Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233889
Title: Azalea's Worst Nightmare: The Strawberry Rootworm, Paria fargariae Wilcox

Author
item Kirker, Grant

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The strawberry rootworm (SRW), Paria fargariae Wilcox, is an emergent pest of azaleas in commercial production nurseries in the southeastern US. Larvae feed on roots but do minimal damage. Adults feed at night and make small holes in the foliage. Severe damage has been reported in many nurseries, especially in the Semmes, AL area. The biology of this pest in the southeast conflicts with the taxonomic records for this species. Ongoing research includes correct taxonomic placement of the SRW that occurs in the southeastern US, revision of basic feeding biology, and economical control recommendations that can be disseminated to growers in our area.