You Are Here: Management Updates 1999 Archive April 15, 1999

Date: April 15, 1999
Category: Insects
Subject: Spring is Springing

Spring is springing - Forsythia are in full bloom in protected southern exposures in Amherst, and are in full color throughout much of Connecticut. That of course means it is time to think about managing the annual bluegrass weevil. This weevil is strictly a golf course problem, but can be a major headache where it does occur. Current recommendations call for insecticide applications (in areas with a history of weevil activity) between Forsythia and dogwood full bloom. Several materials seem to work quite well, including the various pyrethroids (Battle, Scimitar, Deltagard, Tempo, Talstar). Dursban also works well at this time of year. Insecticides should be watered in lightly (just enough to move the material into the thatch - perhaps 0.1 inch). Special attention should be paid to perimeter areas - edges of fairways, collars, greens, and tees. Most insect activity during April and May is concentrated along the edges because the weevils only walk as far as necessary from overwintering sites. So insecticide applications should be made primarily along those edges.

In the meantime black turfgrass ataenius (BTA) adults are becoming active and can be seen on putting greens and edges of fairways on bright sunny days. In most cases BTA populations are sporadic, so only parts of a given golf course will be affected.

White grubs are returning to the root zone and wil be feeding for a few weeks during April and May, before they pupate. European chafers (present in many areas inside Route 495 in Massachusetts) are less sensitive to cold temperatures and have been feeding for a while already. Oriental beetles (coastal areas and the Connecticut River valley) and Japanese beetles (ubiquitous!) are showing up now. In most cases spring applications for grubs are less "successful" than fall applications, partly because the grubs are larger in the spring and are beginning to change physiologically in anticipation of pupation. Nevertheless, some relief can be obtained by applying a fast-acting insecticide - and water it in with at least 0.25 inches of water. Even more water would be helpful, especially during this unusually dry spring.

- Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum