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Turfgrass Insect Pests
Kansas State University Ward Upham
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Common Insect Problems
White Grubs Billbugs Sod Webworm Cutworms Chinch Bugs Winter Grain Mite
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Most Common Problem is “Grubs”
Insect Problems Most Common Problem is “Grubs” May Beetle (June Bug) Southern Masked Chafer Black Turfgrass Ataenius Billbugs
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Grub Insects, Adults Southern Masked Chafer May Beetle
Black TurfgrassAtaenius Billbug
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Grub Insects, Larvae
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Black Turfgrass Ataenius
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Mottled appearance to turf
White Grubs Mottled appearance to turf
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White Grubs Bird Damage
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White Grubs Pulls Up Like Carpet
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White Grubs Grubs “C” Shaped
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White Grubs Identification Southern Masked Chafer May Beetle
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Southern Masked Chafer
Annual grub Most common grub that causes damage Adults don’t feed that we know of
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Southern Masked Chafer
Annual Grub
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May Beetle 3-year Life Cycle 2nd Year Most Damaging
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May Beetle First Year
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May Beetle Second Year
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May Beetle Third Year
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Number needed to cause visible damage
White Grub Control Number needed to cause visible damage Southern Masked Chafer: 8-9 per square foot May Beetle: 3-4 per square foot
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White Grub Control Merit Insecticide
Labeled for white grubs and billbugs Considered a 3 month product If after annual grubs, apply early to mid- July If also seeking to control May Beetle grubs or billbugs, apply no earlier than mid-May Causes a disruption of a grub's nervous system resulting in its death Not for rescue treatments
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White Grub Control Mach 2 Insecticide
Labeled for cutworms, sod webworms, billbugs and white grubs Considered a 6 week product Apply early to mid- July for white grub control Accelerates a grub's development by causing it to molt prematurely Feeding stops within a couple of hours of ingestion
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White Grub Control Rescue Treatments Apply when see damage
Use conventional insecticide such as Dylox or Sevin
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Summary: Ohio Grub Control Tests
Results from 1976 through 1999
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How to Tell if Grub Affected by Insecticide
Healthy Grub Grub on Way Out
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Black Turfgrass Ataenius
Adult small, black beetle Larva like miniature white grub
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Black Turfgrass Ataenius
Only found on golf course greens or areas near greens Overwinters as adults Grubs present June and late August Grubs feed on roots like other grubs Damage usually seen at populations greater than 100 per square foot
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Black Turfgrass Ataenius Control
Best to spray adults Look for adults when Vanhoute spirea blooms (First generation) Rose-of-Sharon blooms (Second generation) Adults swarm over turf in evenings For adults, Scimitar will work well
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Billbugs Adult has snout Larva is legless
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Billbugs Overwinters as adults Larvae cause damage
See damage mid-July to mid-August
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Billbugs Damage Mottled appearance to turf
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Billbugs Damage Mottled appearance to turf
Hollowed out stems and frass
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Billbugs Damage Control
Use Merit or Mach 2 during month of June as a preventative Control adults during April if see them. Can use Scimitar for adults. Can use Mach 2 when see damage from grubs (difficult to control because inside plant when young)
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Sod Webworm Adult is moth with snout Larva have spots on side
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Sod Webworm Damage Damage about size of softball
Spots coalesce if damage is severe
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Sod Webworm Sign Look for silken tunnels Look for green “pellets”
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Sod Webworm Control Time spray by adult activity: Start checking for damage days after peak moth flight Can use Sevin, Bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns) or Lambda cyhalothrin (Scimitar, Spectracide Triazicide)
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Chinch Bugs Adults have black and white patterned wings
Found on Zoysia; a second species found on buffalograss Larvae are reddish with white waistband
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Chinch Bugs Adults and nymphs cause damage Found in sunny areas
Feed on grass near or slightly below turf/soil interface
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Chinch Bugs Can check for insects by using metal cylinder (such as coffee can with ends cut out) Drive can into soil and fill with water
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Chinch Bug Control Carbaryl (Sevin)
Bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns) Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) can be used on golf courses, road medians, industrial sites but not home lawns
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Cutworms Can have more than one type, such as variegated, bronze and black cutworms Variegated Cutworm
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Cutworm Damage Larvae cut off plants near ground level
See damage early or late in season
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Cutworms Can use wide variety of products including acephate (Acephate, Orthene, Ortho Systemic Insect Control), bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns) , lambda cyhalothrin (Scimitar, Spectracide Triazicide) or carbaryl (Sevin) for control
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Winter Grain Mite Reddish legs and black body; 8 legged mite.
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Winter Grain Mite Species Damaged Kentucky bluegrass Bentgrass
Perennial ryegrass Tall fescue
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Winter Grain Mite Damage
Turf has silvered, scorched appearance caused by mites rasping open leaves as they feed Turf treated with carbaryl (Sevin) tends to be worse Mites feed during winter to early spring months In evening, mites come up on grass blades near edge of damage. Mites survive the summer as eggs
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Winter Grain Mite Control Often, turf will grow out of damage
However, if chemical control is needed; bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns) or lambda cyhalothrin (Scimitar, Spectracide Triazicide)
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Fall Armyworm Damage
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Fall Armyworm Different age larvae may look different
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Fall Armyworm Different age larvae may look different
Identification: “Y” on head.
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Fall Armyworm: Control
Acephate (Acephate, Orthene, Ortho Systemic Insect Control), Bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns) Lambda cyhalothrin (Scimitar, Spectracide Triazicide)
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The End
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