Ornamental pests
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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…
Posted in: Turfgrass insect pest -
The two‑spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula), an invasive pest native to the Indian subcontinent, has recently expanded into the southeastern United States (Figures 1 and 2). After initial detections in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in 2023, the pest was reported in Florida in 2024 and in Georgia in 2025. Now, it is confirmed…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
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 -
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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Short-spined thrips (Thrips parvispinus) (Fig. 1) remains an insect worth watching in Georgia. Although the insect has received increasing attention because of its potential to affect ornamental plants, its current presence in Georgia’s ornamental plant industry is still being monitored. Recent observations from our surveys suggest that we are currently detecting this pest in retail…
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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 is spreading rapidly throughout Georgia and other southeastern states. Currently, it is present in nearly all southern counties and in two counties in northwest Georgia. Adults of the two-spot cotton leafhopper are small green…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
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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The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (White) (Fig. 1), is a non-native planthopper that can feed on a wide range of trees in the USA. SLF is native to China, India, and Vietnam and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. Since its initial detection, SLF has been confirmed in 17 additional states: New…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB; Fig. 1) is an invasive insect pest native to China and North and South Korea that threatens many hardwood trees in forests and landscapes in the USA. The pest is also referred to as the roundheaded borer because the segment below the head is round-shaped. The larval stages of ALB…
Posted in: Ornamental pests -
The juniper scale, Carulaspic juniperi (Fig. 1), is a sporadic pest of juniper, cypress, and cedar trees in nurseries and landscapes in Georgia. Native to Europe, the juniper scale is now widespread in the eastern US. It is an armored scale where the wax cover is not a part of the insect body but rather…
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The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Fig. 1) is an invasive pest of boxwood (Buxus spp.). It was introduced in New York in 2021 and is now reported in Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina—and a distribution center in Tennessee. It is not reported in Georgia. The native range of box tree moth…