Turf-Insect Management 2007 Turfgrass Inservice Tom A. Royer Oklahoma State University

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Managing Insect Pests (How to Achieve Success) Knowledge of production system Proper identification. Knowledge of biology and seasonal occurrence Proper monitoring and selection of controls

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Sampling Insect Pests (How to Achieve Success) Disclosing solutions  Sod webworms, cutworms, short-tailed crickets Flotation  Chinch bug Cut square of sod  White grubs, billbugs Pitfall trap  Ants, adult billbugs

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs Larval stage of scarab beetles  Most destructive pest of turf, especially in the cool season and transition zones.

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs Larval stage of scarab beetles  Most destructive pest of turf, especially in the cool season and transition zones.  Cause direct damage, and collateral damage from predator activity.

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs White grubs in Oklahoma  Cyclocephala (Masked Chafers)  Phyllophaga (May and June beetles)  Cotinis (Green June beetle)  Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Grubs with1-year life cycle Adults fly from June- July Eggs hatch in early August, grubs reach full size by late August, feed through October Southern Masked Chafer Japanese Beetle Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs (1-Year Life Cycle)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs (Multi-year Life Cycle) Various species in the Genus Phyllophaga 1,2, 3-year lifecycles Most of life spent as third instar grub Control is directed at young grubs May-June Beetle

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests White Grubs Large beetle (1 inch) that flies during the day (June-July) One year life cycle Grubs make large holes in turf, don’t directly feed on roots, but “dig” tunnels Larva crawl “on their back” Green June Beetle

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests Other White Grubs Black Turfgrass Ataenius Oriental Beetle (NE) Asiatic Garden Beetle (NE) European Chafer (NE)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests Identification of Grubs by Raster Setal Patterns Masked Chafer Phyllophaga June Beetle Japanese Beetle Green June Beetle European Chafer Oriental Beetle Black Turfgrass Ataenius Asiatic Garden Beetle

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests Management of White Grubs Inspect for injury, and count numbers per square foot Check species, turf can tolerate more annual white grub numbers Make sure chemical treatments are applied for maximum effectiveness (proper timing, moist soil conditions, irrigate after chemical treatment) Annual White Grub Phyllophaga

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Thatch/Root-infesting Pests Management of White Grubs Why is looking at grub’s “butt hairs” important? Annual White Grub Phyllophaga

A Survey of Phyllophaga Species Associated with Oklahoma Golf Courses. Jake Doskocil 1, Tom Royer 1, Nathan Walker 1, Greg Bell 1, James Reinert 2 1 Oklahoma State University 2 Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Results Figure 3 Flight period of Phyllophaga and Cyclocephala beetles collected from 7 golf courses in Oklahoma, (The checkered areas denote the peak flights)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Results Figure 4 Flight period of Phyllophaga and Cyclocephala beetles collected from 7 golf courses in Oklahoma, (The checkered areas denote the peak flights)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Peak Flight Periods for Phyllophaga found inhabiting Turf, Species Month P. congruaApril-May P. crassisimaMay P. ephilidaJune P. submucidaJune-July P. crinitaJuly P. tortaSeptember

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Insecticide Recommendations for Control of White Grubs (commercial) Arenaclothianadinneonicotinoid Dursban chlorpyrifosOP Dylox, Proxol trichlorphon OP Mach II halofenozideIGR Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid Sevin carbarylcarbamate Product Active Ingredient Class

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Insecticide Recommendations for Control of White Grubs (Homeowner) Dylox Proxol trichlorphon (OP) Merit imidacloprid (neonicitinoid) Bayer Advanced Mach2 halofenozide (IGR) Scotts GrubEx Sevin WP carbaryl (carbamate) Product AI and (classification)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Hunting billbug most common species in Oklahoma. This may be an emerging problem over state. Billbugs are a complex of species, still being determined. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Adults measure ¼ to 7/16 inches. They have the weevil “snout” are charcoal grey to black, with numerous punctations on the pronotum, and a distinct “Y” shaped smooth raised area just behind the head that is enclosed by a shiny, parenthesis-like mark on either side. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse One generation per year, but all life stages are often present. OW as partially mature larvae. Adults emerge from April- June, but can be found year around. Will be seen walking across sidewalks in spring. Will sometimes play “dead” when disturbed. Egg laying extends through early summer. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Larva are damaging stage Larvae plump, legless, somewhat “C” shaped, measuring 3/8 inches when full grown with a tan head capsule. Can be found in the crown or root zone, just below the thatch. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Eggs deposited in leaf sheaths, or feeding punctures in stems. Eggs hatch in 3-10 days. Larvae tunnel within the stem, boring into crown Feeding produces dead areas in bermuda grass in spring, may affect sod “holding power”. Damage sometimes mistaken for “winter kill”. Hunting/Bluegrass Billbug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Management of Billbugs Early detection is difficult because young larvae are hidden within stems. Adult activity in spring and again in late fall signals the existence of an active infestation. Check dead spots for signs of frass in the stems, if stems are full of “sawdust” check crowns for larvae. Pitfall traps can be used to monitor adults. Properly managed bermudagrass can recover Apply insecticide if necessary, preferably targeted at the adult, or use imidacloprid soon after adults become active in spring.

