Alfredo Martinez. UGA Plant Pathology Department-Griffin Campus
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Dollar Spot is Active. The dollar spot fungus (Clarireedia sp formerly Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is now active this 2025 spring. We have seen active infections in bermudagrass and seashore paspalum in our UGA Griffin campus research plots as well as several bermdagrass lawns in the area. Dollar spot can produce infections on warm season grass as…
Posted in: Turfgrass disease -
Carpenter bees (Fig. 1) can be a serious pest on outdoor structures made of wood, such as patios, decks, sidings of homes, sheds, furniture, etc. Large carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica is the most common species found in Georgia. Adult carpenter bees are pollinators, but mated females bore tunnels into wooden structures to rear their larvae.…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The invasive elm zigzag sawfly (EZS, Aproceros leucopoda; Fig. 1), also known as East Asian sawfly, elm sawfly, and zigzag sawfly, is a small wasp native to Japan, Russia, China, and the Korean peninsula. In 2003, EZS was accidentally introduced to Europe. Since then, it has spread rapidly to many countries in Europe. In the…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
We recently received physical and digital samples of dormant or quasi-dormant bermudagrass having patches of grayish-white to cream patches in color. The patches ranged from 4-15 inches (10-40 cm) in diameter and in some cases coalesced to form bigger patches. Similar symptoms were also noted on our “TifEagle” research green located at the University of…
Posted in: Turfgrass disease -
Bermudagrass mite, Eriophyes cynodoniensis (Fig. 1) is eriophyid mite species only infest and feed on bermudagrass (Cynadon spp.). It can develop into a serious problem in golf courses, athletic fields, sod farms, and residential and public lawns. The bermudagrass mite infestation can reduce the aesthetic value of the turfgrass, as it can cause thinning and…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Summary Spring dead spot continues to be a major problem for turfgrass managers in Georgia. It is one of the more difficult diseases to manage because acceptable control is usually not obtained in a single season. Selecting proper nitrogen and potassium fertilization, thatch management and soil conditioning are important cultural practices that can help in…
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The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Fig. 1), is native to North America. Fall armyworm caterpillars are identified with an “inverted Y-shaped” sign on their head capsule (Fig. 1A). Fall armyworms are active throughout the year in the tropical region of Florida (from Tampa to Miami), southern Texas, and northern Mexico. Fall armyworm…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
Magnolias are a common plant species in southern US landscapes, as they are evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Native to Asia and the Americas, magnolia species are popular trees because of their attractive flowers, foliage, aesthetic value, requirements for low maintenance, and adaptability to the southern US climate and soil conditions. Magnolia scale (Neolecanium…
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UGA Department of Plant Pathology and UGA County Extension Coordinator Coweta County GA Turfgrass disease samples keep coming to our Department of Plant Pathology Plant Disease Clinics. Gray leaf spot (GLS) is showing up now, which is earlier than historically seen and a bit further north (Coweta County) than expected for this time of the…
Posted in: Turfgrass disease -
Bristly roseslug sawfly, Cladius difformis (Fig. 1), is a common species of roseslug in Georgia. The larval stages feed on rose leaves and cause extensive damage. Native to Europe, the bristly roseslug sawfly was accidentally introduced to the continental USA, a few decades ago. This roseslug is particularly problematic on rose shrubs in ornamental landscapes. Another roseslug common in the southeastern…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest