IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON POPULATION DYNAMICS OF ATHERIGONA REVERSURA IN GEORGIA BERMUDAGRASS
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 18, Issue 1 - June 2025
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
There is currently no published information regarding any difference in damage caused by the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM; Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] harvested as hay compared to being grazed in a pasture. The objective of this study was to determine whether harvesting forage impacted the development of adult BSM or resulting BSM damage when compared to grazing the forage. Six plots were used in a 12-week trial of stem sampling. Three pastures and three hay fields were surveyed weekly by gathering 10 grass samples and 10 insect sweep net samples to determine the average percent damage and number of adult flies, respectively. These weekly averages were tracked over the course of the study to build a damage curve to compare fields and pastures. Sites were separated into pairs for comparison of treatment versus no treatment. Overall there was a significant difference in the damage observed due to management (hay vs. grazing) (P=2.937e-06) and location (Eatonton vs. Lexington) (P=2.2e-16). Overall there is a significant correlation between damage and population (rs=.3303). We also found a significant difference between management types (p= .0085). This suggests that harvesting has a significant effect on BSM populations, therefore reducing overall damage.
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