Bermudagrass stem maggot

Abstract

The bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM; Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) has infested and damaged bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hayfields throughout the southeastern United States. Eight Cynodon cultivars were tested and it was determined that the number and percent of tillers damaged depends on cultivar, but an average 7.7% decrease in total dry biomass was observed for all cultivars. Unfortunately, there is no information available on the reproductive potential of the BSM. Adult flies dissected from various regions in Georgia and Florida demonstrated that the reproductive morphology resembled A. soccata and the total number of ovarioles varied with region. To provide information on morphological differences among Cynodon cultivars, eight characteristics were compared, and it was concluded that C. dactylon have denser, lighter green, finer-textured canopies while C. nlemfuensis Vanderyst had less leaf density, were darker green, and more robust. Cultivar tolerance appears to be the best IPM strategy to implement for BSM control.