You Are Here: Management Updates 1999 Archive October 1, 1999

Date: October 1, 1999
Category: Insects
Subject: Sod Webworm, Hyperodes Weevil, White Grubs

Another growing season is finally coming to a close. Most of New England has weathered the rains of Hurricane/ Tropical Storm Floyd reasonably well and turfgrass seems to be thriving.

My impressions of the insect world:

I have recently had reports from two diffrent lawn care firms regarding heavy activity of sod webworms throughout the summer. I did not personally confirm these reports, but there does seem to be evidence that there were some lawns in New England that sustained damage from the webworm. Webworm damage, like that of bluegrass billbugs, resembles drought damage, and I suspect there has been some webworm activity in previous years that was misdiagnosed. This year the severe drought conditions probably exacerbated the situation.

Annual bluegrass weevils are, for the most part, already adults and heading to their overwintering sites. We will know more about those sites after this coming winter - Nikki Rothwell has created some artifical sites (grassy undergrowth, white pine litter, miscellaneous litter, and open soil) and will be sampling later in the year to see where the weevils go. In any case, the populations were high in the spring and then seemed to decline rapidly later in the summer. Perhaps the high temperatures put them under stress ...

White grubs are thriving in many areas, and many turf managers are reporting losses of turf. Japanese beetles are showing up in many locations, and of course the European chafer seems to be continuing to expand its distribution. Several locations throughout Worcester county are showing European chafers - that seems to be the hot spot for expansion in Massachusetts.

It is too late to treat for grubs at this point, even though temperatures have remained moderate. About all you can do at this point is roll the turf or otherwise repair damage from skunks and raccoons. Take solace in the fact that the grubs will be moving downward in a few weeks - perhaps early to mid November and a month later for European chafers.

Have a good winter!

- Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum