You Are Here: Management Updates 2006 Archive August 17, 2006

Date: August 17, 2006
Category: Insects
Subject: Annual Bluegrass (Hyperodes) Weevil, Black Turfgrass Ataenius, White Grubs

Hyperodes weevils
Annual bluegrass (Hyperodes) weevils seem to be settling down in most locations in New England. There are still a few adults and larvae, but for the most part the populations are lower than they were earlier in the summer. Coupled with the lowering temperatures, very few golf courses should see any damage from Hyperodes from here on. (Incidentally, I have had several reports of ABW from Maryland and Virginia, so the weevils seem to be expanding.)

Black turfgrass ataenius
I have had several questions this summer about black turfgrass ataenius. In recent years there has been little problem with this insect, probably because many golf course superintendents use imidacloprid (Merit™) to control other white grubs, and get control of BTA at the same time. But in the last couple weeks we have received samples from golf courses of very small grubs that turned out to be BTA. In most cases I think these grubs succumbed to the Merit™ shortly after they hatched, so there was only a week or so that the grubs were alive and "scoutable". So for the most part, things look to be pretty calm.

White grubs
We are just beginning to get reports of grub activity from a few locations, but grub activity should start to pick up now. European chafer grubs are already in the second instar, and some of the earliest Japanese beetles and oriental beetles may be reaching second instars now. Itt is getting to be too late to use Merit™ in areas where European chafers are the primary species, but you may still get decent control with applications targeting the other species. In addition, chlothianidin (sold as Arena™) appears to have a slightly quicker action, so based on studiess conducted last year, it might provide good control of white grubs if applied within the next couple weeks. As always, water in!

Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum

DISCLAIMER - As always, it is the responsibility of the applicator to verify the registration status of any pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different regulations as well. The author and the University of Massachusetts are not liable for any consequences of any pesticide "recommendations". Mention of any trade name is not to be considered endorsement of a product.

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