Turfgrass insect pest
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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…
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Pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei) has not yet been confirmed in Georgia. 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,…
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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…
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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…
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White grubs (Figure 1) are among the most destructive insect pests of turfgrass in Georgia and throughout the southeastern United States. These pests are the larval stages of several scarab beetle species, including Japanese beetles, green June beetles, and masked chafers (Figure 2). Grubs live in the soil and feed on turfgrass roots, causing patches…
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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…
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Cotton Jassid, Amrasca biguttula (Fig. 1), is native to the Indian subcontinent and has become an invasive pest in Georgia. It was first found in Florida and is gradually spreading throughout Georgia. Currently, it is present in many counties in the state (Fig. 2). Adults of the two-spot cotton leafhopper are small green insects with…
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False oleander scale (FOS), Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Fig. 1), is an invasive armored scale species native to China. It is prevalent in Georgia and poses a significant threat as a pest in ornamental nurseries. FOS primarily infests the leaves of plants, appearing as white spots (Fig. 2). As armored scales, they spend their entire lives inserting their…
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European hornets (Vespa crabro) are widespread across the eastern United States. Native to Europe and Asia, they were introduced to North America in the mid-1800s. This hornet is the largest species in the U.S. and is particularly common in Georgia. It is also known as the brown or giant hornet. In 2019, the northern giant…
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The tent caterpillars (Malacosoma spp.; Lepidoptera; Lasiocampidae) are distributed widely in tropical and temperate regions. Originally, tent caterpillars were placed in the genus Bombyx, but in 1820, the genus was changed to Malacosoma (Latin word: malakos -soft; soma – body). The common name of the tent caterpillar is derived from the tent-like silk structure built…
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