You Are Here: Management Updates 2002 Archive August 9, 2002

Date: August 9, 2002
Category: Insects
Subject: Chinch Bugs, White Grubs

Chinch bugs
The hot dry weather throughout the Northeast has pushed turf toward dormancy in many lawn settings. Some folks had some rain (in some cases heavy downpours) late last week, but many areas remain dry.

Keep in mind that drought stress and chinch bug damage often are very difficult to separate out. I have had reports of chinch bug activity from a variety of settings, and some of the little buggers even had the temerity to attack my own lawn! (May they rest in peace ...) But again, scout for chinch bug activity. Lawns that are heavily damaged by chinch bugs often do NOT recover in the fall. If chinch bugs are present in large numbers, urge the client to consider a renovation later in the fall using endophytic cultivars of ryegrasses and fescues.

White grubs
Adults of the various species of white grubs have been active throughout the summer, pretty much right on schedule. The dry soils that predominate right now may mean that adults of Japanese beetles and oriental beetles may delay egg laying a bit, so don't be surprised if grub problems are a little "late" in showing up. European chafers should be thriving since they tend to prefer drier soils anyway.

(Incidentally we have had numerous reports from reputable sources of large numbers of oriental beetle adults flying. I suspect we will experience a continued expanse of the range of that insect, finding it in new locations this fall and next spring. Keep in mind that the European chafer is also on the move, and has been found in several towns along the Connecticut River valley this year.)

It is too late to use Merit to control European chafers, and getting to be too late to use it for Japanese beetles. Keep in mind that any grub insecticide MUST BE WATERED IN to be effective, and that in itself will be problematic in towns with watering restrictions.

- Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum