You Are Here: Management Updates 2007 Archive April 3, 2007

Date: April 3, 2007
Category: Insects
Subject: Annual Bluegrass (Hyperodes) Weevil, White Grubs

Annual bluegrass weevils are just beginning to leave their overwintering sites in areas of New England south of Hartford, and should begin to leave their overwintering sites in more northerly locations in the next week or two. The forecast cool weather in New England will further delay their movement in some locations.

White grubs are returning to the root zone and resuming their feeding. European chafers have been "up" for a couple weeks, but yesterday we even found a Japanese beetle grub in the top inch of soil from a sample taken in central Connecticut. The grub was quite close to a cart path, so the soil probably was a little bit warmer than surrounding areas. But in any case, white grubs are on the move.

Chemical updates - keep in mind that there are two "new" products on the market that are in the same chemical class as imidacloprid (Merit™). Chlothianidin (sold as Arena™) was registered by the EPA last year, and has been registered by most of the New England states. The company claims the product is active against a wider range of insects than is Merit™. Certainly our trials have confirmed that it is very effective against oriental beetles, European chafers, and Japanese beetles.

The other "new" product is thiamethoxam, sold as Meridian™. This product just received its federal registration in late January and the company held a celebratory party at the Golf Industry Show in Anaheim in February. Syngenta claims the product is active against a wider range of insects than is Merit™. Field trials this year should determine just which insects should be on that list! (Previous work shows that Meridian™ is very effective against most white grubs.)

Note that Meridian has not yet been registered in some of the New England states, including Massachusetts, but registration is expected sometime during the growing season.

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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