Entomology
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The Georgia Pest Management Handbook gives current information on selection, application and safe use of pest control chemicals. The handbook has recommendations for pest control on farms, around homes, urban areas, recreational areas, and other environments in which pests may occur. Cultural, biological, physical, and other types of control are recommended where appropriate.
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Accurately distinguishing insect pests from beneficial arthropods is a critical component in the implementation of an effective and sustainable pest management program. This circular provides a succinct and practical summary of natural enemies commonly found in pecan orchards in the Southeast U.S.
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Whiteflies are common and recurrent insect pests of cotton in Georgia. The severity of whitefly damage varies from year to year based on the size of the pest population. The most abundant species of whitefly found infesting cotton in Georgia is Bemisia tabaci, commonly known as the silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) or sweet potato whitefly. Another species, bandedwinged whitefly (Trialeurodes abutiloneus), may also be present in Georgia cotton. This publication highlights whitefly biology, damage, sampling procedures, control methods, and tips for managing risk in cotton.
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The success of the Southeast Boll Weevil Eradication Program has played a major role in the recent revival of Georgia’s cotton industry. Along with these economic benefits, the remarkable success of the eradication program
has led to a significant decrease in insecticide use in Georgia cotton, and to substantial environmental benefits to growers and residents of the state.|
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This report provides research and extension results for trials conducted by the University of Georgia Vegetable Team and its collaborators in 2023. 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.
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Gloomy scale is a serious insect pest that affects maple trees in urban Georgia, but it can go undetected for years. Affected trees can show branch dieback and canopy thinning after 6–10 years, when the population reaches extremely high densities. A waxy shield covering protects females from predators and insecticide exposure, and usually gives them a convex shape.
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Oak lecanium, Parthenolecanium quercifex (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is a common soft scale insect pest of oak trees and other woody plants. They infest trees under high stress, such as those planted in parking lots, greenscapes, and other urban areas. Like other soft scale insects, oak lecanium scales feed on tree sap, and they excrete the excess sugars as honeydew. Sooty mold fungus grows on honeydew, and its black color blocks sunlight and interrupts photosynthesis. Although lecanium scales have little immediate impact on twigs and branches, extensive infestation and subsequent feeding damage may weaken or kill the tree over time. The problems with lecanium scale are worsened in urban landscapes where local temperatures are generally higher. Higher temperatures decrease the relative number of parasites that feed on scale insects, and the high densities of surviving females continue to produce viable eggs.
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This publication is a guide to 110 common pest insects found in and around the home, including prevention and treatment options.
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Scale insects are very common pests of landscape trees and shrubs, yet they often are overlooked when scouting. They can, however, be responsible for chlorosis (loss of green coloration of plants due to lack of chlorophyll), branch dieback, or death of the plant. Wax scales are part of the soft scale group as they produce soft, cottony, powdery, or waxy covers that cannot be separated from the scale body. Indian wax scale and Florida wax scale are the common wax scale species that occur in Georgia. Indian wax scale is prevalent in the eastern U.S. from Florida to Maryland. Florida wax scale is found from Florida to New York and westward to New Mexico.
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