Sycamore, Platanus occidentalus L., is a common tree and one of the largest in the eastern deciduous forest. Because of its rapid growth and aesthetic characteristics, it is widely planted as an ornamental and shade tree. Unfortunately, it is attacked by many pathogens and arthropod pests. A strain of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, is one of the most important and destructive pathogens. Sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata (Say), is one of the most common and most damaging foliage pests of Sycamore in Florida. Sycamore lace bugs feed on the leaves by piercing the epidermis and removing the cell contents. Lace bugs populations can reach high numbers exceeding 100 per leaf in mid to late season. Both adults and nymphs feed on the foliage and the lower surfaces of leaves also become messy with excrement. As a result sycamore foliage in ornamental plantings are rendered unsightly and early leaf abortion results. In most areas of Florida noticeable damage is evident by July and the foliage is largely destroyed by early to mid August. Several cultivars are grown by the nursery industry at present. We have the opportunity to evaluate a large number of sycamore breeding lines for their susceptibility to sycamore lace bug and other important insects. In this paper we will discuss the biology of sycamore lace bug and preliminary results from the breeding line evaluation.
Species 1: Heteroptera Tingidae Corythuca ciliata (sycamore lace bug)
Keywords: host plant resistance
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