Shimat V. Joseph
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The previous article covers the general biology, life cycle, and management of the pasture mealybug (https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2022/10/managing-joro-spiders-in-the-landscape/). This article provides updates on its range expansion and summarizes recent research from several labs in the region. A big, bright spider that showed up uninvited If you live in North Georgia, you have probably walked into one. I…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The previous article covers the general biology, life cycle, and management of the pasture mealybug (https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2026/07/pasture-mealybug-the-grass-specialist-threatening-your-turfgrass/). This article shows that two mealybug species are in the southern US and are invading. Both mealybug species are referred to as “pasture mealybug”. An old name on a new pest Mealybugs are small, soft, sap-feeding insects covered in…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Free webinar / Zoom Rose Rosette Disease Updates on biology, management, and breeding for resistance. Nov 17, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern. Register free on Zoom. Red, bunched-up new growth. Canes packed with soft thorns. A witches’ broom where a healthy Knock Out used to be. That’s rose rosette disease, and once a rose…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
The orangestriped oakworm (Anisota senatoria) (Fig. 1) is a prominent native defoliator distributed widely across eastern North America, ranging from southern Maine west to central Minnesota, and south to east Texas and central Georgia. While their late-summer outbreaks in August and September can cause striking, widespread defoliation, their biological significance to mature oaks is minimized…
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The flea beetle, Argopistes tsekooni (Fig. 1) is an emerging pest on Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) in Georgia. Native to China, it is now widely distributed in North and central Georgia. Both larvae and adults feed on foliage (Fig. 2). Larvae are leaf miners that develop within leaf tissues (Fig. 3), while adults feed externally,…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The Turfgrass Research Field Day returns to the UGA Griffin Campus on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026. Since this exclusive event only happens every other year, it offers a rare opportunity for turf professionals, landscapers, and superintendents to explore the cutting edge of turf science. Attendees will spend the day engaging in educational field tours, browsing…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei) (Fig. 1) is a destructive, invasive sap-sucking insect native to South and Southeast Asia that has recently emerged as a threat to agriculture in the United States. After first becoming a serious pasture pest in Queensland, Australia, in 1928, it spread to the Caribbean islands around 2019 and was officially…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The brown-winged planthopper, Pochazia shantungensis (Figure 1), was newly detected as an invasive pest in Atlanta, Georgia, following a photo posted to iNaturalist on 25 July. On October 20 and 24, 2025, egg masses were found at site 1 in Atlanta. On April 28 and 30, 2026, nymphs were also found at Site 1 and…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Atexzo® (isocycloseram) introduces the first IRAC Group 30 insecticide, a new tool for managing important pests, such as billbugs, mole crickets, fall armyworm, and bermudagrass mite. This insecticide is developed by Syngenta and powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology. Please refer to the insecticide label for all application directions, as it is the LAW. This article is…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Speakers and Topics: Industry Update 2025: Turfgrass – Dr. Ben Pritchard and Dr. Clint Waltz, Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA • Weeds continue to be major challenges for turfgrass managers, including golf courses, sod farms, and residential and public landscapes. The speakers will update the audience regarding the recent research findings…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest