Greenbug Aphid

Schizaphis graminum

The Greenbug Aphid is a lawn-damaging insect that primarily attacks Kentucky Bluegrass, but can sometimes be found on Annual Bluegrass, Canada Bluegrass, Chewings Fescue and Tall Fescue. Also known as Schizaphis graminum, this lawn pest can infest most parts of North America and is often more of a problem in healthy lawns.

Identify

Leaf & Stem

An adult Greenbug Aphid can be identified by its light-green, pear-shaped body that usually has a dark-green stripe down the back. This lawn pest also has black leg and antennae tips. Nymphs have the same appearance as adults, except smaller. Winged Greenbug Aphid can also appear, usually when overpopulation occurs. This lawn-damaging insect harms grass with a fluid injected into the plant during feeding, causing the tissue around the point of injection to turn yellow, then orange. Heavy Greenbug Aphid infestations will result in areas of your lawn turning a distinct burnt-orange color. Grass damage is most commonly found around the bases of trees, but can also be found along foundation walls, fences and other upright objects. Depending on the time of year, damage from this lawn pest can resemble that of the lawn disease known as Rust, or early winter dormancy.

Life Cycle

In southern states, generations of Greenbug Aphids are continuous. In the north, females asexually produce other females, which develop anywhere from five to 14 generations of these lawn pests per year. In the fall, the females produce males who then mate with females to produce eggs for overwintering.

Control

There are two methods for controlling Greenbug Aphids that TruGreen® recommends: 1. Use professionally applied pest control designed to prevent excess lawn pest populations, which can cause damage to your lawn 2. Kill insects, grubs and other lawn pests before they have a chance to damage your lawn Proper mowing and watering techniques can also help foster a healthy lawn that's more tolerant to lawn pest attacks—plus you'll get a lawn you'll want to live on in the process.