Tag: ornamental entomology

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) has been established in 19 U.S. states since its first detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. It was confirmed in North Carolina in 2022, Tennessee in 2023, Georgia in 2024 and South Carolina in 2025. While other neighboring states in the southeastern U.S. don’t yet have confirmed established populations, the risk of establishment remains high.

Dr. Zee Ahmed (Clemson University) and his colleagues—Dr.   Shimat Joseph (University of Georgia), Dr. Midhula Gireesh (University of Tennessee), Karla Addesso (Tennessee State University) and Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia (Virginia Tech) developed a management calendar to support early detection and proactive control efforts for ornamental growers in the Southeastern U.S. This seasonal framework offers practical guidance to help growers address SLF concerns proactively from late summer 2025 through summer 2026.

Here is the link  Spotted Lanternfly Management Calendar for Ornamental Growers in the Southeastern U.S.

Mealybugs may be small, but their impact in greenhouse production can be massive. These sap-sucking pests often sneak in as nearly invisible crawlers and quickly establish persistent infestations—nestling behind leaves, burrowing into root zones, and hiding in plant debris. Once entrenched, they can be notoriously difficult to manage.

At the Turf and Ornamental Entomology Laboratory, we’ve seen firsthand how challenging mealybug outbreaks can be for growers. That’s why PhD students Powlomee Mondal and Peilin Tan, under the guidance of Dr. Zee Ahmed, compiled a comprehensive guide to help greenhouse professionals tackle these pests head-on.

What’s Inside the Strategy

In the article, Managing Mealybugs in the Greenhouse, we outline a science-based, step-by-step approach that includes:

• Accurate species identification to tailor control strategies
• Timed applications based on pest life cycles
• Rotation of systemic and contact insecticides to prevent resistance
• Sanitation protocols, including bench-washing and debris removal
• Efficacy data to guide product selection and application timing

This guide is designed to empower growers with practical, research-backed tactics that reduce pest pressure while preserving plant health and minimizing chemical overuse.

Read the Full Article

Mondal, P., Tan, P. and Ahmed, Z., 2025. How to manage mealybugs in the greenhouse. Greenhouse Management, [online] 24 June. Available at: https://www.greenhousemag.com/article/managing-mealybugs-pest-control-greenhouse/ [Accessed 4 Jul. 2025].

Grower Input Needed:

In addition to the article, Peilin Tan is conducting a brief survey to better understand the current challenges and research needs related to mealybug management in greenhouse systems. The survey consists of nine multiple-choice questions and does not collect any personal information.

We would greatly appreciate your participation:
Take the Survey

Figure 1: Scale insects.

Figure 2: Mealy bug species globally, in the USA, and in greenhouses.

Figure 3: Mealybug species considered greenhouse pests.