The Bermudagrass Stem Maggot ( Atherigona reversura Villeneuve): A Review of Current Knowledge

Abstract

Since first being discovered in southern Georgia in July 2010, the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM; Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) has infested and damaged forage bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] throughout the southeastern United States. This review summarizes the available literature on the BSM and provides additional insight from other Atherigona spp. that are closely related to this exotic species. Additional research is underway to better understand the lifecycle of the BSM, confirm and quantify the degree of preference the BSM exhibits for the different bermudagrass varieties, and quantify the severity of damage in yield, quality, and aesthetics.

Quantifying the Damage Potential of the Bermudagrass Stem Maggot

“…This was likely a consequence of the artificial growing environment. Still, the results of this study are consistent with previous research, which shows that fine-textured bermudagrass varieties tend to be more heavily damaged than those that are coarse textured (Baxter et al, 2014(Baxter et al, , 2015Ikeda et al, 1991).…”

“…is one of the primary warm‐season forage crops grown in the southeastern United States, covering ∼1.2 million ha in Georgia alone. Unfortunately, the recent invasion of the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM, Atherigona reversura Villenueve) has damaged bermudagrass pastures and hayfields throughout the region (Baxter et al, 2014). The larval feeding outwards from the terminal node of the plant kills the top two to three leaves on the stem, stopping growth of the damaged tillers and potentially reducing the number of tillers on the plant (Baxter et al, 2014).…”

“…Unfortunately, the recent invasion of the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM, Atherigona reversura Villenueve) has damaged bermudagrass pastures and hayfields throughout the region (Baxter et al, 2014). The larval feeding outwards from the terminal node of the plant kills the top two to three leaves on the stem, stopping growth of the damaged tillers and potentially reducing the number of tillers on the plant (Baxter et al, 2014). Since its 2010 discovery in southern Georgia, the BSM has spread throughout the southeastern United States, damaging bermudagrass hayfields and pastures as far north as North Carolina and Kentucky and as far west as Texas (Baxter et al, 2014).…”

“…The larval feeding outwards from the terminal node of the plant kills the top two to three leaves on the stem, stopping growth of the damaged tillers and potentially reducing the number of tillers on the plant (Baxter et al, 2014). Since its 2010 discovery in southern Georgia, the BSM has spread throughout the southeastern United States, damaging bermudagrass hayfields and pastures as far north as North Carolina and Kentucky and as far west as Texas (Baxter et al, 2014). There is still much to learn about the BSM, but a detailed history is available in Baxter et al (2014, 2017).…”

“…Since its 2010 discovery in southern Georgia, the BSM has spread throughout the southeastern United States, damaging bermudagrass hayfields and pastures as far north as North Carolina and Kentucky and as far west as Texas (Baxter et al, 2014). There is still much to learn about the BSM, but a detailed history is available in Baxter et al (2014, 2017).…”