The larvae are cylindrical, white and have mouthhooks that are used to masticate the tender parts of the new shoots.

[3] This fly was accidentally introduced into Hawaii, and causes great damage in turfgrass.

[1][3] Without clear knowledge of its introduction, the bermudagrass stem maggot has rapidly spread over the Southeastern of United States causing significant yield loss in grazing and hay production systems,[5][6] Little is known about the life cycle of Atherigona reversura, nevertheless, it has been reported that the eggs are laid in the underside of the leaf in bermudagrass.

[3] In general all the bermudagrass cultivars have been susceptible to stem maggot damage, but cultivars with high number of shoots, small shoot diameter and narrow leaves show higher preference by the fly.

[3][6][7] Currently the recommendations to suppress infestations in the crops are to harvest the grass to help break the life cycle and to apply pyrethroid insecticides after grass regrowth, approximately 7 to 10 days after cutting,[2][3][8] Current research focuses on improving understanding of the behavior, biology and ecology of this insect pest.