You Are Here: Management Updates 2006 Archive May 26, 2006

Date: May 26, 2006
Category: Insects
Subject: Annual Bluegrass (Hyperodes) Weevil

A very quick update - the annual bluegrass weevils are developing right on schedule now. A site in central Westchester County had mostly second and third instars, with a few fourth instar in samples taken early this week. That area can expect the population to be mostly fifth instars by the first full week of June. Watch for signs of wilt right after Memorial Day and respond as needed with a quick-acting contact insecticide. (Trichlorfon, available as Dylox™, has worked quite well over the past years in our field trials.)

Samples taken near Hartford revealed younger larvae - mostly first and second instars with a few third instars (medium-sized larvae) appearing. That is about a week behind the Westchester site, so damage probably won't be apparent until the first or second week of June.

Remember that many golf courses have their own microclimates and may be several days ahead or behind in phenological development compared to other courses just down the road. So watch your own conditions and start looking soon - the larvae will be large enough to see around the crowns within a couple weeks!

And with that, enjoy the long week-end!

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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