Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Surveys were conducted in 2008 to record insect activity from eight golf courses and the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. Select surveys determined the absence or presence of pyrethroid resistant annual bluegrass weevil populations at four SE, SW, Central PA golf courses. Results were placed on the extension web page which assisted stakeholders in timing control measures and notifying them of current pests. 21 field studies were conducted in 2008: 4 annual bluegrass weevil, 3 billbug, 1 cutworm and 13 grub studies. These experiments evaluated formulations of Acelepryn, Aloft, Arena, Azatrol, Conserve, Dylox, GrubEx, Meridian, Merit, parasitic nematodes, Provaunt, Talstar and experimental formulations to manage the latter pests. 90 field studies were completed from 2003-2008 and data from seven insecticide classes (reduced-risk anthranilic diamide Acelepryn; reduced-risk oxadiazine Provaunt; botanical Azatrol; insect growth regulator Mach 2; microbial formulations of Conserve and `Steinernema' parasitic nematode; nicotinoids Arena, GrubEx, Meridian and Merit; organophosphate Dylox; pyrethroids Deltagard, Scimitar, Talstar and Tempo; and pyrethroid-nicotinoid combinations of Aloft and Allectus) was summarized for development of pest control strategies. Green industry personnel, county extension colleagues and students were provided with annual updates from 2003-2008 on the management and distribution of emerging pest problems which negatively impacted PA's turfgrass industry. 2008 results will be presented at the 2008 PSU Golf Turf Conference/Capitol Regional Landscape Conference, 2009 Eastern Conference/PA KAFCO Athletic Field Conference, county extension meetings and research reports presented at the 2009 National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop/NE1025 research meeting and manuscripts submitted to Arthropod Management Tests. PARTICIPANTS: Paul Heller, project PI: establishes project objectives, collaborates with turfgrass industry personnel/organizations, develops contacts with industry R & D specialists, directs/supervises activities of program data specialist, assists in data collection, scouts for insect pests, collaborates with industry personnel to acquire their input, cooperates with golf course superintendents to record pest activity across the state, develops PowerPoints on project objectives that are completed at conferences/extension meetings, and completes annual reports. Danny Kline, program data specialist: collaborates with PI to finalize project objectives such as pest surveys, insect trap emergence data collections, establishes field studies, applies treatments, records data, statistical data analysis using ARM, hiring and supervising summer/fall student employees, documents pest damage with digital images for PowerPoints, acts as project liaison with golf course superintendents, preventive maintenance of research equipment, and maintains computer hardware and software. Adam Houseman, 2006-2008 spring/summer/fall student employee: assisted D. Kline in completing field experiments, product applications, data collection, maintaining research areas at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center, and project truck. David Joyce, 2007-2008 fall student employee: assisted with JB white grub data collection. Golf Course Superintendents: John Daugherty, Overlook Country Club; Jay Kline, Lewistown Country Club; Charles Lincicome Bucknell Country Club; and Charles Oster, Indian Lake Country Club: provided turfgrass areas to complete on-golf course efficacy experiments. In-kind support or financial support provided by: Arysta, Bayer, Becker Underwood, Dow AgroScience, Dupont, Nichino, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, Scotts, Syngenta, United Phosphorous and Valent. Regional NE IPM research grant from 2007-2008 funded ABW studies. Golf course superintendents who collaborated with the project provided their board of directors and membership with significant information on managing key turfgrass insects with reduced-risk control strategies and field plots demonstrated untreated ABW, BCW, JB and NMC populations could negatively impact course play and maintenance budgets. Student employees were introduced to turfgrass insect pest feeding damage, recorded comparative product performance data, acquainted themselves with the biology of key insect pests, evaluated phenological plant indicators to time ABW treatments, and refined pest ID skills. As a result of our program select golf course superintendents are monitoring their turfgrass areas for the appearance of annual bluegrass weevil, mapping damage associated with annual bluegrass weevil and scarab white grubs, while athletic field managers are sampling and mapping HB damage. Project research summaries are shared with USGA regional agronomists, cooperative extension personnel, and turfgrass students enrolled in ENT952A and ENT317. TARGET AUDIENCES: This project targets a wide array of audiences associated with Pennsylvania's Turfgrass Industry conferences, landscape meetings and county extension meetings. PowerPoints summarizing pest surveys and efficacy data has been shared with attendees at numerous conferences, workshops and county extension meetings conducted between 2003-2008. Current results will be presented at Penn State's 2008 Golf Turf Conference, 2008 Capitol Region Turfgrass Conference, 2009 Western Turfgrass Conference, 2009 KAFCO Athletic Field Conference, and 2009 county extension and industry related workshops/meetings. Individuals attending these meetings include athletic field personnel, county extension colleagues, golf course superintendents, industry researchers, home owners, landscapers, master gardeners, professional lawn care applicators, turfgrass industry general maintenance workers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State personnel, turfgrass science major students and USGA regional agronomists. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
PA's turfgrass industry was updated on the status of turfgrass pests through scouting reports released between 2003-2008. 12 insects were identified as major pests. Key pests recorded in 2008 were annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), armyworm (AW), hunting billbug (HB), Japanese beetle (JB) and northern masked chafer (NMC). During 2008 AW caused extensive damage in SW PA, while ABW spring larval development was delayed by saturated soils. HB became established as a major home lawn and athletic field pest but was negatively impacted by 'Beauveria' sp as a result of excessive rainfall in 2008. Bluegrass billbug populations were replaced with HB. NMC was the predominant grub species present through 2007 but JB numbers resurged in 2008. From 2003-2008 green June beetle and European chafer grub damage was noticeable in NE and SE counties. Black turfgrass ataenius, cicada killer wasp, cutworm, ground nesting bees, hairy chinch bug, nuisance ant and sod webworm populations fluctuated each year. Results summarized from 90 field trials contributed critical efficacy data for recent EPA registrations of two new reduced-risk pesticides, Acelepryn and Provaunt, plus formulations of Allectus, Aloft, Arena and Meridian. The latter products now serve as replacements for FQPA cancellations. Anthranilic diamide and oxadiazine insecticide classes reduced the potential for nicotinoid/pyrethroid resistant management concerns when used to suppress ABW, chinch bugs, cutworms, HB, JB and NMC. Preventive applications of pyrethroids and Aloft provided optimum ABW control but in 2008 weevils collected from a SE PA golf course exhibited resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. Formulations of anthranilic diamides (Acelepryn) and oxadiazine (Provaunt) suppressed ABW, while larval populations were reduced with Conserve, Dylox and Provaunt. Scarab white grubs were significantly controlled with preventive applications of Acelepryn (registered in 2008), Allectus, Aloft, Arena, GrubEx and Meridian. Acelepryn and Merit effectively reduced HB when applied preventively. Curative applications of 'Steinernema' insect parasitic nematodes did not provide satisfactory grub control, while Dylox 80 was affective. Black cutworms were effectively suppressed with applications of 'Steinernema' nematodes (2008), Provaunt, Dylox and pyrethroids. Azadirachtin (2.5-20 percent reduction), insecticidal soap (32.5 percent reduction) and spinosad (24-67 percent reduction) did not provide optimum control of cutworms. Chinch bug populations were significantly reduced with pyrethoids. 2008 project results will be shared with golf course superintendents, professional lawn care applicators, athletic field managers, sod producers, landscapers, county extension colleagues, USGA regional agronomists, and turfgrass students at conferences, county extension meetings, National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop and NE1025 research reports, the Entomological Society of America's Arthropod Management Tests and pest surveys.
Publications
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-April application of Acelepryn and Merit formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G16.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Early May application of Acelepryn, Meridian, and Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G17.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-June application of Acelepryn, Meridian, and Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G18.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-June irrigation application study of Acelepryn, Mach 2, and Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G19.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Timing application effect of Acelepryn and Merit to suppress green June beetle surface damage to turfgrass, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G20.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-May application of Acelepryn granular and sc formulations compared with Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G21.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-May application of Acelepryn, Grubex, and Merit-fertilizer formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33: G22.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive timing study with Aloft and Merit formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G11.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive timing study with Aloft, Arena, and Merit formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G12.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive timing study with Meridian and Merit formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G13.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Mid-July application of Acelepryn and Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G23.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Curative timing application of insect parasitic nematodes and Dylox 6.2G to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G24.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive applications of Acelepryn, Arena, Summerguard, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G1.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive applications of Acelepryn, Arena, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G2.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive application timing study to evaluate Acelepryn, Provaunt, Meridian, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G3.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Curative application timing study with Provaunt and Dylox to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G4.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Black cutworm larval suppression study with Azatrol, Conserve, M-Pede, and Scimitar formulations, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G5.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Black cutworm larval suppression study with Scimitar CS and reduced rates of insect parasitic nematodes, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G6.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Black cutworm larval residual efficacy study with Acelepryn formulations, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G7.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive application of Aloft and Merit formulations to suppress hunting and bluegrass billbug, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G8.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Preventive application of Acelepryn, GrubEx, Merit, and Talstar formulations to suppress hunting and bluegrass billbug, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G9.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Application of Acelepryn and Provaunt formulations to suppress hunting and bluegrass billbugs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G10.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Curative timing application of Meridian, Dylox, and Arena formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G14.
- Heller, P. R., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2008. Allectus application timing study to suppress scarab white grubs, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, Vol. 33:G15.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Turfgrass personnel, county extension colleagues, and USGA agronomists need to be informed of current pest problems which occur on an annual basis. Pest surveys on recreational and residential turfgrass were completed to document those pests threatening PA's $1.46 billion dollar turfgrass industry. These surveys evaluated the effect of drought conditions on scarab grub populations. ABW spring emergence was correlated with phenological indicators to optimize timing of control strategies. Twenty-three field demonstration trials (five annual bluegrass weevil studies, three black cutworm studies, three hunting billbug studies, and 12 grub studies) were established on golf courses or at Penn State's Valentine Turfgrass Research Center to determine product performance of seven classes of insecticides and two class combinations, respectively anthranilic diamides (experimental environmental friendly Acelepryn formerly DPXE2Y45), botanicals (Azatrol = azadirachtin), microbials
(insect parasitic nematodes, Conserve SC), nicotinoids (Arena, Merdian, Merit), organophosphates (Dylox), oxadiazines (environmental friendly Provaunt), pyrethorids (Scimitar, Talstar), and nicotinoid/pyrethroid combinations (Allectus, Aloft). Both preventive and curative studies were completed with various formulations. It is important to note that Acelepryn 1.67SC is extremely safe to mammals, virtually non-toxic to honey bees, and has an extremely low fish and bird toxicity, which should expedite EPA's approval of this safer pesticide. Provaunt 30WG is designated by the EPA as a reduced-risk pesticide and a replacement for organophosphate class nerve poisons such as Dylox 80 and Dursban Pro. Project results will be shared with state stakeholders (golf course superintendents, professional lawn care applicators, athletic field managers, sod producers, landscapers, county extension colleagues, USGA regional agronomists, and turfgrass science majors at turfgrass conferences (2007 PSU
Golf Turf Conference, 2008 Eastern/Western/Northeast Turfgrass Conferences), county extension meetings, research reports presented at the annual National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop and NE1025 research meeting, manuscripts submitted to the Entomological Society of America's Arthropod Management Tests, and scouting updates.
PARTICIPANTS: Paul Heller, project PI: establishes research objectives, directs/supervises activities of program data specialist, collaborates with turfgrass industry personnel/organizations, develops contacts with industry researchers, assists in data collection, surveys for insect pests, collaborates with turfgrass industry personnel to determine their concerns, collaborates with county extension personnel and USGA agronomists to determine pest activity in various regions of the state, develops Powerpoints based on project results with presentations completed at conferences/extension meetings, and completes annual research reports. Danny Kline, program data specialist: collaborates with PI to complete project objectives such as mapping pre-treatment insect counts via GPS, trap data collections, plotting out research experiments, application of treatments, data collection, statistical analysis of research data, hiring summer/fall student employees in cooperation with PI, supervising
summer/fall student employees, documenting pest problems via digital images for use in Powerpoint presentations, collaborating with golf course superintendents to complete on-golf course efficacy experiments, maintains research equipment, and updates computer software on a regular basis. Adam Houseman, spring/summer/fall student employee: assisted D. Kline in plotting out research experiments, product applications, data collection, mowing research areas at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center, and maintaining the project truck. David Joyce, fall student employee: assisted with scarab white grub data collection. Golf Course Superintendents: John Daugherty, Overlook Country Club; James Dobson, Nittany Country Club; Jay Kline, Lewistown Country Club; Charles Lincicome Bucknell Country Club; and Charles Oster, Indian Lake Country Club: provided turfgrass areas to complete on-golf course efficacy experiments. In-kind or financial support provided by: Arysta, Bayer, Becker Underwood, Dow
AgroScience, Dupont, Nichino, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, and Syngenta. Golf course superintendents who collaborated with the project were able to demonstrate to their board of directors and membership the importance of managing damaging turfgrass insects and how these insects could negatively impact course play and the financial status of the club. Student employees had the opportunity to visually view damage from various turfgrass insect pests, determine product effectiveness, become familiar with the biology of individual insects, recognize the significance of phenological plant indicators, and develop identification skills. In some instances as a result of our program golf course superintendents are now monitoring their turfgrass areas on a regular basis for the appearance of annual bluegrass weevil, mapping damage associated with annual bluegrass weevil and scarab white grubs, while athletic field managers are sampling and mapping damage associated with hunting billbug. Data
generated from this project are also shared with USGA regional agronomists, cooperative extension personnel, and with two year/four year/world campus turfgrass students via 'ENT952A' and 'ENT317'.
