You Are Here: Management Updates 2005 Archive May 23, 2005

Date: May 23, 2005
Category: Insects
Subject: Annual Bluegrass (Hyperodes) Weevil, Ants

Heads Up - Here They Come!
The annual bluegrass weevils (a.k.a. Hyperodes weevils) are progressing right on schedule. Several superintendents in western Massachusetts reported that they applied a pyrethroid this week (16-20 May) and saw several dead weevils on the surface later in the day. The timing of those applications was absolutely perfect. For those of you in southern New Hampshire or Vermont, next week would be a good time to treat those areas that have had a history of activity.

In addition, we collected samples from a golf course in Westchester last week (12 May) and when we inspected the samples, we found some tiny larvae, probably first and second instars. Again this would be about as we would expect. Trying to project from there, we would expect to see medium sized larvae showing up next week in Westchester County and the first large larvae should be noticeable right around Memorial Day. So this is your heads up warning - be watching for that telltale wilting in the last week of May or the first week of June. Now that the weevil is on the Dylox™ label (at least it has been registered at the federal level), you will have an alternative in the most heavily infested areas. In areas where damage is less severe, you would be better advised to "ride it out" and apply a pyrethroid (or Dursban™) after the insects have pupated and emerged as new adults, probably in late June.

For those of you in southern New England (most notably, Connecticut north of Fairfield County and much of Massachusetts), activity should be about a week behind that described in the previous paragraph.

And one more thing - turfgrass ants are just becoming apparent in western Massachusetts. The mounding activity has just begun. If you are seeking relief and want to reduce mounding in the most critical areas, you might consider an application of a pyrethroid (or Dursban™) in those areas soon. Keep in mind that such treatments normally only provide a few weeks of relief. In addition there are a few baits that have shown promise in tests in Kentucky, but the jury is still out on their long-term efficacy. Stay tuned!

Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum

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