Preference among Turfgrass Genera and Cultivars for Colonization by Rhodesgrass Mealybug, Antonina graminis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

摘要

The Rhodesgrass mealybug (Antonina graminis) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is resurging as an important pest of turfgrass across Texas and the Southeastern United States. This mealybug is known to feed on many warm-season turfgrasses and pasturegrasses. Twenty-seven cultivars from nine genera of turfgrass were evaluated for susceptibility and preference by the mealybug. Cultivars of kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) were significantly more susceptible than cultivars of seven other genera of turfgrass. Cultivars of St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm], and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.), each exhibited susceptibility of >2 mealybugs per 7.5 x 7.5-cm plant. Populations did not exceed <= 0.5 mealybug per plant on centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.], seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb)