Chinch Bugs.

The southern chinch bug is an insect pest of St. Augustine grass, a turf and pasture grass grown throughout the southern United States. This tiny pest, rarely measuring over 6 mm in length, causes millions of dollars in damage per year.

Latin Name

Blissus insularis Barber

Appearance

The adult form of the southern chinch bug has a black body measuring about 6 mm in length (Wilson 1929). The wings are white with a black spot on the margins of the forewings. Studies regarding the length of the adult lifespan differ significantly, with averages ranging from 10 to 70 days. The mean life span in controlled conditions, however, seems to be around 49 days (Kerr 1966, Wilson 1929).

Habitat

An infested lawn displays discolored patches, which are usually circular in shape. Injury typically occurs first in water-stressed areas along the edges of the lawn or where the grass is growing in full sunlight (Short and Black 1997; Short, Black and McCarty 1995). St. Augustine grass cultivated on high, dry, sandy or shell soil is especially vulnerable to southern chinch bug damage (Wilson 1929).

http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/turf/southern_chinch_bug.htm