Southeast region pest watch
The long growing season in the Southeast means lots of flowers and a plentiful harvest—unless pests take over. We asked two regional experts and they shared three pests that can wreak havoc on your garden and that Southeast gardeners should watch for.
Regional Experts:
Shimat Joseph
Associate Professor of Entomology,University of Georgia
Alton Sparks
Professor of Entomology, University of Georgia
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Larger canna leafroller Calpodes ethlius
Eggs laid by the 1-inch brown Brazilian skipper butterfly hatch and grow into this 2-inch-long translucent green caterpillar with an orange head. Both are active in summer, and there are two generations per year.
What it eats
Cannas (Canna spp. and hybrids) are by far the favorite plant of this butterfly’s pesky larvae. It will occasionally feed on Indian arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea).
Damage
The caterpillar secures part of the canna leaf around itself with a silk strand for protection while feeding. Generally, it stays on the same leaf, eating and molting before metamorphosing into a butterfly. Severe infestations can defoliate plants.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tips
Handpick and squish the larvae to kill them. If you’ve had problems in the past, avoid growing red-leafed canna varieties and those with red or orange flowers. For large populations, spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). The caterpillars have to ingest this for it to be effective, so apply liberally to thoroughly coat the leaf.
Crape myrtle bark scale Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae
Dark red females grow ⅞ of an inch long and are covered with a white feltlike covering. Active in spring through summer, they produce two to four generations of pink nymphs per year.
What it eats
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is by far the most common host for this invasive pest. Occasionally you’ll find it on beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), St. John’s wort (Hypericum spp. and hybrids) and boxwood (Buxus hybrids).
Damage to look for
Females and nymphs feed on the sap of small branches, twigs of trees and shrubs, and cluster around pruning cuts, causing poor growth, fewer flowers and leaf drop. Stem dieback can occur when populations are high. Bees and wasps are attracted to the scale’s honeydew, which can also cause sooty mold to develop.
IPM tips
Because of its covering, crape myrtle bark scale is a challenge to treat. This is still a relatively new pest, but researchers have found lady beetle larvae to be especially effective predators.
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Cotton jassid Amrasca biguttula
The tiny ⅛-inch pale green cotton jassid has one dark spot on the back of each wing and moves diagonally, instead of straight ahead like most other insects. It’s active in summer, and each year it can produce up to 11 generations of pale green wingless nymphs that look similar to the adults.
What it eats
Cotton jassid was first identified in Florida in 2024 and moved into Georgia and North Carolina in 2025. Cotton is a top choice for this invasive pest, but so is sunflower (Helianthus spp. and hybrids), tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), okra and eggplant.
Damage
You’re likely to see the damage before noticing the insect, so if your plants have yellowing foliage that eventually turns red- brown, check the undersides of the leaves, especially around the third to fifth leaves from the terminal (the leaf at the end of the stem), for insects. Both nymphs and adults feed on sap.
IPM tips
Researchers are still looking for solutions. Spiders, lady beetles, ants and green lacewings are possible predators. If you find cotton jassid in your garden, contact your local extension agency.
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