Pest and beneficial arthropods in a ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass field in north central Florida

Norman C Leppla; Kenneth L Johnson; Kevyn J Juneau; Joyce L Merritt; Christopher R Kerr; Yoana C Newman

Authors

Norman C Leppla University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Kenneth L Johnson University of Illinois, Extension, Jacksonville, IL 62650, USA
Kevyn J Juneau University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Department of Plant and Earth Science, River Falls, WI 54022, USA
Joyce L Merritt University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
Christopher R Kerr Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
Yoana C Newman University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Department of Plant and Earth Science, River Falls, WI 54022, USA;

Keywords:

harvest management, pasture pest, beneficial arthropod,

Abstract

Summary

Pest and beneficial arthropods were collected in a ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass pasture in north central Florida to assess their impact on forage production. The primary pests were Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and spittlebugs), grasshoppers, grass loopers, plant bugs, fall armyworms, and stinkbugs. Major beneficial arthropods included spiders, damsel bugs, big-eyed bugs, and small possibly parasitoid wasps. The pest populations did not increase to obvious damaging levels during 35 d growing periods after the grass had been mowed to heights of 8 or 15 cm. Thus, pest arthropods probably can be managed by grazing or periodically mowing ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass.

Sumario

Se recolectaron las plagas y los artrópodos benéficos en una pradera de pasto Bermuda ‘Tifton 85’ en la región norte central de la Florida para evaluar su impacto en la producción de forraje. Las plagas principales fueron Auchenorrhyncha (saltahojas y salivazos), saltamontes, medidores de pastos, chinches de plantas, cogollero y chinches hediondas. Los artrópodos benéficos principales incluyeron arañas, caballitos de diablo, chinches de ojos grandes (Geocoridae) y pequeñas avispas parasitoides. Las poblaciones de plagas no aumentaron a niveles evidentes de daño durante los períodos de crecimiento de 35 días después de que el césped fuera cortado a alturas de 8 ó 15 cm. Por lo tanto, los artrópodos de plagas probablemente pueden ser manejados por pastoreo o cortando periódicamente el pasto Bermuda ‘Tifton 85’.

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Author Biographies

Norman C Leppla, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Entomology and Nematology Department, Professor

Kenneth L Johnson, University of Illinois, Extension, Jacksonville, IL 62650, USA

University of Illinois, Extension, Extension Agent

Kevyn J Juneau, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Department of Plant and Earth Science, River Falls, WI 54022, USA

Department of Plant and Earth Science, Assistant Professor

Joyce L Merritt, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;

Entomology and Nematology Department, IPM Program Specialist

Christopher R Kerr, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA

Division of Plant Industry, Biological Control Program Leader,

Biological Scientist IV

Yoana C Newman, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Department of Plant and Earth Science, River Falls, WI 54022, USA;