Entomology Resources
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The granulate ambrosia beetle (previously known as the Asian ambrosia beetle) is a serious pest of woody ornamental nursery plants, fruit trees, and shrubs in Georgia. This publication provides information on identification and biology, host plants, damage symptoms, and control strategies for this aggressive pest.
William G. Hudson, Paul Pugliese, and Shimat V. Joseph
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C 1130
Armyworms in Sod
It is not unusual for fall armyworms to infest newly planted sod in a home landscape, especially during late summer to fall. Not all fall armyworm problems originate from sod farms but instead begin near the home landscape where sod is installed. This resource explains the biology and seasonality of fall armyworm in Georgia and discusses possible management strategies to mitigate infestation.
Shimat V. Joseph, William G. Hudson, and Clint Waltz
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The grass lace bug is a pest of ornamental grasses in Georgia and thrives in warm, dry conditions. This publication provides information about how to identify and manage this pest.
William G. Hudson, S. Kris Braman, and Shimat V. Joseph
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Many residents and properties in Georgia have a significant number of pecan trees or small backyard orchards. While pecan trees in commercial orchards are meticulously managed, noncommercial growers encounter challenges in applying the same level of intensive management to their own pecan trees. This guide provides essential tasks specifically designed for the care of these backyard trees.
Lenny Wells, Andrew Sawyer, Apurba Barman, and Robyn Stewart
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Chilli thrips is an invasive thrips species in the United States. Chilli thrips infest more than 150 crops worldwide, including strawberries, cotton, tea, citrus, and peppers, as well as many ornamental plants. The pest has become increasingly problematic in nurseries because of its wide host range, small size, and rapid reproduction and development. In Georgia, chilli thrips were first reported in 2007.
William G. Hudson, Shimat V. Joseph, and Alejandra Monterrosa
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Hunting billbug, Sphenophorous venatus vestitus (Family: Curculionidae) is an important weevil pest of turfgrass in Georgia. It’s 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, such as discoloration or irregular patches, appear scattered across the turfgrass. Although hunting billbugs attack all major turfgrass genotypes, damage on zoysia grass cultivars can be particularly serious. In addition to hunting billbug, several other species of billbugs are found in warm-season turfgrass including the lesser billbug, S. minimus, and uneven billbug, S. inaequalis.
Midhula Gireesh, Shimat V. Joseph, and William G. Hudson
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B 1331
Canola Production in Georgia
This publication covers best management practices for canola production in Georgia. Growing canola profitably takes planning and good management, from seed selection to harvest to marketing.
G. David Buntin, Timothy Branner Brenneman, Timothy Lane Grey, James W. Buck, Eric P. Prostko, and Amanda R Smith
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Scale insects are common pests of landscape trees and shrubs that are often overlooked when scouting. Scales can be responsible for chlorosis, branch die-back, and ultimately, plant death. Scales are broadly categorized as either soft scales or armored scales. Soft scales produce a soft, cottony, powdery, or waxy substance that cannot be separated from the scale body. Common soft scales in Georgia include Indian wax scales, Florida wax scales, brown soft scales, oak lecanium scales, magnolia scales, cottony maple scales, cottony camellia scales, cottony cushion scales, and azalea bark scales. Armored scales have a hard, shield-like cover that is not attached to the body of the insect. Common armored scales in Georgia include tea scales, euonymus scales, obscure scales, false oleander scales, juniper scales, and gloomy scales.
William G. Hudson, S. Kris Braman, and Shimat V. Joseph
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The red-headed flea beetle is a serious insect pest in ornamental nurseries. It is also referred to as the “cranberry flea beetle” in cranberry and blueberry systems in the Northern U.S. The adult beetle causes serious feeding damage to the foliage of a variety of woody and herbaceous container plants in nurseries. As the name suggests, the flea beetle jumps when disturbed, similar to a dog flea. A native pest, this insect is present in central and eastern U.S. regions.
William G. Hudson and Shimat V. Joseph
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