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I. Introduction to InsectsA. Exoskeleton

B. Molting

C. Distinct growth cycles

D. Eggs

E. Metamorphosis

II. Growth Stages

A. Simple Metamorphosis1. Gradual2. Egg, nymph, and adult3. Grasshoppers, crickets, thrips, bugs, leafhoppers, & aphids

4. Look like small adults but nymphs do not have fully formed wings

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

II. Growth Stages - con’tB. Complex Metamorphosis

1. Egg, larva, pupa, adult

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

II. Growth Stages - con’tB. Complex Metamorphosis

1. Egg, larva, pupa, adult

2. Young stage is the larva

3. Larva look nothing like the adult4. Larva does the most feeding and is the most destructive 5. Butterfly, moth, sawfly, and fly - adults do not damage 6. Beetle - both larva and adult

7. Adults LarvaMoths and butterflies caterpillars, inchworms, loopers

leafminers, cutworms, borers, Beetles grubs, wireworms, borers, billbugs

Flies maggots, grubs, leafminers

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

II. Growth Stages - con’t

Moths and butterflies caterpillars, inchworms, loopersleafminers, cutworms, borers,

Beetles grubs, wireworms, borers, billbugs

Flies maggots, grubs, leafminers

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III. Insect Physiology and StructureA. Respiratory and nervous system

1. Breath through small openings (called SPIRACLES) in the side of their bodies

2. Some controls work by blocking this opening

3. Central Nervous system - OP and Carbamates a. Cholinesterase inhibitors

4. Warning - Higher toxicity to humans because of similarities in physiological structures

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

III. Insect Physiology and StructureB. External Structure

1. Insects have a three part body a. head b. thorax c. abdomen

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

III. Insect Physiology and StructureB. External Structure

1. Insects have a three part body a. head b. thorax c. abdomen

2. Six legs that are attached to the thorax

3. In winged forms, 1 or 2 pairs of wings 4. One pair of antennae

5. Arachnids - spiders, mites, and ticks

6. Body divided into 2 regions - cephalothorax and abdomen 7. Four pairs of legs attached to the cephalothorax 8. No wings 9. No antennae

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

III. Insect Physiology and StructureB. External Structure

5. Arachnids - spiders, mites, and ticks

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

III. Insect Physiology and StructureC. Mouthparts

1. Chewing mouthparts rip and chew food - grasshoppers, beetles, weevils, sawflies, and caterpillars

2. Piercing and sucking mouthparts pierce plants and suck liquid materials - leafhoppers, stink bugs, aphids, and mites

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

III. Insect Physiology and StructureC. Mouthparts

1. Chewing mouthparts rip and chew food - grasshoppers, beetles, weevils, sawflies, and caterpillars2. Piercing and sucking mouthparts pierce plants and suck liquid materials - leafhoppers, stink bugs, aphids, and mites

D. Wings

1. Usually only found on adults - number of 2. Descriptive type

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IV. Insect RelativesA. Spiders

1. All spiders are toxic

2. Most cannot bite humans mouth is to small

B. Mites

1. Most have sucking mouth parts

1. Centipede type root feeder

3. Most are beneficial

C. Symphlans

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V. Damage caused by insectsA. Chewing damage - defoliation

B. Internal feeders

C. Sucking pests - plant juices

D. Disease transmission

E. Subterranean feeders

F. Secondary plant pests

G. Plant reaction to insect attack 1. Pine trees - sap (meant to cover or kill the insect 2. Galls

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VI. Factors influencing pest problemsA. Unfavorable weather conditions

B. Natural enemies

1. predators

2. parasites

3. parasitoids

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf

– 215Turf Diseases and I nsect s Turf