Reinert, J.A., & Vinson, S.B. 2010 Preference among Turfgrass Genera and Cultivars for Colonization by Rhodesgrass Mealybug, Antonina graminis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). . Southwestern Entomologist 35(2): 121-128

Notes: The Rhodesgrass mealybug (Antonina graminis) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is resurging as an important pest of turfgrass across Texas and the Southeastern United States. This mealybug is known to feed on many warmseason turfgrasses and pasturegrasses. Twenty-seven cultivars from nine genera of turfgrass were evaluated for susceptibility and preference by the mealybug. Cultivars of kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) Hochst) and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) were significantly more susceptible than cultivars of seven other genera of turfgrass. Cultivars of St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm], and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.), each exhibited susceptibility of >2 mealybugs per 7.5 x 7.5-cm plant. Populations did not exceed ??0.5 mealybug per plant on centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.], seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb).