1. Common Turf Arthropod Pests Eileen A. Buss Entomology & Nematology Dept. University of Florida/IFAS

2. Grass Thatch Soil J. Medley, UF/IFAS

3. Arthropod Pest Complex in Florida Turf Leaf/Surface Feeders Caterpillars Caterpillars Greenbug aphids Greenbug aphids Red imported fire ants Red imported fire ants Stem/Crown Feeders Southern chinch bugs Southern chinch bugs Twolined spittlebugs Twolined spittlebugs Billbugs Billbugs Mites Mites Root Feeders Mole crickets Mole crickets White grubs White grubs Ground pearls Ground pearls

4. Correct ID of Problem Improper site selection Improper site selection Light Light Temperature Temperature Improper establishment Improper establishment Drought Drought Poor fertility Poor fertility Scalping Scalping Herbicide Excessive wear Compaction Diseases Nematodes Insects Animal urine

5. Tropical Sod Webworm Fall Armyworm Striped Grass Looper Fall Armyworm Striped Grass Looper Looper Caterpillars R. Sprenkel, UF/IFAS

6. Pest Moths Tropical sod Fall armyworm Striped grass webworm looper Wingspan: ½ to 1” ~ 1 ½”1 ½” Photos by L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

7. Caterpillar Damage Young larvae first scrape leaf surfaces, or skeletonize. Young larvae first scrape leaf surfaces, or skeletonize. Damage often goes unnoticed but at close inspection appears as a small (2 - 3 foot diameter) grayish area. Damage often goes unnoticed but at close inspection appears as a small (2 - 3 foot diameter) grayish area. Mature larvae notch or consume the grass blades, which gives the grass a ragged appearance. Mature larvae notch or consume the grass blades, which gives the grass a ragged appearance. Several species may feed together, at the same time. Several species may feed together, at the same time.

8. Striped grass looper infestation on bahiagrass polo field Photos by L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

9. Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) Hosts: Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass Hosts: Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass Larvae may feed from April to September Larvae may feed from April to September One larva can eat a grass in a 1- or 2-inch diameter round spot. With a large population, spots coalesce into dead patches. One larva can eat a grass in a 1- or 2-inch diameter round spot. With a large population, spots coalesce into dead patches. Damage appears on turf near flower beds, where adults feed. Damage appears on turf near flower beds, where adults feed.

10. Caterpillar IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Avoid excessive turf fertilization, especially in late summer Avoid excessive turf fertilization, especially in late summer Mow at low height and destroy clippings to remove any eggs Mow at low height and destroy clippings to remove any eggs Biological Control: Biological Control: Various natural enemies (stink bugs, spiders, ants, birds, other animals) may help suppress caterpillars Various natural enemies (stink bugs, spiders, ants, birds, other animals) may help suppress caterpillars Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Many broadspectrum insecticides are available and effective. Try more selective products like B.t. or Conserve (spinosad) first, if possible Many broadspectrum insecticides are available and effective. Try more selective products like B.t. or Conserve (spinosad) first, if possible

11. Greenbug Aphids (Schizaphis graminum) Pest of grains & grasses Pest of grains & grasses In Florida, main host is seashore paspalum In Florida, main host is seashore paspalum Feeding causes yellow or red leaf spots, tip “burning” Feeding causes yellow or red leaf spots, tip “burning” Females reproduce without mating Females reproduce without mating One generation takes only 7-9 days at temps of 60-80°F One generation takes only 7-9 days at temps of 60-80°F

12. Greenbug IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to greenbug damage than adequately irrigated turf Drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to greenbug damage than adequately irrigated turf Frequently mowed and low cut turf have fewer greenbugs Frequently mowed and low cut turf have fewer greenbugs Biological Control: Biological Control: Ladybird beetle adults and larvae, flower fly larvae, lacewings, ground beetles, parasitic wasps, spiders and fungal pathogens help suppress greenbugs Ladybird beetle adults and larvae, flower fly larvae, lacewings, ground beetles, parasitic wasps, spiders and fungal pathogens help suppress greenbugs Host Plant Resistance: Host Plant Resistance: Resistant cultivars are being developed Resistant cultivars are being developed Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Neonicotinoids & pyrethroids are effective controls Neonicotinoids & pyrethroids are effective controls

13. Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta Solenopsis invicta Solenopsis richteri Solenopsis richteri Solenopsis geminata Solenopsis geminata Solenopsis xyloni Solenopsis xyloni Nest in mounds, can have thousands of ants per mound Nest in mounds, can have thousands of ants per mound Omnivorous: will eat any ground-inhabiting wildlife Omnivorous: will eat any ground-inhabiting wildlife

14. Red Imported Fire Ants

16. Current Control Strategies Individual mound treatment Individual mound treatment Baits or contact insecticides Baits or contact insecticides Broadcast application Broadcast application Fast-acting (nerve toxins) or slow-acting (IGRs) baits Fast-acting (nerve toxins) or slow-acting (IGRs) baits Slow-acting, long-residual contact insecticide (TopChoice) Slow-acting, long-residual contact insecticide (TopChoice) Natural enemies have been released by the USDA – phorid flies, pathogens Natural enemies have been released by the USDA – phorid flies, pathogens

17. Southern Chinch Bugs (Blissus insularis) Incomplete metamorphosis: 3 life stages (egg, nymph, adult) Incomplete metamorphosis: 3 life stages (egg, nymph, adult) Eggs are laid singly in the thatch, at the crown, and in leaf sheaths. Nymphs and adults also occur in these areas. Eggs are laid singly in the thatch, at the crown, and in leaf sheaths. Nymphs and adults also occur in these areas. Nymphs and adults feed by sucking fluids from turf plants and possibly increase damage by injecting a toxin. Nymphs and adults feed by sucking fluids from turf plants and possibly increase damage by injecting a toxin. Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS

18. Southern Chinch Bugs 1 generation occurs about every 4-6 wks 1 generation occurs about every 4-6 wks Multiple generations per year (3-10 in FL) Multiple generations per year (3-10 in FL) Most activity: April to October Most activity: April to October Overlapping life stages Overlapping life stages Adults may live up to 2 months, and each female can lay ca. 300 eggs Adults may live up to 2 months, and each female can lay ca. 300 eggs

19. Chinch Bug IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Avoid excessive turf fertilization Avoid excessive turf fertilization Dethatch turf to reduce habitat Dethatch turf to reduce habitat Biological Control: Biological Control: Natural enemies (a scelionid egg parasitoid, big eyed bugs, anthocorids, nabids, earwigs, spiders, ants) help suppress chinch bugs Natural enemies (a scelionid egg parasitoid, big eyed bugs, anthocorids, nabids, earwigs, spiders, ants) help suppress chinch bugs Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Insecticide resistance is a recurring problem and must be managed Insecticide resistance is a recurring problem and must be managed Rotate products with different modes of action Rotate products with different modes of action

20. Twolined Spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta) Feeds on many grasses, weeds, & ornamentals Feeds on many grasses, weeds, & ornamentals Suck plant juices Suck plant juices Nymphs in spittle- masses Nymphs in spittle- masses 2 generations/year 2 generations/year L. Williams

21. Twolined Spittlebug IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Avoid conditions that favor thatch build- up Avoid conditions that favor thatch build- up Biological Control: Biological Control: No nymphal natural enemies; adults are attacked by birds, spiders, assassin bugs, and a fungus No nymphal natural enemies; adults are attacked by birds, spiders, assassin bugs, and a fungus Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Few insecticides are effective Few insecticides are effective Use enough water volume to penetrate thatch Use enough water volume to penetrate thatch

22. Billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.) Gray to black weevils Gray to black weevils Larvae are legless Larvae are legless Hunting billbug has a Y- shaped area on pronotum with a parenthesis-like marking on each side Hunting billbug has a Y- shaped area on pronotum with a parenthesis-like marking on each side Possibly 2+ generations each year in Florida Possibly 2+ generations each year in Florida

