The main goal of any farmer is to ensure that his harvest is plentiful during each growing season. Farmers experience many obstacles while trying to maintain a healthy crop. One obstacle that has a massive impact is pest infestation. Insects can do substantial damage to crops and consequently burden farmers for years to come. An example of an insect that can wreak havoc on a season’s growth is the Bermudagrass Stem Maggot.
How Do I Know If I Have Bermudagrass Stem Maggots?
Hay producers and cattlemen in particular are feeling the effects of the Bermudagrass Stem Maggot. There is no denying the presence of this harmful pest. Crops begin to appear to have a layer of frost. Frost throughout the winter months is expected. However, if an entire field looks like it is covered with frost during the summer months, the farmer knows that his crops have been attacked by the Bermudagrass Stem Maggot. This maggot, the larva of a fly, feeds on the crop and damages the plant. These pests eat only the top parts of the shoot, while the lower section remains green. This results in the appearance of frost on the consumed plant.
Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Behavior
Native to Japan, Bermudagrass Stem Maggots were first discovered in Georgia in 2010. The Bermudagrass Stem Maggot has since then infested many states, even going so far as Hawaii. This maggot has caused a significant amount of damage and proves to be extremely difficult to treat. You can recognize the fly by its small yellow colored body and dark eyes. It lays eggs on the stem of the Bermuda grass near the nodes. Once the eggs are laid, the maggot eventually hatches and needs to feed. In order to feed, it burrows itself into the main shoot, begins to consume, and eventually destroys its host.
McCarthy Pest & Termite Control Treats For Bermudagrass Stem Maggots
Experts say that crops can still be harvested if caught within a week of discovering the damage. However, most farmers and homeowners are unfamiliar with this relatively new pest. They are unsure of what method to use and how to treat it over large areas. Fortunately, McCarthy Pest & Termite Control has experience with Bermudagrass Stem Maggots and can help you eradicate this latecomer. If you need help treating this or any other pest, please give us a call today to set up an appointment.