TARGET AUDIENCES: This project targets numerous groups associated with Pennsylvania's Turfgrass Industry and educational audiences. Presentations summarizing project results will be presented at Penn State's 2007 Golf Turf Conference, 2008 Eastern Turfgrass Conference, 2008 Western Turfgrass Conference, 2008 Northeast Turfgrass Conference, numerous county extension and industry related workshops/meetings, as well as lectures presented to Penn State resident education, two year certificate program, and world campus students. Individuals in attendance at these meetings include golf course superintendents, professional lawn care applicators, athletic field managers, turfgrass industry general maintenance workers, landscapers, county extension personnel, master gardeners, researchers from pesticide companies, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture personnel, turfgrass science major students, and USGA regional agronomists.
Impacts
Annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), black cutworm (BCW), chinch bugs, cicada killer wasps/ground nesting bees, hunting billbug (HB), and scarab grubs (green June beetle, Japanese beetle (JB), and northern masked chafer (NMC)) caused economic damage to turfgrass in 2007. Field study results will allow turfgrass personnel to make informed best management decisions by selecting effective products and where possible substituting environmental friendly formulations of Acelepryn (formerly DPXE2Y45) or Provaunt to suppress turfgrass pests in 2008. These products will be substituted as OP and carbamate replacements and reduce the industry's strict reliance on nicotinoids and pyrethroids to suppress ABW, BCW, HB, and scarab grubs, while reducing future resistance management problems. 2007 ABW populations increased 328% when compared to 2006 averages. ABW spring activity was noted when redbud and serviceberry were in full bloom. Preventive applications of anthranilic diamides,
oxadiazines, and pyrethroids provided optimum ABW control. Field data results determined that Azatrol, M-Pede, and Conserve SC were ineffective in suppressing BCW, while Scimitar CS/Acelepryn G/Bifenthrin 0.115G provided a minimum of 95% control. HB, previously identified as a warm season pest, has replaced populations of bluegrass billbug in PA over the past few years. 2007 adult pitfall trap data recorded over 13 trapping dates indicated that 97.3% of the species present were HB. Preventive applications of Acelepryn 1.67SC (0.157 lb (AI)/acre, 0.104 lb (AI)/acre) provided in excess of 95% HB control, while applied at 0.209 lb (AI)/acre resulted in 100% control. Merit 75WP (0.3 lb (AI)/acre) provided an average of 79.2% control. Severe drought conditions in central PA resulted in a 64 - 83% reduction of fall scarab grub populations compared to spring numbers. Fall scarab grub development was delayed because of drought conditions. The first adult NMC was collected on 20 Jun. Peak NMC
adult flight occurred between 22 June through 9 July. NMC trap data assists personnel in determining the optimum time to apply preventive applications of nicotinoids or IGRs to suppress scarab grubs. Preventive applications of Allectus GC SC, Aloft GC SC/GR, Arena 50WDG, Mach 2 2SC, Meridian 25WG, and Merit 75WP, reduced JB and NMC grubs by a minimum of 95%. No resistance problems were observed with the latter products. Curative applications of 'Steinernema' sp. of insect parasitic nematodes did not provide satisfactory grub control, while Dylox 80 provided a range of 56.2 - 60.4% control. Arena 50WDG applied curatively provided an average of 98.8% control. Project results will be shared with golf course superintendents, professional lawn care applicators, athletic field managers, sod producers, landscapers, county extension colleagues, USGA regional agronomists, and turfgrass students at turfgrass conferences, county extension meetings, National Turfgrass Entomology Workshop and
NE1025 research reports, results published in ESA's Arthropod Management Tests, and scouting updates. Research results with annual bluegrass weevil will be reported in the Project 4127 progress report.
