Scale Insect Identification WorkshopSpecialized Training for EntomologistsMayaguez, Puerto Rico June 2-4, 2009 Site Index
The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) was formed in June 2002 in response to agricultural biosecurity concerns. The Southern Plant Diagnostic Network (SPDN) is one of five regions within the NPDN. Member states or U.S. territories of the SPDN include: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (UF, regional center), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The mission of the NPDN/SPDN is to enhance agricultural security and assist in protecting the U.S. from intentional or unintentional exotic pest introductions. Numerous endemic, introduced, and exotic species of scale and mealybug insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) threaten agriculture in the southern U.S. National taxonomic specialists will interactively lead participants through family, genus, and some species-level identification. Proper preparation of slide-mounted specimens will also be an emphasis of the training. Following training, participants should be comfortable with slide-mounting as well as general identification and use of taxonomic keys for scale insects (Coccoidea).
General entomology diagnostician and extension specialists, researchers, and other regulatory identifiers interested in scale insect identification should attend. Enrollment will be limited to 25 participants, and will initially target local attendees. Others may be allowed to attend on a space available basis. The course material will be advanced, and is not suitable for individuals without an entomological background or related experience. Questions regarding your approval to attend the conference may be directed to Amanda Hodges at achodges@ufl.edu or David Jenkins David.Jenkins@ars.usda.gov . The following groups would benefit from the workshop:
Participants will receive the following educational materials:
Field and slide-mounted identification of scale insects (Coccoidea) will be covered. Details on preparation of proper slide-mounted specimens will also be included. Due to their small size, appropriate slide-mounting techniques are essential to confirmatory diagnosis of mites. Gender and/or life stage recognition is also an important component of identification. Scale insects (Coccoidea) contain over 20 families, 1200 genera, and 7300 species. Workshop participants will not gain a comprehensive knowledge of scales during the training, but will be better able to utilize available resources to recognize common pests and determine if further confirmatory identification is warranted. Genera and species level identification examples will be focused on pests within the following common families:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Dr. Gregory Hodges
Dr. Michael Williams
Although there is no registration fee, participants are asked to register online no later than Monday, May 18, 2009. Space is limited to 25 participants, and workshop coordinators reserve the right to screen enrollment lists. Local, appropriate individuals from the University of Puerto Rico, USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture will be given preference for registration. Other requests will be accomodated, pending available spaces on a first-come, first serve basis. E-mail workshop coordinators Amanda Hodges or David Jenkins for further details. Meals are not included as part of this workshop. Participants should plan to bring their laptop computers for use of the LUCID Scale Key during training. Note: If you register and later determine a need for cancellation, please contact Amanda Hodges achodges@ufl.edu. Cancellations may allow space for other interested participants.
The training workshop will be held at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. Further details coming soon.
As the target audience for the training is based in Puerto Rico, no official hotel accomodations have been planned for the workshop. For those traveling to Mayaguez and not familiar with the local area, some hotel options include the following:
As most of the attendees will be familiar with Puerto Rico, airport information and local tourist attraction details will generally be unnecessary. Puerto Rico is serviced by San Juan International Airport. Several car rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and National are available. Cape Air also services flights from San Juan International Airport to Mayaguez and Ponce. If anyone is traveling from outside of Puerto Rico to attend the workshop, tourist information for Puerto Rico is available: Click Here
For general questions regarding this workshop, E-mail Amanda Hodges Please report any questions or problems with the webpage and/or associated registration linkages to Amanda Hodges or call (352) 392-1901 ext. 199.
Local coordination committee for the Puerto Rico Scale Identification Workshop included Dr. David Jenkins, USDA-ARS, and Drs. Consuelo Estevez de Jensen and Alex Segarra of the University of Puerto Rico. The SPDN program is funded by the USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). The SPDN has provided some funding for travel and printing of educational materials. The University of Puerto is a member of SPDN. The SPDN acknowledges the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry and Auburn University for providing instructors for this training session. We also acknowledge the University of Puerto Rico for hosting the event. We acknowledge the USDA, ARS in providing lead local coordination and speaker accomodations for the training. USDA, APHIS, CPHST is acknowledged for providing participants with a copy of 'Scale Insects: Identification tools, images, and diagnostic information for species of quarantine signficance' by D.R. Miller, A. Rung, G.L. Venable, and R.J. Gill.
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Greg received his M.S.from Auburn University (1996) and his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (2001). Taxonomic research during both of his graduate degrees included a focus on the immature or “crawler” life stage of soft scales (Coccidae). Greg also had the opportunity to conduct applied/extension-oriented research relating to scale insect problems on ornamental plants and fruit trees during his graduate and brief post-doctoral employment at the University of Georgia. During 2002, Greg began working for the 
Mike received in M.S. (1969) in entomology/botany and his Ph.D. (1972) in entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mike worked as an assistant state entomologist for the Maryland Department of Agriculture from 1971-73. Mike has been employed by Auburn University since 1973. His taxonomic research interests have focused on the biosystematics of scale insects, with a particular interest on soft scales (Coccidae). Other scale-related research interests have included species identification and distribution in Central and South America; host plant resistance; the coevolution of scales and their host plants; biology and control of ornamental plant pests; and integrated pest management tactics. In addition to mentoring graduate students, Mike’s teaching responsibilities have included general insect morphology, systematic entomology, advanced insect morphology and development, and special problems in entomology. b.jpg)
