Grass Scales

More than 37 species of such pathogenic Grass Scales are related as parasites of Bermuda. Especially of note are rhodesgrass scale, Antonia grasses (Maskell) and bermudagrass scale, Odonaspis ruthae. Attacks are common on Bermuda and St. Augustinegrass varieties, especially in shaded areas.

Rhodegrass mealybug is rounded and dark brown, covered with a cottony discharge.

Bermudagrass scales are oval-shaped, white, common in areas with a lot of mattresses.

They are located in the nodes, the crowns where they attack and absorb the sap. Infected areas lose vitality, become discoloured in the manner of a hydric stress. The most damaging periods are those of high temperatures.

The life cycle of these insects ranges from 60 to 70 days, with up to five generations in the same year. Treatments based on a mixture of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate insecticides together with surfactants seem to be giving good results.