Effective Management of Turfgrass Insect Pests - Expert Guide

1. Turf-Insect Management 2007 Turfgrass Inservice Tom A. Royer Oklahoma State University

2. Managing Insect Pests(How to Achieve Success) • Knowledge of production system • Proper identification. • Knowledge of biology and seasonal occurrence • Proper monitoring and selection of controls AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

3. Sampling Insect Pests(How to Achieve Success) • Disclosing solutions • Sod webworms, cutworms, short-tailed crickets • Flotation • Chinch bug • Cut square of sod • White grubs, billbugs • Pitfall trap • Ants, adult billbugs AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

4. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs • Larval stage of scarab beetles • Most destructive pest of turf, especially in the cool season and transition zones. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

5. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs • Larval stage of scarab beetles • Most destructive pest of turf, especially in the cool season and transition zones. • Cause direct damage, and collateral damage from predator activity. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

6. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs • White grubs in Oklahoma • Cyclocephala(Masked Chafers) • Phyllophaga(May and June beetles) • Cotinis(Green June beetle) • Popillia japonica(Japanese Beetle) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

7. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs (1-Year Life Cycle) Southern Masked Chafer • Grubs with1-year life cycle • Adults fly from June-July • Eggs hatch in early August, grubs reach full size by late August, feed through October Japanese Beetle AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

8. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs (Multi-year Life Cycle) • Various species in the Genus Phyllophaga • 1,2, 3-year lifecycles • Most of life spent as third instar grub • Control is directed at young grubs May-June Beetle AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

9. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsWhite Grubs Green June Beetle • Large beetle (1 inch) that flies during the day (June-July) • One year life cycle • Grubs make large holes in turf, don’t directly feed on roots, but “dig” tunnels • Larva crawl “on their back” AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

10. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsOther White Grubs • Black Turfgrass Ataenius • Oriental Beetle (NE) • Asiatic Garden Beetle (NE) • European Chafer (NE) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

11. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsIdentification of Grubs by Raster Setal Patterns Masked Chafer Phyllophaga June Beetle Japanese Beetle Green June Beetle Black Turfgrass Ataenius European Chafer AsiaticGarden Beetle Oriental Beetle AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

12. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsManagement of White Grubs • Inspect for injury, and count numbers per square foot • Check species, turf can tolerate more annual white grub numbers • Make sure chemical treatments are applied for maximum effectiveness (proper timing, moist soil conditions, irrigate after chemical treatment) Annual White Grub Phyllophaga AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

13. Thatch/Root-infesting PestsManagement of White Grubs • Why is looking at grub’s “butt hairs” important? Annual White Grub Phyllophaga AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

14. A Survey of Phyllophaga Species Associated with Oklahoma Golf Courses. Jake Doskocil1, Tom Royer1, Nathan Walker1, Greg Bell1, James Reinert2 1 Oklahoma State University 2 Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

15. Results Figure 3 Flight period of Phyllophaga and Cyclocephala beetles collected from 7 golf courses in Oklahoma, 2004-05. (The checkered areas denote the peak flights) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

16. Results Figure 4 Flight period of Phyllophaga and Cyclocephala beetles collected from 7 golf courses in Oklahoma, 2006. (The checkered areas denote the peak flights) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

17. Peak Flight Periods for Phyllophaga found inhabiting Turf, 2004-06 Species Month • P. congrua April-May • P. crassisima May • P. ephilida June • P. submucida June-July • P. crinita July • P. torta September AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

18. Insecticide Recommendations for Control of White Grubs (commercial) • Arena clothianadin neonicotinoid • Dursban chlorpyrifos OP • Dylox, Proxol trichlorphon OP • Mach II halofenozide IGR • Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid • Sevin carbaryl carbamate Product Active Ingredient Class AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