Publications
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Preventive applications of DPXE2Y45, Arena, Scimitar, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G8.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Curative applications of Allectus, Arena, Merit, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G9.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Preventive application of Allectus, Deltagard, Merit, and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G10.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Curative applications with Conserve, Dylox, and Tempo to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil larvae, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G11.
- Heller, P., D. Kline, and A. Houseman. 2007. Preventive application of experimental DPXE2y45 1.67SC, Merit 75WP, Arena 50WDG, Scimitar GC, and Talstar to suppress billbugs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G12.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Mid-April application of DPXE2Y45 and Merit to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G13.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Mid-May application of DPXE2Y45 and Merit to preventively suppress scarab white grubs. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G14.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Mid-June application of DPXE2Y45 and Merit formulations to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G15.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Application of DPXE2Y45 and a Scotts experimental granular to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G16.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Curative timing study with applications of DPXE2Y45 and Dylox to suppress scarab white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G17.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Preventive application of Arena at various rates to suppress white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G18.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Early May application of Arena to preventively suppress white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G19.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Early July application of Merit to preventively suppress white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G20.
- Heller, P. and D. Kline. 2007. Preventive applications of Meridian formulations and Merit 75WP to suppress white grubs, 2006. Arthropod Management Tests. 32:G21.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Native crane fly, 'Tipula paterifera', larvae were identified and observed in April causing major damage to residential lawns in Berks, Bucks, and York counties. Excessive rainfall recorded in late May and late June in central and south central PA delayed development of annual bluegrass weevil and bluegrass billbug. Likewise some billbug life stages recovered from the soil in early July were killed by the soil entomopathogen 'Beauveria sp.' as a result of elevated soil moisture. Northern masked chafer and Japanese beetle grubs were actively feeding in early April as a result of warm spring temperatures. The first adult northern masked chafer was collected on June 23, while peak northern masked chafer adult flight was recorded from July 2-July 12. Excessive rainfall recorded in central Pennsylvania from August 26-September 5 (total amount, 2.225 centimeters) appeared to delay development of northern masked chafer and Japanese beetle grubs. First and second instar grubs
were recorded in October when third instars should have been the predominant life stage present. A few northern masked chafer grubs recovered from soil samples in September and October were killed by 'Beauveria sp.' Although weather conditions delayed development of select insects, populations of annual bluegrass weevil, black turfgrass ataenius, black cutworm, bluegrass and hunting billbug, cicada killer wasp, green June beetle, Japanese beetle grubs, native crane fly, Northern masked chafer grubs, and Oriental beetle grubs caused major damage to residential and recreational turfgrass. Subterranean sod webworm, hairy chinch bug, nuisance ant, and sod webworm populations were not observed in high numbers. Hairy chinch bug populations resurged in early October in central Pennsylvania, while summer generations of hairy chinch bug were significantly reduced by heavy rainfall. Fourteen insect efficacy trials were established at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center or at off site
locations to evaluate experimental and registered insecticide formulations to suppress the following turfgrass insects: billbug (1 study), black cutworm (3 studies), and scarab grubs (10 studies). Allectus, Arena, Mach 2, Meridian (experimental), or Merit applied preventively provided optimum suppression of Japanese beetle and northern masked chafer grubs. Scarab grubs were effectively reduced either by a curative or preventive application of DPXE2Y45 (experimental). Green June beetle larval surface damaged was reduced by an application of DPXE2Y45. Billbug populations were significantly reduced with a preventive application of DPXE2Y45, Merit, or Arena, while two pyrethroids, Scimitar and Talstar, did not provide significant reduction. Third instar black cutworm larvae were significantly suppressed with an application of Allectus, DPXE2Y45, Provaunt (experimental), Scimitar or Talstar, but biorational formulations of azadirachtin or spinosad did not provide optimum reduction. Annual
bluegrass weevil efficacy data will be reported in Project NE4127.
