Entomology Resources
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Tawny crazy ants have proven to be a major nuisance to Georgia residents. This publication helps readers identify these ants and provides guidance for pest management professionals to manage and eliminate them.
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This publication will educate pest management professionals about pesticides and instill vigilance in their handling and use. In order to understand how to use chemical pest control products responsibly, PMPs must have a basic understanding of the various definitions associated with pesticides, be able to interpret labels and material safety data sheets (including principles of toxicity), be aware of their own
safety, understand the mode of action (i.e., how pesticides work) of the various active ingredients they use, and be aware of differences in formulation types.|
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Several dozen insect species infest food and non-food products of plant and animal origin commonly found in homes. Collectively, this group of insects is referred to as stored product pests. Most are small beetles or moths. For homeowners, often the first sign of a stored product pest infestation is the sudden, unexplained and then persistent presence of numerous insects in a particular area of the home.
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Carpenter ants are so-called because of their habit of chewing wood to create nest sites. They do not eat wood, like termites, but they excavate it with their strong, saw-like jaws to create random galleries where they nest. Carpenter ants are also a nuisance because of their abundance and large size.
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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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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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