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Pest

Southern chinch bug

Blissus insularis

Quick reference

Pest class
insect
Host breadth
specialist
Seasonal pattern
April through October peak; multiple generations
Treatment hint
Pyrethroid contact insecticide (bifenthrin) for knockdown; neonicotinoid for residual. RESISTANCE COMMON — rotate modes of action; resistant populations need higher-priced specialty insecticides.
Source
uf_ifas_v1

ID features

Adults 4mm, black with white wing patches; nymphs orange-red. Float test (push coffee can into thatch with water) reveals them.

Damage pattern

Irregular dead patches in St. Augustine, often along sidewalk/driveway edges or sunny areas. Yellow halos around dead patches. Damage looks like drought but doesn't respond to watering.

Hosts

No hosts wired up yet.

Treatments