Impacts
Pennsylvania homeowners, lawn care applicators, golf course superintendents, and county extension personnel will be provided with project results on registered products which demonstrated a 90%> reduction in populations of annual bluegrass weevil, black cutworm, bluegrass billbug, hunting billbug, Japanese beetle grubs, and northern masked chafer grubs. This information will be disseminated at workshops and conferences; plus, placed in the 2007 Penn State's Valentine Turfgrass Research Report. Project results indicated that billbugs were suppressed with a preventive application of Arena, DPXE2Y45 (experimental), or Merit. The incidence of Japanese beetle and northern masked chafer grubs was very high in 2006 forcing homeowners and turfgrass personnel to apply either a preventive or curative control measure. Research results indicated that scarab grubs were significantly reduced by a preventive application of Allectus, Arena, DPXE2Y45, Mach 2, Meridian (experimental),
or Merit which can reduce costs associated with replacement of grub damaged turfgrass. Otherwise, Dylox applied curatively provided 96% reduction of northern masked chafer grubs. The Food Quality Protection Act's reassessment of carbaryl may result in loss of this active ingredient. Fortunately, two years of research with indoxacarb (Provaunt) and DPXE2Y45 demonstrated that both insecticides effectively reduced black cutworm larval infestations as well as pyrethroids (DeltaGard, Scimitar, Talstar, Tempo) and Allectus. The latter products could serve as replacements for carbaryl formulations.
Publications
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Application of Allectus and Merit to preventively suppress white grubs at three timing intervals, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G34.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Application of Arena and Merit to suppress white grubs at preventive and curative timing intervals, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G35.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Application of DPXE2Y45 and Merit to preventively suppress white grubs based at two timing intervals, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G36.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Curative applications of Allectus, Merit, and Talstar to suppress early larval instars of annual bluegrass weevil, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G37.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Early July application of DPXE2Y45, GrubEx, and Merit to preventively suppress scarab white grubs, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G38.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Late summer curative scarab grub suppression with trichlorfon, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G39.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Mid-August scarab grub efficacy study evaluating applications of DPXE2Y45 and Merit, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G40.
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2006. Mid-May application of experimental DPXE2Y45 and Merit to preventively suppress first generation black turfgrass ataenius grubs, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G41.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Preventive applications of DPXE2Y45 and Talstar to suppress first generation annual bluegrass weevil, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G42.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Preventive applications of DPXE2Y45 1.67SC, Merit 75WP, and Talstar F to suppress billbugs, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G43.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Preventive application of granular experimental DPXE2Y45, Merit, and Talstar to suppress billbugs, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G44.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Timing effect of application of experimental DPXE2Y45 and Merit to suppress green June beetle surface damage to turfgrass, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G45.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Black cutworm larval residual efficacy study with Conserve, DPXE2Y45, and Talstar, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G1.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Black cutworm larval suppression study between Azatrol, Scimitar, and Talstar, 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G2.
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2006. Black cutworm larval suppression study between DPXE2Y45, Allectus, and Talstar. 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G3.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Black cutworm larval suppression study comparing Provaunt with Talstar. 2005. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G4.
