Entomology
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Imported fire ants interfere with outdoor activities and harm wildlife throughout the southern U.S. Ant mounds are unsightly and may reduce land values. Although fire ants do prey on flea larvae, chinch bugs, cockroach eggs, ticks and other pests, the problems they cause usually outweigh any benefits in urban areas. While it is not possible to eradicate this species, controlling fire ants is highly desirable. The best control programs use a combination of non-chemical and chemical methods that are effective, economical and least harmful to the environment.
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Many species of insects or mites attack Georgia landscape plants. Homeowners have difficulty controlling these pests because they often are not aware of the problem until both the infestation and the damage are extensive, or they may apply insecticides improperly or at the wrong time. Brief descriptions of major groups of pests (or the damage they cause) found on Georgia landscape plants are provided to assist with identification. Control strategies for these pests are presented in Table 1.
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C 1213
Georgia Fireflies
Georgia is home to over 50 species of fireflies, more than any other U.S. state. Also known as lightning bugs, the insects’ “dancing light” patterns are an important, and nostalgic, part of Georgia summer evenings. To protect fireflies and ensure that we continue to enjoy their presence in the landscape, it is important to understand their lifecycle and habitat needs.
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Mosquitoes are one of the most common insect pests that homeowners encounter. This circular introduces a few of the basic techniques and materials that homeowners can use to safely reduce mosquito populations around the home. Becoming familiar with mosquito biology is the first step in using an integrated pest management approach to efficiently and effectively reduce mosquito populations. By learning about mosquito biology, source reduction, surveillance and control, homeowners can become active participants in their own mosquito control program. An integrated approach is the most effective way for homeowners to reduce mosquito populations and reduce the need for pesticide applications in their community.
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C 1174
Pecan Management
This circular is a calendar-based management reference for pecan production in the Southeastern U.S. It provides an easy-to-use graphical guide for management decisions regarding crop phenology, irrigation and fertilization requirements, disease, and insect and mite arthropod pest management. It also includes information on production activities including timing for planting, harvesting, and nutrient sampling. Information on bearing and non-bearing trees are provided to address the different management requirements for these orchards. Temporally precise management decisions on horticultural activities, disease suppression, and insect pest control will maximize efficiency, improve tree health, optimize crop quality and yield, and promote ecological and economic sustainability.
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Crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp., are popular landscape shrubs and small trees. Native to China, Japan, and Korea southward to Oceania, crape myrtles have been cultivated in the U.S. for more than 175 years. Cultivars range from 3-ft shrubs to 30-ft-tall trees, and they are graced with large panicles of white, pink, lavender, purple, red, and many colors in between. Among cultivars, crape myrtles have a wide range of tolerance to key pests and diseases, such as powdery mildew, flea beetles, crape myrtle aphids, and Japanese beetles. The plant’s flowers are widely admired by humans and can serve as nectar and pollen sources for pollinators. With the recent decline in pollinator health and diversity, pollinator visitation, pest susceptibility, and horticultural attributes should all be considered when choosing crape myrtle cultivars for home and commercial landscapes.
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The silverleaf whitefly, also known as the sweet potato whitefly or Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), attacks a wide range of plants, from ornamentals to warm-season vegetables. Whiteflies are active from mid-July to mid-October and are found gathered together on the underside of leaves during the daytime. Although 76 whitefly species are known to exist in the Southeastern U.S., only a few species cause serious problems in greenhouses and nurseries. These species include the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), banded wing whitefly (Trialeurodes abutiloneus), giant whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii), citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citri), cloudywinged whitefly (Dialeurodes citrifolii), and the silverleaf or sweet potato whitefly. Among several whitefly species, the silverleaf whitefly, particularly biotype B, is the most common and most destructive whitefly species in
nurseries in the Southeastern U.S.|
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Many people view wetlands as “wastelands,” having few virtues. But it is now known that wetlands provide many useful services, from improving water quality to providing habitat for important fish and wildlife. These kinds of benefits would be costly to create, so maintaining natural wetlands is good for both the economy and the environment. Many smaller wetlands occur in Georgia farmlands, and many of the values provided by wetlands benefit Georgia farmers. This bulletin highlights the key virtues of wetlands to agriculture, describing how wetlands associated with Georgia farms can contribute to agricultural value.
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