for larval food. A single egg IS placed in each provisioned cell and the cell is dosed with circular sections of leaf. Several cells may be constructed end-to-eoo in nesting cavities. In the Auburn viciOlty, leaf cutting and nestmg usually begin in early May. Cut leaves remain alive and persist throughout the season. Precise, symmetrical cuts in leaf margins more arouse curiosity than injure trees.
Pkoto 2], top - Adult leafcutter bee. Pkoto 2-4, middle - Redbud leaf skowlng typical work of the female leafcutter bee. Pkoto 25, bottom - Typical twll nest and leaf cell In whick tke larva develops.

REDBUD INSECTS

19

STINGING CATERPILLARS
Puss Catcrpillar Order Lepidoptcra, Family Megalopygidae Saddleback, Spiny Oak Slug}, Stinging Rose, and Hag Moth Caterpillar­ Order Lepidoptera, Family Limacodidae From time to time larvae of the abo\'e listed SJX'CICS of lepidoptera are found on foliage of ornamental redbud trees. While they do feed on leavcs. they arc nOf usually presenr in sufficienr numbers [Q cause noticeable damage. However. these caterpillars are worthy of nOte because all possess urticating setae aml/oc SpIRes that, if brought III contacl with human skm. produce neuling or Slinging reaClions. Reactions vary from lmld to severe. depending on species of C<'llerpillar and susceptibility of the victim. The catt:r­ pillars are pictured here (PhOtO 26) to provide a means for idenufic:Hion. For more on urticating caterpillars on trees. see AAES Bulletin 633. ~Stinglllg Caterpillars."

Photo 26 - Urticating caterpillal"S found on foliage of redbud trees: (clockwise fl"Om top left) puss caterpillar (southem flannel moth). Megolopyge operculoris O.E. Smith); saddleback cat.erplllar, Slblne rtlmuleo (Clemens); spiny oak slug. E.ucleo de/phln/l (BoisduvaJ); stinging I"Ose caterpillar. Porusa indetemtlno (BolsduYaJ); hag moth larva (monkey slug), Phobetron pltheclum O.E. Smit.h).

20

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

IMPORTANCE AND CONTROL
 OF REDBUD FOLIAGE INSECTS

The importance of an insect as a pest of trees depends on a number of things, one being the value of the tree as determined by its use, yield, prod­ uct, or contribution. In mixed natural forest stands, the redbud is a small understory tree; it produces no merchantable wood and currently has no value as timber. In that setting and circumstance, insects infesting redbud cause no measurable loss and are of no concern as pests. However, in mcmy urban and suburban areas of Alabama, redbud is prized and widely used as an ornamen­ tal landscape tree. Here its value is mea ured by its aesthetic and environ­ mental contributions; and here those insects of no importance in natural tim­ ber stands often become serious pe ts and control may become necessary or desirable. For infonnation and recommendations on control of insects attack­ ing foliage of redbud and other ornamental landscape trees, contact the appropriate county extension office or extension entomologists. For more information on insect pests of Alabama tre~s visit the Auburn University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Web site at www.ag.aubum.edu/dept/ent/hyche/insects.html For more information on AAES publications, visit http://www.ag.auburn.edu/resinfo/publications/indcx.html

REFERENCES
Covell, c.v., Jr. 1984. A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern orth America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Bo ron. 496 pp. Johnson, W.T. and H.H. Lyon. 1976. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. Comstock Publishing Associates. Cornell Univ. Press. Ithaca, .Y. 464 pp. Stehr, EW. (ed.). 1987. Immature Insects. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Dubuque, Iowa. 754 pp. USDA For. erv. (Draoz, A.T. ed.) 1985. Insects of Eastern Forests. Mi c. Pub!. No. 1426. 608 pp.

Alabama's Agricultural Experiment Station
 AUBURN UNIVERSITY


With an agricultural research umtln c'-cf} majOr soil area• . . uburn lfni\ersil} sen es the needs of field crop. livestock. forestry. and bonicultural
producers In each

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Research Unit Identification

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