Management of staining and galling associated with oxhorn bucida trees in Florida

Authors

  • A.D. Ali The Davey Institute, The Davey Tree Expert Company, 12060 Coyle Road, Ft. Myers, FL 33905, USA
  • Douglas Caldwell Collier County Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, 14700 Immokalee Rd., Naples, FL 34120, USA

Keywords:

Garella nilotica, Eriophyes, abamectin, trunk injection, systemic insecticides,

Abstract

Abstract

The oxhorn bucida tree, Bucida buceras L. (Combretaceae), occurs widely in the southern Florida urban forest. It is commonly attacked by 2 arthropod species, an eriophyid mite, Eriophyes buceras Cromroy (Acari: Eriophyidae), and a caterpillar, Garella (Characoma) nilotica (Rogenhofer) (Lepidoptera: Nolidae). Caterpillar frass and mite-induced galls cause severe staining of sidewalks, streets, and vehicles underneath the tree canopy. The staining is so aesthetically annoying that dissatisfied homeowners remove the trees. Studies were conducted over a 4 yr period at 2 locations to evaluate systemic insecticide treatments against these pests. In Naples, during both 2013 and 2014, trees receiving dinotefuran soil–root drench or acephate trunk injections showed slightly reduced staining possibly due to caterpillar suppression. During 2015 and 2016 in Coral Gables, abamectin trunk injections resulted in excellent reduction in gall formation and staining. Abamectin trunk injections were most reliable in reducing property owner complaints and preserving the benefits of mature oxhorn bucida trees in the urban forest. This treatment represents an environmentally rational approach with none of the drawbacks associated with foliar applications or soil drenching.

 

Resumen

El árbol del olivo negro, Bucida buceras L. (Combretaceae), se le encuentra ampliamente en el bosque urbano del sur de la Florida. Comunmente es atacado por dos artropodos, un ácaro de la familia Eriophyidae, Eriophyes buceras Cromroy (Acari: Eriophyidae) y el gusano, Garella (Characoma) nilotica (Rogenhofer) (Lepidoptera: Nolidae). El excremento del gusano y las gallas inducidas por los ácaros, causan severas manchas en las aceras, calles y vehiculos estacionados debajo de la copa de estos árboles. Estas manchas son tan antiesticas y molestas que los dueños de hogares estan disatisfechos y optan por quitar estos árboles. Se realizaron estudios por más de cuatro (4) años en dos localidades para evaluar los tratamientos de insecticidas sistematicos para combatir estos artropodos. En Naples, tanto en el 2013 como en 2014, los tres arboles que recibieron dinotefuran remojado de las raices en el suelo o inyecciones de acefato en el tronco del árbol, demostraron una ligera reducción en las manchas, posiblemente debido a la suppression de los gusanos. Durante del 2015 y 2016 en Coral Gables, las inyecciones de abamectin en los troncos resultaron en una excelente reducción en la formacion de agallas y manchas. Las inyecciones de abamection en los troncos fueron las mas confiables en reducir las quejas de los duenos de propiedades y preservar los beneficios de tenerárboles maduros del olivo negro en el bosque urbano. Este tratamiento representa un enfoque ambientalmente racional sin ninguno de los inconvenientes relacionados con las aplicaciones foliares o directamente en el suelo.

 

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Published

2017-10-10

Issue

Vol. 100, No. 3 (September 2017)

Section

Research Papers

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