Eumargarodes laingi

Other common names:

Not applicable.

 

Description:

Within Australia there are two species and colours of ground pearl; pink and white. Pink Adult female ground pearls are 3-5mm long, 2-4 mm wide and look like bright pink or pearly-white mealy bugs without a powdery coat. The immature stages of pink ground pearls form yellowish-brown, leathery capsules in which they live, well protected and encapsulated (Szito et al., 2015).

 

Occuring from spring to summer, ground pearls can be found deep within the soil and can remain dormant for up to 3 years. The adult females have a tendency to migrate within the soil profile to the surface following wet periods. Ground pearl can cause significant turf damage when populations are high particularly if the turf quality and rootzone is less than desirable.

 

Immature stages (cysts) and adult females of both species feed on the root systems of turfgrass species which may cause slight to severe wilting damage depending on their populations and the general health of the lawn or field. Ground pearl spread and resultant damage may increase more rapidly with cultivation or mechanical soil aerating (Szito et al., 2015).

 

Control options:

• Pesticides: There is no registered pesticides to control this pest at this time.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Nil.
• Cultural:
  • Look at alternate turf species such as green couch, carpet grass and bahiagrass that appear to be less sensitive to ground pearls (Billeisen and Brandenburg, no date).
  • If known populations of ground pearl are present within the soil, do not move turf or soil from one area to another which will spread the problem. Cultivation or aerating practices can also be problematic.
  • Maintain adequate to a high standard of nutrition and soil moisture within the turfgrass.
• Mechanical: Nil.

 

References:

• Billeisen, T. and Brandenburg, R. (no date) Ground Pearls in Turf, NC State Extension (accessed, 28 Aug 2020)
• Szito, A., Widmer, M., Poole, M. and Scanlon, P. (2015) Ground pearls - insect pests of lawns and turf, Dept of Primary Industries and Regional Development (accessed, 25 Jan 2018).

 

Disclaimer:

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