19. Insecticide Recommendations for Control of White Grubs (Homeowner) • Dylox Proxol trichlorphon (OP) • Merit imidacloprid (neonicitinoid)Bayer Advanced • Mach2 halofenozide (IGR)Scotts GrubEx • Sevin WP carbaryl (carbamate) Product AI and (classification) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

20. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) • Hunting billbug most common species in Oklahoma. • This may be an emerging problem over state. • Billbugs are a complex of species, still being determined. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

21. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) • Adults measure ¼ to 7/16 inches. • They have the weevil “snout” are charcoal grey to black, with numerous punctations on the pronotum, and a distinct “Y” shaped smooth raised area just behind the head that is enclosed by a shiny, parenthesis-like mark on either side. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

22. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) • One generation per year, but all life stages are often present. OW as partially mature larvae. • Adults emerge from April-June, but can be found year around. Will be seen walking across sidewalks in spring. • Will sometimes play “dead” when disturbed. • Egg laying extends through early summer. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

23. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug • Larva are damaging stage • Larvae plump, legless, somewhat “C” shaped, measuring 3/8 inches when full grown with a tan head capsule. • Can be found in the crown or root zone, just below the thatch. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

24. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug • Eggs deposited in leaf sheaths, or feeding punctures in stems. • Eggs hatch in 3-10 days. • Larvae tunnel within the stem, boring into crown • Feeding produces dead areas in bermuda grass in spring, may affect sod “holding power”. • Damage sometimes mistaken for “winter kill”. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

25. Management of Billbugs • Early detection is difficult because young larvae are hidden within stems. • Adult activity in spring and again in late fall signals the existence of an active infestation. • Check dead spots for signs of frass in the stems, if stems are full of “sawdust” check crowns for larvae. • Pitfall traps can be used to monitor adults. • Properly managed bermudagrass can recover • Apply insecticide if necessary, preferably targeted at the adult, or use imidacloprid soon after adults become active in spring. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

26. Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Billbugs (commercial) • Arena clothianadin neonicotinoid • Allectus imid + bifenthrin neo+pyrethroid • Dursban chlorpyrifos OP • Dylox, Proxol trichlorphon OP • Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid • Scimitar l cyhalothrin pyrethroid • Talstar bifenthrin pyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

27. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing) • Green, brown or almost black, with a yellow inverted “Y” on the head capsule • Up to 1.5 inches, grow through 6 instars in as little as 21 days after hatching • Multiple generations. Adults will lay eggs in short turf. • Usually a pest in fall because the are not capable of OW in Oklahoma. Fall Armyworm AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

28. Management of Fall Armyworm • Control is more effective on small larvae • Look for “windowpaning” • Use of a flushing agent on lawn can provide an indication of infestation • Infestations more likely in the fall • Threshold is same as for cutworms (5 per square yard) AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

29. Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Armyworms (commercial) • Arena clothianadin neonicotinoid • Allectus imid + bifenthrin neo+pyrethroid • Dursban chlorpyrifos OP • Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid • Orthene acephate OP • Scimitar l cyhalothrin pyrethroid • Sevin carbaryl carbamate • Talstar bifenthrin pyrethroid • Tempo cyfluthrin pyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

30. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Chinch bugs are true bugs (Hemiptera) that are pests of turfgrass. • Four species are important to turf production, two are serious pests (Hairy and Southern), and two others are occasional pests (Common and Buffalograss) Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

31. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Hairy chinch bug: • A serious pest of northern turfgrasses. • Adults are about 1/6 inches. Body is grayish-black and covered with fine hairs, the legs have a dark, burnt-orange tint. • Wings are shiny white, and make a bright white “X” pattern. • Nymphs are orange with a white stripe crossing the middle of their back, become more brown to blaci in color as they mature. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

32. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Southern chinch bug: • A serious pest of St. Augustinegrass lawns, feeds occasionally on bermudagrass, hahiagrass, centipedgrass and zoysia. • Adults and nymphs are nearly identical to hairy chinch bugs. • Two types occur, a long winged form and a short winged form. • Very common in SE Oklahoma where St. Augustine is grown Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

33. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Common and Buffalograss chinch bugs: • Occasional pests. Common mostly a pest of small grains and other field crops. Will occasionally attack Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fescue, bentgrass and zoysia. • Buffalograss chinch bug will only feed on buffalograss. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

34. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Life History • Two generations per year. • Overwinters as an adult in protected leaf litter, or “bunch grasses”. • Prefer hot, dry conditions. • Are very susceptible to fungus disease Beauveria bassiana. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

35. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Damage • Adults and nymphs cause damage by feeding with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. Damage results from fluid removal from the plant tissue, and from clogging of the conducting tissues. • Grass may turn yellow, then reddish-brown. Injury resembles drought damage, and often occurs in patches. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

36. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Control • Sample by “floatation” • Endophyte-resistant varieties of ryegrass are available for hairy. • Resistant varieties of St. Augustinegrass are also available for southern. • Thatch management is good cultural control • There are some natural enemies that exert good control of chinch bugs. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

37. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) • Control • Pesticide resistance is of concern with this pest. • They are sometimes difficult to control • Insecticides need to penetrate the thatch layer to be really effective. • Some time for control of overwintered adults (preventative) • Corrective control after eggs have hatched. Chinch Bug AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

38. Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Chinch bugs (commercial) • Arena clothianadin neonicotinoid • Allectus imid + bifenthrin neo+pyrethroid • Dursban chlorpyrifos OP • Orthene acephate OP • Scimitar l cyhalothrin pyrethroid • Sevin carbaryl carbamate • Talstar bifenthrin pyrethroid • Tempo cyfluthrin pyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

39. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites • These mites are very small, nearly microscopic. They are known as eriophyid mites, also known as “gall forming” mites. • They are quite different from spidermites in appearance. They are small, sausage-shaped, white mites that are less than 1/100 of an inch long. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

40. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites • These mites are often quite host specific. Bermudagrass mite uses bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass mite attacks zoysia. There is also a buffalograss mite that attacks……. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

41. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites • These mites feed under the leaf sheaths of the plant. • Bermudagrass mite damage: • Stunting and shortening of nodes • Yellowing, twisting of foliage • Finally, they turn brown and die back to their origin on the stem of the plant. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

42. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites • Zoisiagrass mite damage: • New leaf tips fail to emerge, creating a “buggy whip”. • Yellowing, twisting of foliage. • Plant stands become thinned, seed production is seriously affected. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

43. Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites • Management options are somewhat limited. • Resistant varieties of bermudagrass or zoysiagrass are available. • Control with a miticide may provide temporary, and limited control. • Good cultural practices are of help with bermudagrass, but less so with zoysiagrass. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

44. Eriophyid Mites • Cultural Controls (Bermudagrass) • Close mowing height • Fertilizing and irrigating to promote rapid regrowth • (Zoysiagrass) • Cultural practices seem less useful. Currently, we know little of their biology, they appear, then disappear during the growing season. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

45. Eriophyid Mites • Resistant Varieties. • Bermudagrass varieties • FLoraTex • Midlawn • TifSport • Zoysiagrass varieties • Royal • Emerald • El Toro • Crowne AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

46. Nuisance Pest Shorttailed Cricket • Minor pest, due to its mound-building habits. • Adults are from 9/16 to 2/3 inches, brown with short wings. • Mounds may go down as much as 20 inches. • Adults remain in burrows by day, leaving at night. • Feed on grasses, but damage is negligible. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

47. Nuisance Pest Shorttailed Cricket • Overwinters as a large nymph. • Adults may appear in late March to begin mating. • Female lays a clutch of eggs in burrow, which hatch and mature into nymphs that disperse from the nest. AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse

48. Turf-Insect Management 2007 Turfgrass Inservice Tom A. Royer Oklahoma State University