Insect Identification

African Black Beetle

Scientific Name: Heteronychus arato

General Description: The adult beetle is mostly seen as a shiny black, stout bodied beetle approximately 10-15 mm long. Newly hatched larvae are about 5 mm long with six legs, white bodies and pale brown heads. Fully grown larvae are 25-30 mm in length with a creamy-white body and light brown head.

Seasons of Activity: Spring and Summer

Key Distinguishing Feature: The Larvae does the most damage to turf. Once the beetle lays the egg it crawls to the surface and dies shortly after.

Key Products for Control: Acelepryn Insecticide 15mL/100m2 in 6-10Ltrs water then water in

Acelepryn GR Insecticide 1.5Kg/100m2 then water in

Lawn Grub, Lawn Army Worm

Scientific Name: Spodoptera mauriti

General Description: Fully grown larvae grow up to 45mm long and 7mm wide, with an inflated brown/green sausage-like appearance with a body width much greater than that of the head capsule. They possess three pairs of walking legs on the thorax and five pairs of fleshy 'pro-legs' on the abdomen. If disturbed, they curl into a tight spiral.

Seasons of Activity: Spring/Summer

Key Distinguishing Feature: Army Worm spend their days in the thatch of turf grass below the leaf and come up at night to feed.

Key Products for Control: Acelepryn Insecticide 15mL/100m2 in 6-10Ltrs water then water in

Acelepryn GR Insecticide 1.5Kg/100m2 then water in

Couch Mite

Scientific Name: Aceria cynodoniensis

General Description: Couch mite are very small and difficult to see without the use of a microscope. They are more easily identified by the damage they cause to turf grass.

Seasons of Activity: Couch mites are active throughout summer, particularly during hot and dry conditions. 

Key Distinguishing Feature: Turf affected by couch mite become severely stunted often taking on the appearance of a witches broom

Key Products for Control: Malice Duo - 14mL/100m2

Mealybug

Scientific Name: Pseudococcidae

General Description: Males are small aphid-like winged insects. Female adults are oval-shaped and covered by a white waxy coating giving them a mealy appearance, and are around 3 mm long. They form colonies on shoots, stems, and leaves, developing into white masses.

Seasons of Activity: Mealybugs prefer mild warm conditions with temperatures around 25°C and high humidity. Populations can build rapidly if conditions become favourable as conditions cool into autumn.

Key Distinguishing Feature: Mealybugs excrete a sticky substance called honey dew, providing a perfect medium for sooty mould growth.

Key Products for Control: Recruit - 25mL/100m2

Rumbler - 12-44mL/100m2