Turfgrass insect pest

  • We are witnessing outbreak populations of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in residential, and public lawns across Georgia at this moment (as of 30 Aug. 2021). The caterpillar stages of fall armyworm feed on the turfgrass leaf blades and stems. The turfgrass can go from a perfect green to complete brown within 2 to 3 days.…

    Posted in:
  • 1. Time to scout for gray leaf spot Gray leaf spot is a fungus disease that affects St. Augustinegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in Georgia. Hot humid summer weather and high nitrogen levels can make turf susceptible to this disease. The fungus causing the disease is Pyricularia oryzae (Magnaporthe oryzae). Symptoms: The symptoms of…

    Posted in:
  • Hunting billbug, Sphenophorous venatus vestitus (Family: Curculionidae) (Figure 1) is one of the important weevil pests of turfgrass in Georgia. It is called a billbug because of its long snout or “bill” which has small mandibles at the tip. Hunting billbug infestations in turfgrass are not easily detected until the first signs of feeding damage…

    Posted in:
  • University of Georgia is offering online, live program that will allow green industry professionals to receive world-class training while at their home or office. Logging on, watching a live presentation, and then going back to work (all while receiving CEUs) is just a few mouse clicks away. Watch as a single person in a single…

    Posted in:
  • Green industry webinars are targeted to turfgrass and ornamental industry.  These webinars update the industry with current information in pest (insect, pathogen and weeds) management, cultural practices, etc., as well as offers CEUs in GA, SC and TN . The upcoming webinars are below:   September 18, 2019, Wednesday Multi-spectral Imaging using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for…

    Posted in:
  • Author: Dr. Will Hudson, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia The invasive bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM), Atherigona reversura, has become a serious pest in GA hayfields since it appeared in 2010.  The fly is native to Asia but is now found everywhere in the US where bermudagrass is found.  The name stem maggot comes from…

    Posted in:
  • Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (Fig. 1) is a caterpillar pest of turfgrass and usually appear on our sod farms, lawns, or golf courses starting late August in Georgia. In spring and summer, adults of fall armyworm or moths fly north from Florida through weather fronts each year. They undergo several generations of moths during summer…

    Posted in: