Turf and Ornamental Entomology Laboratory

06/08/2026

Our Turf & Ornamental Entomology Lab will be at Southeast Green tomorrow at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Zee Ahmed will be presenting “Sustainable Management of Turf and Ornamental Pests” on June 9 from 10:15–12:15 in Grand Hall 4. Looking forward to sharing updates on invasive pests and practical management strategies for the Southeast. Clemson ExtensionClemson University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic

06/06/2026

New World Screwworm update for South Carolina

Sharing this alert because it matters for our field. New World Screwworm has been confirmed in Texas, and states across the Southeast are watching movement closely. It is not a turf pest, but our turf and ornamental community works outdoors every day and often sees pets, livestock, and wildlife on the properties we manage. That puts our sector in a strong position to notice a wound that does not heal or maggots in fresh tissue.

Early eyes in the landscape help protect South Carolina. Our program tracks invasive species movement across the region, and this pest fits the same early‑warning system we use for other high‑risk threats. Clemson ExtensionClemson University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic

New World Screwworm has not been detected in Georgia, but livestock and pet owners should remain vigilant following a recent detection in Zavala County, TX.

Monitor animals for signs of infestation, including non-healing wounds, unusual discharge, or maggots in wounds.

Suspected cases should be reported immediately to the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Division at 404-656-3667 or [email protected].

Learn more: https://agr.georgia.gov/new-world-screwworm & screwworm.gov

06/05/2026

International Biotechnology Workshop – June 5, 2026

The Clemson University P*e Dee REC hosted 60 students from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) and partner programs abroad as part of the International Biotechnology Workshop. Students moved through the four research stations, Molecular Breeding, Phenomics, Soil Health, and Entomology, following the structured rotation schedule.

Our Turf & Ornamental Entomology group delivered the entomology module. Peilin Tan, Powlomee Mondal, and Nisha Yadav used active project examples and our arthropod collections to show the applied side of insect science: most insects are not pests, chemical control is not the first tool, and natural enemies provide measurable suppression of pest populations. The students engaged directly with biological control examples and saw how entomology supports real management decisions in turf and ornamental systems.

We acknowledge Dr. Sachin Rustgi for coordinating the workshop and ensuring smooth transitions across all research units.

Clemson Extension@followersClemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life SciencesClemson Extension Horticulture

06/05/2026

New World Screwworm Confirmed in the United States

New World screwworm has been confirmed in the United States.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins briefed the House Agriculture Committee and noted that several response actions are already in progress.

Rollins emphasized that this pest does not pose any challenge to food safety.

For South Carolina, this update reinforces the importance of early detection and rapid diagnostic capacity.

The Turf and Ornamental Entomology Lab at Clemson University continues to monitor invasive and emerging pests that may affect our state and remains prepared to support partners if surveillance needs increase.

Clemson Extension@followersClemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life SciencesSouth Carolina Green Industry AssociationClemson Extension Horticulture

06/05/2026

A big upgrade for our Entomology Turf and Ornamental research! 🎉

Our new Turf Gator has officially arrived! From hauling equipment and supplies to checking research plots across the station, this vehicle will help us work more efficiently and cover a lot of ground every day. It will help provide valuable information and recommendations to growers, industry professionals, and homeowners throughout South Carolina. We’re looking forward to putting it to work!

06/03/2026

Pasture mealybug is now confirmed in Texas and Louisiana, and its movement across warm‑season grasses means it could reach South Carolina pastures and landscapes sooner than many expect. Clemson Extension

05/28/2026

The pasture mealybug is an emerging invasive pest now causing serious pasture loss in Texas. It reproduces fast and feeds on many grasses. It moves easily on hay, equipment, livestock, soil and wind. No validated control program exists. South Carolina should assume eventual introduction. The risk is not limited to pastures. Urban landscapes with warm microclimates, irrigated turf and ornamental grasses can support early establishment and unnoticed spread. Early detection, clean movement of materials and rapid reporting remain the only effective tools at this stage. Clemson ExtensionClemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life SciencesSouth Carolina Green Industry AssociationClemson Extension HorticultureAmerican Floral Endowment (AFE)University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

A warm, wet spring has created near-ideal conditions for several damaging insects across parts of Texas, said an AgriLife Extension expert.

Read the Texas Crop & Weather Report and find out what pests are putting pressure on Texas crops: tx.ag/CW052726

05/28/2026

05/22/2026

Clemson Turfgrass team spent the day at the Sporting Clays event at the Clinton House. Dr. Bert McCarty, Dr. Joe Roberts, Dr. Alejandra Sierra and I met with industry partners to discuss current turf issues and ongoing program needs. Clemson ExtensionClemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life SciencesSouth Carolina Green Industry AssociationClemson Extension HorticultureAmerican Floral Endowment (AFE)