23. Billbug IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Overseed using endophytic ryegrass Overseed using endophytic ryegrass Keep turf fertilized and moist to survive damage Keep turf fertilized and moist to survive damage Dethatch to reduce habitat Dethatch to reduce habitat Biological Control: Biological Control: Entomopathogenic nematodes kill larvae and adults Entomopathogenic nematodes kill larvae and adults Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Preventive insecticides used against grubs should work, but have been less effective in Florida, possibly because of poor timing Preventive insecticides used against grubs should work, but have been less effective in Florida, possibly because of poor timing Curative insecticides have had variable efficacy Curative insecticides have had variable efficacy

24. Bermudagrass Mite (Eriophyes cynodoniensis) Eriophyid mite Eriophyid mite Only host: bermudagrass Only host: bermudagrass Adults are 0.2 mm long with 2 pairs of front legs Adults are 0.2 mm long with 2 pairs of front legs Damage: reduced turf vigor, tufts of grass with short internodes Damage: reduced turf vigor, tufts of grass with short internodes 1 generation = 2 weeks 1 generation = 2 weeks L. J. Buss

25. Zoysiagrass Mite (Eriophyes zoysiae) Eriophyid mite Eriophyid mite Hosts: Zoysia spp. Hosts: Zoysia spp. Infests unexpanded leaves, leaf sheaths, collars, seed heads Infests unexpanded leaves, leaf sheaths, collars, seed heads Cultivar ‘Emerald’ is resistant, but ‘Belair’, Meyer’, and ‘El Toro’ are susceptible Cultivar ‘Emerald’ is resistant, but ‘Belair’, Meyer’, and ‘El Toro’ are susceptible L. J. Buss

26. Mite IPM Cultural Control: Cultural Control: Keep grass properly fertilized and irrigated Keep grass properly fertilized and irrigated Scalp turf & destroy clippings Scalp turf & destroy clippings Biological Control: Biological Control: Natural enemies have not been studied Natural enemies have not been studied Chemical Control: Chemical Control: Miticides Miticides Use enough spray volume to penetrate thatch Use enough spray volume to penetrate thatch

27. Tawny mole cricket Shortwinged mole cricket Southern mole cricket

28. Tawny Mole Cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus) Feed on roots at night Feed on roots at night Adult males call females for 1 hr after sunset Adult males call females for 1 hr after sunset Egg laying: March – June Egg laying: March – June Females make 3-5 egg chambers, each with ~40 eggs Females make 3-5 egg chambers, each with ~40 eggs Eggs hatch in ~3 weeks Eggs hatch in ~3 weeks Nymphs feed through summer, most are adults by October Nymphs feed through summer, most are adults by October Photos by L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

29. Southern Mole Cricket (Scapteriscus borellii) Omnivorous Omnivorous Adult males call females for 1 hr after sunset Adult males call females for 1 hr after sunset Egg laying: May – July Egg laying: May – July Eggs hatch in ~3-4 weeks Eggs hatch in ~3-4 weeks Nymphs develop slowly; most overwinter as nymphs Nymphs develop slowly; most overwinter as nymphs Photos by L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

30. Shortwinged Mole Cricket (Scapteriscus abbreviatus) Eat turfgrass roots Eat turfgrass roots Adults cannot fly Adults cannot fly Look like southern mole crickets Look like southern mole crickets Males chirp at rather than call for females Males chirp at rather than call for females Most nymphs become adults by fall Most nymphs become adults by fall Photos by L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

31. IPM Program for Mole Crickets Monitoring and correct identification Monitoring and correct identification Cultural controls Cultural controls Avoid using lights at dusk/early night Avoid using lights at dusk/early night Host plant resistance Host plant resistance Biological control Biological control Larra bicolor, Ormia depleta, insect-parasitic nematodes Larra bicolor, Ormia depleta, insect-parasitic nematodes L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

