Identifying pests and diseases in your lawn

Commonly known as the African Black Beetle, adults are shiny black beetles approximately 12mm long. Larvae, sometimes referred to as curl grubs, are predominantly white to 25mm long. The larval stages feed on grass roots during Spring - Summer which can result in brown patches, grass easily pulled from ground and poor root structure.

Commonly known as army worms, these are the larvae of the army worm moth. They grow to approximately 40mm in length and are green-black in colour. They get their name as they usually feed in large quantities and are known to damage large areas of lawn in short periods of time. The grass leaves are stripped leaving unsightly bare patches across an otherwise healthy lawn.

Mealybugs (various species from the Pseudococcidae family) are white soft-bodied insects, approximately 2-6mm in length. They suck the sap from the grass leaves, weakening the plant structure and causing yellow and curling grass leaves. Usually only a problem in large quantities.

Two-spotted mites a tiny creature, also known as spider mites. They can be green/yellow or red/pink depending on the time of year and gender of insect. They are another sap-sucking insect, causing stress to the leaf canopy. Generally, they are not a big problem in lawns but can sometimes use lawns as a host plant before moving to fruit/vegetable or flower beds.

Fusarium patch is a winter disease, attacking lawns where night temperatures are low. This fungus thrives when temperatures are between 0-16 degrees. Fusarium rots the grass to ground level, leaving a slimy yellowish looking grass.

Damping-off is the process of seeds or seedlings rotting caused by a fungi or bacteria. The rot can occur around the base of the stem or move from the roots to the stem. This disease thrives in wet humid conditions causing grass to wilt, wither and die off.

The symptoms of Dollar Spot are caused by various types of fungi which leave grass dead in small patches, usually smaller than 50mm on shorter cut lawns but can increase larger in lawns mowed at a longer height. Common in areas that receive heavy dews, sometimes appears at white fluffy fungal growth on dewy turf.

Rust (Puccinia and Uromyces species) is a fungal disease which causes orange-red spots on the grass blades. A closer inspection will reveal raised pustules of with bright orange, powdery spores.

Commonly known as ‘red thread, Laetisaria Fuciformis is recognised by spotted patchy areas of grass. Some leaf areas are light brown and dead, whilst other areas are unaltered. The fungi is recognised by the pink-red thread which has a jellylike appearance.