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St. Augustinegrass

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Stenotaphrum secundatum

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The southern chinch bug is the most important insect pest of St. Augustinegrass in Florida, but may also feed on other turfgrasses and weeds. Adults are about 3/16 inch long and are black with white patches on the wings. The young (nymphs) range from 1/16 inch long to nearly adult size. Small nymphs are reddish-orange with a white band across the back, but older nymphs and adults have black bodies. They live in the thatch and suck fluids from the crowns, stems and stolons with their needle-like mouthparts. Infested grass turns yellow, then a burnt-reddish color, and dies. Chinch bugs tend to feed in groups, so dead patches of grass appear and seem to get larger as the insects spread through the grass. Severe damage tends to occur from March through November in southern Florida and from April through October in northern Florida.

Publications

Gray Leaf Spot of St. Augustinegrass: Cultural and Chemical Management Options

Philip F. Harmon

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns

Laurie E. Trenholm, Travis W. Shaddox, Laurie Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Travis W. Shaddox, andKevin E. Kenworthy
Other Contacts: Henrique Mayer andA. J. Lindsey

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [Walt.] Kuntze) is widely adapted to the warm, humid (subtropical) regions of the world. It is believed to be native to the coastal regions of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean. St. Augustinegrass is the most commonly used lawn grass in Florida (Figure 1). This publication is intended for homeowners and turfgrass managers that manage St. Augustinegrass in the state of Florida.

Mosaic Disease and Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN) of St. Augustinegrass Caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus

Philip F. Harmon

Mosaic disease of St. Augustinegrass was first reported in the 1960s in sugarcane producing areas of Palm Beach County, Florida. In the 10 years prior to 2013, less than 5 samples with mild symptoms were brought to the attention of the extension turfgrass pathologist. But in September 2013, an outbreak of the disease occurred in Pinellas County. Leaf symptoms included mosaic, but turned necrotic and the severe dieback that completely killed some infected lawns. In September 2014, lawns infected in 2013 and new lawns started dying in both Pinellas and Palm Beach Counties. Despite the similarity of symptoms to another St. Augustinegrass decline (SAD), as of November 2014, all samples have tested negative for SAD, and positive for presence of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus.