1. Insect Pests - What do you need to know?
Colin Ferguson Biocontrol and Biosecurity AgResearch Invermay
Porina, sod webworm, grass grub and their relations, black beetle, Argentine stem weevil, cotula weevil, cut worms, mealy bug, root aphids

2. Insect control – predominantly by insecticide

4. Should we be past this?

6. New Zealand Turf Pests Native pests Exotic pests Porina Sod web worm
Native cutworms
Grass grub
Manuka beetle
Cotula weevil
Pasture mealy bug
Exotic pests
Black beetle
Tasmanian grass grub
Argentine stem weevil
Greasy cutworm
Root aphids

7. Why are some insects pests?
Our actions, our perceptions, make insects pests In stable, diverse, environments/habitats nature regulates populations Native grasslands, old pasture, old amenity turf – seldom see large scale insect damage When we disrupt stable systems - we disrupt natural regulation - large numbers of some insects - damage Our tolerance of normal insect feeding can be very low Disruptions: Mix ecosystems - European plants/New Zealand insects Simple habitats - few plant species, simple ecosystems Cultivation - destroys insects and natural enemies/pathogens Insecticide - destroys insects and natural enemies/pathogens

8. Dealing with pests - Insecticides
Positives: Available Easy to use Efficient –high kill rates Often broad spectrum Sometimes cheap
Negatives: Dangerous – operator and user safety concerns Major environmental issues Use develops reliance Often expensive Disrupt biocontrol
Often only option – especially if damage threshold/tolerance is very low

9. Dealing with pests – Tolerant/Resistant plants, Endophytes
Positives: Available – limited use Easy to use Long term Cheap Environmentally safe
Negatives: Agricultural grasses
Currently limited options but possibly an area to look to in future
AVANEX may have a role

10. Dealing with pests – Management/Fertiliser
Healthy plants tolerate more feeding than unhealthy plants
Insects eat less “healthy” plants
Positives: Available – limited use Easy to use Safe Benefits natural regulation
Negatives: Some damage will occur
A limited role but worth being aware of

11. Dealing with pests – Biocontrol/Biopesticides
Positives: Some availability Easy to use Biocontrol self sustaining Biopesticides ≈ insecticides Safe for operator and users Environmentally safe Biocontrol -long term
Negatives: Limited availability Biocontrol – some damage Biopesticides – shelf life Non-target effects Biocontrol – non reversible
Currently limited options but a developing area

12. Dealing with pests – Awareness, Prediction, Planning
Most often pest control occurs after damage occurred
For most effective pest control prevent damage
Damage can be predicted – sometimes 3 years ahead
Awareness = prediction = planning = prevention

13. New Zealand Turf Pests
Native pests porina, sod webworm, grass grub, manuka beetle, cotula weevil, native cutworms, pasture mealybug Population build up strongly enhanced by: European plants cultivation drought insecticide Biocontrol – very difficult, some biopesticides are being developed Plant tolerance/resistance – some, developing

14. New Zealand Turf Pests Exotic pests
black beetle, Tasmanian grass grub, Argentine stem weevil, greasy cutworm, root aphids
Populations become high because of limited natural population regulation
Biocontrol – often possible, some biopesticides are being developed
Plant tolerance/resistance – some, developing

15. Porina

16. Porina

19. Sod webworm(s)

20. Sod web worm(s)

21. Porina Sod web worm

22. Cutworms - greasy and native species
Photo by :Cesar Australia

23. Grass grub Eggs are laid in the soil
Grass grub are root feeders – feed on a very wide range of plants
Need to be able to predict damage and treat before it occurs

24. Grass grub

25. Grass grub

28. Black beetle

29. Argentine stem weevil

30. Cotula weevil (Steriphus variabilis)

31. Conclusion Be aware of pests, learn to predict, act early
NZ Sports Turf Institute -
AgPest/PestAlerts -
Be aware of opportunities to limit damage
Resistant or tolerant plants, Endophytes,
Healthy plants, fertiliser
Biocontrol, biopesticides
Insecticides
Use safely
Use at recommended rates
Use early – prevent damage
Use correct product
Use correct formulation