- Heller, P. R., Ellis, P. J., and Kline, D. 2006. Black cutworm larval suppression with Arena and Deltagard formulations. 2004. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 31, G5.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Cool wet spring weather delayed development of annual bluegrass weevil and black turfgrass ataenius. This resulted in asynchronous life stages and overlapping generations of both pests from June through early August. In some instances pest development was delayed 2-3 weeks. Extreme summer drought conditions delayed growth of scarab grub populations as soil moisture declined. Northern masked chafer peak adult flight occurred between July 2-7 which was 10 days later than 2004. Second instar grubs were still present in mid-October. Annual rainfall totals recorded through October 8 at various locations documented negative departures from normal including: Altoona, -8.65 inches; Erie, -3.83 inches; Lewistown, -3.07 inches; Pittsburgh, -5.66 inches; State College, -5.70 inches; Wilkes-Barre, -6.09 inches; and York, -3.07 inches. Disregarding weather conditions annual bluegrass weevil, black turfgrass ataenius, bluegrass and hunting billbug, cicada killer wasp, green June
beetle, Japanese beetle grubs, Northern masked chafer grubs, and Oriental beetle grubs caused major damage to recreational and residential turfgrass. Black cutworm, cranberry girdler, hairy chinch bug, nuisance ant, and sod webworm populations were not observed in high numbers. A Northern mole cricket population became established at a SE PA golf course and caused noticeable damage to areas surrounding greens. Asiatic garden beetle grubs continued to be present in weedy golf course roughs. Eighteen turfgrass insect efficacy trials were established at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center or at off site locations to evaluate biorational, registered, and experimental insecticides to suppress the following insects: annual bluegrass weevil (two studies), billbug (two studies), black cutworm (four studies), and scarab grubs (10 studies). Preventive applications of Arena, Allectus, Mach 2, Meridian (experimental-Syngenta), and Merit provided optimum suppression of Japanese beetle and
Northern masked chafer grubs. Synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin) effectively suppressed annual bluegrass weevil and black cutworm; however, Dr. R. Cowles at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station indicated that he observed annual bluegrass weevil resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin in 2005. To date our program has not observed weevil resistance. Preliminary results indicated Allectus, Arena, Merit, and Talstar applied against young annual bluegrass weevil larvae provided suppression but additional studies need to be completed. Biorational formulations of azadiractin and spinsoad did not provide optimum control of black cutworm. Mixed populations (i.e., bluegrass and hunting) of billbugs were significantly suppressed by Merit. Dupont's experimental DPXE2Y45 formulations provided excellent reduction of annual bluegrass weevil, billbug, black cutworm, and scarab grubs.
Impacts
Turfgrass insecticide performance results will be shared with county agents, lawn care operators, and golf course personnel at workshops and conferences as well as Penn State's 2006 Valentine Turfgrass Research Report. Revisions to trichlorfon labels will negatively impact curative grub management on golf course fairways. Homeowners eventually may be restricted to selecting either synthetic pyrethroid products, which are easily bound by thatch and do not move through the soil, or carbaryl products to suppress late instar grubs. These formulations usually do not provide optimum curative grub control. Homeowner formulations of trichlorfon remain on the market to suppress late instar grubs. Annual bluegrass weevil, black cutworm, hairy chinch bug, and sod webworm are effectively reduced by synthetic pyrethroids; however, reliance on one class of insecticide may result in future resistance management concerns. Turfgrass applicators will continue to apply effective
preventive grub control (e.g., Allectus, Arena, Mach 2, Merit), while billbugs will be managed with Merit. Field studies indicated that formulations of Dupont's new experimental insecticide DPXE2Y45 provided significant suppression of both surface and subsurface turfgrass insect pests. Black light trap data collected at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center provide valuable information to turfgrass managers on peak flight of adult chafers. Likewise scouting for the appearance of annual bluegrass weevil has been enhanced by our program's suggested use of the new phenological indicator 'Amelanchier arborea'.
Publications
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2005. Black cutworm larval suppression Conserve, Provaunt, and Talstar, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G3.
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2005. Black cutworm larval suppression with Conserve, Deltagard, and M-Pede, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G6.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Late-fall application of carbaryl, imidacloprid, and trichlorfon formulations to curatively suppress scarab white grubs, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G9.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Late-July application of halofenozide and imidacloprid formulations to preventively suppress scarab grubs, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G10.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Mid-June application of experimental formulations to preventively suppress Northern masked chafer grubs, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, GF11.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Mid-May application of halofenozide and imidacloprid formulations to preventively suppress scarab grubs, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G12.
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2005. Curative applications of Provaunt and Merit formulations to suppress scarab white grubs, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G32.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Application of insecticide formulations to preventively suppress white grubs with three post irrigation strategies, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G39.
