Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Found In Allen County, Kentucky

STEVE OSBORNE
SCOTTSVILLE, KY.
   The bermudagrass stem maggot was found in three Allen County bermudagrass hayfields this year. It was discovered in Georgia in 2010.  Native to Japan, Indonesia, India, and Hawaii, this small fly has spread rapidly across the Southeast, causing yield and quality losses in bermudagrass pastures and hayfields. Damage varies with the growth stage of the grass; numbers of flies present, which increases during the summer; and drought stress.


Figure 1. Yellowed bermudagrass stems caused by bermudagrass stem maggot. Infested fields have a frosted appearance.
Figure 2. Close up of infested stem. The maggot usually leaves the stem before the terminal turns yellow.
Figure 3. Split infested stem showing shredded tissue and waste material produced by the maggot.


Figure 4.  Bermudagrass stem maggot flies are about 1/8-inch long. The thorax is light gray; the abdomen is yellow with some distinct dark spots.

   Maggots hatching from eggs laid on the plants attack at a node.  Feeding kills leaf blades beyond the damaged area; the lower leaves stay green.
   Research is underway to evaluate management options. While the acreage of bermudagrass grown for hay in Kentucky is small, growers should be watching for this insect in 2014. A sweep net is the best tool to use to check fields efficiently.
   Information on management of this insect is available at - http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1462/ANR-1462.pdf.∆
DR. LEE TOWNSEND: Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky
STEVE OSBORNE: Allen County Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Kentucky Extension