Page 155 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

SCENTLESS PLANT BUG SCENTLESS PLANT BUG

Photo Courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw
Colorado State University, www.forestryimages.org Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- 2, medium length and width 6.Thorax- red shoulders
2.Eyes- compound, reddish 7.Petiole- none SCENTLESS PLANT BUG
3.Head- with beak 8.Abdomen- red on borders
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- black with some red
5.Wings- long & short wings,membranous 10.Other- nymphs are mostly red 3
1

Life Cycle
The female adults will overwinter and deposit eggs near host plants in cracks 2 8
and crevices in the early spring. Nymphs hatch out in two weeks, and are
predominately reddish in color. They move onto the host plants, and go 4
through several instars before reaching adulthood around July. The new adults
lay a second generation of eggs the same year, which is the generation that
hatches and overwinters the following year. Drawing by Andrew Schaible

SCENTLESS PLANT BUG
Actual size 1/2”
The Scentless Plant Bug is mainly a nuisance because it can show up in large numbers and will invade
homes at times. They will also infest lawns and gardens, and eat seeds from trees. They are also
known as the Redshouldered Bug, the Jadera Plant Bug, the Goldenrain Tree Bug, and the Soapberry
Bug. It is found year-round in most of Florida, with a peak in May. They do little damage to plants, but
the reddish nymphs will stain clothing if crushed.

1.Antenna- small, segmented 6.Mesothorax- 7-9 segments
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none CABBAGE PALM
3.Head- small capsule 8.Abdomen- has long setae CATERPILLAR
4.Legs- prolegs and thoracic legs 9.Color- black head, pink body
5.Wings- only on adults 10.Other

Life Cycle 8
The Owlet Moth lays eggs, which hatch into larvae. The larvae grow 3
considerably as they mature, reaching 1½ inches in length. The larvae
voraciously feed and then drop to the ground and find a protected
place to spin a cocoon and pupate. The adult moth that emerges has a
wingspan of two inches. Illustration Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Contol

CABBAGE PALM CATERPILLAR Actual size 1 1/2”

The Cabbage Palm Caterpillar is the larva of the Owlet Moth. It occurs throughout Florida, with
infestations at their peak during the summer months. The larvae eat the flowers of many types
of palms, reducing the honey production. The moths are attracted to lights, and the larvae will
enter houses and destroy fabrics. They have also been observed chewing drywall and the
fiberglass on boats and window screens.

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