Entomology
-
The flatheaded appletree borer is a polyphagous pest—so called because it feeds on multiple tree species—native throughout North America. Flatheaded appletree borers impact specialty crops such as fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. Nursery growers in Georgia face mild to moderate levels of infestation depending on the local beetle population size and favorable environmental conditions. Adult flatheaded appletree borers are metallic greenish-bronze and appear fattened in cross-section, which causes them to produce “D” or oval-shaped exit holes as they emerge from wood; these exit holes commonly are associated with buprestid beetles. The elytra or wing covers of flatheaded appletree borer adults have markings that appear as light-colored zigzagging bands. Larvae are cream-colored and have an enlarged, fattened thoracic segment behind the darker true head of the insect—this is what gives them the flatheaded name.
|
-
The lantana lace bug, Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Tingidae: Hemiptera), is a serious pest of lantana (Lantana
camara L.). Although lantana is regarded as an invasive weed both in the United States and worldwide,
many popular cultivars continue to be planted in residential and public ornamental landscapes and gardens.
Previously, the lantana lace bug was deliberately introduced to several countries as a biological control agent for
lantana. Te lantana lace bug is also referred to as T. lantanae or T. vanduzeei in many publications. This publication covers the identification, biology, symptoms and management of lantana lace bugs.|
-
This publication is an annually-updated guide to fall gardening information and resources for Georgia. Topics include planting tall fescue lawns, soil bag flower beds, planting pansies like the pros, planting collards, turnips and cabbage, planting a home fruit orchard, mulching with leaves, gardening chores, cleaning and storing garden tools, treating for fire ants, and additional resources.
|
-
This report provides research and extension results for trials conducted by the University of Georgia Vegetable Team and its collaborators in 2022. Contributing authors include county and regional faculty as well as specialists from UGA’s horticulture, plant pathology, crop and soil sciences, and entomology departments. All research has been supported by the Georgia Commodity Commission for Vegetables.
|
-
By their nature, pesticides are hazardous and demand cautious handling. When they are used properly, however, pesticides improve the quality of our food supply, protect our health and increase our comfort with little risk to the environment and non-target living things. The most important consideration for the safe, effective use of pesticides is to follow all label directions and safety precautions.
|
-
Accidents are common when felling a tree with a chainsaw. Fortunately, most of them can be prevented. Tips for preventing kickback, barber chair, entanglement, setback, and stump jump are presented in this publication, along with techniques for safely releasing spring poles.
|
-
C 1260
Azalea Bark Scale
Azalea bark scale (ABS) poses a serious threat to azaleas, rhododendron, and Pieris (Andromedas) in Georgia. ABS is a soft scale insect; the nymph and female soft scales secrete a protective coating of waxy crust on their body that cannot be separated from the scale insect. ABS also is found on blueberry, hawthorn, huckleberry, poplar, and
willow. ABS is found in cracks or crevices in the surface of the bark, and also in areas where azalea branches fork. ABS can undergo two generations per year in Georgia.
Symptoms of ABS infestation include dropping yellow leaves and dying branches. Developing nymphs and females excrete a sugary syruplike liquid called honeydew on to the bark and leaves. As time passes, the surface of the bark, and sometimes the leaves, turns black because it gets infested with a sooty mold fungus that
feeds on the sugary secretions. The white crusts of scale insects are easily visible when the azalea bark turns completely black. An ABS infestation rarely kills the plant unless it is extremely severe and uncontrolled.|
-
The Joro spider is native to East Asia and was first detected in Georgia in 2014. It is found in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and is spreading to adjacent regions. It has one generation per year in its native range.
Adult females become sexually mature in September and early October. The female’s body is bright yellow with broad, horizontal bluish-green bands on the top side of the abdomen, and large red markings on the bottom side of the abdomen. She also has long, black legs with yellow-orange bands or—rarely—all black legs. Adult males mature by late August. The male’s cephalothorax is light brown with two dark brown long bands on both sides. His abdomen is elongate-oval with a greenish-brown topside that has two yellowish long stripes on both sides of the dark brown middle line.
Are Joros disrupting the ecosystem and displacing native species? This is a big question that a newly formed team of scientists is working on. However, we also need your help. The first thing we need to know is where Joro spiders are. Use the Joro Watch website (https://jorowatch.org) or the EDDMapS app to submit observations from parks, forests, and even your own yard. Fill out the report form and, if you can, count how many Joro spiders you see and upload pictures.
|
-
This publication discusses how to protect yourself and the areas around your home from ticks. It also includes information on common tick-borne diseases, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease.
|