Tag: Question of the Week
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Question of the Week – Timber Rattler
What kind of snake is this and is it poisonous? This is a timber rattler (Crotalus horridus), also known as a canebrake rattler. While snakes are not poisonous, this species is venomous. It is one of 6 species of venomous snakes in South Carolina. Timber rattlers can be found throughout most of the state and…
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Question of the Week – Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
What is this critter found on a rose of Sharon leaf? This is a juvenile brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)(Halyomorpha halys). The BMSB is a native to Asia and was first reported in South Carolina in 2011. It is a pest of numerous agricultural crops including peaches, tomatoes, corn, and beans. They are also a…
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Question of the Week – Armyworms
What is causing this lawn to turn brown even though it has received over 5 inches of rain so far this month? This lawn is infested with fall armyworms (Spodotera frugiperda). In just a few days, the armyworms ate all the leaf blades, leaving little more than just stems. While multiple species of warm season…
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Question of the Week – Carolina Mantid
What insect is hiding in plain sight in this photo. The insect right in the middle of the photo that looks like a woody stem is a Carolina mantid (Stagmomantis carolina). The Carolina mantid is a native to South Carolina and is our official state insect. A few recognizable features of mantids include the long…
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Question of the Week – Wood Boring Beetle
What caused the oval-shaped holes in this young pecan tree? These oval-shaped holes were created by a wood boring beetle from either the Buprestidae or Cerambycidae families. Without seeing the beetle or larvae, it is impossible to say which. These beetles commonly attack stressed trees. Eggs are usually laid in cracks or crevices in the…
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Question of the Week – Kiwi
What kind of fruit is this? These little fuzzy fruit are kiwis of the genus Actinidia, and were found growing on a hobby farm on Johns Island, SC. Kiwi hails from the grasslands of China and Russia. We normally think about kiwi being an Australian or New Zealand crop, as most of the production occurs there,…
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Question of the Week – Kudzu Bug
What are these insects on pole butterbeans? The insects pictured are bean plataspids, Megacopta cribraria (F.), commonly known as “kudzu bugs.” They are an invasive plant pest from Asia. First reported in the US in 2009 near Atlanta, GA, they are now found from Louisiana to Virginia and are reported from all counties in South…
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Question of the Week – Planthopper
What left the fluffy, white deposit on this zinnia stem? This fluffy material was left by a flatid planthopper. Flatid planthoppers feed on a variety of ornamental plants. The ¼” long adults appear to be wedge shaped and laterally flattened when viewed from above. This appearance is created by their large, angular front wings which they…
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Question of the Week – Spider Mites
What caused the stippling on this eggplant leaf? This damage was caused by two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urica). While spider mites are often included in discussions of insect management, they actually have 8 legs, making them more closely related to spiders. Typically, two-spotted spider mites can be found feeding on the underside of the leaves.…
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Question of the Week – TSWV
What is going on with this Roma tomato? The tie-dye appearance of this tomato is due to it being infected by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). TSWV is an important virus of tomato, pepper, eggplant, peanuts, tobacco, etc. that causes significant yield loss to affected plants. The virus is transmitted by thrips feeding. While TSWV…
The South Carolina Grower 