XIII.  Ornamental, Lawn and Turf Insects

W. G. Hudson, S. K. Braman, R. D. Oetting, and B. L. Sparks

Ornamental production of floricultural crops is primarily under greenhouse culture and has spring and fall pest problems.  There is a limited amount of field production of cut flowers with similar problems as greenhouse production.  The most difficult pest to manage on floricultural crops was western flower thrips.  Failure to control thrips was reported with all management strategies reported.  This is primarily a spring problem but can be severe in the fall.  Mites are increasing in difficulty to manage with insecticides especially in warm seasons.  The greenhouse whitefly is more prevalent on fall crops.  This increase is believed to be a result of less susceptibility to imidacloprid, the primary insecticide used to control silverleaf whitefly.  Other strategies must be used to control greenhouse whitefly.  The use of good sanitation, exclusion and other cultural practices are encouraged to reduce the incidence of pest problems and the need for pesticides.

In 1996, the major insect problems on woody ornamentals, both in home landscapes and  commercial landscape maintenance, included various species of borers, scale insects, mites, lace bugs, foliage feeding beetles and whiteflies.   Borer damage was noted on many different species of ornamental trees and shrubs during the year.  Damage due to the Asian ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, was found in greater incidence and on a wide range of host plants in nursery production and landscapes.  An increase in perennial production resulted in an increase in aphids, thrips and whiteflies as well as leaf and flea beetles.  Japanese beetle populations were higher in 1996 than in previous years in the northern half of the state, and associated damage and control costs in both nursery production and landscape situations increased significantly.  Spider mite aphid and scale insect problems were severe and widespread throughout the state all year.

The turf industry in Georgia (includes production, sales, installation and maintenance) is estimated to be worth in excess of $1.4 billion annually.  There are currently 368 golf courses in operation in the state, with more under construction or in planning.  There are over 740 football fields, over 16,000 acres of turf on school grounds (public and private), and over 25,000 acres of turf in parks.  All total, there are an estimated 1.3 million acres of turfgrass in the state.  Increasing urbanization and emphasis on expanding recreational opportunities statewide should lead to continued strong demand for quality sod in the future.  Sod production accounts for over 15,000 acres in Georgia, and the trend toward increasing acreage devoted to this crop will continue as long as the demand is there.

Although mole crickets are found only in the coastal plain region of Georgia, they are so destructive and difficult to control that almost half of the losses from insect pests in turf statewide are due to these pests.  Dry weather during the spring and early summer affected survival of young nymphs in 1996 but some significant problems developed later.  Caterpillar problems were widespread but sporadic in 1996.  Spittlebugs continue to be severe pests, and problems from these insects in centipede grass were significantly higher in 1996.  Damage from Japanese beetle continues as populations of this introduced pest continue to increase.