Figure 1. Feeding results first in a small yellow chlorotic spot surrounded within 24 hours by a ring of watersoaked tissue.
(Click on image to see a larger photo.)
Received from:
Gregg Nuessly, Russell Nagata and Robert Beiriger
Everglades Research and Education Center
UF/IFAS 3200
East Palm Beach Rd.
Belle Glade, FL 33430
561-993-1500
FAX: 561-993-1582
gnuessly@ufl.edu
Brian Scully
Indian River Research and Education Center
UF/IFAS
Susan Halbert
Bureau of Entomology, Nematology & Plant Pathology
Division of Plant Industry - FDACS
PO Box 147100
Gainesville, FL 32614-7100
352-372-3505 x 185
FAX: 352-334-0737
halbers@doacs.state.fl.us
The aphid Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), commonly known as the greenbug, was discovered feeding and causing damage to Paspalum vaginatum (seashore Paspalum cv SeaDwarf) grown outdoors in flats at the Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, Florida on October 27, 2003. This may be the first record of greenbug causing damage to this turfgrass species. While this aphid is known from other Paspalum species, a literature search failed to find citations of this insect feeding on P. vaginatum. The Division of Plant Industry also has no previous record of greenbug feeding on seashore Paspalum in Florida.
The aphid feeds and reproduces on leaves and stems, but prefers locations along the midrib of the upper leaf surface. Feeding results first in a small yellow chlorotic spot surrounded within 24 hr by a ring of watersoaked tissue (fig. 1). The spots enlarge, become brighter yellow and coalesce with other feeding spots within a few days. The midrib becomes necrotic as the spots cover the majority of the leaf surface. Feeding near the ends of leaves results in characteristic brown necrotic leaf tips bordered below by bright yellow bands (fig. 2). These damaged tips present an obvious contrast to the rich green color of 'SeaDwarf'. Aphids vacate heavily damaged leaves in favor of green leaves. Turfgrass damage progresses as the colony expands outward with loss of acceptable foliage. Heavily damaged patches of turfgrass appear thin or sparsely planted with little green tissue (fig. 3).
Figure 1. Feeding results first in a small yellow chlorotic spot surrounded within 24 hours by a ring of watersoaked tissue.
(Click on image to see a larger photo.)
Figure 2. Feeding near the ends of leaves results in characteristic brown necrotic leaf tips.
(Click on image to see a larger photo.)
Figure 3. Heavily damaged patches of turfgrass appear thin or sparsely planted with little green tissue
(Click on image to see a larger photo.)
Greenbugs on this grass are small, elongate oval-shaped with head and first part of thorax straw to pale green with light to medium green abdomen. A darker green stripe down the middle of the top surface of the abdomen is most visible on last instar nymphs and adults. The siphunculi are pale with slightly flared and darkened tips. Winged aphids (fig. 4) are produced as crowding and damage symptoms increase.
Figure 4. Winged aphids are produced as crowding and damage symptoms increase.
Please report previous citations and new sightings to the authors. See contact information above