Forum: Dyscinetus Morator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Flight Activity, Food Plant Acceptance, Damage and Control in Caladium

Abstract

Adult Dyscinetus morator (F.) fed on developing caladium (Caladium @? hortulanum Birdsey) leaf buds and petioles in field and greenhouse observations. Adults were found in caladium fields but immatures were absent. Periods of adult flight occurred primarily in mid-January through mid-April, before the crop was planted, and in June and July following planting. There were no significant differences in the amount of leaf tissue consumed between that of the known wild host, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Martius), and that of caladium, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) or tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) indicating that these crops potentially could be damaged. Carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon and oxamyl were the most effective of 10 insecticides applied as soil surface sprays for control of D. morator, but none provided greater than 72.5% reduction after 24 h. Alternative insecticides or methods of D. morator management may be needed to protect caladium crops.