Bluegrass billbug damage was beginning to appear in some parts of the country as of early August 2000. The symptoms are similar to drought stress. However, examination of the plants will reveal (if caused by the billbug), that the shoots have been chewed off at the crown.
Bluegrass billbug damage should begin to become apparent in early July. However, in areas of the U.S. where moisture has not been limiting, the turfgrass has probably grown out of the damage. In areas where moisture has been limiting, symptoms will appear. Bluegrass billbug damage looks similar to drought damage. Detection of billbug damage is accomplished through the tugging of the leaves. If the stems break off at the crown when lightly tugged on (as if the plants have been chewed off), billbug could be the culprit. Often present at the end of the hollowed out stem is a sawdust-like material, fras, that is a sign the billbug larvae has been there.
European pine shoot moth causes shoots to fall. During spring the moth can be found in the shoots. Oftentimes infested shoots exude resin. This insect will move from overwintering sites to new shoots beginning in April for most of the northern U.S.
The bronze birch borer overwinters as larvae in the trunks of birch trees. In the spring, the larvae pupate with adult emergence in May or June (depends on the geographical region). During this time adults mate and lay eggs in the cracks on the tree trunk. The eggs hatch and the larvae begin to eat into the trunks.
Mole crickets are a serious insect pest on turfgrasses in the southeastern U.S. The two most common species are the southern mole cricket (Scapteriscus borelli) and the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus). Both species were introduced by accident from South America in the early 1900s. These species burrow through the soil at night chewing on roots and pulling stems and leaves down into their burrows to be consumed. Bermudagrass, bahiagrass and St. Augustinegrass are the most susceptible species to mole cricket attack.
Adult mole crickets will take flight during early spring (February to July, depending on the species). During flight the mole crickets are looking to mate. After mating the female lays the eggs in burrows dug in the soil. The eggs hatch approximately three weeks after laying. The nymphs hatch and move to the surface to feed.
Various species of lace bug damage tree and ornamental species including sycamore, oak, hawthorn, walnut, azalea and rhododendron. Symptoms appear as small yellow spots on the upper leaf blade. On the bottom side where the insects reside and feed, black excrement is present which is a diagnostic tool.