- Heller, P. R. and Kline, D. 2005. Mach 2 formulation application timing efficacy study, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G40.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2005. Mach 2 preventive application formulation white grub efficacy study, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 30, G40.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Warm spring and early summer temperatures (with average rainfall) recorded throughout Central and SE PA favored early development of annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) and Northern masked chafer (NMC). Mid- to late-instar ABW larvae damaged Poa collars, greens, and fairway perimeters as early as May 17 (ca. 2 weeks earlier than observed in previous years). Adult NMC flight was observed on 14 June, while the latter insect was not active in 2003 until 3 July. NMC oviposition and egg hatch likewise was early in 2004. However, NMC development was delayed in Centre County by excessive rainfall recorded from July through September. Late first and early second instar NMC grubs were still present in late September in place of third instar larvae. Monthly rainfall totals for this region included: July, 7.30 inches (average, 3.42 inches), August, 7.16 inches (average, 3.69 inches), and September, 10.57 inches (average, 2.96 inches). Bluegrass and hunting billbug larval feeding
resulted in major damage to residential and recreational turfgrass. In some instances excessive rainfall masked billbug damage. Hairy chinch bug populations were negatively impacted by saturated turfgrass resulting in outbreaks of 'Beauveria' sp. Black turfgrass ataenius caused major damage (i.e., late June) to golf course fairways in Central PA, while Japanese beetle populations resurged in 2004. Asiatic garden beetle, black cutworm, green June beetle, May/June beetle, nuisance ant, and Oriental beetle were not major pests in 2004. It is important to recognize that hunting billbug populations continued to increase across the state, while Oriental beetle (OB) grubs were observed in Mifflin County. In the past OB populations primarily have been active from Harrisburg south to Philadelphia. In some cases we observed mixed populations of bluegrass and hunting billbug which makes control very challenging. Sixteen turfgrass insect field trials were established at the Valentine Turfgrass
Research Center or at off site locations to evaluate biorational, conventional, and experimental formulations to suppress five surface and subsurface feeding pests as follows: bluegrass weevil (one study), black cutworm (four studies), bluegrass billbug (one study), and Japanese beetle grubs/Northern masked chafer grubs (ten studies). FQPA reassessment has resulted in the loss of Diazinon and Durban for surface and sub-surface feeding pests of turfgrass. Registered pyrethroid insecticides (i.e., chlorpyrifos replacements) have provided suppression of ABW, black cutworm, and chinch bug. However, this class of pesticide has not consistently controlled scarab white grubs. Formulations of halofenozide, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam continued to provide optimum suppression of scarab grubs and bluegrass billbug. Spinosad did not provide adequate control of third instar black cutworm larvae.
Impacts
White grub studies provided golf course personnel, homeowners, and lawn care applicators with information on the optimum time to apply a registered preventive grub product containing either the active ingredient halofenozide or imidacloprid. The latter grub treatment has usually prevented fall grub damage which can result in turf replacement. Replacement costs generally are more expensive than one preventive application. As a result of FQPA reassessment of carbamate and organophosphate pesticides, only two effective active ingredients remain registered for curative grub control, respectively carbaryl and trichlorfon. Registered curative pyrethroids have not provided optimum grub control. Dylox 6.2G continued to provide curative control of scarab white grubs during the fall under extremely wet conditions. Research studies also documented that imidacloprid did not consistently suppress ABW (i.e., golf course pest). However, project results indicated significant
reduction of ABW with GC pyrethroid. Reliance on the latter class of pyrethroid insecticides for ABW control reduces the need for an application of imidacloprid. Golf course superintendents can limit their applications of chlorpyrifos to curtail black cutworm populations by relying on effective GC pyrethroid formulations. Billbug populations were effectively reduced by an application of imidacloprid when adults were active in the spring.
Publications
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Suppression of the nuisance ant with Conserve, Mach 2, Merit, and an experimental formulation, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G10.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Suppression of the nuisance ant with pyrethroid formulations, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G11.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Management of bluegrass billbug with Merit and Tempo formulations, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G13.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Preventive management of bluegrass billbug with experimental insecticide formulations, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G14.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Spring and mid-summer evaluation of experimental formulations to suppress Japanese beetle and Northern masked chafer grubs, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G15.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. White grub suppression timing study with applications of Dylox and Merit formulations, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G16.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Curative management of hairy chinch bug with pyrethroid formulations on fine fescue, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G34.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Summer management of hairy chinch bug with Talstar EZ and Cyfluthrin formulations on established fescue turfgrass, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G35.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Black cutworm larval suppression on creeping bentgrass with Deltagard and Talstar, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G4.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Black cutworm larval suppression with registered pyrethroids, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G5.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Black cutworm larval suppression with registered pyrethroids and spinosad, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G6.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Black cutworm larval suppression with Talstar and Scimitar formulations on creeping bentgrass, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G7.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Management of green June beetle grubs on a golf course fairway, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G8.
- Heller, P. R. and Walker, R. 2004. Preventive management of white grubs with imidacloprid and curative management of white grubs with trichlorfon, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, V. 28, G9.
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