32. Chemical Control Preventive: Treat young nymphs in May/June, soon after egg hatch Treat young nymphs in May/June, soon after egg hatch Many contact insecticides available Many contact insecticides availableCurative: Treat after damage occurs, usually summer, fall, or spring Treat after damage occurs, usually summer, fall, or spring Baits Baits Spot treatments Spot treatments

33. Scarab Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Dung beetles and plant-feeders Dung beetles and plant-feeders 1400 North American species 1400 North American species Scarabs vary in size, color, and habits, but adults can be recognized by their 3-segmented, clubbed antennae Scarabs vary in size, color, and habits, but adults can be recognized by their 3-segmented, clubbed antennae Larvae molt 3 times (have 3 instars) Larvae molt 3 times (have 3 instars) EGGLARVAPUPAADULT

35. Some of the most abundant and damaging grubs in U.S. Some of the most abundant and damaging grubs in U.S. 6 species in Florida: 6 species in Florida: C. borealis, C. lurida, C. miamiensis, C. parallela, C. puberula, C. seditiosa C. borealis, C. lurida, C. miamiensis, C. parallela, C. puberula, C. seditiosa Adults are tan and about 5/8 inches long. Mature grubs are ca. 1 inch long. Adults are tan and about 5/8 inches long. Mature grubs are ca. 1 inch long. Hosts: Grubs feed on all warm- season grasses. Adults don’t eat. Hosts: Grubs feed on all warm- season grasses. Adults don’t eat. Lyle Buss, Univ. of FL Masked Chafers Cyclocephala spp.

36. May/June Beetles (Phyllophaga spp.) 54 species in Florida 54 species in Florida  P. bruneri, P. latifrons, P. quercus, P. uniformis 1-3 year life cycle in U.S.; 1-2 generations/year in Florida 1-3 year life cycle in U.S.; 1-2 generations/year in Florida Adults are dark brown, often hairy, and less than 1 inch long Adults are dark brown, often hairy, and less than 1 inch long Hosts: Grubs feed on roots of most grasses, pine seedlings. Adults feed on tree leaves. Hosts: Grubs feed on roots of most grasses, pine seedlings. Adults feed on tree leaves. Lyle Buss, Univ. of FL

37. Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida) 1 year life cycle 1 year life cycle Grubs feed on organic matter, often where organic fertilizers are used Grubs feed on organic matter, often where organic fertilizers are used Adults feed on over-ripe fruit in August in north Florida Adults feed on over-ripe fruit in August in north Florida Grubs walk on their back Grubs walk on their back Lyle Buss, Univ. of FL

38. IPM Program for White Grubs Identify your pest species or genus Identify your pest species or genus Determine how many grubs/sq. ft. are damaging Determine how many grubs/sq. ft. are damaging Cultural controls Cultural controls Soil moisture, soil organic matter, lights, overseed with endophytic ryegrass Soil moisture, soil organic matter, lights, overseed with endophytic ryegrass Biological control Biological control Wasps, nematodes, pathogens, animals Wasps, nematodes, pathogens, animals Chemical control Chemical control Know when adult beetles fly; apply preventives during egg lay/hatch Know when adult beetles fly; apply preventives during egg lay/hatch

39. Ground Pearls Scattered, irregular patches of dying grass Scattered, irregular patches of dying grass Cysts found near edge of damage Cysts found near edge of damage Adults present in late spring Adults present in late spring Prefer bermudagrass and centipedegrass Prefer bermudagrass and centipedegrass

40. Ground Pearl IPM Cultural: Cultural: Keep turfgrass healthy to outgrow damage. Maintain proper fertility and irrigation. Keep turfgrass healthy to outgrow damage. Maintain proper fertility and irrigation. Biological: Biological: Natural enemies are unknown Natural enemies are unknown Chemical: Chemical: No insecticides are labeled for ground pearl control at this time No insecticides are labeled for ground pearl control at this time