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Billbugs (commercial) Arenaclothianadinneonicotinoid Allectusimid + bifenthrinneo+pyrethroid Dursban chlorpyrifosOP Dylox, Proxol trichlorphon OP Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid Scimitarl cyhalothrinpyrethroid Talstarbifenthrinpyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Green, brown or almost black, with a yellow inverted “Y” on the head capsule Up to 1.5 inches, grow through 6 instars in as little as 21 days after hatching Multiple generations. Adults will lay eggs in short turf. Usually a pest in fall because the are not capable of OW in Oklahoma. Fall Armyworm Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Chewing)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Management of Fall Armyworm Control is more effective on small larvae Look for “windowpaning” Use of a flushing agent on lawn can provide an indication of infestation Infestations more likely in the fall Threshold is same as for cutworms (5 per square yard)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Armyworms (commercial) Arenaclothianadinneonicotinoid Allectusimid + bifenthrinneo+pyrethroid Dursban chlorpyrifosOP Merit imidacloprid neonicotinoid OrtheneacephateOP Scimitarl cyhalothrinpyrethroid Sevincarbarylcarbamate Talstarbifenthrinpyrethroid Tempocyfluthrinpyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking) Chinch bugs are true bugs (Hemiptera) that are pests of turfgrass. Four species are important to turf production, two are serious pests (Hairy and Southern), and two others are occasional pests (Common and Buffalograss) Chinch Bug

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Hairy chinch bug:  A serious pest of northern turfgrasses.  Adults are about 1/6 inches. Body is grayish-black and covered with fine hairs, the legs have a dark, burnt- orange tint.  Wings are shiny white, and make a bright white “X” pattern.  Nymphs are orange with a white stripe crossing the middle of their back, become more brown to blaci in color as they mature. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Southern chinch bug:  A serious pest of St. Augustinegrass lawns, feeds occasionally on bermudagrass, hahiagrass, centipedgrass and zoysia.  Adults and nymphs are nearly identical to hairy chinch bugs.  Two types occur, a long winged form and a short winged form.  Very common in SE Oklahoma where St. Augustine is grown Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Common and Buffalograss chinch bugs:  Occasional pests. Common mostly a pest of small grains and other field crops. Will occasionally attack Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fescue, bentgrass and zoysia.  Buffalograss chinch bug will only feed on buffalograss. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Life History  Two generations per year.  Overwinters as an adult in protected leaf litter, or “bunch grasses”.  Prefer hot, dry conditions.  Are very susceptible to fungus disease Beauveria bassiana. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Damage  Adults and nymphs cause damage by feeding with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. Damage results from fluid removal from the plant tissue, and from clogging of the conducting tissues.  Grass may turn yellow, then reddish-brown. Injury resembles drought damage, and often occurs in patches. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Control  Sample by “floatation”  Endophyte-resistant varieties of ryegrass are available for hairy.  Resistant varieties of St. Augustinegrass are also available for southern.  Thatch management is good cultural control  There are some natural enemies that exert good control of chinch bugs. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Control  Pesticide resistance is of concern with this pest.  They are sometimes difficult to control  Insecticides need to penetrate the thatch layer to be really effective.  Some time for control of overwintered adults (preventative)  Corrective control after eggs have hatched. Chinch Bug Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Insecticide Recommendations for Control of Chinch bugs (commercial) Arenaclothianadinneonicotinoid Allectusimid + bifenthrinneo+pyrethroid Dursban chlorpyrifosOP OrtheneacephateOP Scimitarl cyhalothrinpyrethroid Sevincarbarylcarbamate Talstarbifenthrinpyrethroid Tempocyfluthrinpyrethroid Product Active Ingredient Class

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse These mites are very small, nearly microscopic. They are known as eriophyid mites, also known as “gall forming” mites. They are quite different from spidermites in appearance. They are small, sausage-shaped, white mites that are less than 1/100 of an inch long. Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse These mites are often quite host specific. Bermudagrass mite uses bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass mite attacks zoysia. There is also a buffalograss mite that attacks……. Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse These mites feed under the leaf sheaths of the plant. Bermudagrass mite damage:  Stunting and shortening of nodes  Yellowing, twisting of foliage  Finally, they turn brown and die back to their origin on the stem of the plant. Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Zoisiagrass mite damage:  New leaf tips fail to emerge, creating a “buggy whip”.  Yellowing, twisting of foliage.  Plant stands become thinned, seed production is seriously affected. Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Management options are somewhat limited.  Resistant varieties of bermudagrass or zoysiagrass are available.  Control with a miticide may provide temporary, and limited control.  Good cultural practices are of help with bermudagrass, but less so with zoysiagrass. Bermudagrass/Zoyziagrass Mites Leaf/Stem-infesting Pests (Sucking)

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Cultural Controls (Bermudagrass)  Close mowing height  Fertilizing and irrigating to promote rapid regrowth (Zoysiagrass)  Cultural practices seem less useful. Currently, we know little of their biology, they appear, then disappear during the growing season. Eriophyid Mites

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Resistant Varieties.  Bermudagrass varieties FLoraTex Midlawn TifSport  Zoysiagrass varieties Royal Emerald El Toro Crowne Eriophyid Mites

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Nuisance Pest Minor pest, due to its mound-building habits. Adults are from 9/16 to 2/3 inches, brown with short wings. Mounds may go down as much as 20 inches. Adults remain in burrows by day, leaving at night. Feed on grasses, but damage is negligible. Shorttailed Cricket

Tom A Royer AR/OK Turfgrass Shortcourse Nuisance Pest Overwinters as a large nymph. Adults may appear in late March to begin mating. Female lays a clutch of eggs in burrow, which hatch and mature into nymphs that disperse from the nest. Shorttailed Cricket

Turf-Insect Management 2007 Turfgrass Inservice Tom A. Royer Oklahoma State University