Plant Pests and Diseases
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The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is a polyphagous caterpillar pest of ornamentals and trees in Georgia. “Polyphagous” means that it can feed on many types of food, and the fall webworm is known to feed on more than 600 species of plants, including row crops, herbaceous plants, shrubs, fruit, and ornamental trees in orchards, nurseries, and landscapes. Fall webworm larvae construct silk web nesting to facilitate feeding, to escape the attack of natural enemies, and for heat retention. The webbing is considered unsightly, and feeding on foliage inside the nest leads to extensive defoliation. The fall webworm can quickly reduce the aesthetic appeal of landscape trees and shrubs, and severe infestation can cause considerable damage to trees.
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Japanese maple scale is an insect pest of Japanese maples and several other ornamental tree species that secretes a detached waxy shell that covers the body. Infested trees in the landscape reduce the value of the property, and in nurseries, an infestation affects the marketability of the trees. This publication covers identification and management of this pest.
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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.
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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.
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The two-lined spittlebug is an important insect pest of turfgrass in Georgia, with centipedegrass being the most susceptible to infestation. It also attacks some ornamental plants, including asters, hollies, and morning glories. This publication provides management options and other information on the two-lined spittlebug, including identification and biology, host plants, damage symptoms, and control strategies.
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Rhodesgrass mealybugs are an invasive insect native to Asia that can infest more than 100 grass species including all warm-season grasses commonly used for pastures and turf in Georgia. This publication includes information about rhodesgrass mealybug identification and biology, its host plants, damage symptoms, and control strategies, including the use of parasitic wasps.
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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.
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Fairy ring is an umbrella term for a disease that can be caused by more than 60 different species of basidiomycete fungi. It is particularly damaging on golf greens, but can affect all turf species in Georgia. Infection leads to localized dry spots and nutrient imbalances. No single strategy guarantees complete control, but integrating thatch reduction, water management, fertility optimization, and targeted fungicide applications can significantly mitigate disease impact.
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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.
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